What is BYD? The company that's dethroned Tesla as world's biggest EV maker

article

FILE-A visitor checks out the Chinese automaker BYD Dolphin electric car on display at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show 2024 in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, on March 30, 2024. (Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto

Expand

China’s BYD ousted Tesla as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, marking the first time it surpassed the Elon Musk-led automaker in annual sales. 

In 2025, BYD sold 2.26 million vehicles compared to Tesla, which sold 1.64 million cars last year, representing a 9% decline from a year earlier, the Associated Press reported.

The New York Times reported that a growing number of those car sales happened outside China, mainly in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Chinese electric vehicles are effectively banned from the United States by high tariffs.

What is BYD?

The backstory:

BYD Auto was founded in 2003 and is an automotive subsidiary of BYD, a multinational high-tech company focused on leveraging technological innovations. According to the company’s website, BYD Auto develops pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

The organization noted on its website that it’s the world's first automaker to halt the production of fossil-fueled cars on the electric vehicle shift and has remained on top for new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 10 years in a row.

How much do BYD electric vehicles cost?

By the numbers:

BYD manufactures different electric vehicles like the BYD Dolphin and the HAN, which is displayed on the company's website, although the price isn’t listed. 

But in August 2025, BYD introduced the Atto 1 at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, which is priced around $12,000, FOX News reported. 

And there’s also the BYD Seagull, which costs $8,000, and it’s the company’s best-selling EV, Inside EVs reported.