BYD’s January 2026 Vehicle Sales Plummet 30% to 210,051 Units
BYD hits a speed bump—and it's a steep one. The electric vehicle giant just reported January sales figures that have analysts scrambling and competitors smirking.
The Numbers Tell the Story
A 30% year-over-year drop isn't a minor correction; it's a cliff. Moving 210,051 units in a single month is nothing to scoff at for most automakers, but for BYD, it represents a significant departure from its relentless growth trajectory. The market was expecting another record, not a retreat.
Reading the Road Signs
So, what's behind the slowdown? Is it a temporary supply chain hiccup, a saturated domestic market, or the first real sign of cooling demand? The silence from the company's PR department is louder than a revving engine. Meanwhile, legacy automakers—finally getting their EV acts together—might see an opening. A 30% gap is a big lane to merge into.
Investors are left checking their rearview mirrors, wondering if this is just a pothole or the start of a longer, rougher road. It's a stark reminder that in the high-stakes race for electric dominance, even the leader can't cruise on autopilot. And let's be honest—the finance bros who priced in perpetual 50% growth quarters are now sweating over their spreadsheets, a classic case of mistaking momentum for a money-printing machine.
BYD leans on exports while China demand fades
Even though domestic sales were down, BYD kept things moving abroad. The company shipped out 100,482 vehicles in January.
That’s nearly half its total monthly sales. It’s not random. On January 24, BYD said it plans to grow exports by almost 25% this year. It’s clear they’re going all in on global markets.
Total sales for 2026 are still expected to beat last year. Analysts are looking for over 5 million units sold, up from 4.6 million in 2025. But that won’t be easy. Chinese rivals like Geely and Leapmotor are getting stronger.
This means BYD has to find other ways to get people interested. That includes rolling out new models and pushing higher-end options. The company’s Denza and Yangwang brands are part of that push. The goal is to get higher average prices, not just higher volumes.
Chinese EV makers hit Europe hard as US stays closed
Europe is becoming BYD’s best shot. In December, Chinese brands made up 9.5% of all car sales in Europe, beating Kia and other South Korean makers.
One in ten passenger cars sold came from a Chinese brand. That includes cars from BYD, Leapmotor, Chery, and SAIC’s MG.
Electrified models are driving this. Chinese automakers took 16% of Europe’s EV and hybrid market in December, and 11% for all of 2025. That’s more than double the share from 2024. Buyers in Spain, Greece, Italy, and the UK are going for cheaper EVs that can actually drive far. And not all are Chinese brands.
Cars built in China and sold by Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, and Renault push the real number even higher. One in seven electrified cars sold in Europe in 2025 came out of China.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s 100% tariff is still locking Chinese automakers out of the US. So they’re doubling down in Europe. The EU auto sector is huge. It makes up over 7% of GDP and supports 13 million jobs.
But these legacy brands are being squeezed. They’ve got new cars coming, like Renault’s Twingo and Citroën’s ë-C3, but they’re losing ground fast.
BYD’s Seal U DM-i plug-in is already being sold in the UK at £33,340 ($45,935). That’s well below VW’s Tiguan eHybrid, which starts at £42,840.
Both go over 75 miles on electric. Meanwhile, Chery’s Jaecoo 7, nicknamed the “Temu Range Rover,” is picking up fans at £35,000.
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