Lu Xiangyang Net Worth

Lu Xiangyang has an estimated net worth of $16.2 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Lu Xiangyang profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $2.2 billion in 2019.

Lu Xiangyang is a Chinese entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of BYD. He started his career at a local branch of the People's Bank of China. At the start of the 1990s, he moved to Guangdong province and worked for brokers. In 1995, he teamed up with his cousin Wang Chuanfu to start BYD as a battery maker. He is now vice chairman of the company, which later grew into one of the world's largest EV makers.

His wealth is tied mainly to automobiles and batteries. A big part of it came from his BYD stake after he invested 5 million renminbi in the newly formed company in 1995. Lu also built his own investment business, known as Youngy Investment Holding Group, and earlier founded Guangzhou Youngy Management and Investment Group. Beyond BYD, he later acquired 70% of the world's second-largest lithium mine in Sichuan, as well as a cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

How Lu Xiangyang makes money

Lu Xiangyang built his fortune through BYD and related investments. He joined forces with Wang Chuanfu in 1995 while still working at a local branch of the People's Bank of China. BYD began as a battery maker, and Lu became a co-founder and investor. As the company expanded into cars and then EVs, his role as vice chairman and his ownership stake became the main drivers of his wealth.

He also runs Youngy Investment Holding Group, giving him another business base outside BYD. Earlier in his career, he moved to Guangdong province, worked for brokers, and later founded Guangzhou Youngy Management and Investment Group. His investments also reached key battery materials. He later acquired 70% of the world's second-largest lithium mine in Sichuan, plus a cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tying more of his business to batteries and autos.

Forbes net worth timeline

Forbes has tracked a sharp rise in Lu Xiangyang's fortune over time. It estimated his wealth at $2.2 billion in 2019, then $15.7 billion in 2022. That jump matched the importance of BYD in his business story, along with his exposure to batteries and automobiles. His mining assets in lithium and cobalt also fit the same chain, since both materials are closely linked to battery production.

The estimate then moved down and up again. Forbes put him at $11.6 billion in 2024, followed by $20 billion in 2025. As of October 20, 2026, Forbes' real-time billionaires tracker shows $16.2 billion. Those swings underline how closely his wealth is tied to BYD and the battery and auto sectors, where his main roles remain co-founder, vice chairman, and investor through Youngy Investment Holding Group.