Korean Media: BYD Surpasses Tesla Again, Reclaiming the Global No. 1 Title!

On July 2, South Korean media outlet Today Digital published an article stating that BYD has reclaimed its leadership position in the global pure electric vehicle (BEV) market, delivering 557,090 BEVs in the second quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, Tesla's deliveries during the same period are estimated at around 396,500 units, with BYD leading by over 160,000 vehicles.

This result stands in stark contrast to the trend observed in the first quarter. In Q1 2026, Tesla narrowly led BYD in global pure electric vehicle sales.

The significant expansion of BYD’s overseas sales in the second quarter is considered the core factor behind this widening gap. BYD is rapidly expanding its presence in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The company stated it expects overseas sales to reach 1.5 million units in 2026.

The figure of 557,090 refers exclusively to pure electric vehicles and does not include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Given that Tesla sells only pure electric vehicles, this metric ensures a more consistent comparison between the two companies. If PHEVs were included, BYD’s total new energy vehicle sales would be even higher.

The gap between the two companies was already evident last year. BYD plans to sell 2,256,714 pure electric vehicles by 2025—over 600,000 more than Tesla’s projected 1,636,129 units. This trend is not limited to China. BYD has surpassed Tesla in sales for several consecutive months across Europe and continues to maintain an advantage in the two largest EV markets on the continent. In contrast, Tesla’s registration numbers in Europe have been steadily declining.

Tesla is expected to release its official second-quarter delivery figures imminently. Wall Street generally anticipates around 406,000 units, while Bloomberg forecasts approximately 396,500 units. Although there are slight discrepancies in the numbers, the direction is consistent: Tesla’s vehicle sales growth has plateaued, while BYD’s sales continue to rise steadily.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869604187210843/

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