Every month at the start, the day when car companies release sales rankings is full of buzz. However, the May performance report released by BYD left many people gasping.

A monthly sales volume of 383,000 units, ranking first in the new energy market for 60 consecutive months, is a picture that was unimaginable in the past in the history of China's automotive industry. But what is more worth paying attention to than sales figures are some subtle changes behind this report card.

The battlefield behind 380,000 units is not just in the showroom

In BYD's May sales data, the Dynasty and Ocean networks remain the absolute main force, with a combined total of over 330,000 units supporting half of the sales. However, the trend changes of these two high-end brands, Fangchengbao and Denza, signal a more positive outlook.

Fangchengbao sold over 30,000 units in a single month, with year-on-year growth close to 140%. The reason behind this is actually not difficult to understand. The arrival of the Flash Charge version models allowed users who were originally interested in hard off-roading but hesitated on refueling efficiency to finally find a reason to make up their minds and pay. In the past, many people might have felt that charging these body-on-frame vehicles was too slow, making them feel unsure about going out for fun. Now, charging speed is basically the same as refueling, so why not buy one that is quieter and more cost-effective?

Denza's sales figure of 16,303 units wasn't as explosive as Fangchengbao's, but it continued to maintain growth. You have to know that Denza's customer group is actually more "picky", and after the launch of the N9 Flash Charge version, many potential customers who were looking at Li Auto L9 and AITO M9 are slowly shifting towards Denza.

As for Yangwang with a monthly sales of 286 units, year-on growth directly doubled. For Chinese brands in the price range above one million, it is no longer a question of "whether anyone buys", but "whether it is worth buying". Yangwang's customer group mostly owns more than one luxury car at home. Their choice of Yangwang is undoubtedly also a trust in BYD's electrification and intelligent technology.

Looking at these data points together, it is not difficult to find that the mainstream Dynasty and Ocean are still responsible for volume, while Fangchengbao and Denza are responsible for satisfying upgrade needs in the 250,000 to 500,000 yuan range, and Yangwang stands at the tip of the pyramid as a banner of brand technology. The benefit of this pyramid structure is that no matter how the market fluctuates, BYD can find its growth points in different price bands. The May performance report proved the resilience of this product matrix.

“Daring to take responsibility”is not just a slogan, but a rebuilding of user trust

Remember the "Dare to Act" launch event in late May, where BYD threw out the phrase "Daring to take responsibility is true safety". And just within three days of launching the "dual backstop" of City Pilot and Intelligent Parking, the daily active user volume of City Pilot for vehicles equipped with the God's Eye A, B systems directly increased by 50%. This increase illustrates a fact: users do not want to use intelligent driving, they were just previously afraid to use it. Previous intelligent driving systems, in many scenarios, would directly hand over control to the driver when encountering unexpected situations, making many people not want to drive again after using it once or twice.

Looking at the data for intelligent parking, it is even more exaggerated. After the safety backstop was launched, the function usage rate skyrocketed from 21% to over 90%. This contrast is so huge it seems unbelievable, but it truly reflects the ordinary user's real attitude towards automatic parking: it is not that they do not need it, but that they dare not trust it. Especially in some complex parking spaces, such as multi-level garages, narrow alleys, or places with low obstacles, previous systems often failed to identify accurately or went on strike halfway. Users would not touch it again after being scared twice. Now that BYD says "I will take responsibility if something happens", user mentality has completely changed.

“Daring to take responsibility, that is true safety”, the point of this sentence lies not in "safety", but in "daring". Because in the current industry environment, the brand that dares to take responsibility for its intelligent driving system can be counted on one hand. Most car companies wrap themselves tightly with various disclaimers, saying they are L2+, L2++, but if something really happens, the responsibility is all the driver's. BYD this time put the two words "take responsibility" on the table, essentially challenging a tacit rule of the industry, and also trying to rebuild user trust in intelligent driving.

From a business logic perspective, this is also a smart strategy. BYD currently has over 3.15 million vehicles equipped with assistive driving, and the God's Eye system generates more than 200 million kilometers of data daily. Such a large data scale means its system iteration speed will far exceed brands with smaller vehicle holdings. With enough real-world test data, there is the confidence to take responsibility. This logic is not wrong.

The significance of overseas monthly sales of 160,000 lies not just in the numbers

May's overseas sales volume for BYD broke through 160,000 for the first time, with year-on growth of 80.7%. The continuous hot sales of Seagull, Song PLUS, and Yuan series in overseas markets show that Chinese brand small electric vehicles and compact SUVs already possess the ability to compete directly with Japanese and German brands on price-performance ratio and product strength. Especially in markets like Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East, consumer acceptance of electric vehicles is rapidly improving, while local domestic brands' product strength cannot keep up, which gives BYD a very good window period.

More worth paying attention to is the performance of the SHARK pickup, with wholesale volume breaking 4,000 units for two consecutive months. Although not particularly large in the global pickup market, for a Chinese brand pickup, this is already a milestone. Pickups are a necessary vehicle model in markets like Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, and the profit margin is much higher than sedans and SUVs. If SHARK can establish a foothold in this category, it will greatly help improve BYD's overseas profit structure.

Of course, the overseas market is not a smooth path. Tariff barriers in the European market, policy blockades in the US market, and different charging standards and regulatory requirements everywhere are all problems BYD needs to solve step by step. But the May data at least shows that BYD's globalization is being promoted solidly. From the Thailand factory to the Brazil base, from Uzbekistan to Hungary, BYD's manufacturing map is spreading globally.

Conclusion

With the launch of the Tang in June and subsequent Flash Charge version models, BYD's product rhythm and market response capability will be further tested. Whether the overseas market can maintain a standard above 160,000 units will also be an important observation point in the coming months. Anyway, this May report is already weighty enough. It is not only a new high in numbers but also a signal, indicating that BYD is shifting from "selling cars" to "taking responsibility". In this market full of uncertainty, this shift may be more meaningful than the sales figures themselves.

Recently, media reports claimed BYD was considering acquiring the luxury car brand Maserati. On May 21, BYD responded publicly: It is untrue, it is a rumor.

Hot Tech learned that this rumor stems from Li Siting, BYD Vice President of International Business, at the London Auto Show, regarding the statement "BYD considers acquiring traditional European car brands facing operational difficulties." She pointed out publicly that Maserati is interesting, conveying a signal of "acquisition" to the outside world.

On May 14, BYD Executive Vice President Li Ke told the media that the company is negotiating with the Stellantis Group (Maserati's parent company) to acquire its idle factory in Italy, without mentioning brand acquisition content. Stellantis only acknowledged the news of the factory acquisition negotiation and did not respond to the brand sale content.

It is known that in recent years, BYD, which has developed rapidly, owns five major brands: Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang. It has completed coverage from family commuter cars, off-road, and luxury performance vehicles. Its self-developed technologies such as Blade Battery, DM-i Hybrid, and DiSus Chassis are deeply popular in domestic and international markets.

Currently, BYD New Energy Vehicles have been sold in more than 110 countries globally, and have even invested and built factories in countries such as Thailand, Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Hungary. This contact between BYD and the Stellantis Group seems more like an attempt to increase overseas capacity. If negotiations succeed, BYD can directly reduce production and transportation costs and create more profits. The reason for the appearance of the "rumor" is likely due to excessive media interpretation leading to misinterpretation. This official denial can be considered as putting an end to this farce.

As the last page of the calendar for May 2026 is turned, on the map of the Chinese automotive market, a peak named "BYD" appears increasingly towering. The monthly new energy vehicle sales figure of 383,453 units is not just a cold statistical result, but also an in-depth report on technological faith, system resilience, and global ambition. Behind this report card, what we see is no longer just a car manufacturer chasing sales, but how a Chinese brand reshapes industry rules through hard core technology, and how to complete a gorgeous transformation from "participant" to "leader" on the global stage.

Stability of the Base and Breakthrough at the High End

In the business world, continuous success is often more awe-inspiring than accidental explosions. The 383,453 units report card submitted by BYD in May is most shocking not by the magnitude of the numbers, but by the structural health shown behind it.

