Chinese automaker BYD Auto reported a 25% rise in global production of light battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to 2,221,913 units in 2025, with the company overtaking US automaker Tesla as the world’s largest BEV producer.
Shenzhen-based BYD announced it sold a total of 4,602,536 vehicles globally last year, up by 7.7% on the previous year’s 4,272,145 units, including a 28% rise in light BEVs sales to 2,256,714 units, while sales of light plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) fell by 7.9% to 2,288,709 units. Commercial vehicle sales, comprising both BEVs and PHEVs, surged by 162% to 57,013 units.
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The privately-owned automaker has ramped up production in recent years with the launch of numerous new models, which also helped it overtake state-owned SAIC Motor as China’s largest vehicle producer. The company’s best-selling models include the Song and Qin PHEVs and the Atto 3 and Seagull BEVs.
By contrast, Tesla produced a total of 1,636,129 BEVs last year, down by almost 9% on the previous year, while output fell by almost 7% to 1,654,667 units. Around 97% of the automaker’s production last year was concentrated in two main models, the Model 3 and Model Y. The company last year faced increased resistance in some key overseas markets, particularly in Europe, due to CEO Elon Musk’s strong support for US President Trump’s far-right politics, as well as growing competition from Chinese automakers.
