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Is China’s appetite for new EVs starting to wane?

Both battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) markets saw volumes plummet in China during February. But what is driving these declines, and which models came out on top? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry explores the figures. Following a difficult January, BEV and PHEV markets in China plummeted for a second month, according to EV Volumes’ data. BEV deliveries declined by 39.2%, with 262,698 sales in the month. Meanwhile, PHEV registrations fell 40.5%, with just 169,699 units leaving showrooms. As a result, BEV sales were down by 29.7%, with 609,513 deliveries after two months of 2026. PHEV volumes suffered more, as the 390,576 tally was 37.9% down compared with the same period last year. Increased model diversity has impacted the popularity of 2025’s best-selling options so far this year. This also suggests the appetite for new EVs in China is starting to wane. Tesla leads the way in China The Tesla Model Y led China’s BEV market in February, with 25,136 sales in the month. The crossover SUV struggled in the second month of 2025, but bounced back this year, increasing 214% year on year. Tesla often prospers in the end-of-quarter months due to its reporting patterns. This result in February highlights the turbulence of the Chinese market. The Model Y accounted for 9.6% of all local BEV sales in the month, up by 7.7 percentage points (pp). Second was the Xiaomi YU7, which only began recording domestic sales in June 2025. The model was the most popular in China during January. However, its 20,086-unit tally in February was markedly down on this performance. It accounted for 7.6% of total BEV deliveries. The Li Auto I6 rounded out the top three. Another relative newcomer, it saw sales begin in September 2025. A total of 15,997 units made their way onto Chinese roads in February. China’s top three BEVs were split by an even amount of almost 5,000 units between each position. This contrasted with the dominance of the Xiaomi YU7 in January. The result suggests buyers may be looking around in a more diverse market. Last year’s leading models appear to be struggling, as the country’s market faces headwinds. Popular models struggle Tesla saw its Model 3 place in the Chinese top 10, taking fourth in the month. With 12,758 units sold, this was a 32% year-on-year slide. The US BEV was responsible for 4.9% of deliveries, and due to competitor declines, this was an increase of 0.6pp. Last year’s best-seller, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, only managed fifth in February, with its 11,906-unit total down by 58.4%. The model has seen a slower start to 2026, suggesting it may not be able to live up to its performance last year. Sixth was the Nio ES8, which saw volumes increase dramatically since September last year. Its 11,779 units marked a 2,359.1% increase compared to February 2025, while a 4.5% market share was up 4.4pp. A pair of BYDs followed, with the Dolphin seeing stable results in seventh. A total of 6,006 units represented a decline of 0.1%. In eighth was the BYD Seagull, which saw numbers plummet by 78.6%, as just 5,779 units were sold. Next came another pair of models, with the Wuling Bingo Plus seeing 5,263 sales, a 45.3% rise compared to the same point last year. Rounding out the top 10 was the Wuling Mini, the second-best-selling BEV in China last year. With 5,230 deliveries, volumes were down 76.3%. This was only good enough for a 2% market share, a drop of 3.1pp. Xiaomi proves popular February’s top three all featured in the top cumulative positions spanning the first two months of 2026. Thanks to its strong result in January, the Xiaomi YU7 led the way. With 58,010 sales, it held 9.5% of the market, a sizeable 14,802 units ahead of its nearest challenger. This was the Tesla Model Y, which started 2026 much stronger than last year. With 43,208 units, it represented 7.1% of BEV sales and ended the two-month period 10,335 deliveries ahead of third place. This position was taken by the Li Auto I6, recording 32,873 sales. It took a 5.4% share of the country’s BEV market between January and February. While these BEVs soared, both the Geely Geome Xingyuan and the Wuling Mini struggled. The Geely model took fifth after two months with 26,793 sales. Meanwhile, the Wuling Mini did not feature in the top 10, sitting 13th after two months of 2026. Fang Cheng Bao up top in China China’s PHEV market has been struggling for some time. However, while volumes were down year-on-year, there was some stability in model choice. For the second successive month, the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 led the way. The BYD subsidiary brand saw 11,078 units sold in February. It represented 6.5% of China’s PHEV volumes in the month. The BYD Song Pro took second, although its 9,307-unit total was 37.9% down year on year. While the domestic brand placed five models in the top 10 during the month, none of them managed to see volume increases. As a popular PHEV brand in recent years, this decline is likely contributing to the market’s struggles. Third went to the Aito M7, with the PHEV variant responsible for 3.8% of all deliveries, a 2pp rise. Its 6,479 sales were an increase of 24.5% compared to February 2025. BYD volumes plummet Both of last year’s top two models struggled in February. The BYD Qin Plus saw sales plummet 66.9% as just 5,252 units left forecourts. This was enough for a 3.1% market share, down 2.5pp. It was followed by the BYD Seal 6 with 5,159 deliveries, down 59.1%. A 3% hold of the PHEV total was down 1.4pp compared to 12 months prior. Sixth was the Zeekr 9X with 5,082 units sold, having only entered the market in September 2025. It also held a 3% market share. The Li Auto L6 was next. The medium SUV struggled in February, with its 4,746 sales down by 63.9% year on year. It claimed 2.8% of the market, a 1.8pp drop. Following it in eighth was the Wey Gaoshan. First recording sales in September 2023, its numbers started ramping up in the middle of 2025. Its 4,133-unit total was a jump of 1,105% compared to February 2025. Rounding out the table was another pair of BYD vehicles. The Song L suffered a 59.5% fall as 3,724 units were sold in the month. The BYD Qin L took 10th, with 3,603 units, a 77.8% fall in volumes. This was the biggest decline in the top 10. Close battle for PHEV models After leading the sales in both January and February, the Fang Chen Bao Tai 7 led the cumulative table. With 28,631 units delivered, it held 7.3% of the market, 10,251 units ahead of its nearest competitor. In second, after two months of 2026, was the Aito M7. It saw 18,380 units delivered in the period, taking a 4.7% market share. After a strong result in January, it slipped back towards the BYD Song Pro, which held third, but was only 423 units behind. The BYD model accounted for 17,957 units between January and February. This resulted in a 4.6% share of the market.
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What drove unusual Chinese EV results in January?

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in China dropped dramatically in January, as the market started 2026 with a struggle. But how did different brands influence this result? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the numbers. China’s EV market started 2026 in disarray. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales were down compared to January 2025, according to EV Volumes’ latest data. Additionally, the top 10 best-selling models for both markets were mixed, with newcomers spread throughout. BEV deliveries fell by 20.4% in January, with 346,798 units reaching customers. This was the lowest total for the technology since February 2024. Meanwhile, PHEVs suffered an even steeper drop of 35.6% to 220,867 sales. The country’s PHEV decline was a recurring theme throughout the last half of 2025. However, the drop in BEV volumes is new. This comes after sales growth slowed towards the end of 2025. The country’s market will be hoping January’s drop is not the start of an ongoing trend. Mixed BEV results The top 10 best-selling BEVs in China included five models that were not on sale in January 2025. To highlight the diverse mix, only one model from Tesla and BYD featured, respectively. Both brands appeared to struggle at the start of the year. Even last year’s best-selling BEV in China, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, dropped deliveries compared to 12 months prior. Instead, a slew of newer models took advantage of the BEV market’s slowdown, entering the top 10. The Xiaomi YU7 headed the Chinese BEV table in January. This model began recording sales volumes in June 2025. It achieved 37,924 deliveries in the month and gained a 10.9% market share. The YU7’s delivery figure was a record for a single BEV in January. Although the model itself achieved higher sales in December 2025. The Nio ES8 achieved second with 18,513 units sold. The carmaker has ramped up deliveries, and January represented its third consecutive month of five-digit figures. Its market share jumped to 5.3%, up from just 0.1% a year prior. Rounding out the top three was the Tesla Model Y. With 18,072 units, its sales declined by 29.7% compared to January 2025. This was also reflected in its market share, which dropped 0.7 percentage points (pp) to 5.2%. Newcomers storm BEV chart Since first recording sales in September 2025, the Li Auto I6 ended January in fourth with 16,876 sales. This equated to a 4.9% market share, a positive performance for a newcomer. Last year’s best-selling Chinese BEV, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, ended January in fifth, with 14,887 deliveries. This was a 47.1% year-on-year decline, and the model’s lowest monthly sales since it started recording sales in September 2024. Sixth went to the Aito M7, with 13,129 sales. This was a record amount and the model’s first foray into five digits since its launch in September last year. With 6,772 deliveries, the combined total of the MG4 and MG4 Urban took seventh. These models were relaunched in the second half of 205 in China and achieved a 2% market share in January. The only BYD model in the top 10 was the Dolphin, which saw sales increase by 25.9% to 5,859 units. Its 1.7% market share was up 0.6pp. Eighth went to the Wuling Bingo Plus with 5,632 deliveries, a 103.5% rise compared to January 2025. It achieved a 1.6% hold of the market, a full percentage point increase. Rounding out the top 10 was the Toyota bZ3X. The Japanese model made its top 10 debut, just nine units behind the Wuling BEV. With 5,623 deliveries, it achieved an equal 1.6% market share. Struggles for BYD and Tesla Both Tesla and BYD have been staples of China’s BEV market, but January’s figures could suggest a difficult year ahead. Although the Tesla Model Y placed well, its sales decline was the second successive January drop. Meanwhile, the US brand’s Model 3 ended the first month of 2026 in 43rd place, with just 2,030 units making their way to customers. For BYD, its Seagull model, a constant BEV top 10 finisher last year, ended January 2026 in 11th. With just 5,525 sales, this was its worst monthly total since its first appearance in the Chinese market in April 2023. Meanwhile, the Yuan Up was 14th with 5,495 units. This also marked its worst volume since debuting in March 2024. Looking at both brands’ EV sales, January was a poor month. BYD saw a 61.6% decline to 77,209 plug-in units, compared to 201,017 deliveries a year prior. Tesla saw 20,116 deliveries, all of which took place in the BEV market. This was a drop of 40.4% compared to the same period in 2025. Fang Cheng Bao leads the way BYD’s woes continued in the PHEV market, a sector it dominated in 2025. Last year, seven of the best-selling top 10 came from the Chinese carmaker. In January, however, just three made it to the chart, and none saw sales growth. Instead, it was the carmaker’s sub-brand, Fang Cheng Bao, that took the top spot with the Tai 7. The SUV, which began mass deliveries in September 2025, has been slowly climbing the PHEV table. It dominated January’s chart with 17,553 units and a 7.9% market share. Second went to the Aito M7, with 11,901 deliveries, a 41% rise year on year. This meant a 5.4% share of PHEV sales in China, up by 2.9pp. The BYD Song Pro led PHEV sales for the brand in January. Its share sank by 0.7pp to 3.9% as it took third with 8,650 units. This was the model’s worst monthly total since July 2021. The BYD Qin Plus was next, with 7,527 deliveries putting it fourth, with volumes down 49.8% year on year. This too was a new low, with deliveries not hitting these depths since January 2023. Another new model, the Zeekr 9X, took fifth with 6,594 units and a 3% market share. The model started deliveries in September 2025. Mixed results for PHEVs The Aito M8 was the sixth-best-selling PHEV in China during January, with 5,316 units delivered. The model first recorded sales in April 2025. Coming in behind was the Li Auto L6, with 5,030 sales. This was a year-on-year drop of 64%. The figure was the model’s lowest since it hit the market in April 2024. It was good enough for a 2.3% market share, down by 1.8pp compared to the same point last year. The Aito M9 took eighth, the brand’s second appearance in the January top 10. However, its 4,821-unit tally was 47.5% down compared to January 2025. This meant its market share slipped by 0.5pp, to end the month at 2.2%. The Wey Gaoshan came ninth. Having previously moved lower numbers, the model had a stronger end to 2025. It appears to have continued this run into 2026. With 4,813 sales, it managed a market share of 2.2%, up by 2.1pp. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Seal 6 with 4,666 sales. This was a drop of 67.8% and was the model’s second consecutive month of four-digit deliveries. It was also its lowest volume since it first recorded sales in May 2024. Compared to 12 months prior, its share of the market was cut in half to 2.1%.
