BYD, the Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles, aims to register approximately 2,600 new cars in Belgium in 2024, significantly more than quadrupling its 2023 figures.
The company aspires to become one of the top 10 car brands in Belgium. “We are ambitious and intend not to remain a small player,” said Joris Clavie, Managing Director of BYD Belux, at a press conference on Thursday.
BYD currently has nine dealerships in Belgium and Luxembourg and plans to at least double this number by 2025.
“We need to have at least 18 to 20 dealerships,” Clavie stated. He emphasised the importance of having a dealership nearby for customers, both private and fleet. “Belgians do not want to drive far to their garage,” he added. Currently, private customers make up 25% of BYD’s clientele.
“Dealers are crucial for us,” Clavie remarked. “We collaborate with traditional dealers and place great importance on after-sales service. Our customers should directly speak with the dealer, not a call centre answering machine, when scheduling an appointment.”
The biggest challenge for BYD in Belgium is brand recognition, according to Clavie. “Our cars are on par with European vehicles. We do not aim to be a cut-price competitor but to offer great value.”
The automaker targets a diverse audience, from young families to older adults. “We envision a wide range of customers and will not focus on one specific type of client,” Clavie concluded.
