Geely overtakes Tesla and BYD with budget EV sales surge

In a surprising turn in China’s competitive auto market, Geely’s Xingyuan electric vehicle, also known as the “Star Wish,” has emerged as the best-selling vehicle—electric or gas-powered—during the first half of 2025. The affordable EV outpaced both the BYD Seagull and Tesla Model Y, long considered the front-runners in the country’s electric vehicle sector.

Geely sold nearly 205,000 Xingyuan units through June 2025, outpacing BYD’s Seagull with 174,912 units and Tesla’s Model Y with 171,491, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Xingyuan’s success is largely attributed to its competitive pricing. Starting at 69,800 yuan (just under $10,000), it offers a highly accessible entry point into the EV market. The vehicle comes equipped with a choice of two CATL-manufactured LFP battery packs—30.12 kWh and 40.16 kWh—providing CLTC-rated ranges of 310 km (192 miles) and 410 km (255 miles) respectively.

Although it lost its lead to the Xingyuan, BYD’s Seagull remains a formidable contender, consistently selling around 30,000 units per month. In response to growing competition, BYD implemented another price cut earlier this year, reducing the Seagull's starting price to 55,800 yuan ($7,800)—significantly below its standard MSRP of 69,800 yuan.

Other top performers in H1 2025 include the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV with 171,046 sales, the BYD Qin PLUS with 163,603, and the Xiaomi SU7, which is rapidly gaining ground with over 155,000 units sold despite production constraints. The SU7 has averaged over 20,000 units per month since its October launch, signalling a strong second-half potential.

While the Tesla Model Y retained its position as the top-selling premium EV in China, the fast rise of lower-cost domestic alternatives indicates a shifting tide in consumer preferences within the world’s largest EV market.

By Vugar Khalilov