Berkshire Hathaway has sold its remaining shares in Chinese automaker BYD, marking the end of a remarkably lucrative investment that began in 2008, according to a recent filing. The conglomerate’s energy division reported its BYD holdings were valued at zero as of March’s close, compared with $415 million at the end of 2024.
The investment saga began when Warren Buffett’s Berkshire acquired a 10% stake in Shenzhen-based BYD for $230 million, accumulating roughly 225 million shares. Over the intervening years, the stake soared in value as BYD’s stock price climbed more than twentyfold.
The gradual exit started in 2022 as BYD’s market valuation surged. By June 2024, Berkshire had divested nearly 76% of its initial holding, reducing its ownership to just under 5%. Dropping below that threshold meant Berkshire was no longer obliged to publicly report further sales under Hong Kong exchange regulations; at last disclosure, it still held about 54 million shares.
Li Yunfei, BYD’s general manager of branding and public relations, thanked Berkshire for its investment, help and companionship over the past 17 years. In his post on official Weibo account, Li described the sell-down as a conventional stock investment decision. BYD has not immediately offered further comment regarding Berkshire’s complete exit.
