Chinese auto giant BYD sold a record 2.26 million electric vehicles in 2025, the company announced Thursday. This figure surpasses Tesla’s September sales of 1.22 million, positioning BYD to potentially outpace Elon Musk’s firm globally for the first time. Tesla is expected to release its full 2025 EV sales on Friday.
Founded in 1995, BYD initially specialised in batteries and now dominates China’s new energy vehicle market, the world’s largest. The company also produces hybrid vehicles and is actively expanding overseas, targeting Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
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Rising competition, changing consumer demand, and US tariffs challenge BYD and other Chinese automakers. Yet the company continues growing, leveraging affordability and innovation to strengthen its global presence.
Tesla narrowly beat BYD in 2024, but sales struggles this year in key markets, partly due to CEO Elon Musk’s political controversies, have created an opening. BYD’s rising influence also worries European automakers facing increased Chinese competition.
Read more: BYD set to overtake Tesla in global EV sales
With record domestic sales and international expansion, BYD is emerging as a formidable global EV player, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape of electric vehicles.