First, is the "rock solid stability" of the base. The Dynasty and Ocean two series combined contributed over 330,000 units of sales, which constitutes the solid chassis of BYD's huge body. This massive national-level sales scale means BYD has completed the leap from "niche trial" to "mass favorite". It no longer relies solely on one hit car to rule the world, but has established a massive product ecosystem capable of self-blood supply and self-renewal. Standing at the top of domestic new energy sales for 60 consecutive months is not only the accumulation of time, but also the ultimate test of market sensitivity and supply chain control.

However, if it only stays on the scale of quantity, BYD might only be called "big", not "strong". The real highlight is the "overwhelming momentum" of its high-end brands. Fang Cheng Bao monthly sales of 30,186 units, year-on-year growth of 139.7%, setting a new high for the year; Denza sales of 16,803 units, maintaining steady growth. This data is highly symbolic; it marks BYD breaking through the "premiumization curse" that Chinese brands have long found difficult to overcome. In traditional cognition, domestic brand upward breakthroughs often come with sales pain, but BYD has proven with facts that Chinese technology can also support premium pricing, and Chinese design can also win the favor of the elite class. The continuous delivery of the Yangwang brand further pushes this exploration to the extreme, showing the courage to explore unknown boundaries.

From "Spec Stacking" to "Experience Guarantee"

In today's car market, talking about technology is no longer strange; the strange thing is how to convert technology into user-perceivable sense of security. BYD's moves in May perfectly interpret what "technology puts people first" means.

If past car competition was a battle of engine RPM, then future competition is a game of code lines and data streams. By the end of May, the number of BYD models equipped with assisted driving exceeded 3.15 million, and Heavenly Eye generates data of over 200 million kilometers daily. This massive data torrent is the most precious feedstock for training AI. But BYD did not stop at owning data, but took a more revolutionary step - launching City Pilot Safety Guarantee Service.

"Only dare to guarantee is true safety." This sentence spoken by Wang Chuanfu rings loud. In the current industry involution, many enterprises are keen on promoting L2, L3 level parameters, but few enterprises dare to make safety promises in actual usage scenarios. BYD became the world's first car manufacturer to simultaneously achieve City Pilot and Smart Parking "dual guarantee". This is not just functional iteration, but also responsibility. It means when the vehicle is driving in complex urban road conditions, the system is no longer a cold auxiliary tool, but becomes the guardian "steady holding up" behind the user. This change from "showing off skills" to "being responsible" is the dividing line of industry maturity.

At the same time, the launch of the second generation Blade Battery and Flash Charge Technology further consolidated the underlying logic of the electrification era. Safety and efficiency are often at odds. But BYD, through technological iteration, allows the third generation Yuan PLUS, Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 Flash Charge Edition and other models to achieve "charging as fast as refueling, power consumption as cheap as water". This is not only a good medicine for solving user anxiety, but also a key driver for promoting electric cars to fully replace fuel cars.

From "Product Export" to "Value Export"

To observe an enterprise's international status, one cannot look only at its market share in the domestic market, but more at its performance on the world stage. In May, BYD's overseas sales reached 160,177 units, an increase of 80.7% year-on-year, setting a new record. Behind this number is a microcosm of China's manufacturing crossing to China's creation.

It is worth noting that BYD's overseas strategy is not a simple "clearing inventory" or "earning foreign exchange". The hot sales of Seagull, Song PLUS, and Yuan series in overseas markets prove that its product definition ability has already possessed a universally spoken language globally. Especially the SHARK pickup truck continuous two months sales breakthrough 4,000 units, this shows BYD is accurately cutting into the demand pain points of different global market segments.

From Thailand's factory to Brazil's streets, from European squares to Middle East deserts, BYD's wheels are rolling over every corner of the world. This is not only product output, but also standard output, cultural output. It lets the world see that Chinese new energy vehicles are no longer synonyms for cheap, but representatives of high-tech, high-quality lifestyle. With the launch of more heavy products such as Denza N8L Flash Charge Edition, Seal 08, Sealion 08 etc., BYD's global product matrix will be more full, and its global layout chess game will become more active.

After the Summit, There Are Vast Seas and Stars

Looking back at this report card for May 2026, what we see is not only a string of growing numbers, but also the evolution history of a Chinese leading car enterprise. From Dynasty Ocean national popularization to Denza Fang Cheng Bao high-end breakthrough; from Blade Battery safety cornerstone to Heavenly Eye intelligent guard; from domestic market dominance to global territory opening.

BYD is using an almost obsessive technological faith to write a glorious chapter belonging to China's automotive industry. It tells us that true strength is not defeating all opponents, but establishing a set of standards that opponents cannot reach. When others are still discussing how to stack screens and computing power, BYD has already talked about how to guarantee safety; when others are still anxious about battery spontaneous combustion, BYD has already brought flash charge technology into thousands of households.

Reaching the top of dual rankings, for BYD, is not the end point, but a new starting point. At this starting point, what it faces is no longer chasers, but how to define the future mobility proposition. We have reason to believe that with the continuous release of technical dividends and in-depth globalization strategy, BYD will continue to lead the way and win more respect and cheers for Chinese brands on the global stage.

Recently, BYD launched a panel van based on the Dolphin in the UK, named DolphinCargoe-Van. The local price is 29,300 pounds, roughly 264,000 RMB, and pre-orders have now opened at authorized BYD stores in the UK.

This vehicle is modified from the familiar home-use Dolphin. BYD removes the rear seats and adds a metal partition behind the front row. The modified vehicle offers a loading capacity of 1,093 liters and also provides 47 liters of hidden storage space, transforming the original passenger car into a light commercial vehicle. That is to say, it is the "Cargo Version Dolphin", specifically targeting light logistics markets such as urban distribution, express delivery, repair services, etc.

Max length 1.25 meters, max width 1.16 meters, width between wheel arches about 1.02 meters, height 0.71 meters. A 47-liter small compartment is also hidden under the floor. The floor has been treated for wear resistance. The rear of the vehicle offers two choices: enclosed baffle or retaining the window, making it convenient for different merchants to select as needed.

Regarding power, the new car continues to adopt the Dolphin's power system, equipped with a 60.4kWh Blade Battery and a 204 horsepower motor. The combined range can reach 426 kilometers, and the urban driving range can reach up to about 558 kilometers.

In terms of configuration, the vehicle comes standard with seat heating, steering wheel heating, 360-degree panoramic vision, and 220V external discharge functionality, allowing direct connection of electrical equipment for repairs or street vending.

The new car is marketed in the UK, an important step for BYD to complete its European product layout, filling the passenger and light commercial vehicle product lines. Overall, the launch performance needs market validation, and it is expected to be promoted to other European countries in the future.

BYD's strategy this year is to go global and target international markets. In May, BYD sold a total of 160,600 vehicles overseas, an increase of 80.7% year-on-year. Overseas sales accounted for more than 42% of total sales, and BYD's Ro-Ro ships are nearly insufficient. Recently, BYD sold the Denza Z9GT to Europe, making a grand impression.

BYD has already built or plans to build factories in countries such as Brazil, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Hungary. Ultimately, going global, having a solid product is the first step, but it is just the first step. If every subsequent step is taken firmly, then more and more foreigners who are "hooked" on domestic cars, or even "obsessed", will become more numerous.

BYD officially released the May 2026 production and sales flash report, with new energy vehicles from all brands reaching a monthly sales volume of 383,453 vehicles, a slight increase of 0.26% year-on-year, achieving year-on-year positive growth in monthly sales after ten months; among them, passenger car deliveries reached 376,990 units, surging 19.4% month-on-month, wiping out the pain of previous model iterations, presenting a new pattern where the domestic base is stable, overseas sales are soaring, and high-end brands are scaling up across the board. Amidst the market environment of intensified competition in the domestic new energy sector, Tesla FSD entering China, and an intense launch of independent new products, it has forged a unique structural growth path.

The Dynasty and Ocean main brands combined sold 330,215 vehicles in May, accounting for over 80% of the group's total sales, remaining the stabilizer for BYD's sales volume. The full series had 8 models exceeding 20,000 units in monthly sales, covering products from 50,000 entry-level commuter to 200,000 home SUV.

