China remains the world’s largest automotive market and has become the global leader in electric vehicle (EV) production and innovation. In 2025, Chinese automakers continued to dominate both domestic and international markets, driven by strong demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs), expanding exports, and increasingly competitive global brands.
According to industry sales data, BYD narrowly secured the top position, while traditional automotive giants such as SAIC Motor and FAW Group remained major players. Meanwhile, companies like Chery, Changan, and Geely accelerated their global expansion efforts.
π Top 10 Chinese Automakers by Total Sales (2025)
Unit: 10,000 Vehicles
| Rank | Automaker | Total Sales | Domestic Sales | NEV Sales | Exports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ 1 | BYD | 460.2 | 355.2 | 460.2 | 104.9 |
| π₯ 2 | SAIC Motor | 450.7 | 380.0 | 164.3 | 70.7 |
| π₯ 3 | Geely Auto | 359.8 | 317.8 | 207.3 | 42.0 |
| 4 | FAW Group | 330.2 | 320.0 | 43.8 | 10.2 |
| 5 | Changan Automobile | 291.3 | 228.3 | 110.9 | 63.0 |
| 6 | Chery Group | 280.6 | 146.2 | 90.9 | 134.4 |
| 7 | Dongfeng Motor | 247.3 | 217.8 | 105.3 | 29.5 |
| 8 | GAC Group | 172.1 | 160.0 | 43.8 | 12.1 |
| 9 | Great Wall Motors | 132.4 | 81.8 | 40.4 | 50.6 |
| 10 | Tesla China | 85.2 | 62.6 | 85.2 | 22.6 |
π₯ BYD: China’s EV Champion
BYD retained its position as China’s best-selling automaker in 2025, delivering more than 4.6 million vehicles.
Key Highlights:
- 100% New Energy Vehicle lineup
- Strong performance in both BEV and PHEV segments
- China’s largest NEV exporter
- Rapid expansion into Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America
BYD’s success has made it one of the most influential automotive companies in the world.
π₯ SAIC Motor: China’s Traditional Giant
SAIC Motor remained highly competitive through its joint ventures and growing portfolio of electric vehicles.
Major Brands:
- MG
- Roewe
- IM Motors
- SAIC Volkswagen
- SAIC-GM
MG continued to drive SAIC’s international growth, particularly in Europe and emerging markets.
π₯ Geely Auto: Fast-Rising Global Player
Geely strengthened its position through aggressive EV expansion and international operations.
Key Brands:
- Geely Galaxy
- Zeekr
- Lynk & Co
- Volvo (parent group)
The company remains one of China’s strongest challengers in the global EV race.
π Export Leaders
| Rank | Automaker | Exports |
| π₯ Chery Group | 134.4 | |
| π₯ BYD | 104.9 | |
| π₯ SAIC Motor | 70.7 | |
| 4 | Changan Automobile | 63.0 |
| 5 | Great Wall Motors | 50.6 |
Chery became China’s largest automotive exporter, reflecting its strong presence in Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.
β‘ NEV Sales Leaders
| Rank | Automaker | NEV Sales |
| π₯ BYD | 460.2 | |
| π₯ Geely Auto | 207.3 | |
| π₯ SAIC Motor | 164.3 | |
| 4 | Changan Automobile | 110.9 |
| 5 | Dongfeng Motor | 105.3 |
China’s transition toward electric mobility continues to accelerate, with NEVs becoming a major growth driver across the industry.
π China’s Growing Global Influence
Chinese automakers are no longer focused solely on the domestic market.
Major export destinations include:
- Europe
- Southeast Asia
- Middle East
- Latin America
- Australia
- Africa
With competitive pricing, advanced battery technology, and strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese brands are rapidly gaining market share worldwide.
π Conclusion
The Chinese automotive industry continued its remarkable growth in 2025, led by BYD, SAIC Motor, and Geely Auto.
While domestic sales remain the foundation of the industry, exports and new energy vehicles have become the primary engines of future growth.
As Chinese brands continue expanding globally, their influence on the automotive market is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead.