BYD dethrones Tesla; becomes world’s No.1 EV seller

KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese EV giant BYD has dethroned Tesla and claims the title of the No.1 EV seller globally. The automaker sold a total of 2,254,714 EVs during the year, showcasing a year-on year growth of almost 28% compared to 2024. The US-based brand, on the other hand, delivered 1,636,129 units annually. 

This major shift in the global EV arena comes after the strong growth in BYD’s popularity in both domestic and international markets and a difficult year for Tesla. The latter recorded an 8.6% dip in annual sales in 2025 due to incremental updates, weaker demand for the Tesla Cybertruck than expected and a slow rollout of the robotaxi service.

BYD enjoys a competitive edge over Tesla with its diverse electric vehicle lineup and aggressive pricing strategy, which caters to a wide range of customers. From compact and affordable electric cars to luxury and high-performance models, BYD captures different segments of the market. 

Another factor that helps BYD to become No.1 is the battery and charging infrastructure. BYD’s battery subsidiary is the second largest in the world in terms of installed EV battery capacity, beyond CATL.

A brief look at BYD’s history

• BYD was founded in 1995 in Shenzhen with a starting capital of CNY 2.5 million (RM 1,544,508) and just 20 employees.
• The company produced rechargeable batteries in the initial years and became the world’s second-largest producer by 1998.
• It acquired Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile and entered the automotive landscape in 2003, followed by the launch of the first car, the F3, in 2005. It became the first Chinese car to sell over 10,000 units monthly.
• The company started manufacturing EVs in 2008, with the F3e as its first electric car.
• BYD hits 10 million NEVs production milestone in 2024. 

BYD EVs in Malaysia

BYD is the best-selling EV brand here in Malaysia, with a total annual sales of 11,870 units (as of November 2025) and 5 out of 10 best-selling EVs from BYD. These include - BYD Sealion 7, BYD Atto 3, BYD M6, BYD Seal, and BYD Atto 2. 

Also read: BYD Atto 2 PHEV debuts in Europe - Over 1,000 km combined range, class-leading fuel efficiency