By
Svetlana Soroka
April 18th, 2024
China remains a pivotal market for electric vehicles, with BYD’s sales accounting for a sizable portion. Tesla, despite its global presence, relies on China for around one-fifth of its sales in the quarter ending September 30th.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Chinese electric car giant BYD Co Ltd announced on Monday that it produced over 3 million new energy vehicles in 2023, positioning itself to outpace Tesla Inc’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) production count for the second consecutive year.
BYD vs. Tesla Production Figures
While Tesla is yet to release its full-year figures for 2023, this milestone solidifies BYD’s position as a formidable player in the global Electric Vehicle (EV) market. Tesla, a prominent name in the EV industry, disclosed that it had produced 1.35 million cars in the first three quarters of 2023. In comparison, BYD’s production figures for the entire year outpaced Tesla, with the Chinese company producing 1.88 million vehicles in 2022 and over 3 million in 2023.
One notable differentiator between BYD and Tesla lies in the product portfolio. BYD’s cars predominantly cater to a lower price range than Tesla’s offerings and often include hybrid versions. While Elon Musk’s company exclusively sells purely battery-powered cars, BYD’s approach to hybrid models appears to resonate with a broader market segment.
BYD’s 2023 sales comprised 3.02 million new energy vehicles, with 1.6 million being battery-only passenger cars and 1.4 million hybrids. The company ceased production of purely gasoline and diesel-powered cars in March 2022.
Although BYD slightly missed CLSA’s expectations for 3.05 million vehicle sales, the company’s remarkable financial performance is evident, particularly in the second quarter, where it recorded a staggering 98% increase in passenger new energy vehicle sales compared to the previous year.
Analysts point to BYD’s strategic positioning in targeting the mass market, a niche that Tesla might find challenging to reach, at least in the short term. With most of BYD’s cars priced more affordably, the company seems well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles, especially in China, where it has demonstrated dominance in the EV industry.
China’s Growing Electric Vehicle Market
China remains a pivotal market for electric vehicles, with BYD’s sales accounting for a sizable portion. Tesla, despite its global presence, relies on China for around one-fifth of its sales in the quarter ending September 30th. This emphasizes the dominance of Chinese companies in the electric car industry.
Markedly, BYD’s success is part of a broader trend in China’s electric car market. Other companies, such as Li Auto Inc (HKG: 2015), Xpeng Inc (NYSE: XPEV), Huawei, and Zeekr, are also making remarkable strides. Li Auto, for example, delivered more than 50,000 cars in December, achieving an 182% year-on-year increase. Similarly, Xpeng reported a 17% year-on-year increase in overall deliveries, reaching 141,601 cars in 2023.
However, BYD’s ambitions extend beyond the Chinese market, with overseas sales in 2023 exceeding 242,000 new energy passenger vehicles. The company has announced plans to build a new production center in Hungary, signaling a commitment to expanding its presence in the global market. BYD currently sells five models in Europe, with plans to launch three more in the next 12 months.