China’s BYD entered the global top five for vehicle sales for the first time in the third quarter, overtaking the Renault–Nissan alliance, according to The Korea Herald. Exports drove the climb, accounting for more than two in five of the vehicles BYD sold.
BYD sold 1.32 million vehicles between July and September, up 18.7% from a year earlier. Exports rose 137% to about 551,000, which amounts to roughly 318,000 more vehicles exported overseas; total sales rose just 209,000.
Toyota Group still led the overall market with 2.74 million vehicles, more than double BYD’s tally, The Korea Herald reported. Volkswagen Group followed with 1.89 million and Hyundai Motor Group with 1.76 million.
The ranking covers overall vehicle sales, including petrol and diesel models alongside electric cars and hybrids.
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BYD sales hit a 2026 high in October
BYD’s sales figures included 490,168 vehicles sold in October, its best month of the year and an 11% increase on a year earlier. Exports more than doubled again, reaching 170,194, although recent gains have yet to erase the earlier slump.
Total sales for the first ten months were still down 2.2% at 3.62 million vehicles.
BYD is also building cars closer to buyers overseas. Its Jizzakh plant in Uzbekistan, a joint venture with Uzavtosanoat, began production in 2024 with two plug-in hybrids, the Chazor and Song Plus DM-i.
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The plant was BYD’s first overseas joint venture for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles.
