BYD appoints former Stellantis UK chief Davino to drive European expansion

MILAN: BYD has appointed former Stellantis UK chief Maria Grazia Davino to lead its operations in a group of European countries including Germany, the Chinese carmaker said on Wednesday.

BYD, the world’s second-largest battery-electric car maker, has taken the lead among Chinese automakers in Europe. It is also building factories in Hungary and Turkey to build local production capacity.

Davino will help consolidate BYD’s operations in Europe at a time when the company’s distribution network is expanding, the automaker said in a statement.

Her appointment comes after the Chinese automaker hired former senior Fiat Chrysler Alfredo Altavilla as a special adviser for Europe in August. He recruited former contacts to the company, which is now part of Stellantis, as BYD builds a new management structure in the region.

Davino, who became head of Stellantis UK in September last year, has held various positions within the group and its predecessor Fiat Chrysler since 2013.

She will take on the role of regional director for Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic from December 1, BYD said.

This month, BYD appointed Alessandro Grosso, Stellantis sales vice president for Italy, as its new country manager for Italy.

BYD also this month selected Alberto De Aza, director of Stellantis brand Peugeot in Spain and Portugal, as its new head of Spain, a source said.