Tesla Holds the Top Spots Despite Domestic Decline
Tesla’s position in the U.S. electric-vehicle market has weakened sharply, with its share dropping to 32% in Q3 2025, down from 62.8% in 2020. Even as the company shifts its focus toward robotics and artificial intelligence, its two core passenger vehicles remain the strongest forces in global EV sales.
A new report from Autovista24, using data from EV Volumes, confirms that the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 were still the world’s two best-selling battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from January through September 2025. At the same time, Chinese automakers continued expanding their presence, dominating nearly every other position on the global rankings.
Global EV Rankings: BEVs and PHEVs Side by Side
Below is the combined table of BEV and PHEV global sales, showing how Tesla leads the all-electric segment while Chinese brands dominate plug-in hybrids.
Global EV Sales (Jan–Sept 2025)
| Rank | BEV Model | BEV Sales | PHEV Model | PHEV Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | 808,173 | BYD Song Plus / Seal U | 262,445 |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | 369,756 | BYD Qin Plus | 192,479 |
| 3 | Geely Geome Xingyuan | 343,514 | BYD Song Pro | 175,263 |
| 4 | BYD Seagull / Dolphin Surf | 292,579 | BYD Seal 6 | 167,577 |
| 5 | Wuling Mini | 287,082 | Li Auto L6 | 135,068 |
| 6 | Xiaomi SU7 | 219,810 | BYD Qin L | 132,794 |
| 7 | BYD Yuan Plus / Atto 3 | 184,300 | BYD Destroyer 05 / Seal 05 | 120,790 |
| 8 | BYD Yuan Up / Atto 2 | 174,137 | BYD Song L | 110,129 |
| 9 | BYD Dolphin | 162,744 | Aito M8 | 104,327 |
| 10 | Xpeng M03 | 131,812 | Galaxy Starship 7 | 99,817 |
China’s Growing Strength Across All Segments
The data underscores a dramatic shift: eight of the world’s top ten BEVs are now Chinese, a milestone that signals rising pressure on Western manufacturers. Even though Tesla still leads in pure electric sales, its competitors are gaining ground quickly, particularly in the affordable compact EV category.
China’s dominance is even more pronounced in plug-in hybrids. All top ten PHEV models sold globally in 2025 so far are Chinese, led by BYD’s expanding lineup of crossovers and sedans. The BYD Song Plus (also known as Seal U) took the top spot with over 262,000 units sold.
These results position BYD as the overall global EV leader when combining BEV, PHEV, and extended-range models, securing 19.3% market share. Tesla, with only BEVs in its portfolio, sits at 8%, followed by Geely, Wuling, and Volkswagen.
Model Y’s Exceptional Momentum
The Tesla Model Y remains unmatched, selling more than 808,000 units through September. A staggering 145,000 units in September alone suggest that the final weeks of eligibility for the U.S. federal tax credit significantly boosted demand.
The Model 3 continues to perform well globally, though its second-place position is under pressure. The Geely Geome Xingyuan, priced at the highly competitive $9,260 starting point, has rapidly become a top contender in China. Similarly, BYD’s Seagull and Xiaomi’s SU7 are expanding China’s influence on the global leaderboard.
A Shifting Competitive Landscape
While Tesla’s flagship models maintain their global lead, the momentum of Chinese automakers is accelerating. New products like the Xiaomi SU7 and Geely’s refreshed Geome highlight the speed at which China’s EV ecosystem evolves.
Without a new high-volume model or a major breakthrough in Full Self-Driving technology, Tesla’s position at the top may erode. With U.S. incentives reduced and regulatory conditions shifting, the competitive pressure on all Western manufacturers is set to intensify.
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