Inside the Dynasty Network, the Yuan family sold 56,691 units, and the Song family 51,370 units. Both crossed the 50,000 threshold, becoming two major sales pillars for the brand, catering to home commuter and urban-rural travel needs; the Qin family followed closely with a stable performance of 28,360 units. The Han and Tang series maintained a volume in the six-thousand range, deeply cultivating the mid-to-large home sedan and SUV niche markets; the brand new model Xia is in the market cultivation phase, delivering 1,810 units monthly, with potential for steady volume growth as channels expand.

The Ocean Network's growth momentum is even more rapid, with 5 models entering the 20,000 club across the series: Sealion 42,615 units, Seal 34,117 units, Seagull 39,919 units, Dolphin 22,260 units, and Song PLUS 27,755 units. Among them, Seagull remains the best-selling entry-level commuter model thanks to its affordable pricing of 60,000-80,000. Sealion, as a new volume model, stands firm at the 40,000 level upon launch, filling the mid-size SUV product gap in the Ocean Network and perfecting the Ocean product tier layout. From commuter small cars to compact SUVs, the two main brands rely on DM-i hybrid and pure electric dual-line technologies to牢牢锁住 the mainstream home market share within 150,000 domestically.

The high-end matrix of Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang sold a combined 46,489 vehicles in May, officially breaking away from the niche positioning to become a new pivot for BYD's brand premium and profit growth, breaking the industry curse of difficulty in high-end breakthrough for domestic brands.

The off-road brand Fang Cheng Bao sold 30,186 units monthly, surging 139.7% year-on-year, creating a new high in monthly sales since the brand launched. Its Titanium 7 model sold 18,280 units monthly, while Leopard 5 and Leopard 8 output remained stable, continuously squeezing the survival space for joint venture and imported models in the 250,000-400,000 hardcore off-road niche market.

Denza delivered 16,303 units in May, with the MPV benchmark D9 selling 6,721 units, and the Z9 series close to 6,000 units. MPV and mid-to-large sedan dual-line efforts helped them stand firm in the luxury new energy track; the million-level ultra-luxury brand Yangwang continued its steady climb, delivering 286 units that month, a year-on-year increase of 105.8%, completing market verification of the domestic brand ceiling product and forming a full price range product layout from 100,000+ home, 300,000-400,000 off-road, 500,000 luxury MPV to million-level flagship.

In May, BYD's overseas sales of passenger cars and pickup trucks reached 160,177 units, surging 80.7% year-on-year. Exports accounted for over 42% of the full series total sales, setting a new historical high for brand export and becoming the core driving force to stabilize May overall sales and achieve year-on-year positive growth.

Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America became the main incremental markets. Seagull, Song PLUS, and Yuan series continued to top new energy best-seller lists in multiple countries; the SHARK pickup truck exceeded 4,000 units in monthly exports for two consecutive months. Relying on the completion of localization production in Thailand, Brazil, Hungary, and Uzbekistan with four overseas vehicle factories, localized production continues to land, avoiding tariffs while rapidly penetrating terminal channels. Against the background of stock market competition in the domestic auto industry and normalized price wars, the rapidly expanding overseas market effectively counteracts sales volatility brought by domestic model iterations, officially upgrading from a supplementary market to BYD's core growth engine. As of now, BYD's global cumulative new energy vehicle sales have exceeded 16.5 million units, with the globalization map continuously broadening.

May marked a key node in BYD's intelligent driving landing, with the God's Eye intelligent driving system becoming a core bonus point for models: the number of vehicles with advanced intelligent driving across all brands exceeded 3.15 million, with daily road test data exceeding 200 million kilometers; that month, BYD implemented City Pilot and Smart Parking dual safety backup services, becoming the world's first auto manufacturer to achieve dual intelligent driving backups. Three days after policy implementation, the activation rate of models equipped with the God's Eye system in cities surged 50%. Intelligent driving experience upgrades directly drove in-store order conversion, solidifying product competitiveness for subsequent models to continue volume sales, and facing the intelligent driving market shock brought by FSD entering China.

From data details, BYD's cumulative sales from January to May 2026 were 1,405,039 units, down 20.32% year-on-year. The core reason is that the full series of main models were concentratedly iterated, and the capacity ramp-up of the 2nd Gen Fast Charge Blade Battery was restricted. The new Flash Charge Battery upgraded fast charging and low-temperature performance. Full series iteration models prioritized installing new batteries, but production line retrofitting dragged down capacity release. Order backlogs on popular models and delayed deliveries compressed the May delivery volume to a certain extent.

As the end of the second quarter approaches and the 2nd Gen Blade Battery capacity continues to release, coupled with new models such as Denza N8L, Fang Cheng Bao Titanium 7 Pure Electric Version, Sealion 05, and Xia L landing the market, the industry generally predicts that BYD's full brand sales in June are expected to exceed 400,000 vehicles. Relying on the four-dimension development logic of low-end volume locking share, high-end raising profit, overseas pushing volume, and intelligence improving product power, amidst the intensified new energy elimination round in the domestic market, BYD's full category layout advantage continues to amplify, securing its status as the domestic new energy leader, accelerating steadily towards global top auto manufacturers.

In the first four months of 2026, the pure electric vehicle market in Indonesia witnessed significant growth. Amidst this wave of green travel, BYD firmly secured the top position with absolute advantage, becoming the most eye-catching Chinese brand in the local market.

According to the latest data released by the Indonesia Automotive Industry Association, wholesale sales of pure electric vehicles by BYD in Indonesia reached a cumulative total of 17,098 units from January to April this year, successfully claiming the local electric vehicle sales championship. This figure not only far exceeds other brands but also validates BYD's strong competitiveness in the overseas market.

At the product level, BYD has constructed a rich and diverse model matrix in the Indonesian market. The Seagull, Yuan Plus, Dolphin, BYD M6, Seal, and Sealion 7, totaling six models, worked in synergy to cover full-scenario needs ranging from entry-level commuting to high-end travel. Whether for young first-time buyers or multi-person households, everyone can find electric vehicle models suitable for their specific needs within BYD's product line.

Entering April, BYD continued to maintain a strong growth momentum in the Indonesian market. Wholesale sales for the month once again ranked first in the industry, demonstrating the brand's increasingly strong recognition among Indonesian consumers. Behind every order lies a user's genuine trust in BYD's quality and service. From the streets of Jakarta to the suburbs of Bandung, an increasing number of BYD models are becoming a moving landscape on Indonesian roads.

It is worth noting that the success of the Indonesian market is not an isolated case. As a crucial link in BYD's global strategy, Indonesia, along with other overseas markets, is jointly scripting a new chapter in BYD's "going global" blueprint. From Southeast Asia to Europe, from Latin America to the Middle East, BYD is constantly refreshing the perception boundaries of Chinese automotive brands overseas with solid product capabilities and stable delivery capabilities.

Industry analysts believe that BYD has not only "gone out" but has truly achieved a deep qualitative transformation of "going in." This leap signifies that China's new energy vehicles have grown into trusted leaders on the global stage.

As usual, BYD submitted a May sales performance report that left the industry speechless. Not only did domestic new energy vehicle sales reach 383,453 units, ranking first in domestic new energy sales for 60 consecutive months; overseas volume surged 80.7% unexpectedly, sales breaking 160,000 units for the first time. Rumors say BYD's eight roll-on/roll-off ships were not enough, and recently they even rented one to urgently help transport finished cars;

In the domestic market where NEV penetration has exceeded 40%, everyone is extremely sensitive to prices, and the elimination round has been accelerated. Yet BYD still maintains double-digit year-over-year growth. Now with the overseas market gradually becoming the second growth engine, what does this mean? Although this month set a new historical record, it can be confirmed that BYD's "ceiling" in the following period will likely be far higher than most people imagine.

Domestic Foundation: Dynasty and Ocean Stable as Rock, How Thick is the Base with 330,000 Monthly Sales?

