Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD announced on Saturday that it is expanding its fleet with two additional car carrier ships, bringing its total to six vessels. The company’s fifth car carrier, named ‘BYD Xi’An,’ was deployed in Jiangsu province over the weekend. According to local media outlet Yicai, the ‘BYD Xi’An’ features 16 vehicle decks with a loading capacity of 9,200 units.
The sixth ship, ‘BYD Changsha,’ is scheduled to make its maiden voyage this Tuesday, June 24, following the completion of its sea trial phase earlier this month. Both new ships measure 219.9 meters in length and 27.7 meters in width.
Recent Developments in BYD’s Shipping Capacity
In late April, BYD announced that its ‘BYD Shenzhen,’ previously recognized as the world’s largest car carrier ship, set sail for Brazil. The vessel arrived at the Itajaí port last month, transporting 7,292 hybrid and electric vehicles destined for South American markets. The shipment included models such as the Song Pro, Song Plus, Song Plus Premium, and Dolphin Mini.
Expansion in Brazil and Global Markets
BYD is currently completing the construction of its manufacturing site in Brazil, which is expected to produce 150,000 vehicles annually. Meanwhile, competitor SAIC Motor’s Anji Logistics launched the Anji Ahnsheng ship in mid-May, claiming it to be the world’s largest vehicle carrier with a capacity surpassing BYD’s Shenzhen by about 2,000 units. SAIC’s ship subsequently departed on its first voyage to Europe.
Impact on Global Sales
BYD’s expanded shipping capacity supports its ongoing global expansion. The Shenzhen-based company is currently the leading new energy vehicle (NEV) brand worldwide. In May, BYD delivered 382,476 units, representing a 14% year-over-year increase. Notably, 89,047 vehicles were delivered overseas, marking a new record for the sixth consecutive month.
The company has set a global sales target of 5.5 million vehicles for the year, including 800,000 units for overseas markets. Between January 1 and May 31, BYD sold 1,763,369 vehicles, achieving 32% of its 2025 target. Last month, the automaker witnessed a fourfold increase in sales across its top 12 European markets compared to May 2024.
Future Plans
Earlier this month, BYD’s Executive VP Stella Li announced plans to introduce a fast-charging network across several European markets, as reported by Belga News. This move is part of BYD’s strategy to enhance its presence in international markets.
