SHENZHEN: BYD recently celebrated the production of its 15 millionth NEV (new energy vehicle).
NEVs encompass both pure-electric BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and electrified models featuring breakthrough Super Hybrid with DM (dual mode) technology.
Introducing as many consumers as possible to the performance, efficiency and ownership benefits of these powertrains is a core component of BYD's overall goal of cooling the earth by one degree.
Employees marked the latest achievement with a ceremony at BYD's Jinan factory in China, which commenced mass manufacturing three years ago.
The 15 millionth NEV to leave a BYD production line was the 15,000th example of the N8L, a large six-seat SUV (sport utility vehicle) from BYD's premium brand Denza.
It utilises the same Super Hybrid and e3 ('e-cube') platform as the Z9GT, the stunning shooting brake that will lead Denza's introduction to Europe in 2026.
BYD made its first NEV, the F3DM, as the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid in 2008.
It took 13 years to manufacture the first million NEVs, but BYD's expansion and the popularity of its products with consumers have allowed the jump from 10 million to 15 million to be achieved in just 13 months.
The 14 millionth NEV rolled off the line as recently as Oct 9, 2025.
The latest achievement completes an impressive year of growth by BYD, with total production for the first 11 months of 2025 totalling 4.182 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 11.3%.
Overseas sales in the same period reached 917,000 units, surpassing the total achieved in the whole of 2024, and BYD's global footprint now spans more than 110 countries and regions.
As a technology company, BYD continues to invest heavily in research and development (R&D).
In the first three quarters of 2025 BYD invested RMB 43.75 billion (5.3 billion euros or RM25.38 billion) in R&D, up 31% year on year, bringing the total cumulative investment in R&D to more than RMB 220 billion (26.65 billion euros or RM127.61 billion).
This steadfast commitment has produced innovations in everything from battery chemistry and packaging to intelligent driving assistance and megawatt Flash Charging, which makes recharging as fast as refuelling and is also destined for introduction in Europe in 2026.
BYD is now on sale in 33 countries in Europe, across 1,000 points of sale.
Plans are already in place to double the number of dealerships by end-2026.
