Written by BYD Auto
BYD Auto is the Chinese car maker that grew out of a battery company, and it is now the world’s biggest seller of electric and plug-in hybrid cars. This guide covers the current BYD lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its premium brands and its biggest achievements.
BYD Auto at a Glance
Founded 1995 (BYD) · 2003 (cars) Battery maker first, then cars
Founder Wang Chuanfu Chairman and president; largest shareholder
Headquarters Shenzhen Guangdong, China
Listed SZSE: 002594 · HKEX: 1211 Shenzhen and Hong Kong
Sales 2025 About 4.6 million Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
Overseas sales 1.16 million January to August 2026, up 86%
BYD Auto Model Lineup
BYD Auto sells a different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. Every model is either fully electric or a plug-in hybrid, because BYD stopped building gas-only cars in 2022. In addition, BYD sells premium models under its Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang brands. However, BYD cars are not sold in the US.
Small cars (2)
City car
BYD Dolphin Surf (Seagull)
Electric Global
The small Seagull is BYD’s best-selling car family, with more than 529,000 sold in 2025. It is also sold as the Dolphin Surf in Europe, where BYD began trial production of it in Hungary in 2026.
Compact hatchback
BYD Dolphin
Electric Global
The Dolphin arrived in 2021 as the first model of BYD’s Ocean series. Since then it has been sold in Europe, Australia and Asia as an affordable electric hatchback.
Sedans and wagons (3)
Electric sedan
BYD Seal
Electric Rear or all-wheel drive
The Seal is BYD’s sporty electric sedan. When it launched in 2022, it also introduced a design where the battery forms part of the car’s body.
Mid-size car
BYD Seal 6 DM-i
Plug-in hybrid Sedan & wagon
The Seal 6 DM-i is a plug-in hybrid sedan, and in Europe it is also sold as the Touring wagon. As a result, it is one of BYD’s most practical family cars.
Compact sedan
BYD Qin Plus
Plug-in hybrid Electric China
The Qin Plus is a low-priced sedan for China, and it was one of the country’s best-selling cars in 2025, with 366,090 sold.
SUVs (4)
Small SUV
BYD Atto 2
Electric Plug-in hybrid
The Atto 2 is a small SUV sold as the Yuan Up in China. It arrived in Europe in 2025, and a plug-in hybrid version was added later.
Compact SUV
BYD Atto 3
Electric Global
The Atto 3 was BYD’s first global model when it launched outside China in 2022, so it opened many new markets for the brand. It is sold as the Yuan Plus in China.
Compact SUV
BYD Seal U DM-i
Plug-in hybrid Global
The Seal U DM-i is sold as the Song Plus in China. Together with its sister models, it sold 400,920 in 2025, so it is one of BYD’s biggest sellers.
Electric SUV
BYD Sealion 7
Electric Rear or all-wheel drive
The Sealion 7 is a coupe-style electric SUV that reached Europe and Australia in 2025. It is also offered with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Pickup (1)
Pickup
BYD Shark 6
Plug-in hybrid 4×4
The Shark 6 is BYD’s first pickup, and it is a plug-in hybrid with four-wheel drive. It launched in Mexico in 2024 and then reached Australia in 2025.
Premium brands (3)
Luxury shooting brake
Denza Z9 GT
Electric Plug-in hybrid
Denza is BYD’s premium brand, and the Z9 GT is a large, fast wagon. It went on sale in Europe in 2025, while in China it is also offered as a plug-in hybrid.
Luxury off-road SUV
Yangwang U8
Plug-in hybrid 4 motors
The U8 from BYD’s top brand, Yangwang, has one electric motor per wheel. As a result, it can spin on the spot, and it can even float briefly in an emergency.
Off-road SUV
Fangchengbao Bao 5
Plug-in hybrid 4×4
The Bao 5 is a rugged plug-in hybrid SUV built on a separate frame. Outside China it is sold as the Denza B5, for example in the Philippines.
What Is BYD Auto?
BYD Auto is the car-making arm of BYD Company, a Chinese group based in Shenzhen. Wang Chuanfu, a chemist, founded BYD on 10 February 1995 to make rechargeable batteries, and it soon became a major supplier of phone batteries. Then in 2003 BYD bought Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile, so it could start building cars.
