Core Points - The Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering announced the results of the 2025 academician election, with three experts from private enterprises being elected as academicians, marking a significant shift in representation from traditional academic institutions to industry leaders in the new energy vehicle sector [1] Group 1: Academicians from Private Enterprises - Lian Yubo from BYD, Wu Kai from CATL, and Huang Xianbo from Kingfa Technology were elected as academicians, highlighting the increasing recognition of contributions from private sector experts in engineering [1] - This election marks the first time that leaders from the new energy vehicle industry have been elected as academicians, breaking the previous norm where academicians predominantly came from universities and research institutions [1] Group 2: Profiles of Elected Academicians - Lian Yubo, born in 1964, is a senior engineer and has been instrumental in developing over 20 models and 100 variants of fuel and new energy vehicles at BYD since joining in 2004, contributing to the company's sales of 4.27 million vehicles [2][3] - Wu Kai, born in 1968, is the chief scientist at CATL and has led innovations in lithium-ion battery technology, achieving breakthroughs that have allowed for the domestic production of high-performance batteries, surpassing Japanese and Korean competitors [5][7] - Huang Xianbo, with a PhD in applied chemistry, has focused on high-performance materials for automotive applications and has contributed significantly to the development of functional polymer materials in China [8] Group 3: Significance of the Election - The election of these academicians reflects a broader trend of integrating industry expertise into the academic and research community, which is crucial for driving innovation and economic transformation in China [10] - The recognition of private sector contributions to science and technology is expected to enhance the collaboration between academia and industry, fostering a more robust innovation ecosystem [10]

Group 1 - Three experts from private enterprises were elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, including Lian Yubo from BYD, Huang Xianbo from Kingfa Technology, and Wu Kai from CATL [1][4][8] - Lian Yubo, the chief scientist and automotive chief engineer at BYD, has led the development of over 20 fuel and new energy vehicle models, contributing to BYD's strong position in the new energy vehicle sales rankings since 2016 [2][4] - Huang Xianbo, the chief technology officer at Kingfa Technology, has focused on high-performance automotive materials and has contributed significantly to the development of functional polymer materials in China [5][4] Group 2 - Wu Kai, who has served as the chief scientist at CATL, has a background in electrochemical energy storage technology and continues to lead research in this area after resigning from his position as vice president [8][9] - Kingfa Technology operates 64 subsidiaries and has established R&D and production bases in regions such as South Asia, North America, and Europe, providing services to over 1,000 well-known enterprises globally [5][7] - BYD's core technologies, including blade batteries and DM hybrid technology, are attributed to Lian Yubo's leadership and innovation efforts [2][4]

Core Points - BYD's chief scientist, Lian Yubo, has been elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, marking a significant recognition in the field of engineering science and technology in China [1][2][3] - Lian Yubo is recognized as the "technical soul" of BYD and has played a crucial role in the company's transition from traditional fuel vehicles to new energy vehicles [1][5] - The 2025 election of academicians included 71 individuals, with Lian Yubo being one of the notable figures in the new energy sector [2][5] Company Overview - Lian Yubo has been with BYD for over 20 years, leading the development of over 20 vehicle models and more than 100 products, significantly contributing to the company's success in the new energy vehicle market [5] - Under Lian's leadership, BYD has developed key technologies such as blade batteries, DM hybrid technology, CTB integrated body, and cloud rail systems, which are essential for the company's competitive edge in the industry [5] - In 2023, Lian Yubo was appointed as BYD's chief scientist, continuing to focus on the intelligent transformation of new energy vehicles while also serving as the chief engineer and director of the automotive engineering research institute [5] Industry Context - The election of Lian Yubo coincides with the recognition of other key figures in the new energy industry, such as Wu Kai from CATL and Huang Xianbo from Jinfat Technology, highlighting the importance of leadership in core technology areas including vehicle development, power batteries, and new materials [5]

Core Insights - The announcement of the 2025 Chinese Academy of Engineering academician list includes key personnel from two listed companies, CATL and BYD, highlighting their contributions to the battery industry [1] - Wu Kai, the chief scientist of CATL, has led significant innovations in lithium-ion battery technology, achieving breakthroughs in safety, energy density, and lifespan, surpassing Japanese and Korean competitors [1] - Lian Yubo, the chief scientist of BYD, has been instrumental in developing over 20 models of fuel and new energy vehicles, contributing to BYD's position among the top five global automakers [7][11] Company Contributions - Wu Kai's leadership at CATL has focused on aligning battery technology with national strategic needs, leading to the successful domestic production of ternary lithium batteries [1] - Wu Kai emphasizes the importance of maintaining China's leadership in the lithium battery industry by participating in the formulation of international standards [4] - Lian Yubo's work at BYD has resulted in the development of core technologies such as blade batteries and hybrid technology, which are crucial for the company's sales success [11] Industry Trends - The future direction of battery technology is shifting towards solid-state batteries, but liquid lithium batteries will continue to dominate for a considerable time [3] - Key areas for further development in liquid lithium battery technology include flexible production lines, battery recycling processes, green zero-carbon initiatives, and intelligent manufacturing [3]

