BYD Challenges Stellantis CEO’s Claims on EV Sales Performance in Europe

BYD Co. has publicly disputed remarks made by Stellantis NV CEO Carlos Tavares regarding the electric vehicle sales performance of their Chinese partner, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., in Europe. The conflict centers on competing claims about market traction and the accuracy of reported figures.

During a recent investor conference, Tavares asserted that Leapmotor outsold BYD in Germany's battery-electric vehicle market last month. However, BYD countered with data showing it registered 8,610 vehicles in Germany during the first eight months of 2024, compared to Leapmotor's 3,536 units. Official breakdowns of August sales by powertrain from Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority remain unavailable.

The dispute highlights the intensifying rivalry between traditional automakers and Chinese EV manufacturers as they compete for dominance in Europe's growing electric vehicle market. Both companies are vying for position in a sector where accurate sales reporting and market perception can significantly impact investor confidence and consumer adoption.