Since it stopped manufacturing combustion-powered cars, almost four years ago, it ended 2025 with impressive numbers considering sales of so-called “new energy” vehicles (NEVs). Company figures show 4.149 million units sold worldwide, a record. The number places BYD in first place in the ranking of electrified brands and represents the sum of the second, third and fourth placed: Tesla sold 1.6 million units, Geely 1.2 million and Volkswagen sold 983 thousand vehicles last year.
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New energy vehicles are automobiles that use alternative energy sources to traditional fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, focusing on electrification to reduce pollutant emissions. This category includes battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV).
Opportunity with security!
Considering the other brands of the BYD group — Denza, which has just arrived in Brazil, Fangchengbao and Yangwang, the total number of electrified cars sold in the world last year rises to 4.6 million. In China, the group sold 4.1 million units in the past, also well ahead of historical manufacturers such as Volkswagen (1.866 million units sold in the Asian country) and Toyota (1.560 million).
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China is the world’s largest market
Electrified vehicles have become popular and competitive in China, a market that will represent almost two-thirds of global electric vehicle sales in 2024. But, after 15 years of subsidies for electric car sales, the Chinese government is putting its foot on the brakes, as the segment is consolidated. There is even a price war to attract consumers, which should lead to smaller automakers being bought by larger ones — or even closing their doors, according to experts.
For Antonio Jorge Martins, coordinator of automotive courses at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), in São Paulo, the Chinese market must go through a consolidation process. Meanwhile, surplus production will be sold to other countries, including Brazil.
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But the Chinese internationalization movement has challenges. Tariff barriers against Chinese-made electric and hybrid cars increased between 2024 and 2025, driven by governments’ fears of unfair competition due to Chinese state subsidies.
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The United States has imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, making imports unviable. The European Union confirmed additional tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese vehicles, which, added to the standard 10% import tax, could increase the rate to more than 45%. Canada has imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric cars since October 2024.
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In Brazil, the Brazilian government resumed the progressive collection of import taxes for electric and hybrid vehicles. The rates will reach 35%, with the aim of encouraging local production. BYD began production last year in Camaçari, where three models are already being produced: the Dolphin Mini, a 100% electric hatch, the Song Pro, a plug-in hybrid SUV, with a flex hybrid engine, and the King, a plug-in hybrid sedan. The Chinese automaker’s investment in the complex is R$5.5 billion.
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Also Chinese GWM is already producing its electrified vehicles in São Paulo and GM has started assembling its entry-level electric car, the Spark, in Horizonte, Ceará, in the former Troller factory. The Spark is a vehicle designed and originally produced in China, where it is sold as the Baojun Yep Plus.
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In Brazil, BYD had 111,683 cars registered in 2025, growth of more than 47% compared to the previous year. The brand closed 2025 in fifth place in the retail sales ranking, with a 9.57% market share, surpassing traditional automakers such as Toyota and Honda.
