The global electric vehicle (EV) market has witnessed a major change in leadership. After years of dominance, Tesla has been overtaken by Chinese automaker BYD, which now holds the top position in global electric vehicle sales.
According to figures reported by CarNewsChinaCumulative sales through the third quarter of 2025 show BYD surpassing Tesla by almost 400,000 units. BYD delivered approximately 1,606 million vehicleswhile Tesla registered 1,218 million deliveries. Both companies managed to surpass the milestone of one million global sales, but BYD assured its leadership with a significant margin of 388,000 vehicles.
Market research firm Counterpoint Research projects that BYD will close 2025 as the global leader in electric vehicle sales, with an estimated market share of 15.7%.
Market research firm Counterpoint Research further reinforces BYD’s momentum, projecting that the Chinese brand will close the year as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, with an estimated 15.7% market share. This outlook suggests that Tesla’s path to regaining its former dominance may be challenging, particularly given the rapid expansion and competitive pricing strategies adopted by BYD.
Tesla, however, is not stagnant. Despite the growing gap, the company has shown signs of recovery and continues to resonate with a large global consumer base. In the third quarter of 2025, Tesla delivered around 497,100 vehiclesmarking a 7.4% year-on-year growth. While positive, this growth pales in comparison to BYD’s performance over the same period. BYD registered 582,500 deliveriesrepresenting a 31.4% annual increase.
The turning point in this rivalry dates back to the fourth quarter of 2024when BYD first surpassed Tesla in global electric vehicle sales. Since then, BYD has managed to maintain its top spot for four consecutive quarters, highlighting its steady growth strategy and the strength of China’s domestic electric vehicle industry.
BYD’s success is attributed not only to strong domestic demand but also to its increasingly aggressive expansion into international markets. The company has been increasing production, diversifying its electric vehicle portfolio and maintaining competitive prices, making its vehicles attractive to a wide range of consumers. Tesla, meanwhile, has focused on technological innovation and software integration, but is struggling to keep pace with BYD’s rapid production and sales push.
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