Last updated: 2026-01-02 14:42:56 ET
Tesla’s rough year took it to its second straight annual sales decline, and saw it lose its global EV sales leadership to China’s BYD.
As the largest maker of electric vehicles in the United States, Tesla suffered more than other carmakers from the elimination of federal incentives.
China EV maker BYD has published preliminary sales data for 2025 that could put it ahead of Tesla when it comes to global sales.
BYD led China EV deliveries in 2025, though its December sales took a hit from the aggressive price war and weak domestic demand.
The milestone would cap an extraordinary rise for BYD, a company Tesla's Elon Musk once dismissed by laughing at their products.
It would mark the first time the Chinese firm has outpaced its American rival for annual sales.
