BYD Down 21% & PHEVs Down 7% YoY — August 2025 China EV Gross sales Report

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BEVs represented over a 3rd of the full Chinese language automotive market in August.

We noticed plugins rating one other million-plus gross sales in August (in a 2-million-unit general market, up 5% YoY), however progress has been slowing down, with August displaying simply an 8% improve over August 2024.

Digging deeper into the numbers, BEVs continued to develop, going up by 17% to 686,000 items, or 34% of general gross sales. PHEVs have been down once more, this time by 7% YoY, to 314,000 items. EREVS have been steady, at 100,000 items. Plugins due to this fact achieved 55% market share.

Have we reached a turning level in PHEV adoption? To be continued…

This pulls the year-to-date (YTD) tally to over 7.6 million items. So, we should always see plugins finish the yr above 10 million items — in China alone….

This end in August pulled the 2025 share to 55%. BEV share of the market rose to 34%. Anticipate to see plugins proceed to develop its share within the following months. For now, plugins have 51% of the full auto market this yr (32% only for BEVs), which signifies that most new vehicles offered in China this yr have a plug!

(Might China attain 55% plugin car share by yr finish?)

Relating to EV exports, in August, there have been 204,000 EVs exported from China, up 103% YoY. They represented 41% of the full variety of passenger vehicles exported from China, which signifies that exports are much less electrified than home gross sales.

Which means that Chinese language OEMs are versatile and observe the slower EV adoption tempo of export markets, which, come to consider it, is type of ironic. We hear some folks with energy say that, if we delay EV adoption, we save the native automotive business, as a result of the Chinese language received’t come and steal their cake….

Within the general rating, in August, totally fossil-fueled fashions had simply two representatives within the high 10. The perfect positioned was the Nissan Sylphy in fifth, a surprisingly good standing for the compact sedan, which really grew in gross sales by 16% YoY. Nissan had one other optimistic month, so there’s nonetheless hope for the Japanese carmaker in China, however extra on that later.

With the opposite 100% ICE mannequin (the Volkswagen Lavida) closing out the highest 10, I consider it is going to be solely a matter of time earlier than now we have only one pure ICE consultant within the desk. However evidently eliminating the Nissan sedan received’t be straightforward….

Taking a look at the most effective sellers in a number of measurement classes, all however the C phase (compact vehicles) have plugins main the way in which. Actually, the C phase is the one phase the place ICE fashions nonetheless have representatives.

Contemplating the suggestions on my earlier China EV gross sales report, I’ve modified the segmentation of some fashions, together with the BYD Qin Plus, which went from the D phase to the C phase.

In all different classes, ICE fashions have been absent. This can be a recurring theme. So, evidently the C phase is the toughest of all to transform into EVs.

Taking a look at particular person fashions, the largest shock was the rostrum for the total measurement class. On one hand, Xiaomi’s SU7 sports activities sedan was overwhelmed by the AITO M8, with the large SUV profitable the class title in August. However, Xiaomi had its new child, the Ferrari-looking YU7 crossover, attain the class podium, because of 16,548 items in solely its third month in the marketplace. I guess it received’t be lengthy earlier than the YU7 will develop into the brand new chief on this class

One other subject to focus on is the rise and rise of the Geely Xingyuan, which is now promoting greater than its direct rivals, the BYD Seagull and Yuan Up … collectively!

Right here’s extra data and commentary on August’s high promoting electrical fashions:

#1 — Geely Geome Xingyuan

Geely has struck gold with this one. After plenty of failed makes an attempt to launch fashions that may keep in the most effective sellers desk (Galaxy L6, Galaxy E5, and so forth.), the Hangzhou make lastly discovered the profitable method to not solely beat BYD, but additionally win the management race within the fierce Chinese language automotive market. With BYD proudly owning a lot of the market segments, because of a number of well-liked fashions, the little Xingyuan profited from the truth that BYD was underrepresented within the decrease segments, which had left an area between the A to B phase Seagull and the B to C phase Dolphin. With pricing and specs nearer to the Seagull, however with an inside area and high quality nearer to the Dolphin, the small Geely carved out an area of its personal, which has been increasing in each passing month. This August, the small hatchback stayed within the management spot, managing as soon as once more to proceed in report mode (for the eighth month in a row!) because of a finest ever rating of 46,057 items. Beginning with an 80,000 CNY (+/-$11,000) value, the client will get a 30 kWh LFP battery from CATL, which is nothing to jot down dwelling about till you notice that its value is nearer to the BYD Seagull’s (70,000 CNY for the 30 kWh model) than the BYD Dolphin’s (100,000 CNY). Exports? Absolutely that have to be on the playing cards. However first Geely might want to end the manufacturing ramp-up and fulfill its personal inside market.

