BYD vs Haval: Founders, CEOs and History
BYD was founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu, Lu Xiangyang and is led by Wang Chuanfu. Haval was founded in 2013 by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey) and is led by Mu Feng.
Company facts
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.
Haval
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey)
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey), born in 1964, became head of Great Wall Motor in 1990 at age 26.
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
Haval
- Wei Jianjun1990–present
Chairman, Great Wall Motor
Wei Jianjun has led GWM since 1990 and is its controlling shareholder. He decided to separate Haval from the Great Wall brand in 2013 and still sets group strategy.
Source - Wang Fengying2002–2016
President, Great Wall Motor
Wang Fengying was GWM's long-time president and helped build Haval's dealer and marketing strategy during the H6's rise, before leaving in 2016.
Source - Mu Feng2022–present
President and CEO, Great Wall Motor
Mu Feng runs GWM's day-to-day operations across Haval, WEY, Tank, ORA and the pickup brand, with a focus on new-energy models and global production.
Source
Timeline: BYD and Haval side by side
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.
2002BYD
Hong Kong listing
BYD lists its H shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 1211.
2002Haval
Great Wall Safe (Saijun) SUV Launched
Launched China's first mass-market affordable SUV, igniting the domestic consumer SUV boom.
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).
2011Haval
Launch of the Revolutionary Haval H6 Crossover
Introduced the unibody compact SUV that became China's best-selling SUV for over 100 consecutive months.
2013Haval
Haval Spun Off as Independent Dedicated SUV Brand
Wei Jianjun officially established Haval as an independent marque with its own brand logo and dealer network.
2018Haval
Haval Cumulative Global Sales Surpasses 5 Million SUVs
Celebrated 5 million cumulative SUV sales, solidifying its title as China's 'SUV King'.
2020BYD
Launches the Blade Battery
BYD introduces the Blade Battery, an LFP cell-to-pack design that passes the nail penetration test without fire.
2020Haval
Launch of Haval Big Dog (DaGou) Rugged Lifestyle Crossover
Pioneered the popular 3/4-scale rugged lifestyle crossover segment, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
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.
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.
2023Haval
Launch of Proprietary Hi4 Intelligent Hybrid 4WD Technology
Commercialized GWM's dual-motor hybrid system, offering 4WD capability at 2WD pricing and fuel efficiency.
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.
2024Haval
Haval Expands Hybrid and Export Range
Expanded Hi4 and hybrid versions of the H6, Jolion and Raptor across China and export markets.
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.
2025Haval
About 758,000 Haval SUVs Sold
Haval remained GWM's largest brand as group revenue rose 10.2% to ~$31 billion (RMB 222.82 billion).
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).
2026Haval
Haval H6 Refresh and Brazil Plant Plan
GWM launched a refreshed H6 in China in June 2026 and announced a new 200,000-unit factory in Espírito Santo, Brazil.
Acquisitions
BYD
- Denza (remaining stake from Mercedes-Benz)2024Undisclosed
- Jabil mobile electronics manufacturing business (China)2023$2B
- Xi'an Qinchuan Automobile2003$32M
Haval
- Mercedes-Benz Iracemápolis plant (Brazil)2021Undisclosed
- General Motors Rayong plant (Thailand)2020Undisclosed
Questions about BYD vs Haval
Who is the CEO of BYD Company Ltd and Haval?
BYD Company Ltd is led by Wang Chuanfu and Haval is led by Mu Feng. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was BYD Company Ltd founded vs Haval?
BYD Company Ltd was founded in 1995 — 18 years before Haval, which was founded in 2013. BYD Company Ltd's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Haval.
How many employees does BYD Company Ltd have compared to Haval?
BYD Company Ltd employs approximately 911,900 people. A verified employee count for Haval is not currently available.
Where are BYD Company Ltd and Haval headquartered?
Both BYD Company Ltd and Haval are headquartered in China, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded BYD Company Ltd and Haval?
BYD Company Ltd was founded by Wang Chuanfu, Lu Xiangyang. Haval was founded by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey).
Which company has a longer operating history — BYD Company Ltd or Haval?
BYD Company Ltd has been operating for approximately 31 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Haval has been in operation for around 13 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 Haval overview