BYD has moved the third shift at its Camaçari plant in Bahia from the end of the year to November 9, putting the factory into round-the-clock operation, Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported on November 10. With about 2,000 new hires, the industrial complex now employs more than 10,000 people since starting production last year.
The early start reflects surging electric vehicle sales and strong demand for the new model. BYD said the newly launched Atto 2, a plug-in hybrid flexible-fuel version whose engine can run on ethanol or petrol, took 10,329 orders in just over 40 working days and has had 5,012 units registered. According to the Brazilian electric vehicle association, 54,486 electrified vehicles were registered in Brazil in October, up 154.9% year on year, taking the January-October total to 436,809 units, up 158.8%.
The plant currently builds the Dolphin Mini, the King plug-in hybrid sedan and the Song Pro plug-in hybrid SUV, and added the Atto 2 this year. BYD's total investment in Camaçari is 11.3 billion reais (about 13.65 billion yuan), of which 5.5 billion reais has been spent, with initial annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. According to consultancy Bright Consulting, BYD is already Brazil's fourth-largest car brand, behind Fiat, Volkswagen and General Motors.