Fortune·2026-01-02 15:30Core Insights - Tesla has lost its position as the world's leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer to China's BYD, following a decline in Tesla's sales and a surge in BYD's sales in Asia [1][3] - BYD sold approximately 2.26 million fully electric vehicles in 2025, marking a nearly 28% increase from the previous year, while Tesla's deliveries fell to around 1.6 million vehicles, a decrease of about 8%-9% [2][3] - The shift in market leadership is attributed to various factors, including the end of federal subsidies for EV purchases in the U.S. and changing consumer preferences [1][5] Tesla's Performance - Tesla reported a second consecutive annual drop in deliveries, with 2025 figures showing a decline from a peak of approximately 1.8 million deliveries in 2023 [3][6] - The company preemptively released estimates from Wall Street analysts regarding its future deliveries, indicating a potential drop in sales for the fourth quarter of 2025 [4] - Tesla's stock has seen a decline of over 6% in the past five days, reflecting market reactions to its sales performance [4] BYD's Growth - BYD's growth has been fueled by aggressive pricing strategies, a wide range of models catering to various market segments, and a strong local supply chain [7][8] - The company has expanded its exports significantly to regions such as Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, despite facing high tariffs in the U.S. [7][9] - Analysts highlight BYD's scale in China, the largest EV market globally, as a critical factor providing cost advantages that Western competitors struggle to match [8] Market Dynamics - The U.S. EV market has contracted to around 5% of total vehicle sales, a significant reduction since the end of subsidies, impacting companies like Ford and Tesla [5][6] - The political landscape, including scrutiny of Chinese EV imports and potential tariff increases, poses challenges for BYD's international expansion while solidifying its dominance in China [9]