"Wang Chuanfu, the 59-year-old CEO of BYD, wanted to demonstrate the safety and cleanliness of the batteries developed by his company during a meeting with Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's company. He did this by drinking a glass of the electrolyte liquid from one of them. The Hathaway crew was stunned. Was this man an idiot or a genius? Years later, having become the richest man in China, the verdict is clear."
"In just three decades, BYD has grown from a small battery factory in Shenzhen to the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, challenging Tesla's global leadership. The company sells more than three million electric and hybrid cars a year, exports to more than 60 countries and manufactures the innovative Blade battery, which even Elon Musk's company has begun to incorporate into some of its models."
"BYD is the ninth most valuable private company in China, with a capitalization of about $110 billion in 2024. Its expansion in Europe has accelerated even after the imposition of Trump's tariffs on the Asian country's car industry. The possibility of the firm installing an electricity factory in Spain has gone from being a rumor to a potential reality in recent weeks."
Wang Chuanfu publicly demonstrated BYD battery safety by drinking electrolyte liquid during a Berkshire Hathaway meeting. BYD grew in three decades from a small Shenzhen battery factory into the world's largest electric-vehicle manufacturer, selling over three million electric and hybrid cars annually and exporting to more than 60 countries. BYD developed the Blade battery, which other automakers, including Tesla, have begun to use. The company reached a roughly $110 billion valuation in 2024 and accelerated European expansion despite U.S. tariffs, considering a potential assembly plant in Spain alongside planned plants in Hungary and Turkey. Wang amassed about $24 billion, is a CCP member, and maintains modest personal habits.
Read at english.elpais.com
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