China's BYD poised to overtake Tesla as world's top EV seller for the first time
CNBC·2026-01-02 08:32

Core Viewpoint - BYD is expected to surpass Tesla as the world's largest seller of electric vehicles for the calendar year 2025, marking a significant achievement for the company [1][2]. Group 1: Sales Performance - BYD reported a nearly 28% increase in sales of its battery-powered cars, reaching 2.26 million units in 2025 [2]. - Tesla's estimated vehicle deliveries for 2025 are around 1.6 million, reflecting an approximate 8% decline from 2024, indicating a potential second consecutive annual drop in sales [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Tesla has faced intense competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, contributing to a challenging year, including a significant drop in stock prices during the first quarter of 2025 [4]. - Recent weeks have seen a recovery in Tesla's stock price following announcements about testing driverless vehicles in Austin, Texas, which may enhance its market position [4].