BYD's European Sales Skyrocket Nearly Fivefold in September Amidst Aggressive Expansion

BYD Achieves Remarkable Sales Growth Across Europe

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has reported a substantial surge in its European new-car registrations for September, with figures increasing by nearly fivefold compared to the same period last year. According to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), BYD registered 24,963 new vehicles across Europe (including the EU, UK, and EFTA countries) last month, a staggering 398% increase from the 5,013 units recorded a year ago.

This impressive performance highlights BYD's accelerating penetration into the European automotive landscape. In the European Union (EU) alone, BYD's registrations more than tripled, reaching 13,221 vehicles, up 272.1% from 3,553 units in September of the previous year.

Shifting Market Dynamics: BYD Gains While Tesla Declines

BYD's robust growth comes at a time when its primary competitor, Tesla, experienced a downturn in European sales. Tesla's new-car registrations in Europe declined by 10.5% in September, totaling 39,837 vehicles. Within the EU, Tesla's registrations fell by 18.6% to 25,656 units. This divergence in performance has allowed BYD to significantly narrow the gap with the market leader.

The Chinese automaker's market share in Europe expanded to 2% in September, up from just 0.4% a year earlier. In the EU, BYD secured a 1.5% market share. The overall European new car market saw a 10.7% rise in September, reaching 1.237 million units across Europe, with the EU market growing by 10% to 888,672 units.

Strategic Expansion and Diversified Offerings Fuel Growth

BYD's success is attributed to a multi-faceted strategy that includes the launch of more models and a significant expansion of its sales network. The company currently offers 13 models in Europe, a considerable increase from six models two years prior. Its lineup includes popular models such as the BYD SEAL, SEAL U, DOLPHIN, ATTO 3, HAN, and TANG. A key differentiator for BYD is its diverse product portfolio, which encompasses both pure-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), unlike Tesla's exclusive focus on BEVs.

Looking ahead, BYD has ambitious plans for further entrenchment in the European market. The company aims to double its showrooms in Europe to 2,000 by 2026. Furthermore, BYD is establishing a new passenger car manufacturing facility in Hungary, with production anticipated to commence in October 2025. This localization strategy is part of BYD's broader goal to have all its models sold in Europe locally built by 2028, addressing potential trade barriers and supply chain efficiencies.

Outlook: A Growing Force in the European EV Landscape

For the first nine months of 2025, BYD's new car sales in Europe have already jumped by 300%, totaling 120,859 units. The company projects that exports will constitute approximately 20% of its global sales in 2025, a significant increase from about 10% in 2024. BYD forecasts between 800,000 to 1 million deliveries outside mainland China in 2025, underscoring its commitment to international growth. This aggressive expansion and strategic diversification position BYD as a formidable and rapidly growing force in the evolving European electric vehicle market.