BYD is a major Chinese automaker based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. It sells vehicles under the BYD brand.
Founded in 1995, BYD started out as a battery maker and entered the automobile business in 2003. The company has diversified into areas such as cellphone assembly and solar cell manufacturing. Leveraging its strength as a battery maker, the company is developing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, who was once the richest man in China, still has supreme power within the company. Wang holds about a 23% stake in BYD as of March 2015, making him the largest shareholder. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, run by U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett, bought into the company in 2008. It is still a major shareholder with about a 9% stake.
Business Summary
BYD Co. Ltd. engages in the research, development, manufacture and sale of rechargeable batteries and photovoltaic business. It operates its business through four segments: Rechargeable Battery and Other Products; Mobile Handset Components and Assembly Service; Automobiles and Related Products; and Corporate and Others. The Rechargeable Battery and Other Products segment manufactures and sells lithium-ion and nickel batteries principally for mobile phones, electric tool, and other portable electronic instruments and new energy products. The Mobile Handset Components and Assembly Service segment consists of mobile handset components such as housings, keypads, and the provision of assembly services. The Automobiles and Related Products segment comprises of automobiles, auto-related moulds and components, automobiles leasing, after sales service, and skyrail related business. The company was founded by Chuan Fu Wang on February 10, 1995 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China.
