(Yicai) Nov 1 -- Chinese new energy vehicle giant BYD has hired the former general manager for UK operations at Stellantis to bolster its European market expansion.

Maria Grazia Davino is BYD’s new regional general manager for Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic from today, the Shenzhen-based automaker revealed yesterday.

Prior to joining BYD, Davino was responsible for key operational and strategic decisions in the United Kingdom for Netherlands-based car giant Stellantis.

BYD is assembling a European executive team of auto industry veterans to support the company's development plan in the continent, where it aims to take a 5 percent share of the electric vehicle market, or about 70,000 vehicles a year.

Earlier this month, Alessandro Grosso, former vice president of sales at Stellantis Italy, became BYD's marketing manager in that country. Alberto De Aza, managing director for Stellantis brand Peugeot in Spain and Portugal, has also joined BYD's European team.

The carmaker’s hiring of high-level executives from Stellantis reflects its commitment to localizing operations and leveraging expertise familiar with European consumer tastes and the regulatory landscape.

There have also been market rumors that BYD intends to acquire some of the brands owned by Stellantis, but the Chinese company has officially denied this.

BYD’s sales in Europe have soared, powered by an expanded lineup of models tailored to meet European standards and expectations. In the first seven months of this year, sales in the region jumped more than four-fold to 21,261, up from 4,929 a year earlier.

Stellantis, meanwhile, reported a steep drop in third-quarter sales yesterday, with revenue dropping 27 percent from a year ago to EUR33 billion (USD35.8 billion).

Editor: Tom Litting