BYD Overtakes Tesla as World's Largest EV Manufacturer
BYD sold 4.3 million battery electric vehicles in 2025, surpassing Tesla to become the world's largest pure EV manufacturer by volume.
BYD has officially overtaken Tesla to become the world’s largest manufacturer of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), selling 4.3 million pure EVs in 2025 compared to Tesla’s 1.95 million units.
2025 Sales Breakdown
| Manufacturer | BEV Sales | YoY Growth | Global Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | 4.30M | +48% | 22.1% |
| Tesla | 1.95M | +3% | 10.0% |
| Volkswagen Group | 1.15M | +15% | 5.9% |
| SAIC-GM-Wuling | 0.98M | +22% | 5.0% |
| Geely | 0.89M | +62% | 4.6% |
Note: BYD figures include pure BEVs only, excluding plug-in hybrids.
The Full Picture
When including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), BYD’s total new energy vehicle sales reached 7.2 million units in 2025—making it the undisputed leader in electrified transportation.
BYD Sales by Vehicle Type
| Type | 2025 Sales | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Electric (BEV) | 4.30M | +48% |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | 2.90M | +65% |
| Total NEV | 7.20M | +55% |
How BYD Did It
Several factors contributed to BYD’s achievement:
1. Vertical Integration
BYD manufactures its own:
- Battery cells (Blade Battery)
- Electric motors
- Power electronics
- Semiconductors
This gives BYD a 20-25% cost advantage over competitors relying on suppliers.
2. Product Range
BYD offers vehicles from $10,000 to $200,000:
| Segment | Models | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Seagull, Dolphin Mini | $10,000-$15,000 |
| Mass Market | Dolphin, Atto 3 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Premium | Seal, Han | $30,000-$50,000 |
| Luxury | Yangwang U8, U9 | $100,000-$200,000 |
3. Global Expansion
BYD now sells in 70+ countries:
- Europe: 250,000+ units in 2025
- Southeast Asia: 400,000+ units
- Latin America: 200,000+ units
- Middle East: 150,000+ units
Tesla’s Response
Tesla remains dominant in several key metrics:
| Metric | Tesla | BYD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue per vehicle | $43,000 | $18,000 |
| Operating margin | 9.2% | 5.8% |
| Supercharger network | 60,000+ | N/A |
| Full Self-Driving | Available | In development |
Tesla’s CEO noted that comparing total units “misses the point” when BYD’s average selling price is less than half of Tesla’s.
European Market Impact
BYD’s manufacturing scale creates advantages for European market:
- Competitive pricing - Scale economics enable competitive pricing
- Proven quality - 4.3M vehicles means extensive real-world testing
- Component availability - Global supply chain established
- Technology leadership - Blade Battery, e-Platform 3.0
What This Means for Buyers
For Europeans considering a Chinese EV:
- BYD offers the best value proposition - More vehicle per euro
- Aggressive pricing - BYD prices below Tesla
- Quality improvements - Scale enables continuous refinement
Looking Ahead
Industry analysts expect:
- BYD to reach 10 million annual sales by 2028
- Tesla to focus on premium segments and robotaxi
- Chinese brands to capture 35%+ of global EV market by 2030
For more on BYD’s lineup, see our BYD Brand Page.