On February 14, 2026, reports surfaced indicating that Chinese automakers are making significant strides in their global expansion efforts. According to international media outlets, BYD and Geely have made it to the final round of bidding for the acquisition of Nissan-Mercedes-Benz's joint venture factory in Mexico, competing alongside Vietnamese automaker VinFast. Situated in central Mexico, this factory boasts an impressive annual production capacity of 230,000 vehicles. It is characterized by its mature production capabilities, a well-established supply chain, and a strategic geographical location that allows it to efficiently serve both North American and South American markets. Earlier, the project had drawn interest from nine companies, including Chery and Great Wall Motors, all vying for a stake in the bidding process. Should the acquisition prove successful, BYD or Geely will secure a crucial manufacturing base in North America. This move will enable them to export vehicles to the U.S. and Canadian markets tariff-free under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), drastically reduce the time required for factory construction, and bolster their presence in both Latin American and North American markets.