BYD is overhyped in the US for some reason. In the countries where they are available, they are considered decent budget vehicles. There's a reason why the Model Y is still the best seller in China.
Best-selling BEVs in China
January to June 2025
Geely Geome Xingyuan 205,091
BYD Seagull 174,912
Tesla Model Y 171,491
Tesla’s quarterly delivery boost meant its June results
propelled the Model Y into third, from fifth in May
Yes, and I want a decent budget vehicle here.
Yes, but it's the same reason the original bondi blue iMac was the best selling model of computer when it came out, while Apple themselves were still on something like 5% of desktop sales:
Lots of wood behind few arrows.
https://carnewschina.com/2024/07/14/best-selling-vehicle-bra...
(Caveat: first result, I don't know site reputation)
2. Tesla China has factories in China, was still #8 in Chinese market, with BYD at #1, if this source from 2024 is correct: https://carnewschina.com/2024/07/14/best-selling-vehicle-bra...
I've test drove my mates atto3, I have model y. He's got lots of regrets, fixes. It's made from good materials, styled poorly and technology is like everyone else - poorly done. Price does reflect it, no free lunch.
...and that reason is that Tesla only has two models, the 3 and Y, that get any significant sales in China whereas BYD has several.
For example in the top 10 a couple months ago BYD had models that sold 70%, 69%, 59%, 58%, and 53% of what the Model Y sold.
When you look at cars sold per company rather than specific models Tesla is #10 in China with 1/6th of BYD's sales. Between BYD and Tesla there is Geely, Chery, Changan, Haval, a SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, a SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture, Toyota, and Xiaomi Auto.