MILAN, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Hybrid technology will be key

for the European expansion of Chinese EV giant BYD

amid soft demand for fully-electric vehicles, the special

adviser in the region for the manufacturer said on Monday.

BYD, China's top electric vehicle producer, entered Europe's

passenger car market in 2022. It has an aggressive product

roll-out plan for next year, which will help it expand its

line-up.

Alfredo Altavilla, a veteran auto industry executive who has

served as Fiat Chrysler's European chief, was appointed as BYD's

special adviser for Europe earlier this year.

Hybrids will be "at the core of BYD strategy in Europe," he

said on Monday during a product event in Italy.

Unlike U.S. rival Tesla, BYD makes both pure and

plug-in hybrid electric cars, which the automaker refers to as

'dual mode'.

"It would be stupid to go against the market, it's pretty

clear where the market is going in Europe, especially in

Southern Europe," Altavilla said, referring to a slowdown in EV

demand this year.

"We'll of course have several EV models in our European

offerings, but hybrids will be key for European customers".

Italy Country manager Alessandro Grosso, who moved to BYD in

October from Stellantis ( STLA ), said plug-in hybrids

currently account for around 70% of BYD sales in Europe.