Chinese manufacturer BYD dethroned Tesla as the biggest seller of electric vehicles

The Chinese company BYD surpassed the American car company Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, as the world's leading producer and seller of electric vehicles, according to international media reports.

The intensification of competition, the expiration of tax credits in the United States (USA) and a deterioration of the brand in Europe are some of the causes of the dethronement of Tesla as a leader, after a second consecutive year of falling annual sales.

Tesla delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down from 1.79 million in 2024, according to Musk's company, which experienced a 15.6% year-on-year drop in deliveries in the fourth quarter alone.

BYD surpassed Tesla for the first time in annual terms, with 4.6 million vehicles delivered in 2025, an increase of 7.7 percent. Its rapid growth in Europe was key to expanding its advantage, RT says on its website.