Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has officially exited Chinese automaker BYD. The legendary investor has closed the book on a 17-year bet that turned a US$230 million outlay into billions of dollars.
Berkshire’s latest filing covered by Reuters reports its BYD stake at zero as of March 2025, marking the end of an investment that had grown more than twentyfold in value. The holding, which once equalled 10% of the Shenzhen-based carmaker, had been trimmed steadily since 2022 as BYD’s share price soared.
When did the Buffet invest in BYD?
Guided by advice from his late partner Charlie Munger, Buffett first invested in BYD in September 2008, buying 225 million shares for about US$230 million during the global financial crisis. That stake grew to nearly US$7.7 billion before Berkshire began gradually selling it down in 2022, and the final shares were sold in early 2025.
The investment was undoubtedly one of Buffett’s most successful and high-profile trades, showcasing his talent for long-term, high-reward bets and solidifying BYD’s founder, Wang Chuanfu, among China’s wealthiest individuals. Berkshire’s investment profile includes Apple (AAPL), American Express (AXP), Coca-Cola (KO), and Chevron (CVX), among many others. But more recently, Buffett has scaled back exposure to China amid rising geopolitical tensions, including selling his entire stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) just months after acquiring it in 2023.
Why exit BYD now?
The timing of Berkshire’s exit has raised eyebrows. BYD remains a market leader in EVs worldwide, but mounting headwinds are now a concern. Domestic sales, which account for nearly 80% of its volumes, have slowed for four consecutive months, forcing the company to trim its annual sales target. Profits also dipped last quarter for the first time in three and a half years, as China’s government pushes back against price wars.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions and tightening rules on foreign investment have seen Buffett gradually pull back from China more broadly. In past interviews, he has praised BYD’s founder Wang Chuanfu but admitted he’d “find things to do with the money that I’ll feel better about.”
What does this mean for BYD?
Buffett’s move doesn’t mean it’s the end for BYD. While the automaker remains largely absent in the US due to tariffs, it is aggressively growing in other markets. The company remains a dominant player in the global EV race, expanding rapidly in Europe. In April 2025, BYD surpassed Tesla in Europe for the first time, thanks to a 359% surge in electric and plug-in hybrid registrations, which pushed it ahead of several established European brands even before its new Hungarian plant began production.
In India, a key right-hand-drive market like Australia, BYD has delivered its 10,000th EV, reflecting growing consumer adoption. The company is also expanding its lineup, dealership network, and charging infrastructure, all while navigating strategic geopolitical dynamics between China and India.
For everyday investors, the lesson is classic Buffett: patience pays, but even the best companies aren’t always forever holds. For car buyers, it serves as a reminder of how rapidly the auto industry evolves, and why timing, whether for stocks or cars, can make all the difference.
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