Overview
- An industry consultant says BYD is negotiating sites in the Greater Toronto Area with plans to expand to Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary within a year.
- BYD’s Shenzhen and Xi’an factories are listed in Transport Canada’s Appendix G preclearance registry, covering models such as the Seal, Dolphin, Atto 3, and the Seagull marketed as the Dolphin Surf in Europe.
- Canada now applies a 6.1% tariff to Chinese-built EVs under a January arrangement and has capped first-year imports at 49,000 vehicles, rising to 70,000 by year five.
- Chinese-built models remain ineligible for the federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program rebates of up to C$5,000, limiting price incentives for new entrants.
- Other Chinese automakers are progressing toward entry, with Chery recruiting in Canada and Geely’s chief executive saying certification is expected soon.