China EVs in 2026 look less like a boom and more like a survival test as global expansion ramps up

Industry Overview - The electric car market in China is experiencing a downturn in 2025, with overall sales declining and analysts predicting a continued price war [1] - Tesla's sales decreased by 7.4% year-over-year, while BYD, the market leader, reported a 5.1% decline during the same period [1] Sales Performance - BYD's passenger car sales in November alone fell by 26.5% compared to the previous year, indicating a significant drop in demand [2] - In contrast, newer competitors, including vehicles powered by Huawei software and models from Xiaomi, saw sales growth exceeding 90% during the same timeframe [2] - U.S.-listed Chinese electric car startups such as Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto did not rank among the top 10 sellers for the month, despite improvements in their monthly deliveries [2] Market Dynamics - Market concentration in the new energy vehicle sector has increased dramatically, with the top ten manufacturers now accounting for approximately 95% of the market, up from 60-70% just two to three years ago [3] - The new energy vehicle category includes both battery-electric and hybrid-powered cars [3] Future Outlook - Industry consolidation is anticipated, with price competition becoming more critical than brand recognition, as consumers are less likely to purchase unfamiliar brands [4]