Chinese automaker <a href="https://autoglobalnews.com/2026-new-car-calendar-toyota-rav4-byd-sealion-lead-the-way/” style=”color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;” title=”2026 New Car Calendar: Toyota RAV4, BYD Sealion Lead the Way”>BYD reported sales of 4.6 million cars globally in 2025, marking a significant achievement but signaling challenges ahead as the company faces weakening demand.
Key Takeaways
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) account for nearly half of BYD’s sales mix in 2025
- PHEV sales have declined nine consecutive months since April, down 7.9% year over year.
- The company’s overseas sales reached a record-breaking one million units outside China.
BYD sold 414,784 passenger vehicles globally in December alone but saw an overall decrease of 18.6% from the previous year and 12.7% month over month. This marks four consecutive months of decline for BYD’s sales.
In contrast to the struggles seen with BEVs and PHEVs, overseas sales showed a significant boost in December, jumping by 133% compared to last year’s figures at an all-time high of 133,172 units. However, domestic sales have been hit hard, especially since BYD stopped producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles back in April 2022.
BYD’s performance during December highlights a growing trend within China’s automotive market where the demand for PHEVs has slowed dramatically over recent months. The company sold just under half a million BEVs last year, up by almost three-quarters from 2024 figures. However, it also saw more than two-and-a-quarter-million units of its plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) slide into the negative territory.
BYD’s initial ambitious target for 2025 was set at five million units but later revised to a more realistic four-point-six million mark. The company managed to hit this goal, yet it faces tough competition in both domestic and international markets as rivals like Geely Auto Group continue their aggressive growth strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was BYD’s December sales performance?
In December, BYD sold 190,712 BEVs and 224,072 PHEVs globally. Domestic sales declined by almost a fifth year over year while overseas sales surged.
How has the overall market for EVs changed?
The Chinese government’s stricter scrutiny on subsidies and regulations is impacting domestic demand, leading to softer growth in the electric vehicle sector compared to previous years.
Barring any significant shifts or policy changes from regulators, BYD will likely face more challenges as it navigates through 2026. The company’s success depends heavily on its ability to innovate and diversify its product lineup while maintaining strong overseas market penetration.