#2 — Tesla Mannequin Y

Final yr’s silver medalist had an okay month in August, dropping simply 13% YoY to 39,413 deliveries, however nonetheless permitting it a podium place. With the longer, 6-seat “L” model simply touchdown, Tesla is attempting to cease the gross sales bleed. Will it be capable to return to the good outdated days? Except Elon has a trick up his sleeve, I very a lot doubt it, particularly with new competitors just like the Xiaomi YU7 and others prefer it. The YU7 obtained a whole bunch of 1000’s of locked-in orders inside hours. These orders have to come back from someplace, and with the market already at 50% share, it received’t be simply from ICE fashions…. Yep, Tesla, but additionally BYD, will undergo.

#3 — Wuling HongGuang Mini EV

This tiny EV is taking full revenue from its era change, which occurred late final yr. It’s now again among the many high sellers, and in August it collected 37,828 registrations, a big 43% improve year-on-year. Because of a extra rounded design, which type of jogs my memory of the face of a Panda, and upgraded specs and interiors, SAIC’s smallest hatchback has misplaced its barebones really feel. It now seems extra car-like. Wuling even affords a five-door model! Regardless of all of this, the value hasn’t elevated that a lot, with SAIC’s star mannequin beginning at $5,500.

#4 — BYD Qin Plus (BEV+PHEV)

The outdated canine as soon as once more joined the highest 5 in August, because of 35,800 registrations, a moderately meritworthy efficiency, regardless of being down by a big 16% YoY. In spite of everything, in the identical interval, its brother in arms, the Tune, was down by … 52%! Again to the Qin’s efficiency, this quantity meant that it was the most effective promoting sedan in China, all powertrains counted. The 7-year-old physique may be displaying some wrinkles, however the low costs nonetheless present important demand for the sedan. The query is — for a way lengthy? To make issues worse, it doesn’t appear like its offspring are in a position to fill the gaps that the Qin Plus is leaving (in August, the Qin L was down by 29% YoY and the Seal 06 was down by 17%).

#5 — BYD Seal 06 (BEV+PHEV)

BYD’s midsize sedan scored 27,414 registrations, which was a 17% drop YoY. Because the sexier sibling of the extra conservative Qin L, the volumes of each fashions counted collectively (over 52,000 items) characterize a related portion of the midsize sedan market, however however, each nameplates are down considerably this yr. A aggressive value can solely get you thus far. With an more and more aggressive market, each BYD fashions are on a descending curve. Non permanent setback? Time will inform.

Taking a look at the remainder of the most effective vendor desk, one spotlight within the BYD steady is the brand new Sealion 06 crossover, leaping into the desk at #7 with over 25,000 registrations. Maybe not coincidentally, each the Tune (-52% YoY) and Tune L (-33% YoY) had harsh drops, whereas within the decrease segments, the Seagull had a stunning crash, with its gross sales falling by 51% YoY! Within the compact class, the Yuan Plus additionally crashed, falling 56% YoY to fewer than 12,000 registrations. On the optimistic facet, the BYD Seal 05 joined the desk at #19 because of 13,495 registrations, a brand new report for the refreshed mannequin, beforehand referred to as the Destroyer 05.

Elsewhere, in August, now we have two contemporary faces (the Haval Raptor and Xiaomi YU7), and one other that doesn’t come by typically (Leapmotor C10).

The presence of Nice Wall’s Haval Raptor was little question essentially the most stunning presence on the desk this month, with the rugged midsize SUV debuting within the high 20 because of a report 17,522 registrations. Is it a one-time factor, or will we see this good-looking brute once more?

