In May 2025, BYD delivered a stunning performance in the five core markets of Europe – the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain: monthly sales reached 10,199 units, crushing Tesla by an absolute advantage of 6,619 units, and writing a new chapter on the international stage. In Germany, known as the “bridgehead of European automobiles”, BYD’s sales soared 824% year-on-year; the UK market soared 408%, exceeding 3,000 units in a single month; and Spain’s sales were three times that of Tesla! Behind the impressive figures is a difficult counterattack that lasted four years, from “no one cares” to “leader”.
The “Long March of Blood and Tears” from 100 units per month to 10,000 units
Back in 2021, when BYD’s new energy vehicles first landed in Europe, monthly sales in the five countries of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain only hovered between dozens and hundreds of units. German dealers once shook their heads: “Europeans only recognize local brands.” In 2023, the EU’s “anti-subsidy investigation” made matters worse, imposing a 27% tariff on BYD. But BYD chose to “fight to the death.” Localization breakthrough: At the end of 2023, the foundation of the Szeged factory in Hungary was laid, becoming the first passenger car base of a Chinese auto company in the European Union; self-built lifeline: Investing heavily in building a fleet of 8 ro-ro ships, the world’s largest “Shenzhen” cuts through the waves to ensure the supply chain; product battle: 10 models will be launched within 3 years, and the launch of Seagull will detonate the European small car market.
Simultaneous victory in the Asian battlefield
In Singapore, BYD retained its title as the sales champion among all brands from January to May 2025; its sales in Malaysia surpassed Tesla; its sales in Thailand continued to achieve “phenomenal” results; even in the most exclusive Japanese market, the Hiace 07EV helped BYD enter the top ten imported car sales for the first time.
Winning glory for the country: Chinese cars rewrite global rules
“Some people once said that BYD has ‘no presence’ in Europe,” a BYD overseas manager said, pointing to the early negative reports from self-media. Now, BYD fights back with hard power: Europe’s new energy market share will exceed 6% in 2025, and sales from January to April will reach 55,000 vehicles, close to the total for the whole year of 2024! The UK’s sales in the first four months have exceeded 10,000, and Germany has suppressed Tesla for two consecutive months. This counterattack is far more than sales. When BYD’s European headquarters stood in Budapest, and when the megawatt flash charging technology made foreign media exclaim “China speed”, the world finally saw clearly: China’s automobile industry has transformed from a “follower” to a “rule maker”. As CNBC said: “BYD is using technology and ecology to reshape the global industrial logic!”
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