New Delhi, Jan 03: Chinese automaker BYD overtook Tesla in full-year electric vehicle sales in 2025, becoming the world’s largest EV seller for the first time, according to a report by the Global Times.
The change in market leadership came during a challenging year for the U.S. carmaker, which posted its first annual drop in vehicle deliveries. In contrast, BYD recorded strong growth in its electric vehicle business.
The report said Tesla delivered 1.63 million vehicles in 2025, an 8.6 per cent decline compared with the previous year. This marked a major shift for the company, which had long held the top position in the global EV market. Tesla’s annual production also fell by 6.7 per cent to 1.73 million units from its 2024 level, as competition intensified from automakers such as BYD and Hyundai.
BYD released its 2025 annual results a day earlier, revealing total vehicle deliveries of 4.6 million units, up 7.7 per cent year on year. Of that figure, pure electric vehicle sales jumped 28 per cent to 2.25 million units, according to the report.
The Global Times noted that Chinese new-energy vehicle manufacturers have continued to strengthen their competitiveness in both production and supply chains.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said these companies are increasing investment in research and development, accelerating technological progress, and building complete industrial chains supported by China’s advanced manufacturing base. He added that a strong domestic market, well-developed infrastructure, and supportive policies have also contributed to industry growth.
The report further pointed out that Tesla relies on its gigafactory in China to meet delivery targets, highlighting the importance of China’s manufacturing ecosystem. The expansion of integrated industrial chains continues to underpin the growth of Chinese automakers.
Looking ahead, industry analysts expect Chinese EV manufacturers to maintain their lead in deliveries as their supply chains and industrial networks continue to expand, the report said.
