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BYD Tops Tesla as 2025 Battery‑Electric Sales Leader

The reversal follows Tesla's second consecutive annual drop after U.S. EV tax credits expired.

Overview

  • BYD reported 2.26 million battery‑electric vehicle sales in 2025 and about 4.6 million plug‑in vehicles in total.
  • Tesla delivered 1,636,129 vehicles in 2025, an 8–9% decline year over year, with fourth‑quarter deliveries of 418,227 missing market expectations.
  • Industry reporting links Tesla’s slump to the lapse of the $7,500 U.S. incentive, rising Chinese competition, and reputational blowback tied to Elon Musk’s politics.
  • BYD’s gains reflect aggressive pricing, vertical integration and a broad lineup, alongside exports exceeding one million and expansion plans including local production in Hungary.
  • Despite the sales shift, Tesla retains a far higher market valuation and is emphasizing autonomy, AI and robotics, with full Q4 and 2025 results due Jan. 28.