Core Insights - The article discusses the growth and strategic initiatives of the electric vehicle (EV) and battery industry, particularly focusing on companies like BYD and CATL, highlighting their expansion into international markets and advancements in technology [1][3]. Group 1: International Expansion - BYD is increasing its presence in Southeast Asia, with significant sales growth expected in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, each accounting for approximately one-third of its international sales [1]. - The new factory in Hungary is set to commence operations in early next year, which will further boost sales in Europe [1]. Group 2: Product Development and Innovation - The company is focusing on high-end product lines, with new offerings in the Fangchengbao Titanium series and significant updates to the Tengshi brand's design and interior [1]. - The introduction of cloud systems, intelligent driving, and fast charging technologies is part of the company's strategy to enhance its product base [1]. Group 3: Inventory and Supply Chain Management - Current inventory levels are low, reflecting lessons learned from last year's unsold stock that hindered new product launches [1]. - The procurement strategy for battery cells is aimed at balancing performance and cost, which is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the market [1]. Group 4: Market Trends and Projections - The energy storage market is projected to grow faster than the power market, indicating a shift in focus for companies like CATL [3]. - Internal estimates suggest that energy storage shipments could reach approximately 50 GWh this year, with expectations for continued rapid growth next year [1].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the significant rise of Wang Chuanfu, the chairman and president of BYD, who ranked 5th in Fortune's list of the 100 most influential business leaders globally, marking the highest position for a Chinese entrepreneur on this list [1] - BYD's commitment to innovation is evident through its substantial R&D investment, which reached 54.2 billion yuan in 2024, a 36% increase year-on-year, consistently exceeding its net profit for 13 out of the last 14 years [3] - The company has introduced several groundbreaking technologies, including the Blade Battery and the Super e-platform, enhancing its competitive edge in the global electric vehicle market [3] Group 2 - BYD's globalization strategy is accelerating, with overseas sales of passenger cars and pickups surpassing 470,000 units in the first half of the year, representing over 130% year-on-year growth [4] - The establishment of BYD's European headquarters in Hungary and the launch of its first locally produced electric vehicle in Brazil are key milestones in its localization strategy [4] - In 2024, BYD's electric vehicle sales reached 4.27 million units, a 41% increase, and in the first half of 2025, it sold 2.146 million units, becoming the top-selling automaker in China and globally [4] Group 3 - BYD's brand influence is reflected in its ranking of 91st in the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list, marking a significant improvement and its fourth consecutive year on the list [5] - The company's brand value surged to 14.4 billion USD, a 43.6% increase, making it one of the fastest-growing brands in the global automotive industry [5] - The recognition from various prestigious global rankings underscores BYD's strong development momentum and the rising influence of China's electric vehicle industry on the global stage [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant transformation in the new energy government vehicle market, with BYD emerging as a dominant player, maintaining its position as the top choice for government procurement of new energy vehicles for two consecutive years [1][6]. Group 1: Government Procurement Rankings - In the 2024 government procurement new energy vehicle rankings, BYD holds a leading market share of 26.09%, followed by GAC Group at 20.83% and SAIC Group at 16.87% [2]. - Over the past three years, BYD's average market share in new energy government vehicle sales has reached 28.02%, indicating that for every four new energy vehicles purchased by the government, one is a BYD [3]. Group 2: Factors Contributing to BYD's Success - The high standards for government vehicle procurement, likened to a "college entrance examination" for cars, emphasize the need for vehicles that are both aesthetically pleasing and durable [4]. - BYD's success in becoming the preferred choice for government vehicles is attributed to its advanced technology, including the safety of its blade battery, fuel efficiency of the DM-i system, stability of the cloud platform, and the intelligent driving assistance of the "Tian Shen Zhi Yan" system [4]. - Popular BYD models such as Sea Gull, Qin, Song, and Han have been successfully utilized for various government functions, showcasing both practicality and prestige [4]. Group 3: Market Recognition and Future Outlook - BYD's position as the leading sales champion in China's new energy vehicle market is reinforced by government policies favoring domestic brands, further enhancing its appeal in the public sector [6]. - The article expresses confidence that more Chinese brands will follow BYD's example, leveraging technology to demonstrate the strength of Chinese manufacturing on a global scale [6].