Tesla lost its crown as the top electric vehicle seller in 2025 and China’s BYD passed the EV giant , which saw sales fall for the second straight year.Tesla is dealing with intensifying competition, the expiration of US tax credits and damage to the automaker’s brand due to CEO Elon Musk’s political rhetoric.
Whereas BYD is benefiting from rapid growth in Europe where the Chinese automaker has been widening its lead over the US rival.
Tesla’s sales for the full year dropped more than 8%, slightly steeper than analysts polled by Visible Alpha predicted, while sales in the fourth quarter slid more than 15%, wider than analysts anticipated as well.BYD said sales outside of China climbed about 150% from 2024.
Whereas BYD is benefiting from rapid growth in Europe where the Chinese automaker has been widening its lead over the US rival.
Tesla’s sales for the full year dropped more than 8%, slightly steeper than analysts polled by Visible Alpha predicted, while sales in the fourth quarter slid more than 15%, wider than analysts anticipated as well.BYD said sales outside of China climbed about 150% from 2024.
On a global basis, EV sales rose 28% last year.
Tesla shares fell more than one percent in morning trading.
One analyst told Reuters he thinks investors are focused on the company’s future in robotaxis and humanoid robots and ignoring delivery numbers.
Tesla in October launched stripped-down “Standard” versions of the Model Y and Model 3, priced about $5,000 below the previous base models to try to entice car buyers.
The move disappointed some investors who had expected a larger price cut or a meaningfully new mass-market product.
Even as vehicle deliveries have weakened, Tesla shares rose about 11.4% in 2025, boosting Musk’s wealth.
