Chinese automaker BYD has widened its lead over Tesla in global pure electric vehicle (EV) sales, firmly establishing itself as the world’s top EV manufacturer through the third quarter of 2025.
According to data compiled by automotive analyst “Tongkuai Shuchang,” BYD recorded cumulative pure electric vehicle sales of 1.61 million units between January and September 2025. In comparison, Tesla delivered 1.22 million units over the same period, giving BYD a commanding lead of around 388,000 vehicles.
In the third quarter alone, BYD delivered 582,500 pure electric vehicles worldwide. Although this marked a slight 4% decline compared to the previous quarter, the numbers still reflected an impressive year-on-year growth of 31.4%. Tesla, meanwhile, reported deliveries of 497,100 units in Q3, achieving a 29.4% increase quarter-on-quarter and 7.4% growth year-on-year. Despite surpassing market expectations, Tesla remains behind BYD for the fourth consecutive quarter.
BYD first overtook Tesla in Q4 2024, a milestone that signalled a shift in the global EV landscape. Since then, the Chinese brand has not only retained its top spot but has continued to expand its margin, driven by its broad product lineup, aggressive pricing, and strong domestic and overseas demand.
Market analysts attribute BYD’s sustained growth to its diverse EV portfolio and expanding international presence, particularly in Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America. The company’s vertical integration strategy, which includes its own battery production, has also given it a significant cost advantage over competitors.
Research firm Counterpoint Research forecasts that BYD will close 2025 as the global leader in electric vehicle sales, holding an estimated 15.7% market share. This projection further solidifies BYD’s dominance in an increasingly competitive industry as it continues to set the pace in production, affordability, and innovation.
With Tesla intensifying efforts to ramp up production of next-generation models and new rivals emerging in both the Chinese and global markets, the competition in the EV sector remains fierce. But for now, BYD appears firmly in the driver’s seat — setting the benchmark for what it means to lead in the era of electric mobility.
