BUSINESS

BYD Hires Ex-Hungarian Foreign Minister Who Backed Hungary Push

Published: Jul. 17, 2026 12:40 a.m. GMT+8

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Former Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Photo: VCG

Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s former foreign minister, has resigned from parliament to lead external relations and new business development for Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co.

The high-profile hire underscores the close ties BYD built with Budapest under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a relationship now facing scrutiny as Hungary’s new pro-European government reassesses state-backed foreign investment.

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Péter Szijjártó resigned from parliament to lead external relations for Chinese EV maker BYD.
He was involved in BYD's Hungarian investments, including a plant in Szeged and an EU HQ with subsidies.
Hungary's new pro-European government supports Chinese investment but requires compliance with EU rules.
Hungary's new pro-European government supports Chinese investment but requires compliance with EU rules.

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Who’s Who

BYD Co.: BYD Co., a Chinese electric vehicle maker, hired Hungary’s former foreign minister. It chose Szeged for its first European plant and is establishing its European headquarters and R&D center in Budapest for around $295 million.

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What Happened When

January 2024：: BYD held a ceremony for a land pre-purchase agreement in Szeged, Hungary, for its first European new-energy passenger-vehicle plant.

May 2025：: BYD announced establishment of its European headquarters and research-and-development center in Budapest, with Szijjártó signing the agreement. The project involved about 100 billion forints ($295 million) total investment, including 20 billion forints in government subsidies.

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