BYD hires 150,000 people despite declining sales: What’s going on at this Chinese giant?

The Chinese giant BYD has just reached a symbolic milestone. With over 1.02 million employees worldwide, the company now employs more people than Toyota, General Motors, Ford, and Tesla combined. This is an impressive figure, especially considering that its workforce has grown significantly in recent months despite a slowdown in its automobile sales.

BYD continues to expand at an unprecedented pace. At the 33rd annual conference of the Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers (CSAE) held in China, its president Wang Chuanfu revealed a figure that clearly illustrates the scale of the company: BYD now employs over 1.02 million people worldwide. Specifically, around 960,000 employees work in China, while 60,000 are based overseas. The company also has up to 120,000 R&D engineers focused on areas such as batteries, electric motors, power electronics, and semiconductors.

A large workforce that reflects the manufacturer’s vertical integration strategy. Unlike many competitors, BYD aims to master most of the technologies and components needed for its vehicles, rather than purchasing them from external suppliers.