Tesla loses top EV spot to Chinese rival BYD

Tesla’s fourth-quarter deliveries fell short of market expectations. The company delivered 418,227 vehicles between October and December, down more than 15 percent from the same period a year earlier. Analysts had expected sales closer to 440,000 units. The decline followed the end of a federal electric vehicle tax credit in the United States. Buyers rushed to complete purchases before the incentive expired in early autumn, supporting third-quarter figures but leaving weaker demand at the end of the year. The US market accounts for close to half of Tesla’s revenue, although the company reports only global delivery figures. Industry data show that electric vehicles made up a smaller share of new car sales in the United States during the final months of 2025, while average prices rose. Competition also intensified. Chinese and European manufacturers expanded their electric ranges in North America and Europe.Reutersreported that registrations of Tesla vehicles declined across much of Europe during the year, despite isolated gains in Nordic markets. Some analysts also pointed to reputational damage linked to Tesla chief executiveElon Musk. Hispolitical activityand role in PresidentDonald Trump’s administration drew protests outside Tesla showrooms in Europe and the United States earlier in the year, according to reports cited byReutersandCNN. BYD’s rise came despite challenges in its home market. The company faced price competition in China and reported slower growth in overall vehicle sales, including hybrids. Still, BYD expanded strongly outside China. The company said overseas sales reached one million vehicles in 2025, a sharp increase from the previous year. HT --- **News Source:** Helsinki Times **Original Article:** [https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/business/28377-tesla-loses-top-ev-spot-to-chinese-rival-byd.html](https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/business/28377-tesla-loses-top-ev-spot-to-chinese-rival-byd.html) *This article was originally published on helsinkitimes.fi and is shared here for informational purposes.*