Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has strengthened its European leadership team by appointing former Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to a senior position, CarNewsChina reported. Szijjártó announced the move on his Facebook page.
Hungary remains a key European hub
Szijjártó, 47, served in Hungary’s parliament for more than two decades and was the country’s minister of foreign affairs and trade from 2014 until May 2026. After leaving government, he joined the Chinese automaker.
The appointment underscores the close ties between Hungary and China’s automotive industry. Hungary has become BYD’s main European base, with the company building its first European passenger vehicle plant in Szeged, which is expected to have an annual production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles. BYD also plans to establish its European headquarters and a research and development center in Budapest.
Chinese investment expands in Hungary
Other Chinese companies are also expanding their presence in Hungary. Electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has opened a European center producing equipment for battery-swapping stations, while battery makers CATL, EVE Energy and Sunwoda are building manufacturing facilities in the country.
Hungaria’s former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has described cooperation with Chinese automakers as a key driver of the country’s economic development, saying China’s leadership in electric and hybrid vehicles presents an opportunity for Hungary to become a major hub for Europe’s next-generation automotive industry.
Chinese brands gain market share in Europe
Chinese automakers continue to expand their presence in Europe. As of April 2026, their share of the European Union’s passenger car market had nearly doubled from a year earlier, according to Euronews, citing data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
ACEA data showed Chinese brands accounted for 5.3% of the EU market, up from 2.9% a year earlier. Sales growth has been driven primarily by electric and hybrid vehicles, with BYD, Chery and Leapmotor among the fastest-growing brands.
