The UK is now the biggest export market for BYD as sales explode by 880%
Published on Jan 07, 2026 at 11:29 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jan 07, 2026 at 1:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The UK has become the largest export market for BYD, after seeing a huge surge in sales last year, and Tesla is struggling to compete.
Last year was a wild ride for the EV industry. In the US, sales hit new highs in August and September, before dropping after the federal tax credit was scrapped.
However, things have been a little smoother for Chinese-EV makers, like BYD.
Despite not selling its EVs in the US market, BYD has had an incredible year when it comes to sales.
DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
BYD had a seriously strong sales year in 2025
BYD’s affordable fleet of EVs helped it see off the competition in 2025.
In October, it was revealed that the Chinese brand had overtaken Tesla to become the best-selling EV maker in the world.
BYD shipped a staggering 2.26 million EVs in 2025, compared to the 1.64 million units sold by Tesla.
While its cars sell well in China, BYD is also huge when it comes to exports.
Around a third of its sales in December were exports, and when it comes to its most popular market, the UK stands out.
BYD sales were up a mind-boggling 880 percent year over year in the United Kingdom, boosted by sales of its plug-in hybrid version of the Seal U.
And BYD isn’t the only Chinese carmaker becoming more popular in the UK, other marques, including MG and Chery, have also been selling well.
In fact, Chinese-made vehicles accounted for 9.7 percent of the 2 million new cars registered in the UK last year, around 196,000 vehicles.
The Chinese carmaker has big plans for this year
With a very strong year behind it, BYD isn’t resting on its laurels.
The company has set itself an ambitious overseas sales target of 1.5 million this year, compared to 1 million in 2025.
To help make that dream a reality, BYD regional managing director for Europe Maria Grazia Davino said it will be doubling its dealerships in Europe next year.
“By the end of 2025, we will be present with 1,000 points of sale in Europe, and next year we’re going to double [that],” Davino said.
“In line with successful competitors, we need to have proximity and win proximity to the European customers.”
The carmaker is also gearing up to open a production plant in Hungary, its first in Europe, and is reportedly considering plans to open another in Spain.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