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The Automotive Update: What does China’s slowing EV market mean for global sales?

What is happening in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market? How much is Uber investing in autonomous vehicle charging hubs? Can Europe build its own EV batteries? Tom Geggus, Autovista24 editor, discusses these points in The Automotive Update podcast. In this episode, Autovista24 analyses China’s slowing EV market and reveals the best-selling models in the country. Plus, how has Tesla avoided suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licence in the US? Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. China’s slowing EV market Globally, China accounts for 59.1% of battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales and 70.3% of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) deliveries. But despite dominating the figures, the country saw its total EV numbers struggle in December. Figures rose by just 0.5%, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. Despite total plug-in sales increasing between January and December last year, this was not helped by the country’s PHEV market. It experienced a run of monthly declines from July onwards. One reason for this poor performance was the decline of BYD. The brand accounted for 33.3% of total EV sales in China during 2025 and dominated the PHEV market. Yet its sales were down 9.9% across the year. However, with new players entering the PHEV market, 2026 will see more brand diversification. This could help boost figures, while new BYD models will also help impress buyers. BEV sales rose by just 4% in December 2025 following a run of double-digit improvements. China’s carmakers will be hoping this is not the start of a new trend, especially if the PHEV market continues to struggle. Tesla avoids suspension Tesla has avoided a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer license in California. This follows the brand halting its use of the term ‘Autopilot’ in its vehicle marketing in the state. The Department of Motor Vehicles adopted a decision that the use of the term is ‘misleading and violates state law’. This is linked to Tesla’s use of Autopilot to describe its advanced driver-assistance systems. Uber invests in autonomous charging Uber Technologies will invest more than $100 million (€84.9 million) into autonomous vehicle charging hubs, according to Reuters. The company will deploy DC fast charging stations at its fleet depots and other locations throughout priority cities. This is expected to begin in the Los Angeles Bay Area as well as Dallas, before hitting other hubs. Uber will also work with charge point operators to establish ‘utilisation guarantee agreements’. This will support the rollout of hundreds of new chargers in cities across the world. EV charging offer in the Netherlands Leasing provider, Ayvens, has launched a new EV charging offering. Ayvens Power promises customers in the Netherlands access to over one million charging points across Europe, spanning different operators. Drivers will get real-time availability and pricing details before arrival. Meanwhile, a fleet portal will provide charging insights, cost visibility and reporting tools. The solution is due to roll out in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the UK later in 2026. Can Europe build EV batteries? Yann Vincent, CEO of the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), has questioned who will make batteries for Europe’s domestic carmakers. ‘One crucial question remains: who will manufacture the batteries for European cars?’ Vincent asked. ‘Asian players, particularly Chinese giants, as is already the case for 99% of them? At the risk of putting the strategic independence of European car manufacturers solely in the hands of BYD, CATL, LG, etc?’. The CEO also confirmed that the ramp-up of ACC’s gigafactory in Hauts-de-France is taking longer and costing more than expected. This is weakening the company’s financial position. He also stated the goal of building the factory was ‘too close to give up on.’
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Which EVs came out on top in China’s slowing market?

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market struggled in 2025, but could December’s results suggest a slowing battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the market and the best-selling models of 2025. China’s electric vehicle (EV) market ended 2025 with growth. But the BEV and PHEV results in December suggest that 2026 could prove to be a difficult year. In total, 8,097,866 BEVs were sold across 2025, a rise of 27.6% year on year, according to EV Volumes’ latest data. Meanwhile, 5,072,986 PHEVs made their way to customers in China, an increase of 4.2%. A slowdown in the plug-in hybrid market across 2025 altered the powertrain dynamics in the country. During December alone, PHEV sales fell by 4.2%, with 558,513 units leaving dealerships. This was the sixth monthly decline in a row, according to the latest EV Volumes figures. Yet the BEV market also slowed in December. With 788,471 units delivered, volumes increased by 4% year on year. This was the lowest growth since June 2024. This meant the combined EV market recorded 1,346,984 deliveries, a rise of just 0.5% compared to the same month in 2024. So, BEVs accounted for 61.5% of all EV sales last year, an increase of 4.9 percentage points (pp). This meant PHEVs took 38.5% of the market, down from 43.4% a year prior. With PHEV sales in decline, the country’s EV market will be hoping December is not a precursor for what is to come. China’s best-selling PHEV: the BYD Qin Plus BYD dominated China’s slowing PHEV market in 2025. The carmaker placed seven models in the country’s top 10, however, only one of these achieved year-on-year growth. The best-selling PHEV in China last year was the BYD Qin Plus. Having placed second in 2024, it jumped to the top of the chart with 281,413 sales in 2025. However, this was down by 17.6% compared to its volumes in the previous year. The result was good enough for a 5.5% market share, a drop of 1.5pp. In December, the BYD Qin Plus topped the PHEV chart with 40,000 sales in the month. This was an increase of 31.1% compared to December 2024. The result was good enough for the model to achieve a 7.2% market share, up by 2pp. In second place at the end of 2025 was the BYD Seal 6, which achieved 188,525 sales across 12 months. This was a 2.6% decline year on year, while its market share of 3.7% was down 0.3pp. December saw the model suffer its worst volume result since it first recorded sales in May 2024. Just 6,111 units were sold, a 77.1% decline year on year. This left it in 27th position, while the Qin Plus increased its lead in the annual chart. Changing times in China Third in 2025 went to the BYD Song Pro as it recorded 180,661 sales. This was a drop of 28.3% year on year. The model took fourth in December, as 18,373 units made it to Chinese roads, a decline of 27.6%. The Song Pro was helped in the annual chart by a terrible month for the fourth-placed BYD Song Plus. It ended December 44th in the monthly chart, with just 4,000 sales, an 88.3% volume decrease. This was in stark contrast to its performance in Europe. Known in the region as the Seal U, it topped both December’s and the annual best-selling PHEV chart. In China, the Song Plus achieved 166,764 deliveries between January and December. This was a decline of 51.4%, the worst percentage drop recorded in the PHEV top 10. Having won the title in 2024, its market share of 3.3% was down by 3.7pp. The first non-BYD model was the Li Auto L6 in fifth. With 166,174 deliveries, it ended the year just 590 units behind the BYD Song Plus. However, its volumes were down by 13.6%. This gave the model a similar 3.3% market share. The L6 was helped by a ninth-place finish in December’s table, although the 12,334-unit tally was down by 55.6%. Making their mark The BYD Qin L recorded 162,817 sales across 2025. It was another BYD model to see sales drop, down by 29.1% year on year. In December, the model finished 13th with 10,000 sales. The newest model in the 2025 top 10 was the Aito M8 in seventh. With sales first recorded in April 2025, it achieved a total of 148,934 deliveries, to grab a 2.9% market share. It was helped by a sixth-place finish in December, with 17,123 sales. The BYD Song L took eighth. It was the only model from the brand in the top 10 to record growth. Furthermore, it was only one of two PHEVs in this list to see its sales increase at all. With 141,686 deliveries, it achieved a 16.5% improvement year on year. December saw the model finish eighth as well, with 13,000 deliveries, although this was down by 42.1%. The BYD Destroyer 05 jumped to ninth, with 127,509 sales, a 40.5% decline. Having started the year strong, sales slipped from March onwards. Although the 123,137-unit total for 2025 was 496.7% up compared to 2024. The Galaxy Starship 7 was not helped by a 32nd-place finish in December. Just 5,190 units were delivered, the model’s worst volume total since its launch. Having started the year strongly, declining fortunes across 2025 meant it finished 10th in the annual table. New models fight for places Many of the 2025 top 10 secured their place in the chart thanks to strong performances early in the year. But five different models made the table in December alone, suggesting 2026 could see more competition than ever. Finishing second was the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7, with 34,086 deliveries. It was followed in third by the Aito M7, with 26,468 units delivered, a 97.3% year-on-year increase. Fifth went to the BYD Sea Lion 6, with 17,380 units sold. The BYD Seal 5 was seventh with 16,484 deliveries in just its third month on the market. Rounding out December’s table was the WEY Gaoshan, with 10,846 sales. This was a record result for the model, which has been on the Chinese market since September 2023. It was also the second time it achieved a five-digit volume in its history, following another impressive performance in November. China’s best-selling BEV: The Geely Geome Xingyuan China’s best-selling BEV in 2025 was the Geely Geome Xingyuan. With 471,410 deliveries, it powered to the top spot in its first full year on sale. It comfortably beat 2024’s BEV leader, the Tesla Model Y, taking back the market for domestic brands. It achieved a 5.8% market share across 2025. In December, the Geely Geome Xingyuan placed second with 41,619 deliveries, a rise of 152.4% year on year. This was good enough for a 5.3% market share, up 3.1pp. Taking second in the annual table was the Wuling Mini, with 431,617 sales. This was an increase of 65.3% compared to 2024, while its 5.3% market share was up 1.2pp. The model had a rollercoaster 2025, with strong results in the last months of the year. It topped monthly sales tables in September, October and November, helping it take second in 2025. This run ended in December, as the Mini placed sixth with 19,076 deliveries, down 49.5% year on year. Rounding out the top three last year was the Tesla Model Y. After taking the best-selling BEV title in 2024, it slipped down the rankings with 425,337 sales, a drop of 11.4%. This meant its 5.3% market share was down by 2.3pp compared to 2024. Yet the US BEV did claw back some of its gap to the second-placed Wuling Mini in December. It topped the monthly sales, with 65,874 units, a rise of 6.5%, in line with its usual end-of-quarter delivery peak. However, results earlier in the year left it battling the domestic brands across 2025. BYD Seagull fails to fly The BYD Seagull, which took second in 2024, fell to fourth place last year with 310,956 sales. This was a drop of 29.7%. It was responsible for 3.8% of all BEV deliveries in China last year, down from the 7% achieved in 2024. December was a difficult month for the Seagull, with 18,307 units taking to Chinese roads, a 62.5% decline. The Xiaomi SU7 was the fifth-best-selling BEV in China last year, with 258,065 sales. This was an 85% increase compared to 2024, with a 1pp jump in market share to 3.2%. Its position was not helped by a 16th-place finish in December’s table, with 11,024 deliveries, its worst volume of the year. In sixth was the BYD Yuan Up, with 217,814 deliveries between January and December. This was an increase of 61.5% compared to 12 months prior, bucking the trend of BYD declines. It achieved a 2.7% hold of China’s BEV total, a rise of 0.6pp. December saw the model finish in seventh, with 18,766 deliveries, a 1.2% rise. The Tesla Model 3 ended 2025 in seventh with 200,361 units making their way to customers. This was an increase of 13.3% compared to 2024, although its market share fell 0.3pp to 2.5%. The US BEV was helped by a strong December, where it placed fourth with 27,969 sales. This was a 32.9% improvement on the year prior. Strong positions despite poor results The Xpeng M03 took eighth in 2025 with 177,150 units. This was a 264.7% rise against 2024’s figures. Its 2.2% market share was up from 0.8% the year before. The model had a steady year in 2025, although it placed 12th in December with 14,183 sales. The Geely Panda Mini was the ninth-best-selling model of 2025, with 162,108 deliveries, an improvement of 23.2%. However, with increased competition, the model’s market share fell 0.1pp to 2%. This was despite placing just 54th in December’s sales chart, with 4,373 units, its lowest volume recorded in a month since January 2023. However, this was not enough for the BYD Dolphin to take advantage. The model jumped into the annual top 10 with 160,745 sales, up by just 0.1%. Ones to watch in 2026 Four models made December’s top 10 best-selling BEVs list, while not entering the yearly table. Leading this group was the Xiaomi YU7 in third, with 38,927 sales. The model has proven popular since its launch in June 2025. The Nio ES8 achieved a record result, despite deliveries starting around March 2018. December saw the model record 20,354 sales, a 1,933.4% increase year on year. It was only the second time the ES8 had recorded five-figure deliveries after November’s tally. Having started deliveries in August 2025, the ArcFox T1 made its top 10 debut in December, with 17,170 sales. This was good enough for ninth. Meanwhile, the Li Auto I6 took 10th with 16,080 deliveries in its fourth month on the market.
