BYD is on a path of overtaking Tesla as the world’s largest EV seller

According to sources, China’s BYD is on track to surpass Tesla as the world’s top electric vehicle seller, marking a major shift in the global EV market. If confirmed, this would be the first time the Chinese automaker has overtaken its US rival in annual battery-electric vehicle sales.

Strong Sales Growth Pushes BYD Ahead

BYD announced that sales of its battery-powered vehicles surged by nearly 28% in 2025, reaching more than 2.25 million units worldwide. The growth highlights the company’s continued momentum across both domestic and international markets.

Tesla, which is set to release its official 2025 sales figures shortly, has already signalled a weaker performance. Analyst estimates published by the company suggest global sales of around 1.65 million vehicles for the year, placing it well behind BYD’s reported total.

Tesla Faces a Challenging Year

Tesla’s slower sales growth comes after a difficult year marked by mixed reactions to new product launches and increasing competition from Chinese EV brands. The company has also faced public unease linked to Elon Musk’s political involvement, which some analysts say has weighed on consumer sentiment.

In an effort to revive demand, Tesla introduced lower-priced versions of its two best-selling models in the US in October. The move followed criticism that the company had been slow to roll out more affordable vehicles at a time when price competition in the EV sector has intensified.

Pressure on Musk as Investor Concerns Grow

Elon Musk remains under pressure to significantly boost Tesla’s sales and market value over the coming decade. This is tied to a shareholder-approved compensation package that could see him earn up to US$1 trillion if ambitious performance targets are met.

Tesla’s sales dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025 following backlash over Musk’s role in US President Donald Trump’s administration. At the same time, Musk’s involvement in other ventures, including X, SpaceX, the Boring Company and the Department of Government Efficiency, has raised concerns among investors about his focus on Tesla. Musk has since stated that he plans to scale back his government responsibilities to concentrate more on his businesses.

BYD Growth Slows but Global Reach Expands

Despite its impressive numbers, BYD’s sales growth in 2025 was its slowest in five years. The Shenzhen-based company faces growing competition in China from a wave of domestic EV manufacturers such as XPeng and Nio, intensifying pressure in its largest market. Even so, BYD continues to strengthen its global footprint. Its vehicles are often priced below those of established rivals, giving the company a strong edge in cost-sensitive markets.

Rapid Overseas Expansion Despite Trade Barriers

BYD’s expansion across Latin America, Southeast Asia and parts of Europe has continued despite many countries imposing high tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The company has remained aggressive in overseas markets, focusing on both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models.

In October, BYD revealed that the United Kingdom had become its largest market outside China. Sales in the country jumped by 880% in the year ending September, driven largely by strong demand for the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.