Chinese auto giant BYD reported a nearly threefold increase in European sales last month, marking a strong start to the year as its electric and hybrid vehicles remain in high demand on the continent.
BYD sales in Europe have skyrocketed every month since industry body ACEA began including the company in its data last summer.
New car registrations for BYD models, a reflection of sales, rose from 6,884 in January 2025 to 18,242 units last month in the EU, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, also known as ACEA.
BYD sales in Europe have skyrocketed every month – sometimes nearly fivefold – since ACEA began including the company in its data last summer, underscoring a growing appetite among European drivers for its lineup of vehicles that threatens established carmakers.
Germany’s Volkswagen reported a 3.8% decline in European sales last month, with BMW and Renault registrations down 5.7% and 15% respectively, according to ACEA data. Although those companies still sold far more vehicles in Europe than BYD, the declining figures are evidence that the domestic carmaker is facing stiff competition from its Chinese rival.
Earlier this month, Jeep maker Stellantis said it would take a charge of about $26 billion as part of a move away from electric vehicles amid lower-than-expected demand. Many automakers in recent years have had to review their lineups and reduce EV production as they struggle to convince drivers to make the switch to electric.
BYD overtook Elon Musk’s Tesla in Europe last month. New car registrations for Tesla models fell 17% to 8,075 units in January, according to ACEA data, weakening sales at Elon Musk’s EV maker that had accelerated last year amid the billionaire’s temporary involvement with the Trump administration, the expiration of federal EV tax credits in the US and customer backlash against stiffer competition.
Tesla’s global sales fell about 1% in 2024 and 9% last year. BYD recently dethroned Tesla as the world’s largest EV seller.
ACEA data showed that sales of battery-electric vehicles in Europe rose nearly 14% year on year in January. Registrations of hybrid-electric cars increased by 6.4%, while plug-in-hybrid models increased by 32%.
ACEA said passenger-car registrations fell 3.5% across Europe and 3.9% in the EU, with sales down 6.6% in both Germany and France, but up 6.2% in Italy.
