China’s BYD ramps up recruitment for passenger car biz in Korea

[Photo captured from BYD website]

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD Co. is expanding its workforce in South Korea as it prepares to release its first electric passenger car in the country.

According to sources on Sunday, BYD Korea is actively recruiting personnel specialized in passenger car sales. The company is particularly targeting experienced professionals from the imported car sector.

Having entered the Korean market in 2016, BYD Korea has primarily focused on selling commercial vehicles such as electric forklifts and trucks.

The current workforce of BYD Korea is estimated to be around 20 employees. To make a significant entry into the mainstream electric passenger car market, experts believe that BYD will need to substantially increase its workforce in areas such as sales, marketing, and legal, with the requirement potentially exceeding triple digits.

The recruitment drive also includes the appointment of a new leader who will steer the electric passenger car business of BYD Korea.

The company already hired Cho In-chul, former head of the MINI brand at BMW Group Korea, as the new managing director.

Industry insiders raise the possibility of establishing a dedicated passenger car organization within the first half of this year.

The release of BYD Korea’s first electric passenger car in Korea may come in the latter half of this year, according to sources.