Beijing, China – In a notable shift for one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers, Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd announced a 12% drop in vehicle sales for October 2025 compared to the previous year. The company reported global deliveries of 441,706 vehicles, a significant decline from the 502,675 units sold in October 2024.

The figures were released on Saturday via a Weibo post by a senior BYD executive responsible for marketing and public relations. The downturn marks a challenging period for BYD, which has been rapidly expanding its presence both domestically and internationally in regions such as Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Pressure from Rising Competition and Slowing Demand

BYD’s sales decline comes as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market faces fierce competition from both established players like Tesla and emerging local rivals such as Li Auto, NIO, and Leapmotor. As the EV landscape matures, competitive pricing, technological innovation, and consumer incentives are becoming pivotal to maintaining market share.

Earlier in the week, BYD reported a nearly 33% decrease in third-quarter profits, along with an unexpected 3% drop in quarterly revenue—the first revenue dip in more than five years. The disappointing financial results reflect broader hurdles facing the EV industry, including tightening consumer spending, government subsidy shifts, and aggressive discounting by competitors.

BYD’s Global Strategy Faces Tests

Despite the downturn, BYD remains committed to its long-term strategy of expanding globally. The company has made substantial investments in overseas markets, including factory setups in Europe and Thailand and dealership expansions in countries like Spain, where BYD-branded models such as the Dolphin and Atto 3 have gained traction.

Industry analysts suggest that while short-term challenges may slow growth, BYD’s diversified lineup of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) gives it a competitive advantage in fluctuating market conditions.

Outlook: Can BYD Regain Momentum?

As the world’s largest EV market, China remains a critical battleground for automakers. With domestic brands launching more affordable EVs powered by cutting-edge technology, BYD is now under intensified pressure to retain its edge through innovation and pricing strategies.

The company’s performance in the final quarter of 2025 will be closely watched by investors and industry observers, especially as global demand for new energy vehicles continues to evolve.