At first BYD made low-priced gas cars such as the F3. Meanwhile, it used its battery know-how to launch the F3DM plug-in hybrid in 2008 and the e6 electric car soon after. That same year, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought about 10% of the company, which brought BYD worldwide attention. In March 2022 it finally stopped building gas-only cars.
Today BYD Auto sells electric and plug-in hybrid cars across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia, as well as through its premium brands Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang. It sold about 4.6 million vehicles in 2025, so it passed Tesla to become the world’s biggest seller of electric cars. However, sales in China have fallen in 2026, while exports and overseas factories are growing fast.
BYD Auto History
BYD Auto grew from a small Shenzhen battery maker into the world’s largest seller of electric cars in about 30 years.
- 1995 Wang Chuanfu founds BYD in Shenzhen to make rechargeable batteries.
- 2003 BYD buys Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile and so creates BYD Auto.
- 2005 The F3 sedan becomes BYD’s first big-selling car.
- 2008 BYD launches the F3DM, one of the first plug-in hybrids on sale, while Berkshire Hathaway buys about 10%.
- 2010 BYD then forms Denza with Daimler, and e6 electric taxis start work in Shenzhen.
- 2020 The Blade battery arrives in the Han sedan, promising better safety.
- 2022 BYD stops building gas-only cars in March, and the Atto 3 launches overseas.
- 2023 BYD passes Volkswagen to become China’s best-selling car brand.
- 2024 The 10 millionth BYD electrified vehicle is built, while the first overseas car plant opens in Thailand.
- 2025 BYD sells about 4.6 million vehicles and outsells Tesla in electric cars, as well as opening a plant in Brazil.
- 2026 The second-generation Blade battery arrives with five-minute Flash Charging, and trial production starts in Hungary.
Iconic BYD Models
These six vehicles shaped the reputation of BYD Auto, from its first big seller to a record-breaking supercar.
2005
BYD F3
Gas First big seller
The F3 was a low-priced compact sedan, and it turned BYD into a real car maker. It sold well in China, especially with taxi fleets.
2008
BYD F3DM
Plug-in hybrid Early pioneer
The F3DM was one of the first plug-in hybrid cars sold to the public, because BYD combined its battery know-how with the F3 sedan. It then led to the DM hybrids BYD still sells today.
2010
BYD e6
Electric Taxi fleets
The e6 was BYD’s first electric car. It also became a common sight as a taxi in Shenzhen, which proved that electric cars could work in daily fleet use.
2010
BYD K9 electric bus
Electric Public transit
The K9 electric bus took BYD to Europe and the Americas, long before its cars arrived there. In addition, BYD has built electric buses in Lancaster, California.
2020
BYD Han
Electric Blade battery
The Han sedan was the first car with the Blade battery, and it moved BYD into the premium market. As a result, it became a symbol of BYD’s new confidence.
2024
Yangwang U9
Electric Record breaker
The U9 is Yangwang’s electric supercar. In 2025 the U9 Xtreme reached 496.22 km/h and then lapped the Nordschleife in under seven minutes.
Who Owns BYD Auto?
BYD Auto is almost fully owned by BYD Company, which is listed in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Founder Wang Chuanfu is its largest shareholder, with about 17%, while no outside company controls it. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company BYD Company Ltd. SZSE: 002594 · HKEX: 1211 · batteries, electronics and rail as well as cars
This page BYD Auto Shenzhen and Xi’an · BYD, Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang brands
100% Denza Premium brand; wholly owned since 2024
100% Yangwang Luxury brand, launched in 2023
100% Fangchengbao Off-road and performance brand, launched in 2023
Group company FinDreams Makes Blade batteries and other parts for BYD
Partners and plants
BYD also works with other car makers, and it now builds cars in several countries outside China.
- Toyota (joint electric car company in China since 2020)
- Mercedes-Benz (Denza partner until 2024)
- Thailand (Rayong plant, opened 2024)
- Uzbekistan (plant opened 2024)
- Brazil (Camaçari plant, opened 2025)
- Hungary (Szeged plant, trial production since 2026)
In addition, the BYD group makes batteries, phone parts through BYD Electronic, and even SkyRail monorail systems.
Former partners and shareholders
- Daimler (2010–2024) Denza began as a 50-50 venture with Daimler, which cut its stake to 10% in 2021 and then sold the rest to BYD in 2024.
