BYD passes Tesla as electric car sales grow worldwide
The Chinese electric car company BYD is close to becoming the world’s top electric vehicle seller, possibly passing the American company Tesla in total sales for the year 2025.
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, BYD announced that it sold more than 2.25 million electric cars in 2025. This was a 28% increase compared to the number of cars it sold in 2024. The company said the strong growth came from high demand, affordable prices, and new technology.
Experts say this result could place BYD ahead of Tesla for the first time in history.
Tesla sales expected to be lower
Tesla is expected to release its official 2025 sales numbers on Friday, but market analysts already estimate that the company sold about 1.65 million electric cars during the year.
If these numbers are confirmed, it would mean that BYD sold hundreds of thousands more electric cars than Tesla, marking a major shift in the global electric car market.
This possible change is important because Tesla has long been seen as the world leader in electric vehicles.
Why Tesla struggled in 2025
Several factors affected Tesla’s performance in 2025. One of the biggest issues was the public image of its owner, Elon Musk.
Musk faced strong criticism after becoming involved in the political administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Many customers and investors reacted negatively, saying politics should not mix with business.
In addition, Elon Musk spent much of his time focusing on other companies, such as:
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X (formerly Twitter)
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SpaceX, which works on rockets and space technology
Because of this, some analysts believe Tesla did not receive enough attention in areas like innovation, customer service, and market expansion.
BYD gains strength with innovation and low prices
While Tesla faced challenges, BYD continued to grow steadily. The company is known for producing modern electric cars that are cheaper than many competitors.
BYD also focuses on:
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Strong battery technology
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New smart car features
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Affordable models for middle-income buyers
These strategies helped BYD expand not only in China, but also in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Experts say many customers now prefer BYD because it offers good quality at a lower price, especially in developing markets.
What this means for the global EV market
If BYD officially passes Tesla, it will show that the electric vehicle market is changing fast. Leadership is no longer controlled by one company or one country.
This competition is expected to:
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Lower electric car prices
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Improve technology
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Give buyers more choices
According to global auto experts, competition between BYD and Tesla is good for consumers and for the future of clean energy.
You can read more about electric vehicles on the International Energy Agency (IEA) website: https://www.iea.org
For company updates, visit:
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BYD official site: https://www.byd.com
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Tesla official site: https://www.tesla.com
