Overview
- BYD reported selling 2.26 million battery‑electric vehicles in 2025, topping Tesla’s 1.64 million deliveries and confirming a shift in the global EV leaderboard.
- Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles in the fourth quarter, about a 16% year‑over‑year decline and below Wall Street expectations.
- Competitive pressure from Chinese automakers, reputational fallout tied to Elon Musk’s politics, and aging models compounded Tesla’s sales headwinds, according to industry reports.
- BYD accelerated its global push with more than 1 million exports in 2025—up roughly 150%—and is adding production in Brazil and Hungary as US tariffs curb direct market access.
- Despite lower auto volumes, investors emphasized Tesla’s pivot to robotaxis, AI/robotics, and energy storage, leaving the stock up roughly 11% for 2025, while analysts flag 2026 risks including China subsidy changes and regulatory hurdles.