Tesla’s China sales climb in the first two months of 2026 while BYD numbers drop
CHENGDU, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Two women pass by a Tesla store on September 28, 2024 in Chengdu, China. Tesla continues to expand its presence in China by showcasing its electric vehicles and introducing Gigafactory innovations. (Photo: Cheng Xin/Getty Images)
Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Tesla’s Sales of Chinese-made electric vehicles increased year-on-year in the first two months of 2026, regaining lost ground against China’s BYD.
Total sales of Tesla’s Chinese-made electric vehicles for January and February rose more than 35% to 127,728, from 93,926 the previous year. data It was released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Thursday.
The figure has been adjusted to account for a slowdown in seasonal sales during the two-week Chinese New Year holiday in mid-February.
The total sales volume of Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, which produces Model 3 and Model Y for domestic and international markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific and other regions, was second only to BYD, which reported a 36% year-on-year decline in deliveries during the same period.
BYD unseated Tesla as the world’s largest EV seller on a calendar-year basis for the first time in 2025, but Tesla’s latest delivery figures show demand remains relatively healthy, with total sales volume of Tesla’s Chinese-made EVs still more than double that of nearest automaker Leapmotor.
Reuters also reported Last week, new registrations for Tesla’s EVs, a gauge of sales, rose broadly across Europe in February, with many of them exported from Tesla’s Shanghai factory.
tough competition
Still, there is little indication that the American automaker is ready to match BYD’s outsize lead in domestic and international sales.
BYD’s new Blade battery and charging capabilities — launched The ability to charge from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes was announced last week with a highly acclaimed technique. overcoming common concerns Above EV battery ranges.
BYD’s growing overseas footprint also allows the Shenzhen-based automaker to maintain a strong lead over domestic rivals, with export figures exceeding domestic sales for the first time in February.
“BYD’s protection is exports — [the company’s] “Overseas sales exceed 1 million units for the first time in 2025, a buffer that purely domestic competitors cannot match,” Leon Cheng, head of mobility practice at management consulting firm YCP, told CNBC.
Other automakers in China have also become increasingly competitive by offering a wider range of features at more affordable prices, undercutting both BYD and Tesla’s sales.
In February, Geely’s Xingyuan became the best-selling car model in China, surpassing offers from Tesla and BYD. data From Autohome. In the previous month, Xiaomi’s The YU7 SUV took the title of best-selling car in China from Tesla’s Model Y.
The CPCA noted in its report that March’s finalized sales figures may provide a better indication of the direction of the broader EV market.
“As various industries quickly return to normal activities after the Spring Festival holiday, the monthly increase in production and sales in March will be quite rapid,” the CPCA wrote.
“The period following the Spring Festival is a very important period for new product launches, with many manufacturers launching a large number of new models,” the association said. he added.
— CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng contributed to this report.