- Berkshire Hathaway (2008–2025) Warren Buffett’s company bought about 10% of BYD in 2008 for around $230 million, and then sold all of it by early 2025.
- Gas-only cars (2003–2022) BYD built conventional gas cars for almost 20 years until it stopped in March 2022.
BYD Auto Accomplishments
The record of BYD Auto rests on batteries, scale and speed of growth, as well as on some striking engineering records.
4.6 million
Vehicles sold in 2025
BYD sold about 4.6 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, while it had sold 4.27 million in 2024.
2.25 million
Electric cars sold in 2025
As a result, BYD outsold Tesla by more than 600,000 fully electric cars that year.
17 million
Electrified vehicles built
BYD built its 10 millionth in November 2024 and then its 17 millionth in July 2026.
2023
China’s best-selling car brand
BYD passed Volkswagen in 2023, so it ended Volkswagen’s long run at the top in China.
2008
Early plug-in hybrid
The F3DM was one of the first plug-in hybrids on sale anywhere, long before most rivals had one.
5 minutes
Flash Charging
In 2026, BYD’s second-generation Blade battery charged from 10% to 70% in five minutes on its own chargers.
496.22 km/h
Yangwang U9 Xtreme top speed
The electric supercar set this speed in 2025, which BYD says is a record for a production car.
6:59.157
Nordschleife lap
In August 2025 the U9 Xtreme also became the first electric supercar to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in under seven minutes.
Talk BYD With Other Owners
BYD owners have plenty to share, whether it is a Dolphin used for the school run or an Atto 3 on a long road trip. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a BYD community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share charging tips and plan meetups.
- Electric car ownership
- Plug-in hybrid life
- Charging and range
- Blade battery questions
- Software and updates
- Maintenance and repairs
- Buying used
- BYD meets and events
BYD Auto FAQ
What does BYD stand for?
BYD is usually read as “Build Your Dreams”. The company began using that slogan in 2008, when it showed its cars at the Detroit auto show, so the phrase became part of the brand.
Who founded BYD Auto?
Wang Chuanfu founded BYD as a battery maker in Shenzhen in 1995. He then created BYD Auto in 2003 when BYD bought Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile, and he still leads the company as chairman and president.
Who owns BYD?
BYD Auto is almost fully owned by BYD Company, which is listed in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Founder Wang Chuanfu is the largest shareholder, with about 17%, while Berkshire Hathaway sold its stake by early 2025.
Is BYD bigger than Tesla?
Yes, by sales. In 2025 BYD sold about 2.25 million fully electric cars compared with about 1.64 million for Tesla, and it also sold a similar number of plug-in hybrids.
What brands does BYD own?
BYD Auto sells cars under the BYD name as well as three premium brands: Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang. In addition, the BYD group owns FinDreams, which makes its batteries.
Can you buy a BYD in the US?
No. BYD does not sell passenger cars in the US, because of high tariffs on Chinese cars. However, it has built electric buses in Lancaster, California, while it sells cars in Mexico, Europe, Australia and Asia instead.
Where are BYD cars made?
Most BYD cars are made in China. Meanwhile, BYD also builds cars in Thailand, Uzbekistan and Brazil, and it began trial production in Hungary in 2026, so more European BYDs will soon be built in Europe.
What is the BYD Blade battery?
The Blade battery is BYD Auto’s own lithium iron phosphate battery, first used in the Han in 2020. It is designed to be safer and cheaper than many other car batteries, and the second generation of 2026 can charge from 10% to 70% in about five minutes.
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Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Seagull small electric hatchback, sold in…: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White BYD Dolphin electric hatchback in Zhuhai,…: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Seal electric sedan: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring plug-in hybrid…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan: JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Atto 2 small electric SUV at…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Atto 3 electric SUV: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Song Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV,…: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 BYD Sealion 7 Performance electric SUV,…: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup,…: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Denza Z9 GT shooting brake at IAA…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Yangwang U8 off-road SUV, front view: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Granite Gray Fangchengbao Bao 5, sold in…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2009 BYD F3 1.5L sedan, front view: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid in Bilbao, Spain: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz), CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- First-generation BYD e6 electric taxi from 2014: Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD K9 electric bus on the Dalian…: Saa350, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- BYD Han EV sedan at IAA 2023: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Yangwang U9 electric supercar: JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC0, cropped and resized.