BYD’s global head Wang Chuanfu has set a target to become the world’s biggest carmaker within five years, relying on organic growth rather than a US market foothold.

Stella Li, director of international operations, insists the Shanghai‑based group can eclipse Toyota’s 4.5mn annual sales—well below Toyota’s 10.5mn—by accelerating charging technology and expanding aggressively across Europe, South‑East Asia and Latin America.

High tariffs and software bans have blocked BYD from the U.S., but the company has already built a California plant for heavy trucks and sold more than 100 models there. In Europe, its market share has doubled to 2.8% in May, overtaking Ford, Tesla and Nissan.

BYD is investing nearly €2bn to launch 3,000 flash chargers by 2027, enabling Denza models to fill 70% of a battery in five minutes. Li remains open to acquiring a European premium brand if the right opportunity arises, though none is currently on the radar.