BYD recorded its strongest monthly sales performance of the year in October, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries exceeding 300,000 units for the first time. Strong demand for fully electric models helped offset declining plug-in hybrid sales, highlighting a continued shift in the Chinese automaker’s sales mix toward battery-powered vehicles.
The Chinese automotive giant sold 490,168 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in October, representing a 10.97% increase compared with the same month last year and a 5.74% improvement over September, according to the company’s latest sales data.
October marked BYD’s sixth consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth and its eighth consecutive month of higher sales compared with the previous month. However, the annual growth rate continued to moderate, falling from 16.98% in September.
Despite the slower growth, October was BYD’s strongest sales month since December 2024 and the fourth-highest monthly total in the company’s history.
Battery electric vehicles were the biggest contributor to BYD’s October performance.
The company sold 305,743 battery electric passenger vehicles, an impressive 37.38% increase from October last year and an 11.94% rise compared with September. This marked the third consecutive monthly record for BYD’s fully electric passenger vehicle sales.
BEVs accounted for 63.28% of BYD’s passenger vehicle sales in October, compared with 59.81% in September and 50.95% during the same month last year.
The figures demonstrate how rapidly BYD’s product mix is changing as demand for fully electric models continues to grow.
The trend is particularly significant because BYD has traditionally relied heavily on plug-in hybrid vehicles alongside its fully electric lineup. October’s results suggest that battery electric models are becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s overall business.
While fully electric vehicle sales reached new heights, BYD’s plug-in hybrid business faced another difficult month.
The automaker sold 177,382 plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles in October, down 17.23% year-over-year and 3.37% compared with September.
This represented the second consecutive month of annual declines for the plug-in hybrid segment, following a 2.36% decrease in September.
Looking at the first 10 months of the year, BYD sold 1,935,700 battery electric passenger vehicles, up 5.86% compared with the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid passenger vehicle sales, meanwhile, dropped 11.02% to 1,625,969 units.
Overall, BYD delivered 483,125 passenger new energy vehicles in October, an increase of 10.59% year-over-year and 5.78% month-over-month.
Commercial NEV sales contributed another 7,043 units, representing a substantial 45.22% annual increase.
International markets continued to play an increasingly important role in BYD’s expansion.
The company exported 170,194 new energy vehicles in October, up 102.84% compared with the same month last year. However, exports were down 5.81% from September.
From January through October, BYD’s NEV exports reached 1,513,154 units, representing a 93.75% increase compared with the same period last year.
The export figures highlight BYD’s growing international ambitions as the company expands its presence in markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and other regions.
Although monthly exports fluctuated slightly, the nearly doubled year-to-date total demonstrates the importance of overseas markets to BYD’s long-term growth strategy.
Alongside its expanding sales, BYD has been refreshing several important models across its vehicle lineup.
On October 20, the company introduced the second-generation BYD Seagull, a compact electric car that received a larger body and flash-charging technology on selected versions.
Just one week later, on October 27, BYD launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i. The updated plug-in hybrid sedan features a larger body, improved electric driving range and optional LiDAR technology.
The next major launch is scheduled for November 5, when BYD is expected to introduce the second-generation Seal 07. The updated model will be offered with both fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains, continuing the expansion of the company’s Ocean series.
These product updates are expected to help BYD maintain its competitive position in China’s increasingly crowded electric vehicle market.
BYD’s October results reveal an important development in the company’s business. While overall NEV sales continue to grow, battery electric vehicles are increasingly driving that expansion, while plug-in hybrid models are losing momentum.
The milestone of surpassing 300,000 electric passenger vehicles in a single month is particularly significant, demonstrating the scale BYD has achieved in the global EV industry.
However, the company still faces challenges, including slower annual sales growth and intensifying competition in China. Its ability to sustain BEV momentum, refresh its product lineup and expand international deliveries will be crucial in the months ahead.
With several updated models entering the market and overseas sales continuing to climb, BYD is positioning itself for another important phase of growth.
