BYD’s global sales fell 30% in Jan 2026, the fifth straight monthly drop as competition intensifies. Discover the company’s next moves.
Global sales tumble in January
Chinese EV giant BYD reported total vehicle deliveries of 210,051 units worldwide for January 2026, a 30.1% drop compared with the same month last year. The decline marks the fifth consecutive month of falling sales, extending a slide that began in July 2025.
Exports remain a key growth engine
New‑energy vehicle (NEV) exports accounted for 100,482 of the units shipped, underscoring the importance of overseas markets to BYD’s growth strategy. While the overall picture is bleak, the export segment helped offset some of the domestic weakness.
Domestic market under pressure
In China, BYD launched refreshed versions of several plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) models, featuring larger battery packs aimed at boosting appeal in the low‑cost segment. The effort has yet to translate into sales momentum: PHEV deliveries, which traditionally represent more than half of BYD’s total volume, fell 28.5% in January, following a 7.9% decline across 2025.
Revised export ambitions
Earlier this year BYD set a target of 1.3 million exported vehicles for 2026 – roughly a 24% increase over 2025. The figure is notably lower than the 1.6 million units the company hinted at in November 2025, though no specific reason has been disclosed for the downgrade.
Expanding production footprint
The firm’s new battery‑electric plant in Hungary is slated to start operations later in 2026, adding to its existing facilities in Brazil and Thailand. Plans are also under way for assembly plants in Indonesia and Turkey, moves designed to diversify production and reduce reliance on the Chinese market.
Past overseas success and current challenges
Last year, a 150.7% surge in overseas sales propelled BYD past Tesla to become the world’s largest EV manufacturer by volume. That surge helped cushion the brand against mounting competition at home from rivals such as Geely and Leapmotor, especially in the budget‑friendly segment.
Outlook for the coming year
Analysts warn that the global auto market could enter a period of stagnation in 2026, while the Chinese government is expected to trim subsidies for low‑priced EV swaps. These headwinds are likely to keep pressure on BYD and other manufacturers that heavily depend on the mass‑market segment.
What’s next for BYD?
With its 2025 target of 4.6 million vehicles already met, BYD has yet to announce a sales goal for 2026. Observers will be watching how the company balances its export push, new production sites, and product refreshes to reverse the recent downward trend.