BYD Posts Record Monthly Sales in 2025 Despite Year-Over-Year Decline

BYD sold 480,186 New Energy Vehicles in November 2025, marking the company's strongest month of the year. The figure represents an 8.71 percent increase from October but continues a pattern that has emerged in recent months: the third consecutive month of year-over-year contraction, with sales down 5.25 percent from November 2024.

The PHEV Transition Completes Faster Than Expected

The November data reveals a significant powertrain divergence. BEV sales surged 19.93 percent year-over-year to 237,540 units. PHEV sales declined 22.41 percent to 237,381 units—the eighth consecutive month of contraction.

The shift reflects changing market preferences rather than product strategy adjustments. Chinese buyers are increasingly skipping the hybrid step, moving directly to full electric vehicles. PHEVs served as a gateway technology for consumers not ready to commit to full electric, but that transition phase appears to be completing faster than year-to-date numbers initially suggested. BYD's near-perfect split—2,066,002 BEVs versus 2,064,637 PHEVs through November—marks a notable inflection point.

The domestic market trajectory suggests BYD's 2026 product pipeline will likely reflect this shift with expanded BEV options across segments.

Export Growth Becomes the Primary Story

BYD exported 131,935 NEVs in November, up 325.91 percent year-over-year. The figure represents a 57.25 percent increase from October alone.

International markets are demonstrating increased acceptance of BYD as a recognised brand. Australia provides clear evidence of this trajectory: October 2025 sales jumped 147.6 percent year-over-year. The growth stems from systematic market penetration.

BYD Australia offered 5 models in 2024. That expanded to 8 offerings in 2025 and will reach 10 in early 2026 with the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8 launches.

The company's strategy focuses on portfolio completion rather than direct competition with established players on specifications. BYD is filling gaps within its own lineup—building a complete range that addresses every price point and vehicle type target markets demand.

Year-to-Date Context

Through November, BYD sold 4,182,038 NEVs, up 11.30 percent year-over-year. Overseas sales reached 912,911 vehicles, a 153.55 percent increase year-over-year.

Commercial NEV sales surged 213.29 percent year-over-year to 51,399 units, though the segment remains small compared to passenger vehicle sales of 4,130,639 units.

The monthly volatility reflects market composition changes rather than momentum loss. BYD's domestic base is maturing while international expansion accelerates. The year-over-year declines in recent months stem from PHEV contraction as the Chinese market completes its transition to full electric faster than 2024's strong hybrid sales suggested.

The apparent contradiction in monthly figures reflects underlying strategic repositioning as BYD adapts to shifting powertrain preferences in its home market while aggressively expanding its international footprint.

Source: BYD Nov Sales Annoucement