BYD posts best month of sales yet in 2025 with pure EVs a hit

New-energy vehicle sales for April were 380,089 units, up more than 20% year-on-year, according to a statement Thursday. Of those, passenger cars were 372,615. Notably, BYD’s battery passenger electric vehicle sales of 195,740 last month topped its plug-in hybrid sales of 176,875, the first time pure EV sales have been in front since early 2024.

BYD is waiting to unleash a suite of new vehicles stacked with smart-driving capabilities, and also, ultra-fast charging technology. The upgrades are designed to bolster the automaker’s sales especially around pure EVs, which have lagged against BYD’s hybrid range after that lineup received a major update last year.
At China’s premium auto exhibition in Shanghai last week, BYD showcased a pipeline of concept autos in the high-end space, with a range of new luxury sport utility vehicles and sport cars. BYD, whose shares are up almost 40% this year, has managed to shrug off the risk of tariffs, given it does not sell passenger cars into the US market.
Xpeng, Xiaomi

Other Chinese EV makers also had a good month, with many posting April monthly sales figures just shy of absolute records.

Guangzhou-based Xpeng Inc. delivered 35,045 units, up 273% year-on-year, and its second best month ever. Li Auto Inc. sales rose 32% to nearly 34,000 units. Nio Inc. also saw a pop in sales to 23,900 units, also its second best-ever result. Xiaomi Corp.’s April sales however dipped 3.4% from March to more than 28,000 vehicles. The lower number however more likely reflects the company’s production capacity rather than demand being impacted by a fatal accident involving its marquee SU7 electric sedan in which three people were killed in late March.

Xiaomi continues to see a healthy amount of orders, so much so that people need to wait for the Basic and Pro versions for around 45 weeks now, the Securities Times reported, citing a salesman at Xiaomi’s Beijing factory.

Geely Automotive Holdings Ltd. meanwhile saw its sales volumes jump 53% to 234,112 in April, although its premium EV brand Zeekr witnessed a slip of 15% year-on-year. Zeekr, which offers sporty EVs that prioritize performance, is facing competition from the likes of Xiaomi and others also getting in on the product segment.