Stellantis dealership network begins cooperation with BYD, which creates an awkward situation (4 photos)

Key moments of BYD's expansion in Europe

The situation in the German automotive market

Chinese automakers are intensifying their global expansion, trying to bypass local brands in their territory. A striking example is Germany, where BYD is making a powerful market breakthrough.

It is particularly noteworthy that this process is being led by former Stellantis top managers: BYD's regional director in Europe, Maria Grazia Davino, and the head of the German division, Lars Bialkowski.

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Dealer Reaction And Management Position

Despite the standard practice of changing jobs, information has emerged about a mass transition of Stellantis dealers to cooperation with BYD. This situation is causing discontent in Rüsselsheim, where Opel’s headquarters are located.



Maria Grazia Davino denies accusations of actively recruiting dealers:

Lars Bialkowski and I did not call dealers we knew before. On the contrary, they contacted us, seeing BYD’s potential.

Białkowski added that this development is quite natural, as the Chinese brand offers dealers significant opportunities for growth and profit.

Network growth dynamics and market indicators

Despite the fact that BYD sold less than 8,600 cars in Germany in eight months, the company is showing an impressive pace of expansion. Until recently, the brand had only 26 dealers, but now their number has exceeded 50, and by the end of the year it plans to reach 120 points of sale.





The company is setting even more ambitious goals for 2026 – 300 dealerships, which, according to Bialkowski, is the minimum number necessary to gain a significant market share.

Problems of rapid growth and plans for the future

However, the rapid expansion is already causing concern. One dealer expressed the opinion that BYD’s network is developing too quickly and this pace is unsustainable. It is also noted that only 12% of registrations are from private customers, which indicates a significant share of corporate orders, in particular from car rental companies.



However, the company's management assures that demand significantly exceeds our current capabilities, and Bialkowski added that the goal is to reach the sales level of 50,000 cars on the German market as soon as possible.

BYD's rapid advancement in the European market demonstrates a changing balance of power in the automotive industry. The successful attraction of experienced managers from local manufacturers allows Chinese companies to adapt more effectively to local conditions, which is a serious competition for European brands. BYD's ability to attract already established dealer networks is especially indicative, which indicates business confidence in the prospects of the Chinese manufacturer in the region.