BYD Successfully Overthrow Tesla In Europe Two Months In A Row

JAKARTA China's car manufacturers in Europe are now no longer underestimated. Chinese giant vehicle manufacturer BYD again recorded a major surprise in the European market. Data from European automotive lobby ACEA on Thursday showed that BYD's new car sales in the European Union last month surpassed competitors from the United States, Tesla, for the second month in a row.

Quoted from Reuters, Thursday, September 25, BYD's sales jumped more than three times compared to August 2024. Meanwhile, Tesla's sales in the European Union actually fell sharply by 36.6 percent, making its market share shrink from 2 percent to 1.2 percent in a year. In contrast, BYD's sales shot up 201.3 percent and now controls 1.3 percent of the European market.

BYD's fantastic performance and other Chinese manufacturers, such as SAIC Motor (MG owner), are a reflection that the European auto industry is under new challenges. Sales of SAIC Motor itself jumped 59.4 percent in August, making it the tenth best seller in the block this year with a market share of 1.9 percent.

Chinese manufacturers use Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) technology as an intelligent strategy. PHEV is a way to win the hearts of European drivers who are skeptical of China's EVs, as well as minimize the impact of EU rates on China's assembled EVs.

This strategy is also driven by the fact that PHEV cars are more affordable and profitable for producers than pure EVs, helping them meet European emission standards.

Overall, the European Union, UK and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) showed a positive signal, up 4.7 percent to 0.8 million cars in August. Total car sales in the European Union rose 5.3 percent.

The increasing demand for electric and hybrid cars is the main driver of this growth:

Hybrid car sales rose 54.5 percent.

Sales of Murni Electric cars (BEV) rose 30.2 percent.

The sales of plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) rose 14.1 percent.

Collectively, electrified cars now account for 62.2 percent of the total registration of new vehicles in the block, up significantly from 52.8 percent in August 2024.

Amid China's dominance, European manufacturers are also showing an increase. Stellantis managed to re-record sales growth (up 2.2 percent) for the first time since February 2024, driven by increased sales of PHEV and BEV. Volkswagen and Renault also recorded an increase in sales of 4.8 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.