The global automotive landscape continues to evolve, with Chinese manufacturers gaining significant ground in 2025. While the top 10 automakers remain largely the same, key shifts in rankings reflect the growing strength of BYD and Geely, pushing established players like Ford further down the list. These changes signal a broader trend of increasing competition and market share redistribution within the industry.
The Rise of BYD and Geely
BYD has overtaken Ford to claim the sixth spot among global automakers, driven by strong domestic sales in China. Over three-quarters of BYD’s 3.1 million vehicles were sold in China, solidifying its position as the country’s leading automaker, surpassing Volkswagen. Exports to Europe, Latin America, and Asia contributed an additional 1.05 million sales, demonstrating its expanding reach.
Geely experienced even more dramatic growth, jumping from tenth to eighth place with a 23.4% increase in sales, reaching 4.116 million units. Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) sales surged by 58% to 2.293 million, highlighting the group’s commitment to electrification. Brands within the Geely Group, such as Lynk & Co, Zeekr, and Proton, also saw notable increases in sales.
Established Players Face Challenges
Toyota remains the global leader for the sixth consecutive year, maintaining a lead over Volkswagen. Hyundai-Kia experienced modest growth with a 0.1% increase to 4.138 million units, while electrified vehicle sales rose by 27% to 961,812 units. Kia also saw growth, with total sales up 1.5% to 3.135 million vehicles and electrified sales up by 23.7% to 454,000 hybrids and 238,000 EVs.
General Motors (GM) regained ground in North America, with US sales up 5.5% to 2.853 million units, and halted its decline in China with a 2.5% increase to 2.418 million vehicles. However, the company experienced a 14.1% drop in South America, with sales falling to 276,000 units.
Stellantis saw a 3.3% decrease in European sales but compensated with growth in North America (up 2.8%), the Middle East and Africa (up 7.1%), and South America (up 9.6%). Sales in China, India, and Asia Pacific remained stagnant, while Maserati suffered a 31% decline.
Western Automakers Struggle
Ford’s sales declined across most divisions. The Ford Blue division, focusing on combustion engines and hybrids, saw a 4.7% drop to 2.728 million units. The Ford Pro division, specializing in vans and heavy-duty trucks, also experienced a 1% decrease to 1.488 million units. Despite a 69.5% increase in EV sales (178,000 units), driven largely by European buyers, Ford’s overall performance lagged behind its Chinese competitors.
Volvo Cars recorded a 7% drop in sales, with 710,042 cars sold in 2025. Electrified models made up 46% of Volvo’s sales, totaling 323,294 units. Honda experienced declines in all but one region, with sales down in Japan, Europe, North America, and Asia. Nissan faces financial troubles, with sales falling in all regions except North America.
The Broader Implications
The growing dominance of Chinese automakers is reshaping the global automotive industry. This trend is driven by aggressive EV adoption, competitive pricing, and strong domestic demand in China. As Western automakers struggle to adapt, the market share of Chinese brands is poised to continue its upward trajectory. The shift in rankings for 2025 underscores the need for established manufacturers to accelerate their electrification strategies and address the evolving competitive landscape.
