China’s BYD Explores Entry into Canadian Auto Market – Regulatory Filing by Reuters

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is aiming to enter the Canadian automotive market, as indicated by a regulatory document submitted earlier this month. This announcement comes amid discussions among Canadian officials about potentially imposing tariffs on vehicles imported from China.

In June, Canada announced it was considering tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, following similar moves by the United States and the European Union. The intention behind these tariffs is to align with allies against what many in the West view as a heavily subsidized Chinese automotive industry.

Ottawa initiated a month-long public consultation period on July 2 to evaluate its response to these developments. Officials expressed concerns that “China’s unfair support for the EV sector, if left unchecked, could lead to an exponential surge of imports that will negatively impact planned EV investments and the transformation of Canada’s automotive industry.”

Details about when representatives of BYD Canada met with government officials were not immediately available.

The document discussing BYD’s plans did not outline a specific timeline for the company’s entry into the Canadian market but addressed the potential for tariffs on electric vehicles alongside BYD’s plans to sell passenger EVs in Canada.

In May, BYD also introduced a mid-size hybrid-electric pickup truck called the Shark in Mexico. The company’s regional chief previously downplayed the impact of new U.S. tariff increases on Chinese EVs, stating that BYD was not focused on the U.S. market.