BYD leads in invention patents

Shenzhen-based BYD Auto Co topped the nation last year in the number of granted invention patents in the auto industry, according to statistics from SIPO. It was also the only automaker from China that ranked in the top 10 in the number of invention patents and international patent applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty. The company now has some 2,100 invention patents, including 340 granted last year.