The global automotive market is evolving faster than ever, and in the first half of 2025, BYD officially surpassed Hyundai in global sales, marking a historic milestone in the automotive industry.
According to data released by car manufacturers and compiled by Car Industry Analysis, global customers purchased 45.2 million new vehicles in the first six months of the year, a 3.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Toyota remains the undisputed leader, selling 4.73 million vehicles. In other words, one out of every ten new cars sold worldwide bears the Toyota logo. The Japanese giant maintains its dominance despite fierce competition from Chinese automakers.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen and Ford secured the second and third positions, respectively. However, the most notable development is BYD’s rise to fourth place globally, overtaking Hyundai, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, and Kia. This marks the first time in history that BYD has outsold Hyundai, underscoring the growing influence of Chinese car brands on the international stage.
In the first half of 2025, BYD sold over 2 million vehicles, a 31% increase year-over-year. This figure does not include sales from its subsidiaries such as Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang.
This growth is primarily driven by robust export activities, offsetting a slowdown in the domestic Chinese market due to intense price competition. BYD is rapidly expanding in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico), and Europe (UK, Italy)—regions traditionally dominated by Hyundai.
At this pace, BYD could surpass Ford before the end of 2025, potentially entering the top three global automotive brands.
| Rank | Brand | Sales (Units) | Growth Rate |
| 1 | Toyota | 4,725,616 | +6% |
| 2 | Volkswagen | 2,320,300 | +5% |
| 3 | Ford | 2,075,500 | -1% |
| 4 | BYD | 2,004,442 | +31% |
| 5 | Hyundai | 1,956,774 | +1% |
| 6 | Honda | 1,661,200 | -7% |
| 7 | Suzuki | 1,631,000 | -2% |
| 8 | Nissan | 1,624,851 | -7% |
| 9 | Kia | 1,587,536 | +2% |
| 10 | Chevrolet | 1,490,500 | +2% |
Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands Worldwide in the First Half of 2025.
Hyundai Faces Pressure in Key Markets
For decades, Hyundai has been one of the world’s most successful mass-market car brands, renowned for its reliability, sleek design, and affordability. However, its global sales in the first half of 2025 were insufficient to maintain its fourth-place ranking as BYD’s growth outpaced it.
While models like the Tucson, Elantra, and IONIQ continue to perform well, Hyundai’s electric vehicles are under significant pressure from BYD’s aggressive pricing strategy, expanded production capacity, and rapid product launches.
BYD’s overtaking of Hyundai reflects a profound shift in the global automotive industry, where Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are no longer mere challengers but direct competitors to brands that once dominated the market.
BYD’s success is not an isolated case. Geely also recorded impressive growth of 59%, selling nearly 1 million vehicles in the first half of the year, thanks to the success of its Galaxy sub-brand and the popular Xingyuan model in China.
In contrast, Japanese brands like Nissan and Honda saw sales declines of 7.3% and 7.4%, respectively. These brands continue to struggle in the Chinese market due to their slower adoption of electrification.
Even luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi experienced sales declines, primarily due to weaker demand in the Chinese market.
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