Tesla Model Y Tops China SUV Sales, BYD Drops Out of Top 5

In 2025, China’s SUV market continued to boom, with nearly 11.88 million units sold, marking a 5% increase from the previous year, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). 

Topping the charts once again was the Tesla Model Y, selling 425,337 units, marking a whopping 180,000 more than its nearest rival.

Shockingly, EV giant BYD didn’t even make the top five, a huge change from last year when three of its SUV models were among the top four. Instead, the second and third spots went to Geely’s Xingyue L and Boyue L, both gasoline-powered SUVs, with over 240,000 units sold each.

Rounding out the top five were the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan L, both crossing the 200,000 mark.

While gasoline-powered SUVs still dominate the number of models on the best-seller list, their sales are slowly declining. Meanwhile, BYD’s Song Plus, Yuan UP, and Song Pro managed to claim sixth, seventh, and ninth spots, showing that new energy vehicles (NEVs) are steadily gaining traction. 

Notably, the Tesla Model Y also ranked third among all new energy vehicles in China last year, cementing its stronghold in the EV segment.

Across 2025, 34 SUV models in China managed to sell over 100,000 units, split between 15 new energy vehicles and 19 gasoline-powered SUVs highlighting a gradual but clear shift toward EV adoption.

Back home in Malaysia, the EV scene is heating up too. Many brands saw a surge in sales but the biggest winner by far is BYD.

This Chinese EV has consistently outsold Proton throughout 2025, widening the gap dramatically. Despite Proton’s e.MAS 7 remaining Malaysia’s best-selling EV thanks to its local production, competitive pricing, and SUV appeal, BYD models like the Sealion 7 and Atto 3 are rapidly catching up, with Tesla Model Y also holding strong in the premium segment.