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What was the best-selling EV brand in China in 2025?

New electric vehicle (EV) sales in China continued to grow in 2025. Did a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) slowdown affect the country’s biggest brands? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest figures. China’s EV market endured a challenging end to 2025, but finished the year with further growth. According to EV Volumes’ data, plug-in sales ended 2025 up by 17.5% year on year. In total, 13,170,852 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs were delivered, an increase of 1,960,139 units. However, this was down from the 34.3% growth recorded across the first half of 2025. Since then, China’s PHEV market has slowed, recording its first declines since February 2024. This impacted the share balance between the two electric powertrains. BEVs ended 2025 with a 61.5% hold of the Chinese EV market. This was an improvement of 4.9 percentage points (pp) compared to 2024. Meanwhile, PHEVs fell to a 38.5% share. The PHEV slowdown impacted EV results in the final quarter of the year. While BEV volumes increased by 4% between October and December, PHEV sales declined by 4.2%. This left the overall EV market with a 3.6% increase in the period, as 4,020,708 units made their way to customers. BYD leads despite decline BYD sold the largest volume of EVs in China during 2025. The carmaker achieved 3,170,489 sales across the 12-month period, with the market representing 79.9% of its total global deliveries. This equated to a dominant 24.1% market share in its domestic market. Despite its comfortable lead, BYD had a troubled 2025. Overall sales were down 9.9% compared to the previous year, as the brand increased its focus on global exports. The carmaker’s market share fell by 7.3pp compared to 2024. Yet, BYD’s BEV deliveries grew by 2.8%. This was led by the Seagull with 310,956 deliveries. The model made up 9.8% of BYD’s EV sales and was the carmaker’s most popular. PHEVs made up 52.8% of BYD’s sales in China. However, its deliveries of the technology declined 18.9% year on year, despite the marque’s popularity in the market. The BYD Qin Plus was BYD’s second-best-selling model of the year, and its leading PHEV. It achieved 8.9% of the brand’s sales between January and December. Following this was the Yuan Up BEV, with 6.9% of BYD’s total. The Seal 6 and Song Pro, both PHEVs, accounted for 5.9% and 5.7% of deliveries, respectively. BYD may be hoping for a stronger 2026. Despite its dominant position in the PHEV market, other carmakers saw impressive figures across the year. The carmaker would need a catastrophic period of results to see its 15.2pp market share lead wiped out. Yet competitors are clearly maintaining momentum at present. Geely impresses in China One of the most improved carmakers in China during 2025 was Geely. The marque took second place in China’s EV market, thanks to the performance of its Geely and Galaxy models. In total, 1,177,257 plug-in models made their way to customers across the year, an improvement of 156.8% compared to 2024. The carmaker was the only other brand to sell over one million models. Geely’s market share more than doubled last year, up 4.8pp to reach 8.9%. Geely owes this record-breaking performance to its prowess in the BEV market. All-electric sales accounted for 66.9% of the carmaker’s total. The Geome Xingyuan was comfortably the brand’s best-selling model, making up 40% of Geely’s total sales. With deliveries only starting in September 2024, this was quite an achievement. The brand’s second and third best-selling models were also BEVs. The Geely Panda Mini took 13.8% of the carmaker’s overall total, while the Galaxy E5 held 10.6%. These models helped Geely to increase its BEV volume by 156.8% in the year, directly matching its overall EV improvement. Meanwhile, the marque’s PHEV sales grew by 156.8% compared to 2024. In the last quarter of the year, Geely saw a 63.5% increase in sales, as 340,955 units made it to China’s roads. This was enough for an 8.5% market share, up 3.1pp. Wuling bets on BEVs The third biggest EV seller in China last year was Wuling, incorporating Baojung models. With 897,582 sales, it saw volumes rise by 33.3% year on year. This was good enough for a 6.8% share of China’s EV total, a rise of 0.8pp. Wuling was driven by BEV sales in 2025. The technology represented 93.7% of the manufacturer’s deliveries, while its top seven best-sellers were all-electric models. The brand’s dominant leader was the Wuling Mini, which contributed to 48.1% of sales. The BEV’s 431,617-unit total was almost three times higher than the Wuling Bingo in second, with 147,841 units. This was enough for a 16.5% hold of the carmaker’s total. Wuling’s BEV sales increased 40.7% year-on-year. This came at the expense of its PHEV market, however, which experienced a 25.1% decline. The carmaker’s best-selling PHEV was the Xingguang S, with 18,518 sales, placing eighth in the brand’s best-sellers list. Tesla struggles in China After a third-place finish in 2024, Tesla slipped to fourth in China’s EV top-sellers list, ending the year with 626,498 sales. This was a drop of 4.9% year on year. The US carmaker recorded a 4.8% share of the market, down by 1.1pp compared to 2024. While Tesla suffered declines in both halves of 2025, its second half of the year was stronger. The marque’s 6.5% drop from January to June reduced to a 3.7% dip from July to December. Leapmotor placed fifth, with 530,891 sales. This was an 85.7% increase compared to 2024, and gave the brand a 4% market share, up 1.5pp. The Leapmotor C10 led its sales, with 108,376 units. Aito took sixth, with 453,037 deliveries. This was enough for a 17.1% year-on-year increase, while the marque was responsible for 3.4% of China’s EV sales. However, with increased competition, this was a drop of 0.1pp compared to 2024. Aito’s M8 model led its EV sales, achieving 148,934 deliveries. Impressive results Seventh went to Xiaomi, which saw the biggest year-on-year volume increase out of the top 10 EV sellers. With 411,323 sales, the carmaker achieved an improvement of 194.9% year on year. This was good enough for a 3.1% share of the EV total, up from 1.2%. The result was even more impressive considering Xiaomi only fielded two models, both in the BEV market. The SU7 led the way with 258,065 sales, while the YU7 achieved 153,258 deliveries. Li Auto slipped to eighth in 2025 after placing fourth in 2024. With 408,059 sales, volumes dropped 18.5%. This meant its market share fell by 1.4pp, to 3.1%. Ninth went to Xpeng, with sales jumping 122.5% to 385,529 units. It held 2.9% of the EV total, up 1.4pp. Chery rounded out the top 10, with 313,763 deliveries. This was a 10.3% improvement year on year, and gave the marque a 2.4% share. However, with increased competition, this was 0.1pp down compared to 2024.
