BYD reaches over one million employees

The Chinese automotive company BYD has surpassed one million employees globally, more than the combined workforce of Toyota, General Motors, Ford, and Tesla. This includes 960,000 workers in China and 60,000 abroad, with up to 120,000 engineers focused on research and development in technologies like batteries and semiconductors.

Workforce growth despite slower sales

BYD's employee count grew significantly in recent years, even as its automotive sales slowed. The company had 570,100 employees at the end of 2022, rising to 703,500 by 2023. By the end of 2025, it had 869,600 workers, but by October 2026, it had surpassed one million employees.

Vertical integration drives expansion

BYD's large workforce is due to its strategy of vertical integration, where it controls most of the technologies and components needed for its vehicles instead of relying on outside suppliers. The company also produces batteries, motors, electronic parts, semiconductors, energy storage, and railway equipment, along with its subsidiary BYD Electronic, which employs 165,000 people.

Sales growth lags behind workforce increase

Despite its expanding workforce, BYD's vehicle sales have not grown as fast as before. In the first nine months of 2026, the company sold 3,131,576 vehicles, a 3.9% drop compared to the same period in 2025. However, September was its best month, with 463,561 units sold, indicating some seasonal strength.

International sales rise but domestic competition grows

BYD's financial results for the first half of 2026 showed revenue of 344.8 billion yuan and a net profit of 12.3 billion yuan, both lower than the previous year. International sales accounted for 43% of total volumes in the first nine months of 2026, up 92.7% from the prior year, but domestic competition from companies like Geely and Leapmotor is intensifying.

Global expansion continues but most workers remain in China

Although BYD is expanding its production in countries like Thailand, Brazil, and Hungary, only 6% of its workforce is based abroad. The company still relies heavily on its Chinese industrial base, but its international investments are gradually increasing its presence outside China.