PHNOM PENH: A US$32 million assembly plant belonging to BYD, a prominent new energy vehicle manufacturer, is scheduled to begin operations in the fourth quarter of this year. The facility is situated within the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone.
The operational timeline was disclosed during a meeting held on April 10th. The meeting involved His Excellency Sun Chanthol, who holds the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and Mr. Xiao Haiping, the Executive Director of the BYD Group President’s Office.
During the meeting, His Excellency Sun Chanthol expressed his appreciation to BYD for its decision to establish an assembly plant in Cambodia. He emphasized the CDC’s commitment to providing a flexible and convenient investment environment to facilitate private sector investments, including that of BYD.
Mr. Xiao Haiping conveyed his sincere gratitude for the effective coordination provided by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the CDC from the initial stages through the current preparations for the commencement of site construction, which is anticipated to begin in late April.
This significant investment of US$32 million is projected to generate 200 employment opportunities. This move will also see BYD joining other major global automotive companies, such as Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai, which already have vehicle assembly plants operating in Cambodia.
Furthermore, BYD has outlined plans to establish two service centers and install a network of 200 electric vehicle charging stations throughout Cambodia. This initiative underscores the company’s dedication to fostering a sustainable electric vehicle market within the nation.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the number of registered electric vehicles in Cambodia reached 2,253 in 2024, marking a substantial increase from the 313 registered in 2023.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has established an ambitious target to achieve a 40 percent adoption rate for electric cars and urban buses, along with a 70 percent adoption rate for electric motorbikes, by the year 2050. This goal is aimed at reducing carbon emissions within the country.