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China’s PHEV sales drop for the first time since 2020

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market experienced its first monthly decline for some time as the sector’s slowdown continued. But are battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) also experiencing troubles? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the figures. November 2025 saw China’s PHEV market suffer its first decline in monthly sales since June 2020. BEV growth also slowed, although overall volumes remained high, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. PHEV deliveries declined by 3.4% in November, with 527,751 units sold during the month. The country has experienced a dramatic slowdown in deliveries since July. Results are being compared with increased demand in 2024 and a decline in sales of popular BYD models. Meanwhile, BEV sales increased by 11.9% in the month. With 852,945 deliveries, this was the second-highest volume of the year. PHEV slowdown impacting results Between January and November, PHEV deliveries grew by 15.9%. In total, 4,971,816 units were delivered in the timeframe. In the first half of 2025, PHEV sales in China increased by 35.7%. However, in the five months between July and November, deliveries only increased by 1.5%. The PHEV market saw increased competition across the first 11 months of 2025. While BYD continued to dominate, unit totals for a number of its models were down year on year. Meanwhile, other brands, such as Galaxy, Aito and Fang Cheng Bao impressed. This indicated the potential of a more diverse market, albeit one with fewer sales. The BEV market continued its strong growth. It recorded 7,454,241 sales equating to a rise of 33.4% in the 11-month period. BYD leads but others impress The BYD Qin Plus ended November as the best-selling PHEV in China. The model amassed 33,000 sales, equating to a 21.7% year-on-year rise. With a 6% market share, it increased its hold by 0.9 percentage points (pp) on November 2024. Continuing an impressive run in only its fourth month on the market, the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 placed second in November. With 24,019 deliveries, it was not far behind the leading BYD model. The PHEV achieved a 4.4% market share in the month. Taking third was the Aito M7, which bounced back with strong results in both October and November. It achieved 22,892 deliveries in the 11th month of the year, an improvement of 70.6%. This total helped the M7 secure 4.2% of total PHEV sales in the month, up by 1.7pp. A dominant run BYD managed to secure fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth spots to keep its top 10 domination intact. The first model in this run was new to the market. The BYD Seal 5 achieved 21,002 sales in its first month, hinting at a strong future for the model. The total was enough for a 3.8% market share. The BYD Seal 6 followed after suffering a 49.4% drop in volumes year on year. Its 14,901-unit total was enough for a 2.7% market share, down 2.9pp. The Seal 06 has struggled in recent months when compared with its initial popularity. Sixth went to the BYD Song Pro. With 12,973 deliveries in November, its sales fell by 37.1% compared to the volume recorded a year prior. This was enough for a 2.4% market share, dropping by 1.5pp year on year. Galaxy’s PHEV making a mark Chinese brand Galaxy secured seventh and eighth in November’s PHEV market. The new Galaxy A7 took the higher of the two positions in its sixth month on the market. With 12,899 units hitting Chinese roads, it held 2.4% of the market and was just 74 units away from the BYD Song Pro. The Galaxy Starship 7, which started the year strongly, ended November in eighth. With 12,001 deliveries, the model achieved a 2.2% market share. The last BYD in the top 10, the Song L, saw a 54.3% drop compared to the previous year, with 11,029 sales. The 2% hold of the PHEV total was down by 2.6pp, highlighting the carmakers' uneven market performance. Galaxy secured the final spot in the top 10 with its M9 model. It achieved 10,639 sales in its fourth month on the market, with a 1.9% share of the total. BYD holds firm The cumulative top 10 table for 2025 remained mostly unchanged between October and November. Despite various models struggling, BYD’s market dominance was still apparent, as it held the top five spots and seven of the 10 placings. Continuing to lead the pack after 11 months was the BYD Qin Plus, with 251,509 units and a 5.1% market share. This was followed by the BYD Seal 06, with 190,478 deliveries and a 3.8% hold of the PHEV total. Following this was the BYD Song Plus, with 177,377 sales and a 3.6% market share. This is thanks to a strong start to 2025, with deliveries stagnating across the year. Between August and November 2025, the model only appeared in the monthly top 10 chart once. Fourth went to the BYD Song Pro with 166,974 units, and a 3.4% share of the PHEV total. Rounding out the top five was the BYD Qin L, with 158,380 sales and a 3.2% hold. This is despite the model not featuring in November’s top 10. Early results matter Another model that relying on earlier 2025 results was the Li Auto L6. After a slower October and November, its 153,840 sales kept it in sixth after 11 months of 2025. This was enough for a 3.1% market share. Seventh went to the BYD Song L, with 133,058 sales between January and November, it took a 2.7% hold. Following it was the Aito M8 which did not feature in November’s charts. With 131,811 sales, it secured a 2.7% share of the PHEV market after 11 months of 2025. The Galaxy Starship 7 jumped one place to ninth after November’s results with 122,156 deliveries and a 2.5% share. This was at the expense of the BYD Destroyer 05, which rounded out the top 10 thanks to 116,767 sales, and a 2.3% hold of total PHEV volumes. Wuling comeback continues For the third month in a row, the Wuling Mini topped the BEV monthly table, continuing a comeback after a period of slower sales. The model achieved 56,756 deliveries in November, a 63.2% year-on-year improvement. Its 6.7% market share in the month was an increase of 2.1pp. For the first time in 2025, the Tesla Model Y experienced growth outside of an ‘end-of-quarter’ month. November saw the US car achieve 47,132 sales, a 5.7% rise. However, with increased competition, its market share declined by 0.3pp. The Geely Geome Xingyuan ended the month in third with 42,038 deliveries. This was a rise of 109.8%, although November 2024 represented the model’s third month on sale. Its market share climbed by 2.3pp to 4.9%. Taking fourth was the Xiaomi YU7. In its sixth month on sale, it achieved 33,729 deliveries. This meant it took a 4% share of the market. Meanwhile, in fifth was the Tesla Model 3. With 26,013 deliveries in China, it saw a 10% decline in volumes compared to November 2024. This was enough for a 3% hold of BEV totals, a drop of 0.8pp compared to 12 months prior. BYD ups its pace BYD’s place in China’s BEV market continued to grow in November. The brand secured four spots in the monthly top 10, with a run between sixth and eighth. Topping the BYD model placings in sixth was the Sea Lion 6 with 22,093 sales. This was good enough for a 2.6% share of total BEV deliveries in November. Following this was the BYD Seagull, with 21,807 deliveries in the month. This was another steep decline for the model, with volumes down by 61.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Its 2.6% share was a drop of 4.8pp, as increased internal competition played a part. In eighth was the BYD Yuan Up, with 20,628 models taking to Chinese roads, a drop of 3.6%. Its market share fell slightly, from 2.8% in November 2024 to 2.4%. The Wuling Bingo S continued an impressive show of form. The model entered the top 10 in October, its first month on sale in China. In November, it remained in the chart, taking ninth with 17,959 sales and a 2.1% market share. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Dolphin. It saw 17,320 deliveries, a 3.8% year-on-year rise. However, with increased competition, its 2% share of the BEV total was down by 0.2pp. Geely leads as gap closes After 11 months of 2025, the Geely Geome Xingyuan still held the lead in the cumulative top 10 table. With 429,791 deliveries, it had a market share of 5.8%. However, the competition gained ground. Following its impressive run of results, the Wuling Mini sat second. It recorded 404,876 units and a 5.4% share of the BEV total between January and November. This meant its gap to first place sat at 24,924 units. In third was the Tesla Model Y, with 359,463 sales in the 11-month period. This was good enough for a 4.8% market share. Despite its struggles, the BYD Seagull held fourth place in the cumulative table, with 304,547 deliveries in China. The model took 4.1% of the BEV market. Following in fifth was the Xiaomi SU7, despite not having appeared in monthly charts since September. With 247,041 units taking to Chinese roads, it held 3.3% of the market. Ups and downs The BYD Yuan Up held sixth after 11 months of 2025. It recorded 199,048 deliveries, equating to a 2.7% hold of the BEV total. Taking seventh was the Tesla Model 3, with 172,392 sales and a 2.3% market share between January and November. This was at the cost of the Xpeng M03, which has not made a monthly top 10 chart since August. The Chinese model achieved 163,082 sales in the first 11 months of 2025, equating to a 2.2% hold of the BEV total. Ninth went to the Geely Panda Mini, which leapt one position despite not featuring in November’s top 10. However, 11th place in November was enough to secure a boost over the 10th-place Changan Lumin. The Geely model sold 157,735 units for a 2.1% market share between January and November. Meanwhile, the Lumin saw 153,907 deliveries, and a similar 2.1% share.
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PHEV market slowdown sees new model high in China

China saw another month of low plug-in hybrid (PHEV) improvement, as new models made gains on established players. Moreover, with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries rising, is the country’s electric vehicle (EV) market becoming more diverse? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry investigates. China’s tale of two markets continued in October. BEV deliveries jumped while the PHEV slowdown continued. The month saw 928,863 BEV sales, up 36.6% compared to October 2024, according to the latest figures from EV Volumes. Meanwhile, the 577,940 PHEV volume reflected just a 4.2% increase. EV Volumes does include extended-range electric vehicles in its plug-in hybrid figures. The result means that in October, BEVs made up 61.6% of the total EV market, while PHEVs accounted for 38.4%. Across the first half of 2025, PHEVs enjoyed a double-digit improvement. But since July, the powertrain has struggled to exceed mid-single-digit figures. Across the first 10 months of 2025, 6,620,049 BEVs were sold in China, a 37.2% improvement year on year. However, despite increases, the PHEV market’s growth slowed. The 4,443,977-unit total between January and October was up by 18.7%, but dropped from a much greater cumulative improvement earlier in the year. Wuling dominates BEV sales The Wuling Mini dominated the Chinese BEV market in October. In a rollercoaster year for the model, it took control of the market with 61,119 sales. This was a 78.8% year-on-year improvement, as the model pushed for top spot in the cumulative table. It took a 6.6% market share in the month, up 1.6 percentage points (pp). The Wuling Mini was 16,880 units ahead of its closest rival, the Geely Geome Xingyuan. The Geely model saw 44,239 sales, a 192.4% increase against its first meaningful month on the Chinese market in 2024. This was enough for a 4.8% market share, up 2.6pp compared to 12 months prior. Third went to the BYD Seagull, with 36,604 sales in October. Despite the high placing, this was a drop of 28.6% from October 2024, when it led the monthly standings. The model was a consistent mid-table performer across the first 10 months of the year. Yet, its 3.9% market share in October was 3.6pp down year on year. In just its fifth month on the market, the Xiaomi YU7 took fourth. This was thanks to a record total of 33,662 sales, as the model continues to ramp up deliveries. It accounted for 3.6% of all BEV sales in China in October. It was followed by the BYD Seal Lion 06, with 24,800 units. This was the model’s first placement in China’s top 10 BEV list. Since hitting the market halfway through this year, it took a 2.7% hold of the market in the month. Tesla struggles in China Also making its way into the top 10 for the first time was the Wuling Bingo Plus. Despite seeing its sales begin in March 2024, the model passed the five-digit volume mark for the first time. With 24,448 units, this represented a 382% year-on-year increase and a 2.6% market share.   The BYD Yuan Up took seventh, with 19,813 units representing a 2% decline year on year. Its 2.1% market share was 0.9pp down compared to October 2024. The Tesla Model Y dropped to eighth in October, its worst volume month since February. The result followed its quarterly delivery boost in September. While it performed well in July, its April and October figures suggest a similar trend as seen in Europe. Severe sales drops have followed high periods. It saw 19,488 sales in October and a 46.2% decline compared to the same month last year. This left it with 2.1% of the market, a 3.2pp drop. Ninth went to the Changan Lumin, with 18,755 units equating to a 10.1% increase. However, its 2% market share was 0.5pp down year on year. Rounding out the table was the Deepal S05, with 18,169 units, and a 1,414.1% increase year on year. However, its deliveries were still ramping up 12 months ago. Race to the end After 10 months of 2025, the Geely Geome Xingyuan remained in the lead of the Chinese BEV market. With 387,753 units, it looks set to end the year as the best-selling all-electric model in the country. However, this is not without a challenge. Jumping into second place, after two months of monthly market-leading performances, was the Wuling Mini. With 348,111 units, it held 5.3% of the market. The Mini was only 39,642 units behind the Geely. The gap may seem large, but a slow month from its rival could provide a small chance of victory. The Tesla Model Y dropped to third after its poor October performance. In the first 10 months of 2025, it recorded 312,331 sales. It ended the period with a 4.7% market share and a 35,780-unit gap to the Wuling Mini. With its quarterly reporting pattern, the carmaker could still jump into second with a strong December. New models push forward The following three models remained stable from September. The BYD Seagull was fourth with 282,740 units, followed by the Xiaomi SU7 in fifth, with 234,521 deliveries. Sixth went to the BYD Yuan Up, with 178,420 units and a 2.7% market share. Seventh saw a change, with the Xpeng M03 moving up the table thanks to 148,236 units. It overtook the Tesla Model 3, which dropped to eighth, having not featured in October’s top 10. Between January and October, it achieved 146,379 sales, with a 2.2% share of the overall BEV total. Ninth went to the Changan Lumin thanks to a strong result in October. With 142,163 sales, it took 2.1% of the market. Rounding out the table was the Geely Panda Mini, with 140,434 deliveries in the 10-month period.  New entrant features in PHEV market The BYD Qin Plus once again topped the monthly PHEV chart, with 35,096 units delivered in October. This was a 29.5% increase year on year. The Qin Plus was the first of five BYD models in China’s PHEV top 10 for the month. However, it was the only one to achieve growth. Despite sales dropping 50.1% year on year, the BYD Song Plus took second, with 20,613 units sold. This translated to a 3.6% share of the total PHEV market, a drop of 3.9pp. In third was the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7, with 20,024 sales. This was just 589 units behind the popular BYD Song Plus. Considering the PHEV began large-volume deliveries in the previous month, this was an impressive performance. The boxy SUV is making its mark in China’s slowing PHEV market, and took 3.5% of total deliveries in the month. Taking fourth was the BYD Seal 6, with 19,355 units. However, this was a big drop for a model, with volumes down 49.2% year on year. It captured 3.3% of overall PHEV sales, down 3.6pp. BYD struggles continue A pair of Aito models came next, with the M7 taking 18,199 sales, a 20.3% rise compared to October 2024. With 3.1% of the market, its share increased by 0.4pp. Following this was the Aito M8, with 17,484 deliveries in its seventh month on the Chinese market. This was enough for a 3% market share. The Galaxy A7, in its fifth month on sale, achieved 15,888 deliveries with a 2.7% hold of total volumes in seventh. Another pair of BYD models followed in eighth and ninth, with the BYD Song Pro and BYD Qin L, respectively. Both saw large sales declines compared to October 2024. The Song Pro achieved 15,758 deliveries, a 50.4% fall, with a 3pp drop in market share to 2.7%. The Qin L fell further, down 60.4% to 15,586 units. This was also a 2.7% hold of the total PHEV market, down from 7.1% a year prior. Closing out the table was the Chery Fengyun A9, in its fifth month on the market. It achieved 13,378 sales and a 2.3% market share. Clear at the PHEV summit The cumulative PHEV top 10 remained fairly static. Despite its struggles, BYD filled the top five places and seven of the top 10 positions. The BYD Qin Plus kept hold of the top spot, with 218,509 units and a 4.9% market share. As the only BYD model in October’s chart to make year-on-year gains, its momentum could carry it forward. The BYD Seal 06 held second with 175,577 sales between January and October. This gave it a 4% share of total PHEV volumes. The model was 42,932 units behind the Qin Plus, a gap that continues to widen. Next was the Song Plus, with 170,377 deliveries in the first 10 months of the year. It closed the gap to second in October, with just 5,200 units between it and the Seal 6. The BYD Song Pro was next, with 154,001 sales and a 3.5% market share. Following this was the BYD Qin L, which jumped a position to fifth with 148,380 deliveries cumulatively. This was good enough for a 3.3% market share. Good results help strugglers Having only placed 18th in October’s sales figures, the Li Auto L6 lost ground to the BYD Qin L, dropping to sixth after 10 months of the year. Its 144,406 total for the period equated to a 3.2% market share. The BYD Song L, which ended October in 11th, followed the L6 in the cumulative table. A total of 122,029 units was good enough for seventh, with a 2.7% market share. Both the L6 and the Song L are holding on thanks to good performances earlier in 2025. However, the Aito M8 continued its rapid approach. Despite having only become available this year, it held eighth with 121,811 units. This was just 218 deliveries behind the BYD model, while it matched its 2.7% market share. The BYD Destroyer 05 was ninth, with 111,617 sales between January and October. The model placed 23rd in the monthly sales figures. Rounding out the cumulative table was the Galaxy Starship 7. Its 110,115-unit tally gave it a 2.5% market share.
