BYD Company Limited (BYD) announced its full-year auto sales in 2021 reached 740,131 units, surging 73.34% from the previous year. Notably, new energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 81.6% of total vehicle sales.

As a leading power battery maker in China, BYD recorded a power battery installed capacity of 25.06GWh in 2021, making up 16.2% of the country’s totals and ranking second among power battery makers in China, according to according to the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA).

Let's review the significant moments BYD experienced in 2021.

BYD partners with RoboSense for automotive intelligence layout

On Dec. 23, BYD struck a strategic cooperation deal with China's LiDAR supplier, RoboSense, for automotive intelligence development on December 23rd.

By virtue of BYD's intelligent technology background and its deep vertical integration capability, plus RoboSense’s leading LiDAR hardware, intelligent sense software, and chips, the two parties aim to develop market-leading intelligent automotive products.

BYD, Momenta found intelligent driving joint venture

On Dec. 27, BYD announced its newly established joint venture with China's leading autonomous driving company, Momenta, dedicated to the intelligent driving field.

The new company, Shenzhen Dipai Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd., was registered on November 26, 2021, with a registered capital of 100 million ($15.72 million), according to China's corporate database, Qichacha.

BYD, Daimler agree on stake change in joint venture DENZA

Byd Auto Industry Company Limited, a subsidiary of BYD Company Limited, and Daimler Greater China Limited, signed an agreement for the stake transfer in Shenzhen DENZA New Energy Automotive Co., both parties announced on Dec. 24.

After the deal, BYD will have a stake of 90% in DENZA New Energy while Daimler will hold the rest 10%. The deal is expected to be closed in mid-2022 as it is subject to the approval by relevant regulators. 

BYD celebrates 150,000th Han rolling off line

BYD celebrated its 150,000th Han vehicle rolling off the production line in its Shenzhen headquarters.

BYD to build 15GWh power battery manufacturing base in Fuzhou, Jiangxi

On Dec. 17, BYD signed an investment deal with the municipal government of Fuzhou, China's Jiangxi province to build a new EV power battery base.

Per the agreement, BYD will pour 8 billion yuan ($1.26 billion) in an EV power battery manufacturing project with an annual capacity of 15GWh at Fuzhou Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone.

BYD Semiconductor celebrates triumphant mass-production of 1200V power device driver chip

The semiconductor developing arm of China's renowned carmaker BYD, BYD Semiconductor, announced on Dec. 14 that it has successfully developed and mass-produced a 1,200V power device driver chip, supplying automakers in December.

BYD said to seek external IGBT supplies as semiconductor unit facing tight capacity

BYD has placed an order worth over 100 million yuan ($15.72 million) to Hangzhou Silan Microelectronics Co., Ltd., a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer, for automotive-grade IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors), a local media outlet revealed in early Dec., citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.

BYD breaks ground on NEV parts industrial park in Xi'an

BYD saw the construction of a new industrial park dedicated to NEV component production commence on Dec. 5 in Xi'an, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, according to a post on the WeChat account of Xi'an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone.

BYD launches Ocean network with two product series at Auto Guangzhou 2021

BYD Company officially launched its “Ocean” network and the first sedan model from the network made debut at the Auto Guangzhou 2021.

Ambilight closes Series C round, with BYD, NIO Capital as strategic investors

Electrochromic technology developer Ambilight Inc announced on Nov. 18 that it has completed the Series C round financing, through which it managed to raise hundreds of millions of dollars.

BYD teams up with loudspeakers company GoerTek Dynaudio to improve smart cabin experience

On Nov. 10, BYD signed a strategic agreement with high-end loudspeakers supplier Shanghai GoerTek Dynaudio Electronic Technolgy Company to improve its intelligent cabin user experience.

BYD permitted by HKEX to hive off BYD Semiconductor for A-share listing

Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) confirmed on Oct. 22 that BYD Company Limited (called “BYD” or “the Company” for short) may proceed with the spin-off and separate listing of its non-wholly-owned subsidiary BYD Semiconductor Company Limited, BYD announced on Oct. 26.

BYD launches e-platform 3.0 for BEVs, debuts new concept model Ocean-X

On September 8, BYD officially launched its BEV-dedicated e-platform 3.0, which the company expects to help the global smart EV industry advance faster by at least three years.

