BYD History

BYD – History & Company Details

BYD Company Limited is a Chinese multinational manufacturer best known today for electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and clean-energy technology.

Foundation and Early Years

Founded: 1995

Founder: Wang Chuanfu

Headquarters: Shenzhen, China

BYD originally started as a rechargeable battery manufacturer, supplying batteries for mobile phones and electronics. Within a few years, BYD became one of the world’s largest producers of rechargeable batteries.

Entry into the Automotive Industry

In 2003, BYD entered the automobile industry by acquiring Qinchuan Automobile Company.

This marked BYD’s shift from electronics into vehicle manufacturing.

Early vehicles were affordable gasoline-powered cars designed mainly for the Chinese market.

Focus on Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

BYD quickly invested in electric and plug-in hybrid technology, combining its battery expertise with vehicle engineering.

In 2008, BYD launched the F3DM, one of the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicles.

That same year, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway invested in BYD, increasing the company’s global visibility and credibility.

Technological Innovation

BYD became known for vertical integration—designing and producing:

Batteries

Electric motors

Power electronics

Vehicles

Key innovations include:

Blade Battery – a safer, longer-lasting lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery

DM-i and DM-p hybrid systems

e-Platform for electric vehicles

Global Expansion

BYD expanded beyond China into Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The company became a global leader in:

Electric passenger cars

Electric buses and taxis

Energy storage systems

BYD electric buses are used in many major cities worldwide.

Market Leadership

By the early 2020s, BYD became one of the largest producers of new energy vehicles (NEVs) globally.

In 2022, BYD officially stopped producing pure internal combustion engine vehicles, focusing fully on electric and hybrid vehicles.

BYD Today

Today, BYD focuses on:

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Battery technology and energy storage

Solar and clean energy solutions

BYD operates under multiple sub-brands, including BYD, Denza, Yangwang, and Fang Cheng Bao, covering mass-market to luxury and off-road segments.

BYD products to date, organized by category. (Some models are market-specific, but this covers BYD’s global lineup, past and present.)

🚗 BYD Passenger Cars (Sedans & Hatchbacks)

BYD F0

BYD F3 / F3DM

BYD F6

BYD G3

BYD G6

BYD Qin

BYD Qin Plus

BYD Qin L

BYD Seal

BYD Seal 06 / 07

BYD Han (EV & DM-i)

BYD Destroyer 05

BYD Dolphin

BYD Seagull (Dolphin Mini)

BYD Flyer

BYD e1

BYD e2

BYD e3

🚙 BYD SUVs & Crossovers

BYD Song

BYD Song Plus

BYD Song Pro

BYD Tang

BYD Yuan

BYD Yuan Plus (Atto 3)

BYD Atto 3

BYD Seal U

BYD Frigate 07

BYD S6

BYD S7

BYD T3

BYD T5

⚡ Electric-Only Vehicles (EV Lineup)

BYD Dolphin

BYD Seagull

BYD Seal

BYD Atto 3

BYD Han EV

BYD Tang EV

BYD Yuan Plus

BYD e6

BYD e9

BYD T3 EV

🔋 Plug-in Hybrids (DM-i / DM-p)

BYD Qin Plus DM-i

BYD Qin DM

BYD Song Plus DM-i

BYD Song Pro DM-i

BYD Tang DM-i / DM-p

BYD Han DM-i / DM-p

BYD Destroyer 05

BYD Frigate 07

🏎️ Premium & Luxury (Sub-Brands)

DENZA (Luxury)

Denza D9 (MPV)

Denza N7

Denza N8

Denza Z9 / Z9 GT

YANGWANG (Ultra-Luxury)

Yangwang U8 (Luxury off-road SUV)

Yangwang U9 (Electric hypercar)

FANG CHENG BAO (Off-Road / Lifestyle)

Bao 5 (Leopard 5)

Bao 8

🚐 MPVs, Vans & Commercial Vehicles

BYD M6

BYD T3 Van

BYD T5 Truck

BYD eT3

BYD eT5

BYD V3

🚌 Buses & Heavy Transport

BYD K9 Electric Bus

BYD K10

BYD K12

BYD B12

BYD C9

BYD Electric Coaches

BYD Electric Trucks & Logistics Vehicles

🔌 Energy & Technology Products (Non-Car)

Blade Battery

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Solar panels

Electric forklifts

Monorail systems (SkyRail & SkyShuttle)

📌 Summary

BYD’s product range includes:

Affordable city EVs

Sedans & SUVs

Plug-in hybrids

Luxury & off-road vehicles

Buses, trucks, and clean-energy solutions.