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Is China’s new PHEV struggle affecting brands’ EV sales?

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market appears to be slowing following another month of struggling growth. But how are these performances affecting domestic brands? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the data. In September, China’s PHEV market, including range-extended electric vehicles, once again showed signs of a slowdown. Its 0.4% year-on-year improvement was the lowest result since a 51.4% decline in June 2020, according to EV Volumes data. Meanwhile, the BEV market grew once again in September. In total, 836,711 models were sold, which equated to a rise of 26.5%. Between January and September, China’s PHEV market saw 3,859,629 passenger car sales, a 21% increase year on year. At the end of the first half of 2025, this growth was at 35.7%, highlighting the powertrain’s third-quarter struggles. Meanwhile, the BEV market saw an improvement of 37.4% across the first nine months of 2025. The overall Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market rose by 30.3% over the first three quarters of the year. However, this was down by 10.1 percentage points (pp) compared to the growth in the first half of 2025. The PHEV problem Some of the most popular PHEV models in China suffered declines in the third quarter. Combine this with the growth recorded at the end of 2024, and the last quarter of 2025 may prove difficult. The market’s issues have caused problems for some Chinese brands, especially those with a stronger PHEV offering. Both Li Auto and Aito have posted overall declines after three quarters of the year. BYD, which dominates the PHEV market, saw its numbers fall between July and September, coinciding with the PHEV slowdown. For the second consecutive month, the BYD Song Plus did not make the monthly top 10, hampering its sales growth. The PHEV sector could play a crucial role in determining how certain brands perform for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, a strong BEV market is helping some domestic marques go from strength to strength. BYD’s third-quarter PHEV struggles Nine months into 2025, BYD sold the largest volume of EVs of any brand in China. But its growth slowed dramatically in the third quarter. With 52.6% of its sales coming from PHEVs, is it responsible for the sector’s poor form in the same three-month period? Between July and September, the carmaker saw volumes drop by 19.4%. This meant its figures for the nine-month period grew by just 2.5%. In the first half of 2025, the brand’s numbers were up by 19.9% With a 24.9% EV market share in the first three quarters of 2025, it is comfortably the region’s plug-in leader. However, its hold has slipped by 6.8pp compared with the same period last year. It is the PHEV market where BYD has struggled the most. Six of BYD’s PHEVs made the top 10 in September this year. Of these, four models lost volume year on year, while the Qin Plus recorded an improvement of 41%. Meanwhile, the BYD Sea Lion 06 first recorded sales in June this year. But the brand’s problems are not just related to plug-in hybrids. In the BEV market, the BYD Seagull placed fifth in September as its sales shrank by 47.3% year on year. However, this was countered by the BYD Yuan Up in fifth, which enjoyed a 61.8% improvement. Furthermore, the BYD Dolphin saw a 41.7% uptick in demand in eighth. The carmaker is focusing on export markets, while it maintains a diverse portfolio of products in its domestic market. For now, BYD can rest on its laurels, with no real challenger yet in sight. Geely’s standout performance The standout brand so far this year has been Geely, including its Galaxy subsidiary. The carmaker has seen volumes increase by 234.7% in the first nine months of 2025. This equated to an 8.8% market share, up 5.4pp. Geely took a stronger footing in the BEV market, with 69.5% of its EV sales coming from all-electric models. This was thanks to the Geely Geome Xingyuan, which was the best-selling BEV in China between January and September. It made up 59.1% of Geely’s BEV deliveries in the period, and 41.1% of its total sales in the nine months. But Geely has endured PHEV struggles too. The Galaxy Starship 7, which led the market in January, has since slipped down the charts. The model did not place in the top 10 during September and sat in 10th in the cumulative results after nine months. Yet the new Galaxy A7 may offer some hope. It made its way into the top 10 for the first time in August and placed again in September. Still, Geely’s performance after three quarters owes much to the Geome Xingyuan, which is likely to be China’s best-selling BEV at the end of 2025. Wuling and Tesla’s rollercoaster ride Wuling, incorporating its Baojung subsidiary, has seen inconsistent results so far this year. Yet after three quarters of 2025, the carmaker still saw volumes improve by 44.1%. Its market share sat at 5.9%, up by 0.5pp. Like Geely, Wuling’s volumes came mostly from the BEV market. Of its EV sales, 94.1% were all-electric. The Wuling Mini was China’s third-best-selling BEV between January and September. It was helped by its chart-topping performance in September, beating the Tesla Model Y by 570 units. This was an impressive result, considering the US brand’s quarterly push, which often sees it lead in the month. Tesla was the fourth best-selling brand after three quarters of the year. The brand saw its volumes fall by 6.1% year on year between January and September 2025. Meanwhile, market share dropped by 1.8pp. With a 100% focus on the BEV market, Tesla is not affected by the fluctuation in the PHEV sector. Its Model Y has performed well, but it is not leading the market as it has in the past. Additionally, the Model 3 has seen its popularity decline. In September, its deliveries fell by 15.2% year on year, despite the brand’s end-of-quarter push. Leapmotor leaps forward Between January and September, Leapmotor took fifth in the brand table for EV sales, following a strong third quarter. It jumped domestic rival Chery, which took fifth in the first half. Leapmotor’s success was largely thanks to its BEVs. These models accounted for 78.6% of its EV sales, meanwhile Chery’s all-electric cars only accounted for 29.5%. These results are more impressive considering neither brand was present in the BEV or PHEV cumulative model tables. It seems each has a higher volume of models that are popular further down the table. In total, Leapmotor’s sales were up 116% between January and September, with a 3.8% market share. This was up by 1.5pp year on year. Chery, meanwhile, saw growth of 126.6%, with a 3.8% hold of the EV market too. This was up 1.4pp compared to the same period in 2024. Seventh in the brands table went to Li Auto. The carmaker also struggled, with volumes down 12.3% year on year. With 92.2% of its sales coming from PHEVs, it appears the marque has been affected by the powertrain’s slowdown. Xpeng was next, with volumes rising by 213.6% over the first three quarters. This gave the brand a 3% market share, jumping by 1.8pp. Aito was another to struggle, with a 3.6% decline in volumes. The carmaker is another with a majority of its sales coming from PHEVs. This may have led to its overall share falling by 1.1pp, to 2.9%. Xiaomi saw the biggest gain of all carmakers in the top 10 after nine months of 2025. The BEV-focused marque saw volumes grow 281.8%, with its market share up 1.8pp, reaching 2.8%. September surprise China’s BEV market saw a surprising result in September. The Wuling Mini led the way thanks to 51,743 sales, a jump of 78.9% year on year. It led the Tesla Model Y, which saw 51,173 deliveries. The US brand usually leads the end-of-quarter months thanks to its reporting style. The Model Y was able to achieve a 6.2% volume increase. However, this was not enough to top the BEV chart across January to September, symbolising its ongoing struggles. Meanwhile, the Geely Geome Xingyuan placed third in the month. The model saw its first sales take place in the same month of 2024, albeit in small amounts. It achieved a 5.7% share of total BEV sales in September. In the first nine months of 2025, the Geome Xingyuan continued to lead. It was 50,671 units ahead of the Tesla Model Y in second, having lost a little ground in the month. The Wuling Mini closed on the US crossover, trailing by just 5,851 units after nine months. PHEV strength despite struggles Despite the PHEV market’s struggles, the top two models performed well. Leading the pack in September was the BYD Qin Plus, with 28,201 sales. This was a 41% increase compared to the same month in 2024. Following this was the Aito M8. In its sixth month on the market, it achieved 21,000 deliveries, giving it a 4.2% market share. Just 229 units behind in third was the BYD Destroyer 05. It achieved 19,771 sales, although this was a 1.7% year-on-year decline. It still held 4% of the market, a 0.1pp drop. The results meant the BYD Qin Plus extended its lead at the top of the cumulative PHEV chart. However, a strong performance from the BYD Seal 6 in September saw it overtake the struggling BYD Song Plus to sit second. The latter model did not place in September’s PHEV top 10.
