# Chinese firm BYD reshapes Brazil’s auto industry.

*robotics · news · 2026-05-08 · Foreign Policy*

## Key points

- In April, BYD became the best-selling car brand in Brazil’s retail market for the first time.
- Brazilian labor inspectors found Chinese workers held in near-slavery conditions at BYD’s Bahia site in late 2024.
- Brazil revoked tax breaks for partially assembled vehicle imports in January to encourage local sourcing.
- BYD claims half its car parts assembled in Brazil will be locally sourced by year’s end.

**Companies:** BYD
**Countries:** Brazil, China, Argentina, United States, Mexico

[Read the full story on Foreign Policy](https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/08/brazil-china-byd-car-auto-ev-industry-labor/)

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