China’s automotive market continues to witness a rapid transformation, as new energy vehicles (NEVs) dominate the sales charts for the first half of 2025. According to data released by Chinese auto outlet Yiche, local manufacturers are gaining ground swiftly, with Geely’s Geome Xingyuan (Proton e.MAS 5) model emerging as the top-selling vehicle in the country for the period under review.
The updated Top 20 vehicle sales chart reveals a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly towards NEVs, which include both pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. Among the top ten positions, the dominance of Chinese brands is evident, underscoring the growing appeal of domestically produced vehicles in both mainstream and electric segments.
Geely’s Geome Xingyuan claimed the top position with a remarkable 204,940 units sold in the first six months of the year. Priced from 69,800 yuan (RM41,367), the Xingyuan not only led the sales rankings overall but also became the only model to surpass the 200,000-unit milestone in this period. Its strong market presence has allowed it to outperform fierce competitors such as BYD’s Seagull and Tesla’s Model Y.
In second place, the BYD Seagull continues to demonstrate consistent performance, achieving cumulative sales of 174,912 units. With an average monthly volume hovering around 30,000 units, the Seagull remains a significant force in the affordable NEV segment.
Tesla’s Model Y secured third place on the chart, delivering 171,491 units in the first half of 2025. While it trails behind its more budget-friendly Chinese rivals in overall volume, the Model Y remains the top-selling premium pure electric vehicle in China.
Although eight foreign or joint-venture brands were featured in the top twenty, the data strongly reflects the rising dominance of Chinese manufacturers, particularly in the increasingly competitive NEV space. As the industry continues to evolve, the growing preference for local models suggests a new chapter for China’s automotive market, where domestic innovation is taking centre stage.
During a dedicated media session in May, PRO-NET Chief Executive Officer Zhang Qiang officially introduced the company’s latest electric vehicle, the Proton e.MAS 5, and it is scheduled for market launch in the final quarter of 2025.
