Businessperson of the Year

Sales growth rank: 3

Profit growth rank: 1

BYD was built on creating batteries (instead of importing batteries from Japan, Wang had them built -- by hand -- in China), but its future is in cars. Last year BYD began selling its first electric car in China. This year it announced plans to establish its North American headquarters in Los Angeles in advance of a U.S. model, due in 2011, and a new electric line in partnership with Daimler. Wang counts Warren Buffett as a backer; the legendary investor's $230 million stake is now worth $1.2 billion.

--P.N.

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