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Geely Overtakes Volkswagen in China as Electrified Cars Reach 54% of 2025 Sales

Local makers' gains intensify pressure on foreign brands to restructure operations in China.

Overview

  • CPCA data show nearly 13 million EVs and plug-in hybrids sold in 2025, lifting their share to about 54% on an 18% year-over-year increase.
  • Geely captured roughly 11% of retail sales to move into second place, while BYD led at 14.7% and Volkswagen’s joint ventures slipped to a combined 10.9%.
  • Volkswagen remains the top-selling foreign brand, according to the CPCA, even as it fell to third overall in China’s passenger-vehicle rankings.
  • Cars priced below 150,000 yuan accounted for more than half of sales, bolstering makers such as Geely and Leapmotor in the expanding budget segment.
  • Foreign automakers are recalibrating in China, with VW halting production at a Nanjing plant, GM expecting about $1.1 billion in China-related Q4 charges, and VW pursuing local tech tie-ups with Xpeng and Horizon Robotics as its China deliveries declined in Q4.