At the launching ceremony, BYD also unveiled the concept model “Ocean-X” built on the e-platform 3.0.

BYD invests in Changzhou-based semiconductor company Vertilite

At the end of Aug., BYD became one of the investors of Vertilite, a Changzhou-headquartered semiconductor technology company, according to the business information provider Qichacha.

BYD Semiconductor IPO plan halted due to probe into advisory law firm

BYD's plan to list its semiconductor unit was suspended in late Aug. due to a regulatory investigation into the adviser to the proposed initial public offering (IPO), according to Shenzhen Stock Exchange's ChiNext Market.

Hefei BYD finishes registration for NEV component project in Changfeng County

Hefei BYD Automobile Co.,Ltd. (Hefei BYD) completed in early Aug. the registration for the project of NEV-related core components, according to the information posted on the website of Changfeng County government.  

According to the registration information, Hefei BYD plans to construct an auto parts manufacturing base covering an area of around 3,918 mu (2.612 million square meters) in Hefei's Changfeng County.

BYD's first e platform 3.0-based model named Dolphin

On June 22, BYD announced via its Weibo account that the EA1, an all-electric hatchback unveiled at the Auto Shanghai 2021, is formally named Dolphin, which is the first model based on BYD's e-platform 3.0.

BYD hits 1 million-unit outputs milestone for new energy vehicles

BYD announced its 1 millionth new energy vehicle rolled off the production line on May 19, representing a significant milestone in the automaker's 13-year NEV development history.

Auto Shanghai 2021: BYD launches e-platform 3.0, puts Tang DM-i onto the market

At the Auto Shanghai 2021, BYD announced the Tang DM-i officially hit the market, which came with three trim levels with prices ranging from 189,800 yuan ($29,840) and 216,800 yuan ($34,080) after subsidies.

BYD renames Yuan EV to Yuan Pro

BYD changed the name of the Yuan EV to the Yuan Pro, the automaker announced on March 17 via its Weibo account. The refreshed model with the new name hit the market on March 21.

BYD recruiting engineers for EV battery factory in Europe

Fudi Battery, a battery subsidiary of BYD, prepares to build its first overseas battery manufacturing factory in Europe, according to the company's job posting ad seen by a local media outlet.

The factory is set to work on the production, packing, storage and transport of lithium ion batteries. Fudi Battery is recruiting full-time senior project managers, principal process engineers, senior quality engineers, senior equipment engineers and other posts for the Europe-based factory, according to the job listing. Those staff members will work in Shenzhen or Europe.

BYD DiLink, Aurora Mobile to team up on digital upgrade of NEV industry

Aurora Mobile, a leading Chinese mobile developer service provider, on Feb. 23 claimed it has entered into a partnership with BYD DiLink, a brand for intelligent connected systems of the automaker BYD, to co-promote the digital upgrade for the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.

BYD's executive confirms receipt of Hillhouse Capital's investment

Hillhouse Capital, an Asia-focused private equity firm, has spent $200 million on acquiring the stocks BYD recently issued to specified objects, a local media outlet reported in mid-Feb.

The report was afterwards confirmed by Li Yunfei, who leads BYD's Branding and PR Division, via his Sina Weibo account. “We really appreciate Hillhouse Capital's investment. We believe that the combination of cutting-edge capital and advanced manufacturing technologies will offer BYD better development prospect,” said Mr. Li.

BYD launches DM-i super hybrid technology

On Jan. 11, BYD launched its DM-i super hybrid technology that focuses on ultra-low fuel consumption.

Compared to the vehicles adopting traditional hybrid technologies, the DM-i-enabled vehicles are less reliant on engine and fossil fuels, so that the fuel consumption will be significantly decreased.

BYD sets up new battery research institute in Chongqing

A new BYD-backed battery research institute was founded on Jan. 4, according to the corporate data platform Tianyancha.

Dubbed Chongqing Fudi Battery Research Institute Co.,Ltd., the new company involves a registered capital of 100 million yuan ($15.72 million) and is 100% controlled by Fudi Industry Co.,Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD Company Limited. It has a line of businesses including the manufacturing and sale of batteries, graphite and carbon products, as well as the sale of new energy vehicle (NEV)-related components and smart power transmission and distribution facilities.