Post by : Badri Ariffin

China's leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, is gearing up to outstrip Tesla in annual sales for the first time by 2025. BYD reported a remarkable nearly 28% jump in battery electric vehicle sales last year, soaring past 2.25 million units worldwide.

In contrast, Tesla is projected to achieve sales around 1.65 million in 2025, per recent analyst projections—significantly lagging behind BYD's impressive figures. The American carmaker has encountered challenges such as varied consumer reception of new models and rising competition from Chinese automakers.

Brands like BYD, MG, and Geely are intensifying competition against Western manufacturers, offering electric models at more accessible prices. In retaliation, Tesla unveiled more economical versions of its popular vehicles in the US market in October 2025, striving to regain its competitive edge.

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, faces mounting pressure to enhance Tesla's sales and market valuation over the next decade. His ambitious compensation plan, recently authorized by shareholders, has the potential for a payout up to $1 trillion, contingent on meeting demanding sales goals, including selling one million humanoid robots.

Tesla's sales have faced a downturn in early 2025, partly fueled by negative public sentiment regarding Musk's ties to the former US administration led by Donald Trump. In response, Musk has committed to reducing his political involvements, redirecting focus towards Tesla's operations.

Despite experiencing its slowest growth in five years during 2025, BYD continues to thrive and maintain a significant presence on the global stage by strategically increasing its footprint in regions like Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Notably, the UK has emerged as BYD’s largest market outside China, with sales skyrocketing 880% year-on-year by September, largely driven by the rising demand for the plug-in hybrid variant of the BYD Seal SUV.

As BYD challenges Tesla's leadership in the EV sector, the landscape of electric vehicle manufacturing is evolving, with Chinese brands making substantial strides through competitive pricing and global outreach.

#Global News