BYD: Committed to Manufacturing in India Despite Visa Challenges

BYD, a major player in China’s electric vehicle market, is excited about the possibility of manufacturing in India. Rajeev Chauhan, head of BYD India’s Electric Passenger Vehicles (EPV) business, shared that they are constantly evaluating the right conditions to move forward.

Even with ongoing political tensions and visa challenges between India and China, BYD has not faced significant impacts in India. Chauhan emphasized that their products have been well-received by Indian customers, who prioritize performance over nationality.

During the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Chauhan unveiled BYD’s premium electric SUV, the SEALION 7. He mentioned that the company would explore the homologation route for additional models to expand their offerings in India.

In 2023, BYD’s plan to invest $1 billion for an EV and battery manufacturing plant in India was not approved, leaving them without a manufacturing timeline for now. However, they are working closely with Indian teams and don’t believe visa restrictions on Chinese nationals have affected their operations significantly.

Chauhan acknowledged some recent easing of visa restrictions, which may allow more technical experts from China to visit India. He feels that Indian consumers are reasonable and focus more on product quality than on the company’s origin. “People want to see which car suits their needs best,” he said.

In terms of sales, BYD India sold around 3,500 units in 2024, and they expect to do much better in 2025 with four models in the market. The SEALION 7 will join their lineup, which includes the Atto 3, SEAL sedan, and eMAX7.

With the Atto 3 approved for Indian roads, it will allow BYD to import more vehicles beyond the current limit of 2,500 units under the Economic Commission for Europe certification. Chauhan is optimistic about the SEALION 7’s performance in the market and is considering its homologation to meet growing demand.

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