Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD on the 4th unveiled the “Song Pro Super-Hibrido Flex Fuel,” its first locally produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) specifically tailored for the Brazilian market. Equipped with a powertrain capable of running on three power sources—electricity, gasoline, and ethanol—the new model is manufactured at the Camaçari plant in Bahia state and will be available at dealerships across Brazil starting on the 5th.
In an interview with Reuters, Alexandre Baldy, Senior Vice President of BYD Brazil, revealed that the project involved an investment of 100 million reais (approximately $19.6 million) over two years. “This is an extremely symbolic project for BYD,” he stated, emphasizing its significance by noting, “It is the first project jointly developed by R&D teams from Brazil and China, and this collaboration has resulted in a vehicle specifically tailored for the Brazilian market.”
The new model’s all-electric range is 60 kilometers for the entry-level GL trim and 120 kilometers for the higher-grade GS trim. This performance is sufficient to cover the majority of daily commutes and urban trips in electric mode, while the integration with ethanol fuel—widely available across Brazil—reflects a design philosophy aimed at eliminating range anxiety during long-distance driving.
The launch marks a turning point in BYD’s production strategy in Brazil. The company initially began with semi-knocked-down (SKD) vehicle assembly operations but is now pivoting toward full-scale local production with an increasing ratio of locally sourced components. According to Baldy, BYD aims to exceed a 50% local parts procurement rate across all models produced in Brazil by January 2027, with components such as tires already being sourced locally.
The Camaçari plant, a major project into which BYD has poured a total of 5.5 billion reais, began operations in October 2025. The facility plans to eventually bring the production of various components, including batteries, in-house. Production volume for 2026 is projected at approximately 180,000 units, of which around 150,000 are expected to be supplied to the Brazilian domestic market. BYD is targeting sales of roughly 200,000 units in Brazil in 2026, with the Camaçari plant serving as the core of that supply chain.
BYD’s momentum in the Brazilian market is clearly reflected in its sales figures. Total sales in Brazil reached 23,465 units in July, more than doubling from 9,680 units in the same month last year. Its market share expanded to 9.1%, propelling the company to become the fourth-largest automaker in the country. By model, the Dolphin GS sold 5,861 units, capturing the top spot in the retail market.
Brazil is one of the world’s leading ethanol powerhouses, with a nationwide supply network for sugarcane-based bioethanol fuel. BYD’s decision to integrate flex-fuel capability into its PHEV represents a strategic move to directly align with this unique energy landscape. Baldy noted that while the Song Pro Flex was developed exclusively for Brazil, the potential for expansion into other markets, including India, could be on the horizon as ethanol fuel usage grows in the future.
This announcement demonstrates BYD’s evolution from a pure EV manufacturer to a “multi-powertrain strategy” that adapts to the energy circumstances and regulatory environments of individual countries. The approach is clear: maximize ethanol’s advantages in Brazil while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different fuel mixes in other emerging markets, thereby accelerating its global expansion.