BYD has taken a commanding lead over Tesla in the global battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, reporting over 1.02 million units sold in the first half of 2025 — more than 30% ahead of Tesla's 721,000. The figures confirm BYD's position as the world's top EV maker by volume, signaling a larger shift in global automotive leadership.
BYD's BEV sales jumped 41% year-over-year, while Tesla saw a 13% decline. This widening gap, now at 1.4 times in BYD's favor, reflects BYD's strength in both domestic growth and international expansion, as Tesla faces stagnating demand and eroding appeal in major markets.
Global expansion and Europe's pivotal shift
BYD's total new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, including BEVs and plug-in hybrids, hit nearly 2.146 million units in the first half of 2025, making it the only Chinese carmaker to cross the 2 million threshold during the period. BEVs made up 47.7% of that total.
BYD's overseas sales climbed past 470,000 units in the first half, more than doubling year-over-year and surpassing its full-year 2024 international tally. In China, BYD's sales were 5.4 times greater than Tesla's during the same period.
BYD is now outselling Tesla in several of its historically strong markets, including Italy, Spain, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, underscoring the Chinese brand's rapid global expansion.
In April 2025, BYD surpassed Tesla in monthly BEV sales across Europe for the first time, registering 7,231 units, a 169% year-over-year increase, according to Jato Dynamics. Tesla's registrations fell 49% to 7,165. The milestone placed BYD among Europe's top 10 EV brands, despite only expanding beyond Norway and the Netherlands in late 2022.
"This is a watershed moment for Europe's EV market," said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at Jato Dynamics, "Tesla dominated for years, but BYD surpassed it in under three years. Remarkable."
Tesla's slide and BYD's resilient strategy
Tesla's slowdown comes as Europe's EV market accelerates. BEV registrations rose 28% in April, with Volkswagen, Skoda, Renault, Stellantis, Audi, and BMW all outpacing Tesla. Despite refreshing its Model Y, Tesla's momentum remains weak, with first-quarter 2025 deliveries down 13% globally. Analysts also point to Elon Musk's polarizing behavior as a drag on brand appeal in Europe.
BYD's strategy in Europe is gaining traction. April 2025 registrations, including plug-in hybrids, surged 359% year-over-year. Chinese-brand EVs grew 59%, outpacing the 26% growth from brands in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the US, despite new EU tariffs targeting Chinese imports.
Speaking at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit, a BYD Europe executive cited the brand's "full-scope lineup" and ability to meet Europe's diverse customer needs as central to its success. Backed by a broad portfolio, competitive pricing, and rapid market entries, BYD is gaining ground globally—even in the face of rising trade barriers.
BYD's lead over Tesla — both in scale and strategy — signals more than a short-term advantage. It reflects a structural shift in the global EV race.
Article edited by Jack Wu