Let's look at the domestic foundation first. BYD Dynasty and Ocean Network combined sales 330,215 units, contributing over 86% of sales. This number itself is a watershed because relying solely on these two product sequences, BYD is already a strong contender for Chinese automaker sales champion. Have you noticed this year Dynasty and Ocean models feature technology trickling down, combined with economies of scale suddenly pulling out a virtuous cycle. Sales matching technology lets everyone feel good product experience, naturally reputation spreads, friends' introductions dispel concerns about EVs, even concerns about BYD, naturally people walk into the stores.

Results found: Fifth Gen DM, e-Platform 3.0, Second Gen Blade Battery these core technologies, already downgraded from high-end models to 100,000-level products,实质上 means making technology affordable. Monthly 330,000 volume, means single car R&D cost, mold cost, supply chain cost are maximally spread thin. Opponents want to fight BYD price war, will find their costs cannot hold up. More critically, these two product sequences still continue iteration. 3rd Gen Yuan PLUS, Seal 08, Sea Lion 08 etc new cars launching soon, flash charging technology also accelerating popularization. Foundation not aging, but constantly refreshing.

May Fang Cheng Bao sales 30,186 units, YoY growth 139.7%, Denza sales 16,303 units, Yangwang sales 286 units, YoY growth 105.8%. Actually Fang Cheng Bao explosion not accidental, Leopard 5, Leopard 8 plus flash charging tech, Fang Cheng Bao in hardcore off-road + NEV niche track, usage experience almost no opponents, more people starting to understand, turning is inevitable.

Overseas Explosion: Single Month 160,000 Units, Globalization from "Story" to "Numbers"

Let's compare 2025 full year first, BYD overseas sales about 800,000 units. But 2026 first 5 months, overseas cumulative sales already quickly approaching 600,000 units. If maintaining current growth rate, full year overseas sales breaking 1.2-1.5 million units not impossible.

Look at a few key regions: Seagull, Song PLUS, Yuan Series in Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America recognition getting higher and higher. SHARK pickup trucks for two consecutive months break 4,000 units. Domestic pickups one year only 400,000 units. If these single regions can sell one-tenth of domestic, later globally rebuild one much larger than domestic pickup consumption market volume, not what is difficult.

Objectively speaking, past overseas consumers to Chinese cars cognition is "cheap but unsafe", BYD with Blade Battery abroad alone strength gradually reverse this impression, especially in Thailand, Brazil etc, BYD already become EV symbol. Plus BYD already in Brazil, Hungary, Thailand build factories producing, localization is a very good marketing way, more local people understand BYD, understand Chinese cars.

BYD Leadership: Intelligent Driving Safety Net

Wang Chuanfu personally announced BYD as City Pilot Safety Net Guarantee Service, his sentence "Dare to Underwrite, is True Safety" is what worth thinking.

Why "Underwrite" so important? Because in intelligent driving popularization today, most auto companies intelligent driving functions are "User Responsibility", system had accident, responsibility on driver. BYD's "Underwrite" means, in specific scenarios, if system failed to respond timely, manufacturer bear corresponding safety responsibility, users can in driving time no need to think whether turn on assist driving, instead get on car press "Intelligent Driving Paddle", user activity high, data model build accelerate, everyone dare use, BYD dare adjust data feedback to serve people, second virtuous cycle again establish.

Data won't lie: BYD this safety net launched after, function usage rate from 21% to over 90%.

Summary:

So BYD's "Ceiling" where? This if-no-if ceiling, BYD through tech R&D and strategy layout, already pushed up or "removed", this group data for BYD tell is like "the light boat has passed ten thousand mountains", and from Panda Speed see: BYD growth not eating NEV dividend, but NEV market eating BYD dividend.

If future every month BYD sales data all climbing, then BYD will from own dividend beneficiary, gradually become rule maker, behind BYD will face ceiling, only own production capacity and delivery capability, but from current situation see, BYD is running faster and faster.

May sales and export performance topped the charts again, so what's next?

Reviewing the monthly performance of current leading domestic automakers, new energy vehicles improving quality and increasing volume, high-speed expansion of overseas exports, and stable protection by mainstay models have become the "New Three Major Components" for industry sales interpretation. Unlike the single-point breakthrough trend of most domestic automakers, BYD achieved comprehensive strength in three dimensions this May, significantly increasing the gold content of overall sales, fully displaying the top strength of the global new energy leader.

Latest sales data shows, BYD's May total vehicle sales reached 383,453 units, a 20% month-on-month surge, with performance strongly recovering.

Overall, BYD passenger vehicle sales reached 376,990 units. Among them, pure electric vehicle sales were 198,674 units, firmly holding the basic market share; Plug-in hybrid DM model sales were 178,316 units, continuing to strengthen year-on-year. Relying on the advantages of oil and electric versatility, low consumption and worry-free operation, it precisely matches the core needs of home users, becoming the key support for stable sales.

Against the backdrop of industry competitors' mainstream new energy models frequently losing momentum and lacking growth, BYD relies on a layered layout of the five major brands: Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang, covering the full price range market to achieve stable growth across all areas. However, it needs to be pointed out that the problem of slower iteration of BYD's mid-to-large flagship models and lack of growth in some sub-models has also become a small shortcoming of the brand.

Looking specifically at the May report card, BYD delivered three major core highs, achieving a key transformation from scale growth to structural quality improvement.

The first new high is high-speed growth in overseas exports.In May, BYD's overseas exports reached 160,177 units, an 80.7% year-on-year surge, breaking the record for Chinese new energy vehicle companies' single-month overseas exports. The export sales proportion broke through 42%, meaning that for every ten new cars sold by the brand, more than four are sold to overseas markets.

Since the beginning of this year, BYD's globalization pace has continued to accelerate. Production capacity at overseas factories in Thailand and Brazil is steadily ramping up. The Seagull officially entered the markets of multiple European countries. Yuan PLUS and Song PLUS have deepened cultivation in Southeast Asian and Latin American core markets. The SHARK pickup continues to sell well. Sedans, SUVs, and pickups of all categories have landed for overseas exports. The brand's cumulative overseas sales from January to May exceeded 620,000 units. The overseas market has completely shed its supplementary attribute, becoming a second growth curve comparable to the domestic market, confirming its thorough transformation from a Chinese brand to a global automotive enterprise.

The second new high is simultaneous increase in volume and price of the premium matrix.In May, BYD's premium brands went all out. Fang Cheng Bao single-month sales reached 30,186 units, surging 139.7% year-on-year, creating an annual peak. The Titanium 7 and Leopard 5 models worked together, successfully breaking through the gap in the 200,000-400,000 yuan domestic hard-core off-road market, breaking the monopoly pattern of joint venture models. Denza brand sold 16,303 units. The D9 and Z9 models worked in synergy, escaping reliance on single models, firmly staying in the core tracks of high-end MPVs and sedans. The Yangwang brand steadily ramped up, delivering 286 units per month, a 105.8% year-on-year surge, continuously stabilizing in the million-level luxury new energy track.

The collective rise of premium brands also marks that BYD has thoroughly broken through the price ceiling. The 300,000+ premium market has achieved normalized volume sales, and brand premium ability continues to be implemented.

The third new high is the solid and strong performance of the mainstream basic market.In May, sales of the two major mainstays, Dynasty and Ocean, reached 330,215 units, rising sharply nearly 20% month-on-month, becoming the ballast stone for brand sales. Among them, the Yuan Family and Song Family two-car single-month sales broke 50,000, continuing to lead the domestic compact car market; The Seagull, Dolphin, Seal, Sea Lion and other models sales broke 20,000, covering the 50,000-level commuting to the 250,000-level home market, dominating the sub-segment tracks. The two platforms have clear division of labor and complement each other. The Dynasty network deepens cultivation of fuel replacement users, the Ocean network focuses on young pure electric rigid demand groups, covering domestic mainstream consumer groups in all dimensions, and solidifying the brand's basic market.