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Will PHEV sales in China go from boom to bust?

For the second consecutive month, China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market experienced slower growth. Which models fuelled this trend? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest data from EV Volumes.   China’s PHEV market continued to struggle into August, following a dramatic dip in volume growth during July. In total, 474,234 new PHEVs were sold in the country during August, according to data from EV Volumes. This represented a 4.7% year-on-year increase, and is the second consecutive month of single-digit growth for the market. July saw the powertrain’s worst result since July 2020, which saw an increase of 4.1%. A month prior, the market had fallen by 51.4% year on year. Deliveries then increased continuously by two to three-digit figures each month from August 2020. It appears China’s PHEV market has plateaued following this period of exceptional growth. The results of the last two months have also impacted yearly improvements. Between January and August 2025, 3,376,609 PHEVs took to China’s roads, up 25.4%. This sits in stark contrast to the 35.8% increase in sales across the first two quarters of 2025. While PHEV sales slowed, the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market continued to post strong growth. However, its 24.3% increase over August 2024 was the second-lowest improvement in the first eight months of the year. In total, 718,128 new BEVs took to China’s roads in the month. In the year to August, BEV deliveries have increased by 39.3%, with 4,852,413 units delivered. BYD’s PHEV struggles In China’s top 10 best-selling PHEV table for August, four models had gone on sale within the last 12 months. The other six models failed to see any volume improvement, highlighting a slowdown. The BYD Qin Plus led the pack in the month, with 25,800 deliveries, according to EV Volumes data. This was a drop of 19.6% year on year, although it was the model’s best volume in the first eight months of 2025. Its market share fell by 1.7 percentage points (pp), to 5.4%. For the second consecutive month, the Aito M8 finished second, denting the dominance of BYD. The model achieved 21,537 sales in August, with a 4.5% market share in its fifth month of recorded sales. BYD models took the next four positions, with the Seal 06 in third, thanks to 17,414 units. This was a drop of 47.1% year on year, while its share of the PHEV total dropped 3.6pp, to 3.7%. Next came the BYD Sealion 06, making its top 10 debut with 15,000 sales. This capped an impressive performance, which saw limited deliveries in its first two months on sale. As its other models struggled, BYD will be hoping the Sealion 06 can carry some momentum. It took 3.2% of China’s PHEV market in August. The BYD Song Pro ended the month in fifth thanks to 12,681 deliveries. This was a drop of 34.3% compared with August 2024. Its market share of 2.7% was down 1.6pp year on year. New PHEV models gain ground Having started the year well, the BYD Qin L has struggled. August saw its best placement since April, as the model ended up in sixth. Its total of 12,600 units was down 65%, the largest decline in the top 10. This also gave the model a 2.7% market share, a drop of 5.2pp. Another top 10 debutant took seventh. The Galaxy A7, which first recorded sales in the market in June 2025, saw 12,078 deliveries during August, with a 2.5% market share. The model beat its stablemate, the Galaxy Starship 7, which achieved 11,431 sales. The model, which first recorded sales in November 2024, claimed first place in January and looked set to challenge BYD. However, it has not sustained this success, failing to rank higher than eighth since its strong start. Just 214 units behind was the Li Auto L6. It too struggled, with 11,217 sales down by 54.9%. This equated to a 3.1pp drop in market share, reaching 2.4%. Rounding out the table was the BYD Song L. It posted 11,000 deliveries in the month, a 34.4% year-on-year drop, which meant its share fell by 1.4pp to 2.3%. Change at the top In the first eight months of the year, the PHEV top 10 saw a change in leadership. Despite its decline in sales in August, the BYD Qin Plus took first place, with 154,212 deliveries. This equated to a 4.6% market share. After struggling in August, the BYD Song Plus fell to second, with 145,213 deliveries and a 4.3% market share. The result means the Qin L took the lead by 8,999 deliveries. There were no position changes between third and ninth. The BYD Seal 06 remained in third with 137,013 sales between January and August. This gave the model a 4.1% share of the yearly PHEV total. Next came the BYD Song Pro, with 124,701 deliveries and a 3.7% market hold. The Li Auto L6 remained in fifth, thanks to 122,401 sales and a 3.6% market share. The BYD Qin L placed sixth, taking 199,200 sales and 3.5% of the market. Seventh went to the BYD Song L, which ended the eight-month period with 99,500 deliveries and a 2.9% market share. In eighth was the Galaxy Starship 7, thanks to 91,288 deliveries and 2.7% of the market. Ninth went to the BYD Destroyer 05, with 84,174 sales, and 2.5%. The Aito M8 rounded out the top 10, which entered the cumulative chart for the first time. With 83,327 sales, it was just 847 units behind the BYD Destroyer 05. The Aito model held 2.5% of the PHEV total across the first eight months of 2025. Geely domination continues The Geely Geome Xingyuan continued its impressive run to head the Chinese BEV market in August. Its total of 46,057 units was enough for a 6.4% share in its 12th month on sale in the country. It has topped the monthly best-seller list five times across the first eight months of 2025. Second went to the Tesla Model Y, with 39,413 units delivered. This was a 13.1% decrease year on year, as the model’s struggles continued. Its 5.5% market share was a 2.3pp drop compared to August 2024. The Wuling Mini placed third, with 37,828 units. Following a strong start to the year, the model wavered in the second quarter of 2025. However, it recovered, ending up third in August for the second consecutive month. In total, 37,828 units were delivered, a 43% rise. This gave the model a 5.3% market share, up 0.7pp. In fourth, the BYD Seagull struggled with a 43.8% decline, as it saw 23,031 units hit the roads. This resulted in a 3.9pp dip in share, to 3.2%. Finishing in the top half of the table was the Xiaomi SU7. With 19,848 sales in August, it achieved a 51.4% improvement year on year. This was good enough for a 2.8% share of total BEV sales in the month. Tesla’s bounce continues The BYD Yuan Up took sixth in August’s BEV chart, with 19,647 sales in China. This was an increase of 1.6%, with the model slowly improving its figures this year. However, in an increasingly competitive market, this small rise in volumes did not boost its share. It represented 2.7% of total BEV sales in the month, down 0.6pp. The Tesla Model 3 re-entered the table in seventh after dropping out in July. The US model has struggled in China this year, only placing as high as fifth in February. Ahead of the usual Tesla spike in September, 17,739 units were delivered to Chinese customers, a 2.1% year-on-year decrease. However, its market share only decreased by 0.6pp, the same as the BYD Yuan Up. It ended the month making up 2.5% of deliveries. In only its third month on the market, the Xiaomi YU7 made its top 10 debut in eighth, with 16,295 sales. This gave the model a 2.3% hold of the BEV market. It was followed by the Xpeng M03, with 15,333 deliveries and a 2.1% market share. Rounding out the top 10 was the Changan Lumin. The model saw 14,570 deliveries in August. This was down 7.2% compared to the same month last year. The model did take a 2% market share, down by 0.7pp. Top spot back in domestic hands Spanning the first eight months of 2025, the Geely Geome Xingyuan led the way. It recorded 295,434 sales, meaning a 6.1% market share. Geely has shaken up the BEV chart with the Geome Xingyuan, placing the market in the hands of domestic carmakers. This follows two years of Tesla domination. The US brand is still going strong, however, with its Model Y finishing second. It achieved 241,670 deliveries for a 5% market share. However, this result places the Model Y 53,764 units behind the Geome Xingyuan. Aside from a blip in March, the Geely model has consistently been in the top two. Conversely, the Tesla model has experienced more of a rollercoaster year. With the Chinese BEV having hit its stride, it could be difficult for the Model Y to catch up before the end of the year. Third in the yearly chart went to the Wuling Mini, which climbed back towards the top at the expense of the BYD Seagull. With 235,249 sales between January and August, it took a 4.8% market share. The Chinese model was 6,421 units behind the Model Y. But with the US brand’s customary spike in September, finishing second in 2025 could be a long shot. The BYD Seagull dropped one place to fourth after eight months, with 220,884 units, and a 4.6% market share. Fifth went to the Xiaomi SU7, which held its place as deliveries grew to 199,950 units. This was enough for a 4.1% share of the total. Gap too big to close? The BYD Yuan Up maintained sixth, with 132,688 deliveries between January and August. The model held a 2.7% market share, with the gulf between fifth and sixth places seemingly too big to bridge. The Tesla Model 3 moved up one spot to seventh after eight months of 2025. Its 119,509 total was 13,179 units behind sixth. Even with the end-of-quarter push, the US model may struggle to catch its rival. The Xpeng M03 remained in eighth, with 117,388 sales and a 2.4% market share. Having not placed in August’s top 10, the Wuling Bingo fell two positions to ninth, with 116,942 deliveries. This was just 446 units behind the Xpeng, suggesting a tighter battle for the lower end of the table. Finally, the Geely Panda Mini held 10th, thanks to 111,842 sales between January and August. This gave the Chinese model a 2.3% share of total BEV sales in the period.
