Berkshire Hathaway Exits BYD, Capping 17-Year EV Investment

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has completed the divestment of its entire stake in Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. This marks the end of a 17-year investment that generated billions of dollars in returns for the conglomerate. A filing by Berkshire Hathaway Energy to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in May indicated that its BYD stock was valued at zero as of March 2025, confirming the sale's finalization. CNBC initially reported this development. Market observers had anticipated Berkshire Hathaway's exit from BYD, as the company began reducing its substantial holding in August 2022. The firm's initial sale involved 1.33 million shares at an average price of HK$277. Due to Hong Kong stock exchange regulations, which exempt stakes below 5% from public disclosure, Berkshire Hathaway's ownership became less visible over time. Li Yunfei, BYD's public relations head, acknowledged the long-standing partnership on Weibo, expressing gratitude to Berkshire Hathaway for its investment and support. BYD has stated it has no further comment beyond Li Yunfei's Weibo post. Berkshire Hathaway's initial investment in BYD occurred in 2008, with approximately $230 million acquiring 225 million shares at around HK$8 each, representing a 10% stake. Despite Berkshire Hathaway's gradual sell-off, BYD has experienced significant growth. The company surpassed Tesla in global sales last year, largely due to its competitive pricing of electric vehicles. BYD currently boasts a market capitalization exceeding HK$975 billion.