It can be seen that under the guidance of the "All-Categories BYD" strategy, the five major brands achieve precise differentiated division of labor and synergistic effort. The Dynasty network stabilizes the home basic market, relying on mature DM-i hybrid technology to cultivate the lower-tier market deeply; The Ocean network carries the banner of pure electric volume increase, youth-oriented products meet domestic rigid demand and also become the main force for overseas exports; Denza takes root in the high-end home track, filling the gap in the high-end passenger market; Fang Cheng Bao opens a new track for domestic hard-core off-road; Yangwang is based on the top luxury market, solidifying the brand's technology and value ceiling, forming a product layout with full coverage and no shortfalls.

Looking back at the first half of this year, the three-wheel drive of technology iteration, product renewal, and global market expansion laid the groundwork for the surge in BYD sales in May again. On the technology end, the Super e Platform and Megawatt Flash Charging technology are fully implemented. Self-developed vehicle-grade intelligent driving chips are equipped on a large scale, and the popularity of high-level intelligent driving continues to improve, thoroughly solving user charging, range, and smart experience pain points. At the same time, on the product end, production capacity of multiple modified models is released, new high-end models are launched successively, and the sub-product matrix is perfected. On the globalization end, overseas production capacity, channels, and models landing have accelerated comprehensively, supporting monthly increases in export sales.

Auto-First View: The standout May sales performance is also a concentrated reflection of BYD's systematic layout in the first half of the year. Today's BYD has achieved the simultaneous rise of three growth curves: domestic stability, premium quality improvement, and overseas volume increase, getting rid of the industrial involution predicament. In the current hyper-competitive domestic new energy market, BYD continues to consolidate its leading position relying on the advantages of whole-indchain self-research, full-price product matrix, and global layout. From deep cultivation domestically to leading globally, BYD not only defined the development benchmark for Chinese new energy vehicle enterprises but also firmly grasped the core discourse power of smart electrification in the global automotive industry transformation.

June 1, BYD released May production and sales data. 383,453 vehicles, this is BYD's May report card. This number means BYD continues to firmly hold the top spot in China's automotive sales, and it also means that in the first 5 months of this year, BYD has cumulatively sold over 1.4 million vehicles. With this pace, hitting 4 million vehicles annually is not a dream.

Domestic market stabilized, overseas market surged

By brand, the Dynasty and Ocean series sold 330,215 vehicles, absolute mainstays. Fang Cheng Bao 30,186, Denza 16,303, each established a foothold. Regarding specific models, in May 8 BYD models sold over 20,000 units monthly, this lineup depth, globally speaking, you won't find a second car company.

Regarding star models, Seal 5 sold 42,615 in May, momentum is fierce. Seagull approached 40,000, still the king of the small pure electric market. Song PLUS sold about 28,000, Song Family and Yuan Family both monthly sales exceeded 50,000. Qin Family 28,360, Titanium 7 series 18,280, Denza Z9 series approaching 6,000. From Seagulls worth tens of thousands to Denzas worth hundreds of thousands, BYD's product line covers almost all price bands, and every sub-market has a blockbuster. This is not luck, but a reflection of systemic capability.

Clearly, BYD hasn't lost its domestic base. But the growth rate has indeed slowed. This is not surprising — domestic market penetration has already surpassed 50%, and the incremental space is getting narrower.

Then where does the growth come from?

The answer lies overseas.

Overseas share exceeds 40%, not accidental

In May, BYD exported 160,600 vehicles, up 80.7% year-on-year, setting a historic high. A more critical number is, export share of total sales broke 40% for the first time.

That is to say, for every 10 cars BYD sells, more than 4 are sold overseas. This proportion, a year ago, was less than 30%. The rapid rise in overseas sales share is the most valuable information in BYD's May sales data.

Why did overseas sales surge so sharply?

There are three reasons.

1. Strong product capability. Seagull, Yuan PLUS, Song PLUS these models in the overseas market, cost-performance smashes same-class competitors. Consumers in Southeast Asia, South America, Middle East, buy better cars with less money, who wouldn't be happy?
2. Channels expanded. BYD's speed in building factories overseas is termed aggressive, Thailand factory already in production, Indonesia factory 2026 production, Hungary and Turkey factories in progress, Brazil factory also under construction. Localized production means lower tariffs and faster delivery.
3. Logistics handled independently. BYD assembled its own shipping fleet, currently 7 large Ro-Ro ships in service. While others wait for ships, BYD dispatches its own ships, delivery efficiency is completely on a different level.

Another easily overlooked factor: Brand awareness. Two years ago, overseas consumers were still very unfamiliar with BYD. But nowadays, from Thailand to Brazil, from Australia to Europe, BYD stores and ads are visible everywhere. Sales are the best advertising, 160,000 monthly overseas sales volume is itself the strongest brand endorsement.

Compared to Chery and Geely, what level is BYD's overseas push?

Talking about overseas sales, can't just look at BYD alone. In May, Chery exported 181,871 vehicles, up 80.5% YoY, breaking China's single-month export record for three consecutive months. Chery's total sales that month were 247,823 vehicles, export share up to 73.4%. For every 4 cars sold, 3 go overseas, Chery is the undisputed export king.

Additionally, Geely's May overseas sales 85,144 vehicles, up 184%, doubling growth, momentum also fierce. SAIC May export and overseas base sales 129,541 vehicles, up 32.46%, volume still huge.

From absolute numbers, Chery May export 182,000 vehicles, 20,000 more than BYD, still the leader of China's auto export. Chery has farmed overseas for many years, channel network mature, especially in Russia, Middle East, South America markets, roots deep.

SAIC's overseas layout is earlier, has formed 1 300,000 vehicle level (Europe) and 5 50,000 vehicle level regional markets, covering 170+ countries and regions. Discussing the breadth of overseas territory, SAIC is temporarily leading.

However, BYD's biggest advantage is growth rate. May overseas YoY up 80.7%, this growth rate is above SAIC and Chery, second only to Geely's 184%. But Geely's overseas base is small, doubling growth is relatively easy.

More crucially, BYD's overseas sales product structure is better. Chery and SAIC's export main forces, many are fuel cars. While BYD's exports are almost all new energy vehicles, unit price higher, brand premium stronger, future impact from tariff barriers and policy changes is smaller.

Another hidden advantage: Industrial chain. BYD from battery to motor to electronic control, core parts all self-research and self-production. When building factories overseas, BYD can take the whole supply chain with it. Other car companies assemble overseas, parts still need import from domestic, cost and efficiency both discounted. BYD's vertical integration model, in overseas expansion instead became a moat.

So summarizing: on export total volume, Chery is leader; on new energy export, BYD is leader; on export growth speed, Geely surges hardest. Three companies each have their own cards, but BYD's card table is most complete.

Watching BYD's overseas push is actually watching China's automotive overseas push

Let's widen the perspective a bit.

160,000 vehicle overseas export number, not just a single enterprise matter. It illustrates one thing: China's auto overseas push, finally starting to move from 'selling products' to 'building systems'.

Ten years ago, China's auto export was still stuck in the low price volume stage. Sold overseas, mostly cheap fuel cars worth tens of thousands, sticking other's labels, earning some hard money. Back then, Chinese car companies overseas had no brand, no channel, no voice. But today, the situation is completely different. BYD, Chery, Geely, SAIC, China top car companies' overseas monthly sales total exceeded 500,000 vehicles. This is not dumping low prices, but a market won by product capability.

BYD's role in this is very special. It is the global champion of new energy track, consecutive 60 months domestic new energy sales champion, cumulatively sold 16.5 million new energy vehicles. More importantly, it proves one thing: Chinese brands in new energy era, can be sold worldwide, and can sell at brand premium.

Of course, challenges also truly exist. EU tariffs, US blockades, different market regulation differences, brand building long time etc., these are hard battles. Overseas market is never a banquet, every 10,000 vehicle growth involves real money and hard-fought battles.

But this May report card at least illustrates one thing: direction is correct, gas pedal is pressed down.

BYD May 380,000 vehicle sales, domestic market is base, overseas market is growth pole. 160,000 vehicle overseas sales, is BYD's milestone, also drives China auto overseas to a new starting point. This road is still long, but direction is already very clear.