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PHEV sales drop to a five-year low in China during July

While battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales in China continued their impressive growth in July, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) struggled. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest figures from EV Volumes. China’s PHEV market suffered its lowest year-on-year result since June 2020, as deliveries of new models struggled in July. In total, 446,913 PHEVs were sold in China during the month, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. This represented a 3.2% increase compared to July 2024. It is the worst result since a 51.4% decline during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the country’s BEV sector recorded an improvement compared to July 2024, with an increase of 34.5%. In total, 633,311 sales were recorded, as the technology continued to dominate the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market. Difficult month for PHEVs For the first time this year, the BYD Seal 06 topped the monthly PHEV chart, with 23,787 units delivered. The model has slowly climbed the chart this year and has overtaken its stablemates to top the table. Its sales improved by 9.8% compared to July 2024, while its 5.3% market share was up 0.3 percentage points (pp). In second place was the Aito M8. The model first saw sales recorded in China in April, with deliveries increasing each following month. July saw 21,564 units take to the roads, meaning a 4.8% market share. The BYD Qin Plus, which topped the market in June, dropped to third in July, with 20,000 units delivered. This was a fall of 31.2% compared to the same point last year. The model lost traction across the first seven months of the year, with this volume in July down by 31.2%. This meant its market share fell by 2.2pp, to 4.5%. Fourth went to the BYD Destroyer 05, with 16,180 units taking to Chinese roads. This was a slide of 13.4%, while its percentage of the overall PHEV total fell 0.7pp, to 3.6%. Completing the top half of the table was the BYD Song Plus, with 15,000 units, a decline of 47%. Having not been out of the top two across the first half, this was a drop for the model. It lost volume in six of the first seven months of 2025. Whether this is a trend of position decline or an anomalous result remains to be seen. The model lost 3.2pp of its market share year on year, to 3.4%. Mixed results for BYD The Li Auto L6 ended July in sixth, with a drop of 40.3%, to 14,830 units. Its 3.3% share of the market was down by 2.4pp compared to the same month last year. Seventh went to the Buick GL8, which re-entered the table with 12,437 deliveries. This represented a 210.8% increase compared to last year, with a 1.9pp jump in market share, to 2.8%. A trio of BYD models rounded out the top 10. In eighth was the Song L, with 12,000 units, up 18.3%. It represented 2.7% of the market, up 0.3pp. Ninth went to the BYD Qin L, with another 12,000-unit total, but this was down by 63%. It saw the biggest share drop in the top 10, with a 4.8pp decline to 2.7%. Finally, the BYD Song Pro ended the month in 10th, with 11,880 deliveries, a decline of 35.2%. It held a 2.7% share of the PHEV total, a drop of 1.6pp compared to the same month last year. PHEV table tightens The monthly results have tightened the top of the annual PHEV chart in July. While the BYD Song Plus retained its top spot, its lead over the BYD Qin Plus almost halved. The Song Plus sold 134,213 units over the first seven months of the year, for a 4.6% market share. However, with 128,412 deliveries, the Qin Plus was just 5,801 units behind, with a 4.4% hold of the market. Thanks to its strong performance in July, the BYD Seal 06 jumped into third. It recorded 119,599 sales between January and July, and a 4.1% market share. Its gain was at the cost of the BYD Song Pro and Li Auto L6, which ended the period in fourth and fifth, respectively. The Song Pro saw 112,020 deliveries in the seven month period, and a 3.9% market share. Just 836 units back, the L6 achieved 111,184 sales and a 3.8% share. Sixth went to the BYD Qin L, with 106,600 sales and 3.7% of the market. The BYD Song L ended in seventh, with 88,500 deliveries and a 3.1% share. The Galaxy Starship 7, which showed much promise at the beginning of the year, remained eighth. It reached 79,857 sales and a 2.8% market share. Having not placed in July’s top 10, the Starship 7 lost ground to the BYD Destroyer 05. It remained ninth, but its 78,038-unit total in the first seven months of the year was just 1,819 models behind. It held 2.7% of the PHEV total in the period. Finally, the Aito M9 remained in 10th, despite not featuring in the monthly top table. Its 67,298-unit volume represented 2.3% of China’s PHEV market. Geely Geome Xingyuan impresses The Geely Geome Xingyuan took the monthly top spot in July, as it continues its impressive run in the country. Having first gone on sale with limited numbers in September 2024, the Xingyuan has been a standout BEV this year. In total, 44,286 units were delivered in China, meaning a 7% market share. This put it 13,520 sales ahead of the Tesla Model Y in second. The US model had its strongest volume month outside of the quarterly end periods of March and June. However, its 30,766-unit total was not high enough to prevent a decline. The Model Y experienced a 7.6% drop year on year, while its market share fell 2.2pp, to sit at 4.9% in the month. The Wuling Mini achieved 26,789 sales, bouncing back into the top three, a feat it has not achieved since topping the table in April. This was an improvement of 69.9% over July 2024, with a 0.9pp increase in its hold of the BEV market. Fourth went to the Xiaomi SU7, another model that has performed well in 2025, but without the high volumes of the Xingyuan. Still, July saw the model achieve 24,410 sales, up 86.1% year on year. It represented 3.9% of the BEV market in the month, up 1.1pp. Rounding out the top five was the BYD Seagull. The model struggled in July, with 22,941 deliveries, a 34.1% drop. The model suffered the biggest market share decline in the top 10 as a result, with figures 3.8pp down, to 3.6%. Further model growth in China The Xpeng M03 took sixth in July. Having gone on sale in August 2024, the model achieved 15,704 sales, with a 2.5% market share. In seventh, the Changan Lumin saw a 28.8% rise in sales, with 13,186 units. Having joined the top 10 in June, its strong growth did not result in a boost to its market share. The Lumin took 2.1% of total BEV sales, a decline of just 0.1pp year on year. Just like the PHEV market in July, BYD rounded out the top 10 with a trio of models. The Dolphin topped this pile, up 3.4% in eighth with 12,865 units delivered. However, with increased competition, it dropped 0.6pp in its market share, to 2%. The BYD Qin L, which started sales in March, ended July with 12,490 units, and a 2% market share. The top 10 was completed by the BYD Yuan Up, with 12,451 deliveries. This was a 10.9% year-on-year jump. But its market share also declined due to increased competition, with its 2% hold down 0.4pp. Extending its lead Thanks to its good July performance, the Geely Geome Xingyuan extended its lead in the first seven months of 2025. In total, the model achieved 249,377 deliveries, with a 6% market share. Jumping into second was the Tesla Model Y, with 202,257 sales between January and July. This was 47,120 units behind the Xingyuan. It will need to work hard to overcome this gap if it wants to retain its title as the market’s best-selling BEV. It ended the period with a 4.9% share of total BEV sales. Falling to third after a weak July was the BYD Seagull, with 197,853 sales and a 4.8% market share. Just 432 units behind in fourth was the Wuling Mini with 197,421 units. It represented 4.8% of BEV deliveries between January and June. There was no change in fifth, with the Xiaomi SU7 totalling 180,102 units and a 4.4% market share. Sixth went to the BYD Yuan Up with 113,041 sales and 2.7% of deliveries. Seventh was the Wuling Bingo, with 104,864 deliveries and a 2.5% share. The Xpeng M03 jumped into eighth thanks to a good performance in July. It achieved 102,055 sales and a 2.5% share of the market. This meant the Tesla Model 3 and Geely Panda Mini dropped into ninth and 10th, respectively. The US model saw 101,770 deliveries in the seven month period, just 285 units behind the Xpeng M03. It recorded a similar 2.5% market share. Just 246 sales further back was the Panda Mini with 101,524 sales, and another 2.5% market share.
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Competition eases in China’s BEV market as PHEV popularity grows

The close competition in China’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market may have stalled in May, but results in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market are bucking trends. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest figures. BEV deliveries in China reached 641,228 units in May, a 29.8% rise year on year, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. This was the second-lowest rate of growth in the first five months of the year. However, May 2024 saw the highest volumes in that five-month period. Between January and May 2025, China’s BEV market has improved by 45.8%, with just under 2.83 million registrations. Meanwhile, the PHEV market saw better growth, with figures up 41.6% in May to 468,202 units. This was the highest volume total in the first five months of the year, and came up against the highest delivery numbers in the same period of 2024. This means the PHEV market in China has improved by 30.6% between January and May, with around 1.93 million units sold. BEV performance swing The Geely Geome Xingyuan dominated the Chinese BEV market in May. In only its ninth-month on the market, it achieved 38,715 registrations, breaking its monthly volume record for the fifth-month in a row. The result ensured a 6% market share. The BYD Seagull placed second in May, with 31,105 deliveries. This was a 7.3% drop year on year, giving it a 4.9% market share. This was a decline of 1.9 percentage points (pp) compared to May 2024. The Xiaomi SU7 rounded out the top three. It recorded 28,013 units in June, equating to a 224% gain on May 2024. However, this was its second month on the market. The SU7 secured 4.4% of total registrations, an increase of 2.7pp. Taking fourth position was the Tesla Model Y. Apart from its end-of-quarter table-topping performance in March, the BEV has struggled this year. May saw the US car’s monthly volume fall by 38.1% year on year, with 24,770 registrations. Its market share of 3.9% was 4.2pp down compared to 12 months prior. Fifth place went to the Wuling Mini. This was the model’s worst table position this year, while the 19,017 registrations total is its lowest monthly volume since July 2024. Yet, its June result was a 15.7% increase year on year. It ended the month with a 3% market share, a drop from the city car’s 3.3% market hold recorded in May 2024. Record results The Geely Panda Mini ended the month in sixth, with 17,155 units registered in May. This was an increase of 106.3%, while its market share of 2.7% was a 1pp year-on-year increase. The BEV version of the BYD Song L made its first Chinese top 10 appearance, ending the month in seventh position. This model achieved a record 16,097 registrations, marking its first time reaching a five-figure volume. This impressive performance represents a 323.4% rise compared to May 2024, boosting its market share by 1.7 pp to 2.5%. Eighth place went to the the Wuling Bingo, with 15,550 registrations, translating to a 12.1% improvement compared to 12 months ago. However, its 2.4% of the overall registrations total was down by 0.4pp, due to increased competition. Tesla’s Model 3 placed ninth, with a 9.3% year-on-year drop in deliveries to 13,828 units. This was also reflected in its market share, which fell by 0.9pp to 2.2%. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Dolphin with 13,547 units. As the Chinese carmaker lowers the cost of its BEV models, the strategy appears to be popular with buyers. This marked a 25.1% improvement compared to May 2024, although the model’s market share dropped by 0.1pp. The Dolphin headed run of five consecutive BYD BEV models down to 15th place, with just 813 units between them, highlighting the success of the price-cutting strategy. BEV battle over? In April, just 19 units split the top two models in China’s year-to-date BEV table, as the Wuling Mini led the way. However, with the model having a quieter month in May, its closest competitor, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, pulled clear at the top. After five months, the model has seen 164,200 units delivered to customers, giving it a 5.8% share of total BEV registrations between January and May. Meanwhile, the Wuling Mini has fallen 19,679 units behind. It delivered 144,521 new models to customers in the year to date, translating to a 5.1% share. However, a stronger month than its competitor could close the competition again. After two years of Tesla domination, the Mini is fighting to regain the title of best BEV in China, having led the way in 2021 and 2022. Yet, it seems it has a fight on its hands. Meanwhile, the BYD Seagull retained third position after five months, with 144,204 units taking to the road. This left it just 317 units behind the Wuling Mini, setting up an intriguing showdown in the top three. Fourth place went to the Xiaomi SU7 after five months of the year, with a 4.7% market share and 132,467 registrations. Fifth was the Tesla Model Y, as its struggles left it with 126,643 deliveries between January and May. Distance between places The Model Y is some way ahead of the BYD Yuan Up in sixth place. Its tally of 85,243 units is 41,400 behind the Tesla. It held 3% of total registrations after five months. In seventh was the Wuling Bingo, with 79,994 units delivered and a 2.8% market share. This was followed by the Geely Panda Mini, which jumped back into the top 10 in eighth position. It had a total of 77,778 registrations between January and May, with a 2.7% market share. The Tesla Model 3 dropped one position, to ninth, with 75,283 deliveries, capturing 2.7% of the market after the first five months of 2025. The BYD Yuan Plus also dropped one place, rounding out the top 10 with 73,632 units and a 2.6% market share. BYD continues PHEV domination In the PHEV market, BYD’s domination continued. The carmaker placed six models in the top 10 during May, replicating April’s performance. However, the brand has previously held an even stronger grip on the market, featuring eight models in the PHEV top 10 during February. Leading the charge was the BYD Song Plus, with 20,000 registrations. The model has topped China’s PHEV table each month since February, even with declining volumes year on year. This trend continued in May, with figures down 29.1%. The lower registrations meant a market share loss of 4.2pp, to just 4.3%. The Li Auto L6 jumped into second place in the month, thanks to 18,781 deliveries. This was the model’s highest volume of the year so far. The result also marked a 44.9% improvement over May 2024. Yet, its market share grew by just 0.1pp, to 4%. In its 11th month on the market, the BYD Song L took third, with 16,097 units, and a 3.4% market share. This was also the model’s best performance of the year. The more established BYD Qin Plus ended the month in fourth place. It has lost volume year on year each month in 2025, as newer BYD models compete for sales. In May, it saw 16,000 deliveries, a 53.6% drop. Having led the market in the same month last year, its share fell by 7pp, to 3.4%. Fifth position went to the BYD Seal 06, with 15,787 deliveries. It first entered the market in May 2024, with just 44 registrations. The PHEV also held 3.4% of the market at the end of the month. Surprising entries The Aito M8 placed in sixth, in only its second month on the Chinese market. The model saw a total of 14,471 deliveries, with a 3.1% market share. Next was the BYD Song Pro, with 14,400 units taking to Chinese roads. This represented a 34.7% decline year on year, and was reflected in its market share, with a 3.6pp drop to 3.1%. Following this was the Aito M9, with 14,000 registrations, a drop of 4.9%. The model achieved a 3.1% hold of total registrations, down from its 6.7% share recorded 12 months prior. For the first time this year, a non-Chinese brand made the country’s PHEV top 10 chart. The Buick GL8 ended up in ninth position, with 12,388 registrations. This was a record result for the model, which only came to the market in June 2024. It was only the first time this year, and the second time in its history, that the model posted a five-figure monthly volume. This gave it a 2.6% market share. Closing out the table was the BYD Qin L in 10th, with 12,234 deliveries. Like the Seal 06, the Qin L entered the market in May 2024 with a smaller volume. It recorded a 2.6% market share, up from just 0.1% last year. Beating the trends The BYD Song Plus has lost volume in the PHEV market in all but one month this year. However, it remains at the top of the annual table in China, with 97,400 registrations between January and May. This has given the model a 5% market share. In second, 13,988 units behind, was the BYD Qin Plus. The sedan has suffered volume drops in every month of 2025 so far. However, its 83,412-unit total in the five-month period has kept it ahead of the remaining competition, with a 4.3% market share. Third went to the BYD Song Pro, up one place from April. Its 80,245-unit tally was just 3,167 units behind the Qin Plus, as it took a 4.1% hold of total PHEV registrations. However, the Song Pro will be checking its mirrors for the model in fourth place. The Li Auto L6 jumped one position as well, but thanks to a strong performance in May, it sat just 362 units back from third place. It achieved 79,883 registrations between January and May, giving it a 4.1% market share. This meant the BYD Qin L dropped two places to fifth, after a poorer month than its competitors. It recorded 78,296 deliveries in the five-month period, with a 4% hold of total Chinese PHEV registrations. Maintaining places Sixth position went to the BYD Seal 06, with 74,024 units delivered between January and May. This meant it took a 3.8% market share. Maintaining seventh was the Galaxy Starship 07. Having started the year strongly, the model slipped back to seventh position in March, and has remained there since. Its tally of 63,451 units in the five months of 2025 left it with a 3.3% share of the PHEV total. The BYD Song L remained in eighth place with 59,202 registrations and a 3.1% market share. Its stablemate, the BYD Han, stayed ninth, with 48,806 deliveries and a 2.5% hold of the PHEV total. Entering the top 10 for the first time since January was the Aito M9, with 46,982 registrations. This meant it took a 2.4% market share.  
