In 2025, Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD cut about 100,000 jobs, reducing its workforce by 10% to around 870,000 employees. The layoffs were not due to falling demand but part of a restructuring effort aimed at improving efficiency and controlling costs. This move reflects a wider trend in the auto industry, where companies are focusing on streamlining operations as competition in the electric vehicle market grows more intense.
Despite the job cuts, BYD achieved record revenue of 8,039.6 billion yuan and delivered 4.6 million vehicles, including over one million shipped overseas for the first time. However, profits dropped by 19% to 326.2 billion yuan. The decline was mainly caused by pricing pressures in China’s electric car market and heavy spending on new technologies. BYD invested 634 billion yuan in research and development, showing its commitment to advancing battery systems and charging infrastructure even as profit margins tighten.
The company is also pushing hard into global markets, raising its 2026 export target to 1.5 million vehicles. To support this, BYD launched new technologies like the Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging 2.0, which allow cars to charge from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in about five minutes. These innovations are expected to help BYD compete internationally, especially in regions where charging networks are still limited.
In China, sales dipped sharply in February 2026, down 41%, but this was linked to seasonal holiday factors rather than a long-term slowdown. Overall, BYD’s 2025 performance shows a mix of record growth, falling profits, and large-scale layoffs. The company is betting on efficiency and global expansion, while continuing to invest heavily in technology to stay ahead in the fast-changing electric vehicle industry.
