Wang Chuanfu (Chinese: 王传福; born 8 April 1966) is a Chinese chemist, billionaire entrepreneur, and the founder, chairman and CEO of BYD Company.
Wang Chuanfu
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Wang in 2023
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| Born | (1966-04-08) 8 April 1966 (age 58)
Wuwei County, Anhui, China
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| Education | Central South University Beijing Non-Ferrous Research Institute |
| Occupation(s) | Chemist, businessman |
| Organization | Delegate to the National People's Congress |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of BYD Company |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Spouse | Married |
Wang was born in Wuwei County, Anhui province to a family of poor farmers. While in high school he was cared for by his elder brother and sister because both of his parents had died.[1]
After high school, he studied metallurgical physical chemistry (冶金物理化学) at the then Central South Industrial University (nowadays the Central South University) and graduated in 1987.[2] He went on to earn a master's degree in 1990 from the Beijing Non-Ferrous Metal General Research Institute (北京有色金属研究总院; now GRINM Group).[3]
He spent several years as a government-sponsored researcher, but in 1995 he entered the private sector and founded his own company, BYD Company, outside of Shenzhen.[3] Founded with his cousin Lu Xiangyang when he was 29 years old, BYD Company is currently the world's largest mobile phone batteries manufacturer.[4] In early 2009, he was reportedly worth US$3.4 billion, placing him 408th on Hurun Report's Global Rich List 2014.[5] In late 2009, his net worth grew to $5.1 billion and was crowned China's richest man on the Hurun Report. This was due largely to a five-fold increase in his company's value after Berkshire Hathaway bought 225 million new shares of BYD in 2008.[6]
In November 2021, Forbes reported that Wang's wealth had increased to $23.5 billion, making him the 14th richest person in China, this was due to a two-fold increase in BYD's share price over the previous year.[7]
Wang is a member of the Chinese Communist Party and has served as a delegate to the National People's Congress.[8][9][10]
Wang is married and lives in Shenzhen.[11]