Chinese carmaker BYD sold more cars than Ford in 2025. Figures from the China Passenger Car Association show Ford sold just under 4.4 million vehicles last year, about 2 per cent fewer than the year before.
BYD said it sold nearly 4.6 million vehicles. The difference is small, but it puts BYD ahead of Ford for the first time and moves the Chinese company into sixth place worldwide.
Most of BYD’s sales came from electric and hybrid cars. The company said it sold 4.602 million so-called new energy vehicles in 2025. For the first time, it also sold more than one million cars outside China.
The results show how the car business is shifting. For decades, big Western and Japanese brands led the market with petrol and diesel engines. Now the focus is on electric cars, battery power and in-car software.
Chinese brands have moved quickly in this space. They have spent years building battery factories, investing in technology and setting up strong supply chains. Industry official Cui Dongshu said their strength now comes from controlling the whole process, not just offering lower prices.
BYD makes many of its own batteries and key parts. This helps cut costs and avoid delays. It also means the company can launch new models faster.
Ford performed well in the United States, its home market. But its sales fell in Europe and dropped sharply in China, which is the world’s biggest car market.
In China, local brands such as BYD, Geely and Xiaomi are growing fast. They offer electric cars with large screens, smart features and competitive prices. New models are released more often than in many Western countries.
BYD is also expanding abroad. It has opened factories in Brazil, Thailand and Hungary. Building cars closer to customers helps avoid trade problems and lowers shipping costs.
The shift can also be seen in markets like Morocco.
The number of car brands in Morocco has grown from 36 in 2023 to more than 50 in 2026. Most of the new arrivals are Chinese. Their share of the market more than doubled from 3.3% in 2024 to nearly 8% by the end of 2025. There are now 17 Chinese brands operating in the country.
BYD, sold in Morocco by Auto Nejma, has become one of the fastest-growing brands. It sells around 80 fully electric cars a month. The BYD Seal U was the best-selling Chinese model in Morocco in 2025, with more than 2,000 units sold.
Chinese cars are attracting buyers with lower prices, generous equipment and long warranties of up to seven years. Hybrid models are especially popular as fuel prices remain high and charging stations are still limited.
