Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD continues to surprise by recording around 4.6 million vehicle sales in 2025.
This figure puts BYD in sixth place in the global ranking, thus overtaking Ford which recorded almost 4.4 million units after the company's wholesale sales decreased by almost 2%.
This change in position shows that the global automotive industry competition is now increasingly influenced by the aggressive growth of Chinese brands, especially in the EV and plug-in hybrid segments.
Although the global EV market showed signs of slowing in early 2026, BYD continued to grow thanks to an aggressive export strategy to Europe, Asia and South America.
BYD's exports reportedly exceeded one million units in 2025, proving that the company is no longer completely dependent on the Chinese domestic market.
This momentum is also aided by a broader product portfolio, from electric sedans to hybrid SUVs, making the brand more easily accepted in various markets.
Meanwhile, Toyota maintained its status as the world’s number one carmaker for the sixth consecutive year with global sales of around 11.3 million units, up 4.6% from the previous year.
This performance was largely driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles in the United States and Japan, as well as stable sales in China despite increasingly fierce competition. Toyota’s success shows that its gradual electrification strategy through hybrids remains relevant amid the uncertainty of full EV demand.
From an industry perspective, this shift in power reflects a major shift in the competitive landscape. BYD is growing rapidly with more technologically and price-competitive models, while Ford is facing the challenges of a transition to EVs that are squeezing profit margins and making it difficult to grow in key markets such as China and Europe.
At the same time, traditional manufacturers such as Volkswagen are also continuing to adapt their operations to new cost pressures and competition.
Overall, the 2025 sales data paints a clear picture that the global automotive landscape is changing faster than expected. The long-standing dominance of Western companies is increasingly being challenged by the emergence of Asian players who are more agile in EV technology and export strategies.
If this momentum continues, the global rankings of car manufacturers may see even greater changes in the coming years.