Whereas the Raptor’s presence was essentially the most stunning, the YU7’s is essentially the most important. With Xiaomi’s sporty crossover becoming a member of the desk in solely its third month in the marketplace, one wonders how excessive it would go as soon as manufacturing is totally ramped up. The #1 spot in China is unquestionably a risk for the YU7.

Lastly, there’s Leapmotor’s midsize crossover, the C10. With the startup producing a seemingly endless streak of aggressive, value-for-money-focused autos, it was solely a query of time till they began showing on the desk. Benefiting from a latest refresh, the C10 obtained sufficient momentum to succeed in the #20 place, because of 13,384 registrations. And one thing tells me this received’t be the final Leapmotor on the desk….

… As a result of outdoors the highest 20, now we have the not too long ago launched Leapmotor B01 compact sedan, scoring 10,171 registrations in solely its third month in the marketplace. So, this might be one other main vendor for the Hangzhou startup.

Apart from the Leapmotor sedan, a couple of different not too long ago launched fashions are ramping up manufacturing.

Onvo, NIO’s mainstream model, has thrown every thing and the kitchen sink into its new L90 three-row, full-size SUV, together with a killer value ($37,000). That is the mannequin that might save or break Onvo, and with it, NIO. And, for now, issues are wanting good, having landed with 10,575 items, the most effective landings ever. This is among the fashions to maintain an in depth eye on within the coming months.

Elsewhere, in a uncommon vibrant spot for overseas manufacturers, the ramp-up of the Nissan N7 midsize sedan continues, scoring a big 10,148 registrations, its first 5 digit efficiency. This can be a good signal for Nissan’s fortunes in China, even when the mannequin is predicated on a Dongfeng platform. This might be one path for the way forward for overseas OEMs in China — utilizing native platforms to develop their new EVs, and on the similar time studying and shutting the hole they’ve in comparison with the native OEMs.

Relating to home legacy OEMs, one spotlight was the Chery Fulwin A9L, with the moderately enticing full-size plugin hybrid sedan scoring 10,243 registrations in its full gross sales month. In the meantime, within the Geely steady, the Galaxy A7, the make’s new try to beat BYD’s midsize sedans, began on the suitable foot wheel by scoring 12,078 registrations in its first full month.

However, for some to go up, others have to come back down. Two examples of fashions which have seen higher days are the Wuling Bingo, which is down 46% YoY, to 12,078 registrations, and the Li Xiang L6, down an astonishing 55% YoY. The L6 is affected by altering buyer tastes — evidently PHEVs aren’t cool anymore — and in addition the upcoming arrival of the Li i6, the smaller sibling of the brand new Li Xiang i8 BEV.

The 20 Finest Promoting Electrical Automobiles in China — January–August 2024

The king is useless, lengthy reside the king! The Geely Xingyuan is the brand new chief in China!

Yep, wanting on the 2025 rating, the little hatchback managed to surpass the growing older BYD Tune, and contemplating present gross sales traits, it appears the Geely mannequin received’t go away that place anytime quickly.

If this development will get confirmed and the Xingyuan wins the title this yr, it is going to be a primary for the Chinese language conglomerate, and the tip of a three-year reign of the BYD Tune. And to assume that, up till this yr, no mannequin from the Geely mothership had even made it to the rostrum….

Phase-wise, this might even be a big change. After two years of podiums made up completely of midsize fashions, 2025 might be the yr that small vehicles regain protagonism on the rostrum.

In spite of everything, the #3 Tesla Mannequin Y has the tiny Wuling Mini EV simply 5,000 items behind. So, though the US crossover stays the favourite for the bronze medal, it’s not unattainable that the little metropolis automotive might finish in third. Now, think about that — two small EVs on the Chinese language podium! And other people say that small EVs aren’t aggressive….

Additionally attention-grabbing to see within the present standing is that now we have 4 fashions on the highest positions, from 4 completely different manufacturers! Hurrah for range!

Slightly below the rostrum, there was one other place change. Regardless of a so so month in August, the BYD Qin Plus benefitted from a horrible month from the BYD Seagull (down 51% YoY) to surpass it and attain the fifth spot.

