BYD launches Dolphin Mini worth up to R$100,000 and talks about changing culture

The Chinese brand BYD launches the Dolphin Mini electric car in Brazil this Wednesday (28). There was no official announcement about the price until the publication of this text, but the expectation is that it will cost less than R$100,000. More than betting on expanding vehicle imports from China and then producing them locally, at the factory under construction in Bahia, the new model is part of the company’s strategy to popularize the technology in Brazil. The idea is for the country to be the brand’s “hub” in Latin and Central America.

Among all the challenges in the electric market, such as batteries, logistics and the devaluation of cars, the biggest one may still be overcoming consumer distrust.

“It’s a change of culture”, recognizes Alexandre Baldy, special advisor at BYD in Brazil, in an interview with People’s Gazette. Spokesperson for the Chinese brand in the country, Baldy was Minister of Cities in the government of Michel Temer (MDB) between 2017 and 2018 and State Secretary of Metropolitan Transport of São Paulo between 2019 and 2021.

Therefore, in addition to the most affordable electric car, the company’s expansion includes a research center and the development of new products and businesses. In other words, it doesn’t just focus on selling cars, but preparing their arrival. An example of this are investments in infrastructure, such as the installation of 600 charging points in partnership with Raízen.

Plans include a lithium mine – the main raw material for batteries – in Minas Gerais, and local production of parts. Baldy says that investment projects in the production chain are underway and that the focus now is to get the Bahian plant up and running and start manufacturing Brazilian electric cars.

According to Baldy, the company intends to start construction on the factory next week and maintains the plan to produce in the country in 2024.

The factory is in Camaçari, on the site of the former Ford, and will initially produce the Dolphin, Dolphin Mini and Song Plus hybrid SUV models, for a total of 150,000 units per year.

Check out the main excerpts from Baldy’s interview with People’s Gazette:

Gazeta do Povo: How are the works at the factory going? Do you already have a date for it to start operating?

Alexandre Baldy: We are completing the projects and obtaining licenses from the necessary agencies. Our perspective is to start construction next week. And we continue with the objective of starting operations in December.

What models will be produced in Brazil?

Initially, we will produce three models: The BYD Song [SUV híbrido]the BYD Dolphin and BYD Dolphin Mini [lançado nesta quarta-feira].

Will there be models produced and developed for Brazil?

Everything produced here will be developed in Brazil. Having local content is a revolution year after year that makes the car increasingly nationalized. The research and development center, which will be in Salvador, will be an investment in the Technological Hub in Bahia, and will certainly have developments according to the need.

Now, BYD’s philosophy is to internalize its production. This is natural. It started producing the car here, it internalizes the production of parts and pieces. It does this for several reasons, mainly to ensure uniformity of supply and also cost control.

You doubled the number of employees to 10 thousand. Will production also double?

There is no information about the fold. The objective is the first stage of 150 thousand units per year. We will have this correlation more assertively when we actually start.

Does the Brazilian consumer have any preferences in electric cars? And how does this influence the company’s strategy?

At this moment it is difficult to talk because we are chasing our goals, of getting the plant up and running, starting local production and investing in the development and research center. But it is natural that, with all the local structure, we will be able to evaluate the global market and the local solution.

Without a doubt, several possibilities can be made, including the development of technologies and solutions, accessories, results that are in line with Brazilian habits and tastes. Just like a hybrid car, for example. Flex-fuel, in which you can fill up with gasoline, ethanol or electric charging, is a reality that will only happen in Brazil.

In China, BYD is a strategy to buy other companies in the chain. In Brazil, the company was interested in purchasing a lithium mine in Minas Gerais. Did you buy it?

This is a matter that has been ongoing, but due to confidentiality we do not have any further details to share.

When BYD arrived in Brazil, it announced plans to open three factories. How are these projects?

In progress, all of them. We are working on a project to begin civil work, there are no details to comment on.

There are some complaints on the internet regarding delays in deliveries and lack of spare parts…

These are sporadic things. We have a surprising volume stored here at the market so there are no problems with parts or customer service.

Do these pieces come from China today?

Exactly, just like cars.

And then will they come from Brazil?

Certainly.

Does BYD have plans to export? Where?

Also. Brazil will be the hub in Latin America, serving countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Latin America.

The company partnered with Raízen to install 600 charging points. Are there other partnerships?

For sure. We will work with more and more companies that contact us and want to help invest in infrastructure expansion.

We are supporting partners who want to invest in infrastructure so that it can be expanded. It is a change in culture to leave home with a charged battery so that you no longer need gas stations and are not susceptible to increases, as has been happening lately in the prices of fuels, such as gasoline.

Among the questions from potential consumers, doubts are raised about the useful life of batteries, the cost of replacing parts and the devaluation of electric cars. How do you see these challenges?

Naturally. We have an industry that is very concerned and committed to the environment and we have a very serious sustainability plan. BYD has its global master phrase as reducing the planet’s temperature by one degree Celsius, so have no doubt that within the production chain it will be a big focus for the company, and above all reverse logistics, so that we can have this commitment to the environment. We will present many solutions to the market.

I am more concerned about the consumer liking my product and becoming aware of it, clarifying information about hybrids and electric vehicles than any other concern. The commitment is to bring cars of high quality, comfort, standard of technology and innovation at an extremely affordable price.

What do you think about the taxation of imported electrical goods and the like? How does this affect BYD?

We believe in the policy of development and promotion of the industry and we are investing to have a factory in Brazil, and for those who import to come and invest in Brazil to also have local production.

Does the federal program Mover (Green Mobility and Innovation), which grants incentives to certain combustion cars (ethanol, for example, even hybrids) worry the company?

On the contrary. We are served and covered by Mover. The project serves the new technology market, not just electric and hybrid cars, it serves both technologies.

But how does it help you? Does it not favor combustion cars?

It (Mover) aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and decarbonization.