While he dethroned Tesla last year, becoming the market leader in the electric car, Byd is now faced with big difficulties in China.
The boom in electric cars upsets the world automotive industry. Between the historic manufacturers who must convert their range, and the new players who try to win, the market becomes more and more competitive. This is particularly the case in China, where more than a hundred brands argue the cake. A situation that complicates the task to many actors, even to giants like Byd. The latter is precisely in difficulty currently.
The byd machine in overheating
Byd, considered as Tesla’s most serious rival for a while, has been going through a complicated period. The Chinese manufacturer, one of the main players in the transition to the 100% electric, is found today with A gargantuan stock of cars invented on the arms. We are talking about more than 340,000 vehicles here, that sleep in the parking lots of factories and concessions. An overproduction, which had led the Chinese giant to slow down the cadence a few days ago.
However, Byd continues to grow. The manufacturer saw its sales increase by 59% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The problem is that byd’s growth is lower than that of the Chinese market. In the first quarter, sales climbed 5.5% in China, while the electric car market increased by 45% at the same time. In question, the multiplication of actors in China. At present, more than a hundred brands are competing for the Chinese market share.
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Byd produced much more cars than it sold. Result: 340,000 copies remain on his arms in China.
Electric cars: a under tension market
The rapid growth of the electric market causes many turbulence. Historical manufacturers must manage both their technological transition and the massive arrival of new players. Overproduction, as is the case for Byd, leads to an accumulation of stocks difficult to sell. When vehicles are piled up, brands sell their models, triggering Prix wars that weaken the entire sector, including its margins.
Unlike many of its Chinese competitors, Byd took the lead by establishing themselves in Europe, thus avoiding total dependence on its domestic market. The Asian giant already markets several models there at very aggressive prices, such as the Dolphin Surf, recently launched in France at less than 20,000 euros.
This international presence could offer byd a puff of oxygen. Nevertheless, she exposes it to other hazards, including customs duties. We see it right now, the geopolitical context is rather conducive to changes in this area. Without forgetting, moreover, that The growth of the electric market is not as strong as in China.
