iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A major shift in the global electric vehicle market took place in 2025 as China’s BYD moved ahead of Tesla to become the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles, ending the U.S. automaker’s long run at the top.
According to a report by the Global Times, BYD surpassed Tesla in full-year electric vehicle sales for the first time. The change came after a difficult year for Tesla and continued expansion by Chinese manufacturers.
Tesla delivered about 1.63 million vehicles in 2025, an 8.6 percent drop from the previous year. This marked the first annual decline in deliveries for the company, which had dominated global EV sales for several years.
Tesla’s production also fell, declining 6.7 percent year-on-year to around 1.73 million units. The company now faces growing competition not only from BYD but also from rivals such as Hyundai.
In contrast, BYD reported strong growth during the same period. The Chinese automaker delivered a total of 4.6 million vehicles in 2025, up 7.7 percent from 2024. Of that total, electric vehicle sales rose sharply to 2.25 million units, representing a 28 percent increase from the previous year. This growth helped BYD secure the top position in global EV sales.
Industry observers say the rise of Chinese electric vehicle makers is being driven by stronger production capacity and more efficient supply chains.
Analysts note that Chinese manufacturers continue to invest heavily in research and development, push rapid technological upgrades, and benefit from a well-integrated industrial system supported by China’s manufacturing base, domestic market, charging infrastructure, and government policies.
The report also pointed out that Tesla itself depends heavily on its gigafactory operations in China to meet delivery targets, underlining the importance of the Chinese market and supply chain even for U.S. companies.
Looking ahead, industry analysts expect Chinese EV makers to maintain their competitive edge as their supply chains expand further and manufacturing operations become more integrated.
Photo courtesy: x.com/GabbbarSingh
