BYD Leads China NEV Market in April as Tesla Drops Out of Top 10

BYD continued to dominate the new energy vehicle market in China during April, maintaining its position as the country’s largest NEV manufacturer despite lower retail sales volumes. Data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed that BYD recorded passenger NEV retail sales of 182,025 units in April. The figure represented a 32.3% decline compared to the same month last year and a 6.2% drop from March. Even with weaker volumes, BYD secured a commanding 21.4% market share in China’s NEV segment, although this was slightly below the 22.8% share it held in March.

Geely Auto remained the second-largest player in China’s NEV market during April. The company achieved retail sales of 95,585 NEVs, reflecting a 19.6% year-on-year decline and a 1.3% decrease compared to March. Geely captured an 11.1% market share, reducing the gap with BYD. Meanwhile, Changan Automobile ranked third with NEV retail sales of 64,471 units. Unlike several competitors, Changan posted positive annual growth, with monthly NEV sales increasing 6.4% year-on-year while securing a 7.6% market share.

Tesla Falls Out of China’s Top 10 NEV Rankings

Tesla experienced one of the sharpest declines among major NEV manufacturers in China during April. The US electric vehicle maker recorded retail sales of 25,956 units, marking a 9.66% decline from the previous year and a steep 53.74% drop from March. The significant decrease caused Tesla to fall outside the top 10 rankings for NEV retail sales in China. The company’s reduced performance contrasted sharply with its earlier standing in the market, highlighting increased competitive pressure from domestic automakers.

Nio ranked tenth in China’s NEV retail market during April with sales of 29,312 units, representing a 22.6% increase year-on-year despite a 17.2% monthly decline. The company captured a 3.5% market share during the month. In March, Nio had ranked seventh with retail sales of 35,383 units and a 4.2% market share. Li Auto secured eighth place in April after reporting retail sales of 34,085 units. The automaker captured a 4.0% market share and achieved marginal annual growth of 0.4%.

China NEV Retail Sales Rankings for April 2025

During the January-to-April period, BYD maintained the leading position in China’s NEV market with cumulative retail sales of 559,029 units, accounting for a 20.3% market share. However, the automaker’s sales were down 42.1% year-on-year. Geely Auto followed with cumulative NEV sales of 361,198 units and a 13.1% market share, reflecting an 18.0% decline from the same period last year. Tesla ranked fifth in cumulative NEV retail sales during the first four months of the year, delivering 138,754 units and capturing a 5.0% market share despite a 15.1% year-on-year decline.

BYD and Geely Lead Overall Passenger Vehicle Market

In the broader passenger vehicle market, which includes both NEVs and traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, BYD also secured the top position in April. The company held a 13.2% market share across the overall passenger car retail segment. Geely Auto ranked second with sales of 152,493 vehicles and an 11.0% market share, while Changan Automobile placed third after recording sales of 94,142 units and a 6.8% share.

Tesla once again failed to enter the top 10 rankings in the broader passenger car retail market during April. Over the January-April period, Geely ranked first in overall passenger car sales with 678,772 units and a 12.1% market share, while BYD ranked second with a 10.0% share. BYD exclusively manufactures NEV models, including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Tesla focuses solely on battery electric vehicles, whereas Geely and Changan maintain both NEV and traditional fuel vehicle product portfolios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tesla fall out of China’s top 10 NEV rankings in April?
Tesla dropped out of China’s top 10 NEV retail rankings after recording a sharp monthly sales decline in April. The company sold 25,956 vehicles in China during the month, which represented a 53.74% decrease from March and a 9.66% decline year-on-year. Increasing competition from domestic Chinese automakers such as BYD, Geely Auto, and Changan Automobile also contributed to Tesla’s weaker market position. The decline highlights growing pressure in China’s rapidly expanding and highly competitive electric vehicle sector.

Which company led China’s NEV market in April?
BYD remained the largest new energy vehicle manufacturer in China during April with retail sales of 182,025 passenger NEVs. The company captured a 21.4% market share despite reporting lower sales compared to the previous year and month. BYD maintained a significant lead over Geely Auto, which ranked second with a market share of 11.1%. The automaker also continued leading the broader passenger vehicle market, supported by its exclusive focus on battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle production.