[Source/Observer Network Zhou Shengming; Editor Gao Shen] According to reports from multiple foreign media on May 22, data shows that BYD's electric vehicle sales in the European market have exceeded Tesla for the first time, marking a key breakthrough in BYD's overseas strategy.

According to data aggregated by market research company Jato Dynamics from 28 European countries, BYD sold 7,231 pure electric vehicles in April, an increase of 169%. Tesla's sales during the same period were 7,165 units, a decrease of 49%.

Global analyst Felipe Munoz of Jato Dynamics said on Thursday: "Although the monthly sales gap between the two brands is not large, it is significant. This is a watershed moment for the European car market, especially considering that Tesla has long dominated the European pure electric vehicle market, while BYD only officially began operations in regions outside Norway and the Netherlands at the end of 2022."

It is worth noting that BYD also launched Dolphin Surf (known domestically as "Seagull") in Europe on May 21. The vehicle is positioned as a pure electric microcar, with a price range of €19,990 to €24,990 in Europe. Foreign media pointed out that this vehicle will bring greater pressure to European automakers, as there are very few automakers in Europe that can keep the price of electric vehicles below €20,000.

Dolphin Surf (known domestically as "Seagull") launched in Europe Reuters

In addition, BYD's first European full-vehicle factory in Hungary is expected to begin production in the second half of this year. BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu also stated this week that the company plans to establish its European headquarters and a new R&D center in Hungary.

Overall, demand for electric vehicles in Europe remains stable. According to Jato Dynamics data, the total number of newly registered cars in Europe in April was 1.1 million, with pure electric vehicles accounting for 17%, higher than 13.4% a year ago; plug-in hybrid models accounted for 9%, higher than 6.9% last year.

Jato pointed out that Chinese automakers played a major role in this growth. Despite the high tariffs imposed by the EU on imported pure electric vehicles from China, the sales of pure electric vehicles from Chinese brands increased by 59% year-over-year in April, reaching nearly 15,300 units. In contrast, the sales of pure electric vehicles from European, Japanese, South Korean, and American automakers only increased by 26%.

In the field of plug-in hybrid models, sales from Chinese automakers surged by 546% year-over-year, reaching 9,649 units, accounting for nearly 10% of the total registration volume of plug-in hybrid models in the EU.

In November 2024, the EU imposed a maximum tariff of 45.3% on pure electric vehicles from China. To maintain their growth momentum, many Chinese automakers have turned to introducing plug-in hybrid models in Europe that are unaffected by these tariffs.

According to data released earlier this month by research firm Rho Motion, in March 2025, BYD and Chery sold 3,269 and 757 plug-in hybrid models respectively in the EU, whereas the sales of these two companies' plug-in hybrid models in Europe were almost zero in July 2024 when the EU initially implemented the tariff.

Rho Motion stated: "To establish themselves in Europe, Chinese automakers have responded to the tariff threat by shifting from pure electric vehicles to other powertrain forms, such as plug-in hybrids. Chinese automakers are using this approach to maintain their momentum in overseas expansion."

Analysts said that it is currently unclear whether the EU will impose similar tariffs on plug-in hybrid vehicles from China in the future. However, EU Commission spokesperson Rovskis stated on April 10 that the EU and China have agreed to study setting a minimum price for electric vehicles from China sold in Europe, replacing the EU's plan to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles starting in 2024.

It is reported that Chinese automakers are accelerating the pace of building factories in Europe to offset the impact of tariffs.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507546795518460466/

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