Chinese car giant BYD has officially overtaken Tesla to become the UK’s top-selling overseas electric vehicle brand, following a record-breaking surge in sales last month.
Record Sales: BYD Takes the Lead in September
In September 2025, BYD sold 11,271 new vehicles in the UK — an 880% increase compared with the same month in 2024. By contrast, Tesla registered 8,038 vehicles, according to industry data, meaning BYD outsold Tesla by over 3,200 cars in a single month.
This landmark achievement has made Britain BYD’s largest overseas market, surpassing all other international territories outside China.
UK Market Share and Growth
BYD now commands 3.6% of the UK new-car market, placing it ahead of long-established brands including Honda, Citroën, and Mazda. Over the first nine months of 2025, BYD delivered more than 35,600 vehicles to British customers, strengthening its position in Europe’s fastest-growing EV market.
What’s Driving BYD’s Rapid Rise
Several key factors are fuelling the brand’s success:
- Competitive pricing: BYD’s vertically integrated supply chain keeps production costs low, allowing the company to undercut rivals on price while maintaining solid profit margins.
- Popular models: The Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid and Sealion 7 pure electric SUV have proven particularly popular with UK buyers.
- Expanding network: BYD has built a fast-growing dealership network, now boasting over 100 outlets across the country.
- Market conditions: With no import tariffs currently applied to Chinese EVs in the UK, BYD enjoys a major advantage over competitors operating under stricter EU and US trade restrictions.
Tesla’s Slower Growth
While BYD is surging ahead, Tesla’s UK sales have been relatively stagnant, rising just 0.1% year-on-year in September. Analysts suggest that price fatigue, limited model updates, and growing consumer interest in new Chinese EV brands have contributed to Tesla’s slowdown.
Still, Tesla remains the global leader in all-electric car sales overall — but in Britain’s fast-changing EV landscape, BYD’s momentum is clearly reshaping the market.
Policy and Industry Implications
BYD’s success also highlights a tension in UK policy: the government’s £650 million EV subsidy scheme currently excludes Chinese-built vehicles, a move BYD has criticised as discriminatory. Despite that, British consumers are embracing its affordable, high-spec EVs in record numbers.
Industry experts predict that BYD’s next step could be establishing UK-based production or assembly facilities to secure its long-term foothold in the market.
Thanks for visiting DM News!
If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you!
And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
