ISLAMABAD: China’s EV automakers Chery and BYD have surged ahead of the competition in international EV sales, overtaking GM (General Motors), VW (Volkswagen), and Tesla.
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released its third annual Global Automaker Rating, revealing that Chinese automakers are leading the charge in the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sector.
China now accounts for more than 11 million electric vehicle (EV) sales annually, over half of the global total.
The strength of China’s domestic market has fueled this rapid growth, allowing local manufacturers to scale production, enhance technology, and set the global pace.
Automakers such as Geely and SAIC have already reached a 50% EV sales share, achieving their 2025 targets a year ahead of schedule.
Chinese companies claimed the top five positions for ZEV class coverage and occupied five of the top six spots for EV sales share.
The report also confirmed a big milestone: In 2024, BYD officially surpassed Tesla in global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for the first time.
BYD’s BEV sales jumped 25%, and its combined BEV and plug-in hybrid sales climbed an impressive 47% year-over-year. Still, both BYD and Tesla remain in the “Leaders” category.
In October 2023, Chinese automaker Chery issued an urgent directive: engineers and suppliers were to report immediately to the testing grounds in Zhaoyuan, Shandong Province.
The objective was clear—redesign the suspension and steering system of the Omoda 5 SUV on short notice for a crucial international market.
Originally built for China’s smooth roads and moderate speeds, the Omoda 5 now needed to handle the winding, uneven terrain of Europe.
Within just six weeks, Chery delivered a fully upgraded version of the SUV to European dealers, featuring new steering components, brakes, traction control, tires, and enhanced vibration dampers.
As Western automakers grapple with adaptation, Chinese car manufacturers—led by Chery and electric vehicle giant BYD—are redefining the landscape of global auto manufacturing.
Tonelli, who previously worked at an Italian carmaker and a Korean tire firm, estimated it would take Western carmakers more than a year to implement similar improvements.
Chery’s turnaround, he said, was simply out of reach for their more bureaucratic structures.
