Core Viewpoint - The recent election of Lian Yubo as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering highlights the significant contributions of BYD in the electric vehicle sector, particularly in technological innovation and research investment [1][4]. Company Overview - Lian Yubo, the newly elected academician, has been with BYD for over 20 years, leading the development of key technologies such as the world's first plug-in hybrid vehicle F3DM and China's first pure electric vehicle e6 [5][6]. - BYD has maintained a strong focus on research and development, with R&D expenses consistently exceeding net profits since 2018 [1][6]. Financial Performance - From 2018 to the first three quarters of 2025, BYD's cumulative net profit reached 136.32 billion yuan, while R&D expenses totaled approximately 181.2 billion yuan [2][6]. - In 2021, BYD reported a net profit of 3.045 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 28.08%, while R&D expenses increased by 7.05% to 7.991 billion yuan [6]. R&D Investment and Growth - BYD's R&D personnel count is projected to reach 121,600 by the end of 2024, an increase of 18.24% from the previous year, with a strong emphasis on innovation and patent applications [7]. - The company has adopted a "technology first, innovation-based" philosophy, leading to significant advancements in the industry, including the launch of the "Super e-platform" and the "Universal Intelligent Driving" strategy [7]. Sales Performance - In the first ten months of 2025, BYD's sales reached 3.7019 million units, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13.88% [7].

Core Insights - The election results for the 2025 Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering academicians were announced, with key figures from the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, including BYD's Lian Yubo and CATL's Wu Kai, being elected as academicians, marking a significant shift in representation from traditional academia to industry leaders [1][3]. Group 1: Key Figures and Their Contributions - Wu Kai, as the chief scientist at CATL, is recognized for his foundational work on core products like the Kirin battery and the Shenzhou supercharging battery, which have set global standards for energy density and charging speed in power batteries [1][3]. - Lian Yubo's career reflects a cross-disciplinary approach, transitioning from aircraft manufacturing to leading electric vehicle technology development at BYD, where he has been pivotal in establishing the company's early electric vehicle technology framework [1][2]. Group 2: Industry Impact and Growth - Lian Yubo's election underscores the strategic value of plug-in hybrid technology in enabling China's automotive industry to achieve competitive advantages over international giants, with BYD's plug-in hybrid vehicle sales skyrocketing from 48,000 units in 2020 to 1.43 million units by 2023, representing a growth of approximately 30 times [2][3]. - The rise of plug-in hybrid technology is becoming a core competitive advantage for China's NEV industry, with data indicating that plug-in and hybrid models have replaced pure electric vehicles as the new growth point in exports during the first nine months of 2025 [2][3].

Group 1 - The election of Lian Yubo and Wu Kai as academicians marks a significant recognition of the technical leaders from the new energy vehicle industry, breaking the previous norm where academicians were primarily from universities and research institutions [1] - Wu Kai is recognized for his foundational work on CATL's key products, such as the Kirin battery and the Shenzhou supercharging battery, which have set new benchmarks for energy density and charging speed in global power batteries [1][3] - Lian Yubo's career reflects a cross-disciplinary approach, having transitioned from aircraft manufacturing to leading the development of electric platforms at BYD, making him a key figure in the company's technological output [1][3] Group 2 - Lian Yubo's leadership led to the launch of the world's first dual-mode electric vehicle, the F3DM, which achieved a significant range advantage over competitors, establishing BYD's "electric-first" hybrid technology route [2] - From 2020 to 2023, BYD's plug-in hybrid vehicle sales surged from 48,000 to 1.43 million units, representing a growth of approximately 30 times, highlighting the increasing importance of hybrid technology in China's global competitiveness in the new energy vehicle sector [2][3] - The election of these two corporate academicians underscores the comprehensive technological breakthroughs across China's new energy vehicle supply chain, enhancing the industry's core competitiveness in alignment with global automotive transformation goals under the "dual carbon" initiative [3]

Core Points - The article highlights the recognition of Lian Yubo, the chief scientist of BYD, who has been elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, underscoring his significant contributions to the rise of China's automotive industry and BYD's leadership in the electric vehicle sector [1][12] - Lian Yubo is credited with developing BYD's comprehensive new energy technology, which has positioned the company as a leader in the global automotive market [1][10] Group 1: Background of Lian Yubo - Lian Yubo was born in 1964 in Yizheng, Jiangsu, and initially aspired to work in aviation, studying at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics [1] - After being redirected to the automotive industry, he spent years acquiring automotive knowledge and skills, eventually becoming the deputy chief engineer at Yizheng Automobile Factory [1][3] - Lian Yubo joined BYD in 2004, where he established the company's R&D center in Shanghai and began building a team of engineers [1][4] Group 2: Contributions to BYD - Lian Yubo played a crucial role in developing BYD's first widely recognized compact car, the F3, which sold over 100,000 units in less than a year, marking a significant achievement for the brand [4][6] - Under his leadership, BYD launched several successful models, including the F0 and F6, while also focusing on the development of new energy vehicles [4][5] - Lian Yubo was instrumental in the creation of BYD's DM-i hybrid technology and the e6 electric vehicle, which validated the company's self-developed technologies [5][6][9] Group 3: Technological Innovations - Lian Yubo's engineering team at BYD has introduced several advanced technologies, including silicon carbide power control, blade batteries, and innovative vehicle architectures [9][10] - His leadership has been pivotal in transforming BYD from a secondary player in the automotive market to the largest car manufacturer in China, with an annual production and sales volume of 4 million vehicles [8][10] - The recognition of Lian Yubo as an academician reflects the broader advancements in China's new energy and smart automotive sectors, highlighting the importance of technological leadership in the industry [11][12]