BYD outsells Tesla in China at the brand level by more than 6 to 1. But at the individual-model level, the Tesla Model Y remained China's single best-selling pure-electric vehicle in 2024 with roughly 480,000 units sold - clear of BYD's Song Plus PHEV (which leads if you include hybrids, but is a different category). BYD's individual BEV models (Yuan Plus, Seagull, Dolphin) each topped out below 320,000 units.
Why the Model Y Holds On
Three factors. First, the Shanghai Gigafactory's cost advantage: Tesla's local Model Y prices have been cut multiple times and now start near RMB 250,000 ($35,000), price-competitive with BYD equivalents. Second, brand: Tesla is still the only premium foreign EV with mainstream desirability in China; the Model Y is a status purchase as much as a transport choice. Third, the Supercharger network: 2,000+ stations and 11,000+ stalls give the Model Y a clear charging-experience lead.
The 2025 Threat: Xiaomi SU7 and Refresh
Tesla launched the refreshed Model Y "Juniper" in early 2025 with extended range and refreshed interior. But the bigger threat is competitive: Xiaomi's SU7 sedan crossed 100k units in its first 6 months, and Xiaomi's Y-segment SUV (Tesla's territory) launches mid-2025 at a similar price point. Tesla likely holds #1 BEV through 2025 but the margin will compress.
See where Tesla and BYD overlap on the China brand throne.