Note at the beginning:

After entering June, major automotive manufacturers started releasing their sales performance records for the past May. From the strong New Force Leapmotor to the exceptional BYD, they have become another topic of discussion in the automotive industry. It is not difficult to see that in the domestic car market, the landscape of Chinese car brands has slowly evolved from the former "Five Tigers" to the "Top Three Powerhouses" stance. In my mind, these so-called top three are BYD, Geely, and Chery. Of course, the evolution of the "Five Tigers" is a process, and the "Top Three" is not set in stone.

Today, this content provides a stage sales review and sharp commentary on the top five automakers, primarily targeting BYD, Geely, Chery, Changan, and Great Wall. Let's see how these five automakers performed in the market during the past May. The next content will mainly review New Force brands. Without further ado, here we serve the goods to you!

BYD: May sales 383,453 vehicles, standing out distinctly leading the way

Let's first look at BYD's performance in May. In the past May, BYD could be described as standing out distinctly and leading the way consistently. May BYD sales exceeded 380,000 units, reaching 383,453 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 0.3% and a month-on-month increase of 19.3%. This is also the highest single-month sales for BYD since entering 2026. In the sales composition, the Ocean Network and Dynasty Network remain the absolute mainstays, with the cumulative sales of the two networks exceeding 330,000 units.

In addition, under the support of Titanium 7, Fang Cheng Bao also delivered a performance record of 30,186 vehicles. Denza and Fang Cheng Bao May sales were 16,303 vehicles and 286 vehicles respectively. In terms of the overseas market, BYD reached a new historical high in May, delivering 160,177 vehicles (passenger vehicles and pickups), a year-on-year increase of 80.7%.

From January to May this year, the BYD Group cumulative sales reached 1,405,039 vehicles, overseas market cumulative sales reached 614,470 vehicles, accounting for nearly 44%. It is worth mentioning that BYD New Energy cumulative sales have already exceeded 16.5 million vehicles, an undisputed global leader in New Energy.

Chery Automobile: May sales 247,823 vehicles, exports surge sharply, new energy climbs

Chery Automobile May sales were 247,823 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 20.5% with a slight month-on-month decline. Although Chery's various brands have not yet announced specific sales data, from the sales composition perspective, the parent brand Chery and Jetour remain the main sales force of the Chery Automobile Group.

From the May sales data perspective, two data points are worth noting. First, Chery May export volume reached a shocking 181,871 vehicles, a year-on-year surge of 80.5%, and has beaten the record for a single month of Chinese car exports for three consecutive months, becoming the indisputable sales support of the Chery Group. In addition, Chery New Energy vehicle sales reached 100,304 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 58.8%. Currently, Chery's New Energy composition consists of pure electric on one hand, and plug-in hybrid models developed vigorously on the other.

From January to May this year, Chery Automobile cumulative sales exceeded 1,100,921 vehicles, creating a new historical high for the same period. In addition, Chery Group global cumulative users have exceeded 19.62 million, of which overseas users exceed 6.59 million. Unsurprisingly, Chery will welcome an important milestone in July: cumulative users exceeding 20 million.

Geely Automobile: May sales 237,637 vehicles, ZEEKR surges, overseas explodes

Next, let's look at Geely Automobile's performance. In May, the Geely Automobile Group sales were 237,637 vehicles, achieving double-digit year-on-year and month-on-month growth for three consecutive months. Among the specific performance of each brand, the Geely brand remains the sales support of the group, May sales reached 182,528 vehicles, mainly due to the strong performance of Geely Galaxy, which delivered a record of 81,727 vehicles.

In addition, ZEEKR brand sales were 34,377 vehicles, Lynk & Co brand sales were 20,732 vehicles, the brand with the highest increase ZEEKR increased by 82%. Geely China Star Series performed stably, May sales 100,801 vehicles, year-on-year increase 16%, month-on-month increase 12.5%, still showing a double-digit year-on-year and month-on-month growth trend. Binyue, Boyue, Xingyue L, Xingrui, Emgrand, etc., all performed well.

In terms of New Energy, Geely Group cumulative sales reached 133,000 units, accounting for 56%, becoming its sales support. In terms of the overseas market, Geely was equally outstanding, delivering a performance of 85,000 units, a year-on-year surge of 184%, creating a new historical high, achieving double-digit year-on-year and month-on-month growth. In the first five months of this year, Geely Automobile cumulative sales exceeded 1.18 million, second only to BYD.

Changan Automobile: May sales 209,100 vehicles, New Energy steady, overseas situation excellent

In May, Changan Automobile continued its stable performance, delivering 209,100 vehicles, of which 70,700 vehicles were delivered overseas, a year-on-year surge of 38%. New Energy steady, May deliveries 92,400 vehicles, nearly completed sales support, also contributed the greatest force to Changan Automobile sales.

Looking at the brands separately, Changan Qiyuan May deliveries were 34,528 vehicles, among which the new Q05 performed outstandingly, single-month delivery of new vehicles 15,812 vehicles, only 3 days after launching in Thailand orders broke through the 3,000 units mark.

Deepal Automobile performance was equally excellent, May deliveries 33,243 vehicles, year-on-year increase 30%, among which Deepal S05 remains the brand sales support, single-month deliveries 18,866 vehicles, since listing, cumulative sales have already exceeded 220,000 units. From January to May, Deepal cumulative sales 130,531 vehicles, year-on-year increase 15%. Overseas market this year first five months Deepal deliveries 28,704 vehicles, year-on-year surge 167%.

Changan parent brand May deliveries 48,900 vehicles, with the launch and delivery of the fourth-generation Yiding Blue Whale Super Engine and the fourth-generation CS75 PLUS Blue Whale Super Engine dual vehicles, the starting price of 79,900 Yuan is also expected to further pull the sales of the Changan brand.

Changan Kaicheng May delivered new vehicles 21,100 units, New Energy deliveries year-on-year increased 21%, Avatr May sales 7,336 vehicles, Avatr 12 cannot be ignored, with the appearance of Avatr 07L, as the first batch of models equipped with Huawei Qiankun ADS 5, it is also expected to assist Avatr in the follow-up.

Great Wall Motor: May sales 100,399 vehicles, overseas increase significant

Great Wall Motor May market performance compared to other four, the performance record looks indeed thin. May delivered 100,399 vehicles, overseas market performance excellent, year-on-year surge 46.75%. From January to May this year, Great Wall sales new vehicles 475,815 vehicles, year-on-year slight increase 3.64%.

May Haval brand remains sales support, 55,478 vehicles performance let it occupy Great Wall Motor's half of the mountain. Haval SUV cumulative sales have reached 10.4445 million vehicles, still the best-selling SUV brand. With the listing of Haval Menglong PLUS, Haval Big Dog PLUS long-range version new vehicles successively, Haval sales is expected to welcome further breakthrough. For Haval brand, personally feel Haval H6 series currently a bit regretful, suggest Haval SUV can focus on Haval H6 this IP continue to exert force, create a model that can move volume, inherit classics while improving Haval SUV sales.

WEY May sales 8,119 vehicles, year-on-year increase 31.78%, WEY Gaoshan and Blue Mountain remain sales support. With the listing of the new model WEY V9X, WEY sales is expected to welcome further breakthrough, personally predict WEY next month sales breakthrough 10,000 units not a problem, but how to further breakthrough has become a difficulty placed in front of WEY CEO Zhao Yongpo.

Tank brand May sales 17,067 vehicles, historical cumulative sales 911,700 vehicles, this year break 1 million vehicle target not a problem. New Tank 700 listing continues hot sales, new Tank 400 also momentum just right, unfortunately previously popular Tank 300 series, continuously eaten away by other brands' new vehicle sales.

Great Wall Pickup May sales 13,628 vehicles, historical cumulative sales 2.9488 million vehicles, still China Pickup sales No. 1. With the arrival of Great Wall Cannon Hi4-T new vehicles, Great Wall Pickup sales also expected to further improve.

Great Wall ORA May sales 6,018 vehicles, year-on-year surge 206.88%. Currently ORA sales pillar still ORA Good Cat, with the listing of one-vehicle-multiple-power ORA 5, Great Wall ORA sales breakthrough 10,000 units not a problem.

