BYD vs Changan Automobile: Founders, CEOs and History
BYD was founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu, Lu Xiangyang and is led by Wang Chuanfu. Changan Automobile was founded in 1862 by Li Hongzhang and is led by Zhu Huarong.
Company facts
BYD
- Founded
- 1995
- Headquarters
- Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Current CEO
- Wang Chuanfu
- Employees
- 911,900
Changan Automobile
- Founded
- 1862
- Headquarters
- Chongqing, China
- Current CEO
- Zhu Huarong
- Employees
- 58,274
Founders
BYD
Wang Chuanfu
Wang Chuanfu founded BYD in Shenzhen in 1995 with his cousin Lu Xiangyang to make rechargeable batteries for mobile phones.
Lu Xiangyang
Lu Xiangyang put up the early capital when Wang Chuanfu started BYD in 1995 and has sat on BYD's board ever since, now as a non-executive director. His stake in BYD made him one of China's richest people.
Changan Automobile
Li Hongzhang
While not a corporate founder in the modern sense, Li Hongzhang is the historical architect of Changan Automobile's earliest predecessor.
CEOs and their tenures
BYD
- Wang Chuanfu1995–present
Founder, Chairman and President (CEO)
Wang Chuanfu has run BYD since founding it in 1995. He moved the company from phone batteries into cars in 2003, launched the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid in 2008, introduced the Blade Battery in 2020 and ended combustion-only car production in 2022.
Source - Lu Xiangyang1995–present
Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director
Lu Xiangyang, Wang Chuanfu's cousin and a former banker, provided early capital for BYD in 1995 and has remained on the board, now as a non-executive director.
Source - Stella Li1996–present
Executive Vice President; CEO of BYD Americas and Europe
Stella Li joined BYD in September 1996 as a marketing manager for exports, opened its first overseas office in Hong Kong in 1997 and set up its European headquarters in 1999.
Source
Changan Automobile
- Zhang Baolin2017–2020
Former Chairman
Guided the historic Chinese automaker through a critical strategic period, heavily accelerating its partnerships and transition toward new energy vehicle architectures.
Source - Zhu Huarong2020–present
Chairman of the Board (CEO)
Led Changan from 2.30 million vehicle sales and ~$14.6B (CN¥105.1B) revenue in 2021 to 2.913 million sales and ~$22.8B (CN¥164.0B) revenue in 2025, with NEVs rising to about 38% of volume.
Source
Timeline: BYD and Changan Automobile side by side
1862Changan Automobile
Founding of the Bureau of Western Arms by Li Hongzhang: Qing Dynasty statesman Li Hongzhang founds the Bureau of Western Arms in Shanghai in December 1862, marking the beginning of China's modern indu…
1959Changan Automobile
Manufacturing of the Yangtze River 46 Jeep: Changan manufactures China's first domestically designed and built military off-road vehicle, the Yangtze River Type 46, which was reviewed by Chairman Mao…
1984Changan Automobile
Entry into Civilian Commercial Mini-Vehicles: Under national economic reform directives, Changan partners with Suzuki to manufacture compact minivans and light commercial trucks, mobilizing small busi…
1995BYD
BYD founded in Shenzhen
Wang Chuanfu and his cousin Lu Xiangyang start BYD in Shenzhen with about 20 employees, making rechargeable batteries for mobile phones.
2000BYD
Becomes a leading NiCd battery maker
BYD becomes one of the world's largest makers of nickel-cadmium batteries, supplying major electronics brands.
2001Changan Automobile
Establishment of Changan Ford Joint Venture: Changan and Ford Motor Company establish a 50:50 joint venture in Chongqing, manufacturing popular global models including the Focus, Mondeo, and Fiesta.
2002BYD
Hong Kong listing
BYD lists its H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 1211.
2003BYD
Buys Qinchuan and enters the car business
BYD acquires a controlling stake in Xi'an Qinchuan Automobile for about $37.4 million (CN¥269 million), gaining a car production licence and factory.
2008BYD
Berkshire Hathaway takes about 10%
Berkshire Hathaway's MidAmerican Energy invests $232 million for about 10% of BYD, giving the company international credibility.
2008BYD
Launches the F3DM plug-in hybrid
BYD launches the F3DM, the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car, two years before the Chevrolet Volt.
2010BYD
Denza joint venture with Daimler
BYD and Daimler set up Denza as a 50:50 joint venture to build premium electric cars in China.
