Elon Musk Podcast BYD Outsold Tesla by 600,000 Cars. Here's How
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Jan 4, 2026 For the first time, BYD has overtaken Tesla in electric vehicle sales, delivering 2.26 million cars compared to Tesla's 1.64 million. The expiration of the EV tax credit and Tesla's aging lineup are impacting its market position. Meanwhile, BYD thrives with competitive pricing, a diverse product range, and strong international expansion. Political backlash against Musk has further complicated Tesla's trajectory, raising questions about whether the company can reclaim its EV crown amidst growing competition.
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Musk's 2011 Dismissal Backfires
- In a 2011 Bloomberg interview Elon Musk laughed at BYD and said he didn't think they had a great product.
- Fourteen years later, BYD leads global EV sales, a reversal Musk later acknowledged.
BYD Tops Tesla In 2025 Sales
- BYD sold 2.26 million EVs in 2025 while Tesla delivered 1.64 million, creating a roughly 600,000-vehicle gap.
- For the first calendar year since the Nissan LEAF era, Tesla is no longer the world's largest EV maker.
Tesla Deliveries Are Declining Fast
- Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles in Q4 2025, down 15.6% year over year, and 1.64 million for the year, down 8.6%.
- The decline accelerated despite a ~25% global EV market growth, showing Tesla is losing ground.