China is no longer just the world's factory, it is now also the world's technology and innovation capital.BYD is the world's leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, and the demand for skilled people is endless. To realise its growth ambitions, it needs top-notch engineering talent.
BYD's R&D strength and global market performance
BYD donated 3 billion yuan (about SAR1.5 billion) to 35 universities, including China's top universities Peking University and Tsinghua University, to cultivate more talents for China's automotive industry, according to a report by China's Auto Home on 30 December.
Separately, EET China (or CarNewsChina) reports that BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said at the recent China Innovation and Technology event:
"Currently, BYD has nearly 1 million employees, 11 research institutes and about 110,000 engineers, making it the automotive company with the largest R&D staff in the world.We file an average of 32 patent applications every working day."
It's hard to verify Mr Wang's claim that BYD has the world's largest R&D team, as many manufacturers don't publicly announce the size of their corporate departments.
But we do know that as of 2023, the Volkswagen Group employs 59,626 people in its R&D division, including its joint ventures in China.The group has since cut some jobs, so the latest figures are not yet known.
BYD 2024 annual sales of 4.27 million units, both the Chinese market is the champion as well as new energy vehicles global sales champion!It is also worth mentioning that in December BYD sales once again exceeded 500,000 units, that is to say, three consecutive months of single-month sales of more than 500,000.
That means BYD is now comparable in size to South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, which expects to sell just under 4.25 million units in 2024.(At the time of writing, in terms of cumulative global sales for January-November 2024, Hyundai was down 1.7 per cent year-on-year to 3,809,424 units.)
BYD's Layout and Future Plans in the Middle East Market
Back to the Middle East market, BYD currently has five models available in Saudi Arabia:
2024 BYD HAN from SAR 234,900
2025 BYD SEAL from SAR 176,890
2024 BYD ATTO 3 from SAR 139,900
2025 BYD SONG PLUS from SAR 158,900
2024 BYD QIN PLUS from SAR 90,900
For those who are on a budget but crave a hardcore crossover, while the market is flooded with classic hardcore SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Land Rover Defender, and Jeep Wrangler, these models tend to be priced at a steep price, which puts a lot of consumers off.
However, BYD's upcoming Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5, due in 2025, may be an option to keep an eye on. Compared to these premium models, the Chinese brand's hardcore SUV not only offers a similar driving experience, but also better value for money. In addition, BYD's hybrid technology can effectively reduce fuel consumption, especially for such a large-sized hardcore SUV that can maintain strong power while effectively reducing fuel consumption.
Fang Cheng Bao Leopard is BYD's personalisation brand, aiming to meet consumers' demand for luxury and personalisation while also offering strong off-road capabilities. The exterior design of the Leopard 5 inherits the classic elements of a hardcore SUV, with a tall and powerful body, equipped with electric pedals and a variety of off-road features, capable of handling complex terrain with ease. The interior design is both luxurious and practical, with high-quality materials and advanced comfort features such as 12-way power seats, an 18-speaker audio system and plush upholstery to ensure a comfortable experience even on long drives.
In terms of power, the Leopard 5 is equipped with a 1.5T engine and front and rear electric motors, with a combined power of 505kW and a maximum torque of 760N.m. It is capable of delivering extreme acceleration and off-road performance.Meanwhile, the electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system enables it to perform well under various complicated road conditions, with a range of 1,200 kilometres, a perfect blend of electric and fuel advantages, and is expected to be priced from SAR 200,000 in the Saudi market.
Read also：Prado's biggest competitor: BYD Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5, is coming soon!
Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
