In four months, sales quadrupled, BYD accelerates its advance into the heart of Europe

After a brief exploration, BYD is rapidly gaining sales momentum in the European market with its stylish showrooms, competitive pricing, and proactive dealer network.

According to research firm Dataforce, BYD's European sales nearly quadrupled in the first four months of 2025. The largest Chinese automaker has surpassed Tesla in European electric vehicle sales, expanded its hybrid product line to cater to consumer preferences, and is actively recruiting talent while building a factory in Hungary and poaching executives from top European automakers.

For BYD, this is a high-risk gamble. The European region has numerous regulations that favor established brands like Volkswagen, Fiat, and Renault. However, BYD sees a rare opportunity and is opening up a market worth €500 billion (approximately $576 billion), where the average selling price of electric vehicles in Europe is still twice that of the Chinese market.

Li Yunfei, BYD's Executive Vice President and head of overseas operations, stated in a media interview: “If you can win here, it means you are outstanding in every aspect.” He promised to invest up to $20 billion in the region:

“Europe is our most important market.”

Lightning Expansion: From High-End Setbacks to Breakthroughs in the Lower Market

BYD re-entered Europe with a dazzling booth at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, but its stylish, high-end models initially struggled to gain attention in electric vehicle-friendly countries like the Netherlands and Norway, facing competition from more well-known brands like Tesla and BMW. However, BYD quickly adjusted its strategy.

According to research firm Dataforce, BYD's European sales nearly quadrupled in the first four months of 2025, largely due to its strategic shift: launching smaller, cheaper models to attract younger buyers, taking over import operations for flexibility in adjusting its product mix, and rapidly expanding its hybrid model lineup.

A key personnel move was the hiring of former UK head Maria Grazia Davino, who quickly reshaped BYD's dealer network in Germany. Felipe Munoz, a senior analyst at automotive research firm Jato Dynamics, remarked:

"They correctly poached from traditional European automakers who understand how the business operates. Everything is coming together."

Breakthrough in the UK: From 1,611 Annual Sales to Nearly 12,000

BYD's efforts are beginning to pay off, with growth rates in the five largest European markets—Germany, the UK, France, Spain, and Italy—reaching 200% or more as of April.

BYD has achieved the greatest success in the UK. After selling only 1,611 vehicles in the first four months of 2024, BYD quickly expanded its market, signed dealers, and increased its plug-in hybrid models. According to Dataforce, by the same period in 2025, its sales had surged to nearly 12,000 vehicles. At this rate, BYD is expected to surpass brands like Fiat, Honda, and BMW Mini, which have long held a place in the UK market The choice of Scottish cybersecurity expert Bob Dalgliesh is quite representative. The 50-year-old consumer chose the BYD Seal U as his third plug-in hybrid vehicle, and the reason is simple and straightforward: it is £6,000 cheaper than the Audi A3 hybrid, offers more space, has a longer range, and only takes two months to ship from China. Dalgliesh said:

"The decisive factor is that the Seal U offers all the additional features—cruise control, 360-degree cameras, heads-up display—that other manufacturers usually charge extra for."

Li Yunfei's European Offensive: Rapid Response Supported by a 120,000 R&D Team

The key figure in BYD's offensive in Europe is Li Yunfei, who is based in China but visits Europe almost every month. Colleagues describe him as "uncompromising," with almost obsessive demands regarding details such as showroom lighting, signage, and vehicle display spacing. BYD's preferred showroom size in Europe is about 120 square meters, just enough to showcase the company's seven models without appearing crowded.

BYD's rapid response capability is supported by one of the largest R&D teams in the world—with 120,000 R&D personnel as of last year. The factory located in the southern Hungarian city of Szeged embodies BYD's ambitions. This factory will help prove the company's long-term commitment in Europe to dealers and ensure that customers can access reliable vehicle maintenance services. As the company prepares to start shipping the SUV version of the Seal U from the Hungarian factory later this year, it is also working to localize its robust supply chain.

Li Yunfei stated:

“If we decide to do something, we will invest all our resources.”

In the €500 billion European market, where the average price of electric vehicles is still twice that of China, BYD has committed to investing up to $20 billion. The outcome of this gamble will not only determine whether a Chinese car company can ascend the ranks of the European automotive industry but will also influence the ultimate ownership of automotive industry discourse