In recent years, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has seen a dramatic shift, with Chinese manufacturers making significant strides in the industry. Among the leaders in this race is BYD, world's largest electric vehicle producer, which has announced plans to establish a factory in Türkiye. The move, as part of a $1 billion investment, aims to tap into the rapidly growing demand for sustainable mobility in Europe and beyond. However, BYD's expansion raises important questions, particularly in light of ongoing concerns regarding human rights abuses in China.
The new plant by BYD in Türkiye has been configured as an effort to solidify the company’s presence in Europe—a region that has had a growing demand for electric cars. The factory to be built in Manisa will initially have the ability to build 150,000 vehicles per year, including electric and plug-in hybrids, while also functioning as the research and development center for the group’s sustainable mobility solutions. The Turkish government has already voiced its support for the project, with the Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır noting that, while talks were initiated long ago, the deal was signed in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2023.
The shift to Türkiye by BYD, especially amidst the European Union and other markets in the world introducing stern measures to emissions and pushing for electric mobility, could be regarded as an effort towards avoiding the charges and making the most of the opportunity that Türkiye presents in terms of entry to the European markets. The recent measure Türkiye undertook to raise tariffs for Chinese vehicles did not only open up non-financial opportunities for China’s BYD to enter the country but also provided a financial incentive in the form of an exemption on such tariffs.
The Turkish government has, however, been blunt in explaining that it views its bilateral relationship with China as critical to supporting Türkiye’s automotive industry and to marketing Türkiye as the perfect hub for any foreign investment firm with interests in establishing a foothold in the European market.
Moreover, Türkiye’s new affordable factories to manufacture electric cars allow BYD to avoid the new import tariffs of the European Union for importing the electric cars produced in China. These tariffs, which are intended to shield European carmakers from competition from Chinese players, make electric vehicles that are imported from China more costly. This way, BYD can circumvent these tariffs and stay afloat in Europe—a market slowly shifting towards renewable innovations. The firm’s expansion into Türkiye is likely to generate huge economic returns, especially in the employment sector. It intends to reach up to 5000 employees at the new factory when production starts in 2026. These jobs will include those in the assembly lines and in production to highly technical skill jobs in research in sustainable mobility technologies. It is believed to have an impact on Türkiye’s economy; this makes investors from other countries invest more and also leads to the localization of component producers to meet the electric vehicle demand.
Besides the direct employment effect, investment in BYD has the potential for additional stimulus to the development of the automotive industry in Türkiye. The factory’s R&D hub could play a role in the country’s innovation system, mainly in electric car production and renewable energy technologies. Besides, the existence of BYD in Türkiye may make other car manufacturers invest in the country, making it even more strategic for automobile manufacturing and innovation hubs. Although acquiring a new market in Türkiye can be seen as having several advantages for BYD, questions can be asked as to whether buying into Turkish markets should also afford China a new platform for communication that has nothing to do with the company or Türkiye but involves human rights abuse in Xinjiang. There are rampant allegations in the public domain that China’s government has violated the rights of the Uighur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang. These allegations have turned the focus to Chinese firms, especially firms that are affiliated with the Chinese authorities.
BYD’s incursion into Türkiye is happening at a time when China has attracted global attention to its records on human rights. The Chinese telecommunications firm that has a strong connection with the Chinese authorities has been accused of funneling through the Chinese government’s abusive practices in the Xinjiang region regarding the Uyghur Muslim community's forced labor and manufacturing. Non-governmental organizations concerned with human rights worry that firms such as BYD could be assisting these abuses by staying active in a nation in which the authorities possess a lot of management over organizations.
However, Turkish officials think concerns will not deter them from investing in the country despite the human rights concerns. The sources in the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology also reveal that the ongoing discussions over BYD’s factory in Manisa have remained free of controversy over the Chinese firms’ affiliations with Beijing’s policies. This has stirred up debates among the human rights activists that Türkiye seems to tilt toward China in these fundamental issues, due to increased economic relationships with China.
Recently, the United States administration and some other countries, members of the European Union, for instance, have blacklisted some Chinese firms over alleged violations of human rights. Produces where and how these measures have increased the exposure of companies like BYD to their relation with the Chinese government and its sensitive policies. Yet, in this world where China’s dominance in the market is rising, especially in electric vehicles and battery production, many countries, including Türkiye, find themselves trapped by economic realism and human rights advocacy. This is particularly so for countries such as Türkiye, which has been trying to deepen cooperation with China as part of its general economic development strategy; the decision allowing BYD to enter and expand in the country is likely viewed as imperative for the car industry to sustain a competitive advantage in the global market.
BYD’s entry into Türkiye reflect general tendencies in the contemporary international automobile business. Today more people are using electric vehicles, and so different manufacturers, like BYD, are seeking more production capacity in strategic markets across the world. Huge investment has been urged for Türkiye since it has a strategic geographical location and is a member state of NATO, while its tariffs are also exempted. However, this success makes people doubt whether supporting BYD will help promote or contribute to continuing human rights abuses in China as the international community becomes more and more sensitive to China’s actions.
For Türkiye, the decision to embrace Chinese investment in the automotive sector reflects a balancing act between economic growth and international human rights concerns. While the economic benefits of BYD’s investment in Türkiye are clear, the broader implications of strengthening ties with a country that continues to face global criticism over its human rights practices cannot be ignored. As the worldwide demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, the intersection of business, politics, and human rights will only become more pronounced.