2011BYD
Launches the e6 and lists in Shenzhen
BYD launches the e6 electric crossover, first used as a taxi in Shenzhen, and lists A shares on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002594).
2012Changan Automobile
Launch of the Changan CS35 and CS75 SUV Lineage: Changan releases the CS35, followed by the blockbuster CS75 SUV, establishing Changan as China's top-selling domestic SUV brand for multiple consecutiv…
2017Changan Automobile
Unveiling of the Shangri-La Electrification Plan: Changan announces the historic 'Shangri-La Plan,' pledging over $13.9 billion (RMB 100 billion) to phase out pure internal combustion engines and tran…
2020BYD
Launches the Blade Battery
BYD introduces the Blade Battery, an LFP cell-to-pack design that passes the nail penetration test without fire.
2022BYD
Ends combustion-only car production
In March 2022 BYD stops making combustion-only passenger cars and focuses entirely on battery EVs and plug-in hybrids.
2022Changan Automobile
Launch of Deepal and Avatr New Energy Marque: Launches Deepal (Shenlan) for mass-market smart EVs and Avatr alongside CATL and Huawei for luxury intelligent driving.
2023BYD
Passes Tesla in quarterly BEV sales
BYD sells 3.02 million new energy vehicles in 2023, and its 526,409 battery EVs in the fourth quarter top Tesla's 484,507 for the first time in a quarter.
2024BYD
Takes full ownership of Denza
Mercedes-Benz sells its last 10% of Denza in July 2024, leaving BYD as the sole shareholder of its premium brand.
2024Changan Automobile
Thailand Rayong NEV Manufacturing Hub: Changan builds its first overseas NEV manufacturing base in Rayong, Thailand, as its right-hand-drive export hub for Southeast Asia and other right-hand-drive ma…
2025BYD
Berkshire Hathaway exits
Berkshire Hathaway confirms in September 2025 that it has sold its entire BYD stake, ending a 17-year investment.
2025BYD
Becomes the world's top battery EV seller
BYD sells 2.26 million battery EVs in 2025 against Tesla's 1.64 million, and 4.6 million new energy vehicles in total.
2026BYD
Unveils Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH charging
On March 5, 2026 BYD unveils the second-generation Blade Battery, which charges from 10% to 70% in about five minutes, and plans 20,000 FLASH charging stations in China by the end of 2026.
2026BYD
Overseas revenue passes China
In the first half of 2026 BYD's overseas revenue of ~$25.2 billion (CN¥181.3 billion) exceeds revenue from China for the first time, even as group revenue falls 7.1% to ~$47.9 billion (CN¥344.8 billion).
Acquisitions
BYD
- Denza (remaining stake from Mercedes-Benz)2024Undisclosed
- Jabil mobile electronics manufacturing business (China)2023$2B
- Xi'an Qinchuan Automobile2003$32M
Changan Automobile
- Avatr Technology Co., Ltd. (Restructuring with CATL)2021Undisclosed
- Changan Suzuki (Suzuki Motor 50% Equity Stake)2018$1
Questions about BYD vs Changan Automobile
Who is the CEO of BYD Company Ltd and Changan Automobile?
BYD Company Ltd is led by Wang Chuanfu and Changan Automobile is led by Zhu Huarong. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was BYD Company Ltd founded vs Changan Automobile?
Changan Automobile was founded in 1862 — 133 years before BYD Company Ltd, which was founded in 1995. Changan Automobile's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger BYD Company Ltd.
How many employees does BYD Company Ltd have compared to Changan Automobile?
BYD Company Ltd employs approximately 911,900 people, while Changan Automobile employs approximately 58,274. BYD Company Ltd has the larger workforce at 911,900 employees, compared to Changan Automobile's 58,274. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are BYD Company Ltd and Changan Automobile headquartered?
Both BYD Company Ltd and Changan Automobile are headquartered in China, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded BYD Company Ltd and Changan Automobile?
BYD Company Ltd was founded by Wang Chuanfu, Lu Xiangyang. Changan Automobile was founded by Li Hongzhang.
Which company has a longer operating history — BYD Company Ltd or Changan Automobile?
Changan Automobile has been operating for approximately 164 years, making it the more established of the two companies. BYD Company Ltd has been in operation for around 31 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the BYD vs Changan Automobile overview