China’s BYD beat out Tesla for the first time this April to become the top EV vehicle brand sold in Europe. BYD only outpaced Tesla by 100 vehicles, but the 7,231 cars that made their way to Europe show that tariffs are not deterring European consumer demand.
Sales for BYD’s battery-powered vehicles soared 170% overall in April YoY. In comparison, all other electric vehicles collectively saw a 17% increase in sales over the same period. I’ve mentioned numerous times that China simply has the ability to produce cheaper vehicles that are often better quality than what is made in the EU or the US. BYD car sales rose 300% in Europe this past April on an annual basis, and the company expects the trend to continue.
China has pumped over $230 billion into its growing EV sector since 2009. Batteries account for around 40% of the total cost of EVs, and companies like BYD can maintain low prices if they own the supply chain to create these batteries from the raw materials to the finished packs. BYD has announced that its newest line will cost as little as $9,555, a price no other EV manufacturer has been able to provide.
This October, BYD will begin manufacturing vehicles at its new EV factory in Szeged, Hungary. The Atto 3 BEV SUV will be the primary focus, but will later expand to include the Atto 2 BEV SUV-B and potentially the Dolphin model. The company plans to produce around 150,000 vehicles at this facility in the first year of operation, but believes it will later double production to 300,000 as it expects demand to grow. Naturally, a facility in Hungary will allow the company to bypass tariffs.
Volkswagen still reigns supreme in Europe, but will now face stiff competition. The company sold 150,000 EVs in Q1 2025, marking an 113% annual uptick. Sales in March surpassed 240,891 units, allowing VW to overpower Tesla in the European market for the first time. The German manufacturer sold 216,800 vehicles worldwide in Q1, or a 59% uptick YoY.
BYD is continuing its European expansion with a new $1 billion investment in western Turkey. The plant will be fully operational in 2026, and is expected to produce 150,000 units in year one. This is another strategic entry point into the European market. Turkey exempted BYD from recent tariffs on Chinese gas and hybrid vehicles that would have marked up the price by 50% on top of a 10% customs duty. Turkey is aiming to increase auto manufacturing in general and has set aside $30bn for high-tech sectors, allocating $5 billion of that package for EV production.
Tesla sales in Europe have taken a major hit, declining 46.2% this April on an annual basis. Tesla sales in Germany fell 45.9% to 885 units, the UK experienced a 62% decline, Denmark saw sales fall 67%, the Netherlands plunged 74%, Portugal dropped 33%, Sweden fell 81%, and France plunged 59% compared to April last year. Although EV sales in general are up in the EU, Tesla is losing its competitive edge as other manufacturers can produce lower-cost vehicles. Additionally, people simply hate CEO Elon Musk as we saw Tesla vehicles vandalized in what those on the far left hoped would be a political movement.
Volkswagen is a leader in Europe’s EV transition, and the EU is relying on German manufacturing. However, China’s EV market is larger and rapidly expanding. Volkswagen cannot compete within China for vehicle sales, but is still fighting to maintain its top spot as Europe’s main EV supplier.