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Wuling Mini fights its way to the top of the Chinese BEV market

The Chinese battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market has a new leader. But just how secure is the Wuling Mini at the top of the hypercompetitive market? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus analyses the latest data from EV Volumes. The Wuling Mini fought its way to the top of China’s hypercompetitive and growing new BEV market in April. In total, there were 628,415 units delivered in the month, up by 53.3% year on year. March saw a similar rate of growth, February was exceptionally strong, while January was comparatively weaker. Over the first four months of 2025, China’s BEV market grew by 50.7% to just under 2.18 million deliveries. Meanwhile, the country’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market saw slightly less growth, both in April and across the year so far. In the month, deliveries increased by 32.3% to 395,359 units. After a slower January, a spike in February, and a comparable improvement in March, China’s PHEV market expanded by 35.7% across the first four months of the year. A total of 1.46 million plug-in hybrids hit Chinese roads in the period. Wuling Mini takes first With year-on-year sales growth of 256.7%, the Wuling Mini went all in to take first place in April. Recording 36,337 deliveries in the month, the model made up 5.8% of all BEV sales in China. This was up from its 2.5% market share recorded in April 2024. However, the country’s all-electric car market is extremely competitive. While the Mini displayed exceptional growth in reaching first, only 67 units separated it from the model in second place. The BEV in close pursuit was the Geely Geome Xingyuan. It recorded 36,270 sales in April, taking a 5.8% market share. The model is one to watch in the country, particularly considering its first deliveries took place in September 2024. Just 0.4 percentage points (pp) away was the BYD Seagull with a 5.4% market share. The model had an 8.6% hold on the market in April 2024, equating to a drop of 3.2pp. Meanwhile, its sales fell by 3.4% to 34,005 units. The Xiaomi SU7 came fourth, as its sales doubled to 28,585 units and its share climbed by 1pp to 4.5%. The Wuling Bingo finished fifth, experiencing even greater growth of 126.3%. This pushed its deliveries to 25,294 units, making up 4% of the market, up 1.3pp. Tesla Model Y falls The BYD Yuan Plus took sixth, with its sales down by 13.8% to 20,623 units. This meant it captured 3.3% of the Chinese BEV market, marking a drop of 2.5pp.  The Tesla Model Y saw an even greater fall, down 54.7% with 19,984 sales. While this number can swing according to the brand’s quarterly delivery schedule, its share hit 3.2%. This was down by 7.6pp from April 2024, indicating a greater trend of decline for the crossover. The Geely Panda Mini took eighth with a 2.8% share, up 0.6pp, with deliveries increasing by 94.8% to 17,831 units. With a similar rate of growth, the BYD Yuan Up finished ninth, as sales grew by 91.2%. Its 16,044 sales gave the SUV a market hold of 2.6%, up 0.6pp. The Xpeng M03 finished in 10th in April, after only hitting the market in August 2024. It saw 14,210 sales in the month, equating to a 2.3% market share. Wuling Mini in close competition The Wuling Mini has seen its sales growth increase rapidly since the start of the year. This followed an announcement at the end of 2024 that Wuling would be unveiling a four-door version of the model. Deliveries of the BEV were up by 60.6% in January, 74.4% in February, 162.9% in March, and then 256.7% in April. Accordingly, the small BEV recorded 125,504 sales in total. Its share trended upwards between January and April, gaining traction as the likes of the BYD Seagull slumped. It took a 5.8% hold on the market across the first four months of 2025. However, it was far from the only model to enjoy an increased market share. The Geely Geome Xingyuan had a strong start to 2025, claiming first in January and February. It dipped to fourth in March before springing back to second in April. So, it took a 5.8% share across the first four months of the year, recording 125,485 sales in total. This meant it slipped from first place on the cumulative table, overtaken by the Wuling Mini. The competitive nature of the Chinese BEV market becomes apparent when looking at the gap between first and second place. The Wuling Mini was ahead of the Geely Geome Xingyuan by just 19 units over the four-month period. The BYD Seagull climbed to third in the year to April, with a 5.8% share and 113,099 sales recorded. The model began to see its market share dip at the very end of last year, while results have been mixed at the start of 2025. Yet with the rise of the the Wuling Mini and the Gelly Geome Xingyuan, it is facing stiff competition. Xiaomi SU7 takes fourth With deliveries beginning in April 2024, the Xiaomi SU7 has continued to climb the table. It took a 4.8% market share in the first four months of 2025. Not far behind, the Tesla Model Y dropped to fifth with a 4.7% hold on the market and 101,873 sales. The US model has struggled so far this year. Despite leading the market in March, the BEV was second in January and did not place in the top 10 during February. The BYD Yuan Up finished sixth, posting a share of 3.3% after selling 72,196 units. The Wuling Bingo was next with 64,444 deliveries and a 3% hold on the market. The Tesla Model 3 dropped a spot from the first quarter, with 61,465 sales and a 2.8% share. The BYD Yuan Plus climbed up to ninth from 10th in last month’s report. It captured 2.8% of the market with 61,377 sales. While the Xpeng M03 fell to 10th, it was only 37 units behind with 61,340 sales and a 2.8% share. Drops in the PHEV table The BYD Song Plus was the most popular PHEV in China in April. While it managed 19,100 sales, this was down 21.8% year on year. Its market share also dropped to 4.8% from 8.2% in April 2024. The BYD Qin Plus also saw its hold slip, down 6.8pp to 4.5%. This equated to 17,634 deliveries in the month, down 47.6% year on year. The Li Auto L6 came third, having seen deliveries kick off in April 2024. It recorded a market share of 4.2% with 16,755 sales. With 14,263 units taking to China’s roads, the BYD Song Pro came fourth, down by 36.6% year on year. Accordingly, its market share hit 3.6%, down from 7.5% at the same point last year. With its first models being delivered in May 2024 the BYD Seal 06 came fifth in April 2025. It recorded 14,024 sales and held 3.5% of the market. Sixth went to the Chery Fengyun T6 with 12,826 units moved and a market share of 3.2%. Delivering 12,131 units, the BYD Qin L came seventh, representing 3.1% of all PHEV sales in the country. The Aito M9 finished eighth as its deliveries fell by 13.9% to 11,288 units. Compared to April 2024, its share fell by 1.5pp to 2.9%. Reaching 11,114 sales, the Galaxy Starship 7 claimed 2.8% of China’s PHEV market. The BYD Song L took a 2.8% share as well with 11,100 sales. Both models are relatively new to the market. Deliveries of the Starship 7 started in November 2024, while the Song L first hit the road in July 2024. BYD’s internal PHEV competition BYD continued to command the majority of the top 10 table between January and April. Seven models came directly from the carmaker, while one was from its Denza sub-brand. With 77,400 sales, the BYD Song Plus took a market share of 5.3% between January and April. The model has seen its grip on the market loosen slightly since the start of 2025, nearing its closest competitor. The BYD Qin Plus took a 4.6% share thanks to 67,412 sales, moving up to second in the table. While its cumulative hold is still behind the Song Plus, its monthly market hold is creeping closer to its sibling. Having been knocked down to third, the BYD Qin L took a 4.5% share between January and April. This was the result of 66,062 deliveries. The model is battling its BYD stablemate, the Qin Plus, which it overtook at the end of the first quarter. Yet its lower volume of registrations in April affected its position. The BYD Song Pro also fell, taking a 4.5% share with 65,805 sales. The Li Auto L6 came fifth with 4.2% of the market and 61,102 deliveries. The BYD Seal 06 followed with a 4% share and 58,255 new units handed over. Behind it was the Galaxy Starship 7 with a 3.7% hold and 53,400 sales. The BYD Song L came eighth having delivered 43,105 units, representing 2.9% of the Chinese PHEV market. The BYD Han was next, with 41,201 sales and a 2.8% share. Finally in 10th was the Denza D9, accounting for 2.4% of the market and reaching 34,842 deliveries.

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