BYD is a Chinese carmaker founded in 1995. 4 models are tracked here (2011–2026). Reliable? yes, and comfortably so — 4.5 out of 5 across 4 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes BYD
BYD Company Ltd. (Build Your Dreams) is a Chinese multinational manufacturer of automobiles, batteries, electronics and rail transit equipment, headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. Founded by chemist and engineer Wang Chuanfu in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, BYD entered the automobile market in 2003 by acquiring the bankrupt Tsinchuan Automobile Company. Berkshire Hathaway acquired 10% of BYD in 2008 (since reduced). BYD became the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer by sales in 2022, surpassing Tesla, with over 3.6 million vehicles sold globally in 2024. The company manufactures both pure battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles using its in-house Blade Battery (lithium iron phosphate) and DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) hybrid technology. The Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Qin, Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal and Sealion models cover sedans, SUVs and crossovers across multiple price points. BYD trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1211) and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002594), with ADRs as BYDDY. BYD does not currently sell passenger vehicles in the United States but does sell commercial buses through BYD Motors Inc. Recall data for BYD vehicles sold in the US (commercial only) is reported to NHTSA. ForCar.org has limited BYD coverage given the brand's current US market structure.
Wang Chuanfu founded BYD as a battery research firm in 1995 with 20 employees. By 2002 BYD was the world's largest manufacturer of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries. The 2003 acquisition of Tsinchuan Automobile launched BYD into automaking; the 2005 BYD F3 was the first BYD-branded passenger car. The 2008 Berkshire Hathaway investment and the 2008 launch of the F3DM (the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid) established BYD's global EV credibility. BYD overtook Tesla in global EV sales in Q4 2023.
| BYD | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founded by | Wang Chuanfu |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, China |
| Listed as | BYDDY |
| Slogan | «Build Your Dreams» |
| Models tracked here | 1 (2011–2026) |
Technology it is known for: Blade Battery (LFP cell-to-pack), DM-i Dual Mode Intelligent hybrid, e-Platform 3.0, DiPilot driver assistance, Yangwang U9 four-motor independent drive.
This page covers BYD Company (Build Your Dreams), the Chinese automaker — not the BYD electronic component division or BYD Motors Inc. (the US bus subsidiary, sold separately).
All BYD models 4
Every BYD model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
BYD SUVs & crossovers 1
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD e6 | 2011–2026 | — | — | 72 mpg | 4.5/5 |
BYD More models 3
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD eBUS | 2011–2026 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| BYD Electric Bus | 2013–2026 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| BYD Electric Truck | 2016–2026 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
BYD by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | BYD | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 72 mpg best | Leader: e6 |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
BYD hybrids & electric models
BYD's electrified lineup — 1 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.
BYD electric & plug-in 1
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD e6 | 2011–2026 | 72 | — | 4.5/5 |
Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.
Get a BYD window sticker by VIN
Recreate any BYD's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
BYD window stickers →How to read a BYD VIN
Every BYD built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BYD and the country it was built in (real BYD codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- ChinaLC0 · LGX · LPE
- Brazil99L
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number, use our free tool.
Who owns BYD, and what you get
BYD is independent, Chinese-owned and publicly listed as BYDDY. BYD competes globally as the world's largest EV manufacturer, primarily in China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. The Yangwang sub-brand (founded 2023) targets the ultra-luxury electric segment with the U8 SUV and U9 supercar at price points of $130,000-$180,000+. BYD does not sell passenger vehicles in the US due to political tariffs and trade restrictions, although BYD Motors Inc. sells commercial battery-electric buses to US transit agencies.
| BYD | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | China |
| Ownership | Independent |
| Stock ticker | BYDDY |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when BYD models actually start to break →
BYD — frequently asked
Is BYD chinese?
BYD is a Chinese company, headquartered in Shenzhen and founded in 1995.
Who owns BYD?
BYD is independent, publicly traded as BYDDY.
How many BYD models are there?
We track 4 BYD models spanning 2011–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the BYD warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is BYD reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every BYD model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.