Note at the end:

From the market performance of the above five Chinese automakers, BYD still leads continuously, Geely and Chery two automakers recent months sales not distinguish upper or lower, head to head, Changan then steady steps, in overseas market and New Energy market continue to exert force.

Compared to other four automakers, Great Wall market performance not good, but operation steady. Headman Wei Jianjun continuously appears, created powerful personal IP, also pulled brand influence. But the problem placed in front of Great Wall Motor is how to continuously follow up in the market, don't fall behind the first tier. Personally brand influence Great Wall no problem, product power and service also completely no problem, currently Great Wall needs to do is create blockbuster vehicles, how to improve automaker overall sales through new vehicles.

This article by [Car Market Special Review/Li Te'er] New Media Studio original production, author Beiyan, reproduction requires attribution.

By / Zhang Guoli of China Independent Automotive Network

This time, we really have to praise BYD.

It's not that polite kind of praise, nor is it the standard rhetoric written by media after a company sponsors a poster, such as "taking responsibility" and "being accountable". To be honest, everyone is tired of reading such drafts, the writers are tired, and the readers are tired.

This time is different.

A group of Chinese children born in 2014 won 7 matches in 7 games in Italy, scoring 21 goals and conceding only 2. In the final, facing the Everton Youth Team of the Premier League's old club, it was 1-1 in regular time, and 5-4 in the penalty shootout, and they held onto the championship trophy.

Do you think this matters a lot?

If this happened with the adult national team, it might have caused a stir long ago. But unfortunately, this is a group of children around 12 years old. They haven't reached the voice change period yet, haven't truly walked into the cruel door of professional football, but they have already fought for a breath of air for Chinese football first.

In the lens, the children rushed towards the goalkeeper, hugged in a group, shouting until their faces turned red. Someone on the stands waved a national flag, some parents covered their faces crying, some just stood there smiling, eyes getting wet as they smiled.

This scene is more real than many hot-blooded videos at many car launch events.

Behind these children stands BYD.

This is the place I feel most worth writing about.

Many companies doing sports marketing like to take the safe route. Find stars, sponsor tournaments, shoot big films, shout slogans, finally landing on a sentence "supporting sports power". The process is familiar, risk is low, and it is easy to be forgotten.

BYD didn't choose the easiest road this time.

It invested in youth training, children, a field where commercial return is not visible in the short term, and even might bring controversy. Chinese football is already a public opinion minefield, whoever touches it gets scolded. If you win, people say you are riding the hype; if you lose, people say you are messing around wildly. Supporting the adult team might get you scolded, supporting the youth team isn't necessarily better off either.

But BYD still stepped down.

From winning the title in Thailand to claiming the championship in Italy, it wasn't just printing a Logo on the jersey, nor sending a Weibo post to ride the hotspot and leave. It truly gave resources, attention, and trust to these children.

The most rare thing about this isn't money.

Of course, money is important. Youth training without money, nothing can be talked about. Air tickets, accommodation, competition registration, equipment, overseas exchange, team support, which one is not solved by love alone. Dong Lu said the Chinese Football Juniors have invested 58 million yuan over the years, Series A 5 million, Series B 9 million, the remaining 44 million supported by traffic, sponsorship, and paid live streaming. This number might not be scary in professional football, but in youth football, it is already very heavy.

But what BYD truly contributed was not just the sponsorship fee.

It gave this project a sense of certainty.

What do children playing football fear most? Not the bitterness, not the tiredness, or even not losing games. What they fear most is uncertainty.

Is there a game today? Is there training tomorrow? Can we go abroad? Can parents still hold on? Can the project continue? These questions, each one can slowly grind away a child's football dream.

BYD's appearance at least lets these children know: someone sees them, someone is willing to support them, someone is willing to send them to a bigger stage.

This is precious.

China's youth training has been shouting for so many years, what it lacks most is not slogans. We are too good at shouting, "Starting from the toddlers" this phrase has been shouted for decades, the throat is hoarse. What is truly lacked is high-quality matches, international vision, stable investment, and opportunities for children to truly go out.

No matter how lively you kick domestically, if you don't collide with peers from Europe, you will never know what the real rhythm is. How they press, how they turn, how they position, how they handle the ball in physical contact, these are not things you can learn by watching videos.

Chinese Football Juniors went to Italy this time, won against Everton, Florence, Braga, this experience, the value to children far exceeds a trophy.

Trophies will be put in the cabinet, but that body memory after playing against world strong teams will remain on the children.

This is where BYD did the most valuable thing.

It didn't just give the children a "Good luck", it gave them real opportunities to play on the field.

As an automotive industry editor, I actually know clearly, BYD's strongest place in recent years, is not just sales, nor just technology, but it increasingly understands how to tell the story of "Chinese brands going global".

In the past, when Chinese cars went overseas, many people didn't believe it. Thought Chinese brands can only fight price wars, thought new energy is just a gimmick, thought independent brands are very hard to truly walk into the global market.

But BYD in recent years, step by step pushed back the doubts.

From Blade Battery to DM Hybrid; from Dynasty, Ocean, to Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, Yangwang; from domestic market all the way to hit the overseas market, BYD is no longer the Chinese car company that needs to explain itself repeatedly in the past. It now represents the industrial height of Chinese new energy, and also represents the confidence of Chinese manufacturing going up.

So the fact that it supports the Football Juniors is particularly interesting.

A Chinese automotive brand that was once questioned, underestimated, and ridiculed is supporting a group of Chinese football youths who are also questioned, controversial, and not trusted by many people.

This is no coincidence.

This is the same temperament.

Others say you can't do it, don't rush to argue first, just get the results out first.

Others say you are not high-end enough, don't rush to explain first, go to the world stage first.

Others laugh you can't walk far, you just walk step by step to show him.

BYD did this way back then. Now, this group of football Juniors is also doing this way.

Of course, I don't want to write this article as mindless praise.

BYD deserves praise, but this thing cannot be deified. Chinese Football Juniors won the U12 championship, it's very spirited, very uplifting, but it is not the proof that Chinese football turned over. Winning at 12 doesn't mean winning at 17; winning the championship now doesn't mean professional players will definitely come out in the future. The most cruel place of youth training is exactly behind.

Puberty development, injuries, psychological pressure, academic choices, professional channels, these hurdles are getting harder one by one. Children surrounded by flowers today might face missing out, substitutes, transformation, or even leaving football in a few years.

So, truly responsible support is not accompanying them to win once, but accompanying them to walk for a long time.

This is also why I hope BYD will continue to do this.

Don't just stop at a championship poster.

Don't just stop at a hot search.

Even more don't just treat this as a beautiful brand marketing.

If BYD can make youth training support a long-term project, such as continuing to support overseas competitions, professional coach exchanges, sports rehabilitation, psychological counseling, data training, youth football public welfare plans, then it is not just a simple sponsor, but truly giving a remedial lesson to Chinese football.

The commercial value of this thing might not be seen in the short term.

But the brand value will be deep.

Consumers nowadays, especially young consumers, have already not eaten empty slogans easily. If you say you have social responsibility, they will ask: What did you actually do? If you say you support Chinese sports, they will ask: Who did you actually support? If you say you are proud of Chinese brands, they will ask: Did you land this pride on specific people?

BYD gave a specific answer this time.

It supported not an abstract concept, but a group of children.

Not a PPT, but a match after match.

Not a sentence "Going global", but really sending the children to the Italy stage.

This is more powerful than many ads.

Because it is real.

And reality is the most scarce communication resource now.

I even think, BYD's smartest place this time, is that it didn't steal the show.

Championship belongs to children. Applause belongs to children. The lens should go to children first. BYD stands behind, doing the person who lifts them up.

This attitude is actually higher level.

Chinese enterprises in the past doing public welfare, doing sports sponsorship, often tend to use force too hard, wanting to stick the brand name in every corner. But this time, what truly makes people remember BYD is not how big the Logo is, but after children won the championship, people will naturally think: Oh, originally behind is BYD supporting.

This is good brand communication.

No shouting, but has weight.

