According to The Wall Street Journal, BYD not only holds the title of "China's electric vehicle giant", but also has a significant business in electronics manufacturing. The company has assembled over 30% of Apple iPad products.
BYD revealed that it currently employs more than 100,000 workers and engineers specifically focused on the Apple supply chain. Executives believe that this business does not conflict with its electric vehicle operations, as both require BYD's core technology of "low-cost precision equipment manufacturing."
Apple is increasingly reliant on two Chinese contractors: BYD and iPhone assembler Luxshare Precision. Although Apple is diversifying its supply chain by expanding into countries like India and Vietnam, it still heavily depends on the technical expertise of its Chinese partners.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple's product packaging states "Assembled in China", with one of the identified manufacturers being BYD, China's largest electric vehicle maker.
The report suggests that, in a sense, electric vehicles are like "smartphones on wheels", as both rely on batteries, chips, and software. The integration of cars and phones is becoming increasingly common in Chinese business activities.
Analysts point out that BYD does not assemble entire iPhones but plays a more significant role in components, such as titanium alloy frame parts.
In addition to Apple, Xiaomi and Huawei are also two major clients of BYD. Xiaomi founder Lei Jun stated in April that BYD helps assemble smartphones for Xiaomi and provides some technology for Xiaomi's vehicles.
Furthermore, BYD has partnered with Samsung, supplying components related to foldable screens and hinges for some of Samsung's foldable smartphones.
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