BYD, short for “Build Your Dreams,” is a major Chinese manufacturing company that has grown from producing rechargeable batteries to becoming a leader in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and more.
Founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu in Shenzhen, BYD started as a rechargeable battery company specializing in mobile phone batteries. BYD’s expertise in battery technology soon attracted major clients like Motorola and Nokia. By 2003, BYD had expanded its battery business enough to capture a large share of the global market, making it one of the world’s largest battery producers.
In 2003, BYD entered the automotive sector by acquiring Tsinchuan Automobile Company, which marked its pivot from batteries to car manufacturing. Initially, BYD focused on gasoline vehicles but quickly transitioned to electric, applying its battery expertise. In 2008, BYD launched the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the F3DM, which combined traditional gasoline power with an electric motor.
BYD has since expanded its vehicle lineup, developing purely electric cars, hybrids, buses, and commercial vehicles. The company became a leading player in China’s EV market, which is supported by strong government incentives and policies for clean energy. Its models, such as the BYD SEAL-U, the BYD Seal, the BYD ATTO3 and the BYD Dolphin, have gained popularity both domestically and internationally.
BYD began exporting EVs and buses to markets outside China, including Europe, North America, and South America. The company has established key partnerships, including one with Daimler in 2010, which led to the creation of the electric car brand Denza, and with Toyota in 2020 to develop electric vehicle technologies.
In addition to vehicles, BYD has expanded into renewable energy, producing solar panels, energy storage solutions, and other clean energy technologies. BYD’s energy storage systems have been used globally, including in large-scale projects in the U.S., Australia, and Africa.
Today, BYD is one of the largest EV manufacturers in the world, challenging brands like Tesla. The company is vertically integrated, controlling nearly all aspects of EV production from battery manufacturing to final assembly, which allows it to maintain competitive pricing and high quality in a rapidly growing market.