Sun Jihai's quote "Youth training is still a circus", argued fiercely online. To be honest, controversy won't completely disappear because of one championship. Minor protection, commercialization boundaries, live streaming authorization, training system, these problems should continue to be discussed.

But one point must be clear: Cannot because a project has controversy, negate the value of enterprise support for youth training. Cannot because dislike Dong Lu, ignore children's efforts, ignore BYD's investment.

The most terrible place of Chinese football is not too much criticism, but too few people doing things.

Too many spectators, too few builders.

Too much scolding, too little long-term investment.

Mouths all say valuing youth training, when really paying money, giving resources, shouldering risk, many people fell silent again.

So this time, BYD deserves applause.

It didn't stand on the shore pointing out how children should swim, but handed a lifebuoy. It didn't just say "we care about youth growth", but turned care into air tickets, schedules, confrontation, trophies and smiles on children's faces.

This is what Chinese enterprises should look like.

Car manufacturers must certainly build good cars. Technology must be hard, products must be strong, sales must be fought out. But a truly mature Chinese automotive brand should not only talk parameters, range, price. It should also have a deeper relationship with this society.

BYD did it this time.

It makes people see, a Chinese new energy top enterprise, not only can compete in the global market with transnational giants, but also willing to invest resources into Chinese youths, into those places that have no result yet but determine the future.

Is this thing small?

From a commercial point of view, maybe not big. Won't because Football Juniors win the championship, BYD tomorrow sell dozens of thousands of more cars.

But from the brand spirit point of view, this thing is not small.

Because it makes the name BYD, and a group of Chinese children running, fighting, scoring, winning the championship on the Europe stage link together.

This link is more warm than cold sales posters.

Chinese football's future, won't because a U12 championship trophy immediately change. We can't be that innocent.

But if more and more enterprises like BYD, willing to cast eyes on youth training, willing to cast resources on children, willing to take a step first when there is no certain return, then Chinese football at least won't always only leave sighs.

This time, children won.

BYD also won.

Not winning on traffic, not winning on hot search, but winning that it did a right thing, and did it sufficiently specific.

Chinese football needs this kind of specificity.

Chinese brands also need this kind of specificity.

Chinese youths, even more need this kind of specificity.

So at the end of this article, I don't want to beat around the bush.

BYD's wave this time, indeed beautiful.

It is not only building cars, it gave Chinese football youths a road to the world.

Gasgoo News In the Japanese automotive market, a long-neglected niche segment is quietly becoming a new battlefield for electrification transformation—Mini Cars (Kei Car). This Japan-exclusive vehicle category, with its lower price and tax fees, and the convenience brought by smaller dimensions, has long accounted for about 40% of new car sales in Japan. Since it is mainly used for short urban commutes and family transportation, the range requirements are relatively low, so Japanese mini cars are naturally suitable for electrification transformation. Today, with the entry of Chinese car companies and the strategic shift of Japanese local car companies, the Japanese mini car market is accelerating its transition from the fuel era to electrification.

BYD and Chery Bet on Japanese Electric Mini Car Market

Last October, BYD showcased a boxy four-door pure electric mini car named Racco at the Japan Mobility Show in Japan, and announced that this model would officially launch in Japan this summer. This is BYD’s first electric mini car built specifically for the Japanese market.

BYD Racco; Image Source: BYD

It is reported that the Racco model offers 3 versions, with the entry-level version having a range of about 200 km, and the other two versions having a range of 300 km. Racco strictly follows Japanese mini car standards and is equipped with sliding doors for the first time on such pure electric vehicles to better adapt to narrow streets and parking environments in Japanese cities. At the same time, the new car will also provide richer assisted driving functions.

BYD also plans to rapidly expand its sales network in Japan by opening numerous micro stores that display only one or two models. Atsuki Tofukuji, President of BYD Automotive Japan, stated: “We plan to cover local small commercial circles to sell micro electric vehicles.” These stores will be located in remote cities with a population of less than 500,000, displaying at most a few exhibition cars per store, with a faster store opening speed. BYD’s micro stores will feature Racco as the core recommended product.

Following BYD, Chery Motors also plans to launch a pure electric mini car in Japan next spring. Chery will join forces with four partners to jointly create a new electric brand EMTA, and has already established the operating company EMT in Yokohama, Japan, responsible for vehicle R&D and sales work. The CEO of EMT said in an interview recently: “This brand is built for Japanese consumers, aiming to create a more convenient and comfortable way of travel for the public.”

EMT belongs to a Singapore joint venture. The joint venture is led by Chery, while the other four cooperating enterprises are China Jiangsu Yueda Automobile Group, power battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech, and Japanese automotive supplies retailer Autobacs Seven, and painting equipment company Anest Iwata.

This light vehicle is jointly developed by China and Japan. It will initially be produced in China, and core functions such as driving assistance all adopt Chery technology.

EMT Company Chief Marketing Officer Susumu Uchikoshi stated that the new car pricing will benchmark against fuel-powered mini cars of the same class. It is reported that the sales price of Honda N-Box fuel mini cars, which are very popular in the Japanese market, is 1.74 million to 2.48 million yen (approximately 10,915 to 15,560 USD). 

Image Source: EMTA

According to the plan, EMT will start with this pure electric light vehicle and launch four electric vehicle models in Japan before 2029. Autobacs will rely on its own offline store network to assist in vehicle sales.

After the launch of this electric light vehicle, EMT plans to build 100 stores integrating sales and after-sales in Japan, and continue to expand channels, striving to increase the store scale to hundreds by the 2027 fiscal year. The CEO of EMT Company stated: “Japan is our most important market, and the brand new European mini electric vehicle standards have also brought new opportunities for the brand’s global development.”

Japanese Car Companies Accelerate Mini Car Electrification Layout

With Chinese car companies accelerating their layout, Japanese local car companies are also actively promoting electric mini car products and market planning.

Honda’s electrification pace is the most eye-catching. Its N-Box mini car is the absolute king of the Japanese market. Sales broke through 200,000 units in 2024, ranking first in sales for three consecutive years. Honda launched the N-One e: pure electric mini car last September. The group will also launch the pure electric version of the N-Box model in 2028. Currently, the range and pricing of the electric N-Box model are still in the final confirmation stage. Besides the electric version, Honda is expected to continue selling the fuel version of the N-Box model.

N-One e; Image Source: Honda

Nissan officially launched the revised model of its Sakura electric mini car in April this year, aiming to maintain its competitiveness in the Japanese electric mini car market. The Nissan Sakura model was initially launched in 2022 as the mass production version of the IMk concept car and has continuously become the best-selling electric mini car in Japan in recent years. According to data released by Nissan, the sales of this model reached 14,093 units in the full year of 2025, ranking first in this sub-market for four consecutive years. It is reported that the sales of the two electric mini car models, Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X, in 2024, accounted for more than 40% of the total sales of electric vehicles in Japan.

In addition, Suzuki Motors plans to launch its first electric mini car within this fiscal year. Daihatsu also launched an electric mini commercial vehicle jointly developed with Toyota in February this year. Japanese local brands are building a deep moat using their huge channel advantages (Daihatsu alone has about 700 regular stores; if small outlets are included, it reaches 6,000).

Currently, in the Japanese new car market, the proportion of electric vehicles is only about 2%, ranking last among developed countries. Insufficient number of charging piles and high vehicle prices are the main constraints. High cost-performance electric mini vehicles are expected to improve the local electric vehicle penetration rate. Since mini cars are mainly used for short-distance travel, range requirements are not high, which fits very well with the positioning of pure electric vehicles. Seiji Sugiura, a senior analyst at an automotive market analysis institution, said: “Pure electric mini cars do not need to reach the range level of conventional passenger cars. As long as the pricing is reasonable, electric light vehicles are expected to quickly occupy the market.”

However, for BYD and Chery, the real test lies not only in launching a mini electric vehicle priced to benchmark the N-Box, but also in how to eliminate Japanese consumers' brand concerns over time, and how to maintain the balance between price and quality under the local advantages of Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki. This battle of pure electric mini cars may be the key battle for Chinese car companies to truly open the door to the Japanese market.