Beneath the highest positions, there was excellent news for Tesla, with the Mannequin 3 climbing one place in August, to #11. The US sedan misplaced simply 2% of its gross sales in comparison with August 2024.

The Climber of the Month was the BYD Yuan Up, which jumped from 18th to fifteenth place.

Lastly, benefiting from the BYD Han being in sundown mode, the BYD Dolphin returned to the desk, changing the growing older flagship BYD at #19.

Wanting on the general producer rating (not simply electrics), it appears BYD has discovered the demand ceiling in its home market. In August, it noticed its gross sales drop by a big 21% YoY, the second month in a row of great drops, after the 17% lower of July.

However, #2 Geely is much from these points, having seen its gross sales bounce 84% this yr. That is whereas most overseas representatives are both stagnating or seeing gross sales drop. Most, however not all — Nissan was tenth because of enviable 25% progress YoY. With optimistic performances in each the ICE (Sylphy) and EV (N7) enterprise, the Japanese model exhibits that there’s nonetheless hope for overseas manufacturers.

Beneath Nissan, now we have the opposite spotlight of the month — fast-growing Leapmotor was at #11, because of virtually 51,000 registrations. That’s an 83% bounce YoY. The startup is at the moment on the high of its sport, and now that it has develop into worthwhile, the Valley of Loss of life is behind the nine-year-old startup. A high 5 place appears not solely doable, however doubtless.

However Leapmotor’s startup management might be short-lived, as a result of there should not one however two unstoppable trains coming from behind Leapmotor. One is known as Xiaomi (#17 in August, up 178% YoY), whereas the opposite is Xpeng (#20, up 201% YoY). Which one in all them would be the finest promoting EV startup in 2025? Please place your bets.

However, it’s not solely overseas manufacturers which are struggling. Native groups are down too, and presumably essentially the most stunning is Li Auto, which noticed its gross sales drop a big 41% in August, ending the month at #22. With a PHEV-heavy lineup, the startup firm is affected by the nation’s obvious shift in the direction of BEVs. Might this be extra proof that now we have reached Peak PHEV?

Oh, and there’s the NIO model. The premium positioning of the make was all the time going to undergo from the launch of the extra mainstream Onvo model. Particularly now that they’ve a aggressive mannequin, the L90. And that exhibits in NIO’s gross sales, that are falling by the roof. They dropped in August to half of what they have been a yr earlier than….

Auto Manufacturers Promoting the Most Electrical Automobiles in China

Wanting on the auto model rating for plugin autos, there isn’t a lot information. BYD (25.8%, down from 26%) continued its sluggish descent, however has its management place secured this yr. #2 Geely (10.2%) is simply too far behind to hassle in any manner.

Wuling (5%) stayed within the #3 spot, however misplaced a few of its benefit over Tesla, which gained some share (4.8% now vs. 4.7% in July).

Which means that, with two thirds of the yr handed, for the primary time since 2019, Tesla can’t attain the rostrum of the Chinese language EV producer desk. Will this standing keep this fashion till the tip of the yr?

Elsewhere, a rising Leapmotor (3.9%, up from 3.8% in July) has gained floor over #6 Li Auto, which continues to slip (3.5% now vs. 3.6% in July). Actually, #7 Xpeng (3.3%) is getting near it. Will the Guangzhou startup be capable to surpass Li Auto in September, or will it have to attend for This fall?

Auto Teams Promoting the Most Electrical Automobiles in China

Taking a look at OEMs/automotive teams/alliances, BYD is comfortably main, with 29% share of the market.

#2 Geely is a distant runner-up, with 12.4% share, however with #3 Changan having simply 6.5% share, Geely is secure within the runner-up place.

As for #4 SAIC (5.7%), it’s steady and will stay in 4th till the tip of the yr.

Tesla (4.8%, up 0.1% in August) remained in fifth, however Tesla’s 2024 #3 spot within the OEM rating appears virtually unattainable to attain, and it might even be the case that there will likely be no Tesla on any podium — fashions, manufacturers, or OEMs — for the primary time since 2019!

Luckily for the US model, #6 Chery (4.1%) is simply too far behind to develop into an actual risk to its #5 place.