China’s leading electric vehicle company BYD has recorded sales of 46 lakh vehicles in the entire year in 2025. This achievement puts the company on the verge of surpassing Tesla in annual electric vehicle (EV) deliveries. According to regulatory documents and market reports, BYD’s total sales are expected to grow 7.7% in 2025 compared to last year, which is actually the company’s slowest growth rate in the last five years. The company is facing tough competition in China’s highly competitive budget segment from domestic rivals such as Geely and Leapmotor.
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BYD, which initially targeted 5.5 million units, lowered its sales forecast mid-year and ultimately achieved the figure of 4.6 million vehicles. Industry experts say that this figure reflects both increasing market pressure and changing consumer demand. The decline in sales was clearly visible in December, which were down 18.3% compared to December 2024 – this was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the biggest decline in almost two years.
However, BYD’s overseas performance was a notable positive aspect. International sales increased to 1,046,083 units in 2025, representing an increase of 150.7% over the previous year. The surge highlights BYD’s growing global presence, particularly in Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Talking about pure electric vehicles, BYD aims to deliver 22.60 lakh battery-electric vehicles in 2025, an increase of 27.9% compared to the previous year. This figure puts the Chinese brand on track to overtake Tesla in annual electric vehicle sales for the first time.
However, there are still some immediate challenges to further growth. It’s worth noting that China is reducing incentives for electric vehicle purchases in 2026, while regulators are reining in the aggressive rebates typically seen in the sector. These policy changes, as well as the introduction of new models by rivals and potential trade barriers in key export markets, could slow BYD’s growth pace. For now, BYD is entering 2026 with strong global momentum – even as it prepares for a more competitive and less subsidized electric vehicle landscape in domestic and overseas markets.
