BYD is looking at three Western European countries as possible locations for a vehicle assembly plant, according to various media reports.
The fast-growing Chinese automaker is talking to the French government about building a factory in the country, the French newspaper Les Echos reported. But Germany and Spain are other potential locations, according to Chinese media reports. The U.K. is not a contender because of Brexit, the reports said.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li told Bloomberg in February that the automaker wants to build cars in Europe and is carrying out feasibility studies.
BYD is more likely to establish its own plant than take over a factory that is being closed by an established automaker, such as Ford’s Saarlouis factory in Germany.
The company plans to determine the location for the plant before the end of the year and aims to begin production in 2025, reports said.