Tesla Annual Sales Decline 9% as it’s Overtaken By BYD as Global EV Leader

Tesla sales drop 9% in 2025 as BYD overtakes it as the world’s top EV maker—here’s why it matters
Matilda
Tesla Annual Sales Decline 9% as it’s Overtaken By BYD as Global EV Leader
Tesla Sales Drop Marks Historic Shift in EV Leadership For the first time in over a decade, Tesla is no longer the world’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. The company reported a 9% year-over-year decline in global deliveries for 2025, shipping just 1.63 million vehicles compared to 1.79 million in 2024. Meanwhile, China’s BYD has surged ahead, cementing its position as the new global EV leader. What’s behind Tesla’s stumble—and what does it mean for the future of electric mobility? Credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images BYD’s Breakthrough Year BYD, once known primarily for budget-friendly electric buses and batteries, has executed a stunning turnaround in the global auto market. With a diversified lineup spanning affordable sedans to premium SUVs—and critical backing from China’s robust supply chain—the company delivered an estimated 2.1 million battery-electric vehicles in 2025. That figure excludes plug-in hybrids, which would push its total even higher. Unlike Tesla, w…