According to data released on Wednesday by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), BYD‘s registrations in Germany soared 824% year over year in May to more than 1,850 vehicles.
The Shenzhen-headquartered company sold 1,857 plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles in Europe’s largest car market last month.
The Chinese giant posted its second-best sales month since mid-2023, with May marking BYD’s strongest performance so far this year in Germany.
BYD achieved its highest monthly sales record in August 2023, selling over 2,000 vehicles. From September 2023 through April this year, the brand’s monthly sales have remained below 1,000 units.
The world’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) brand entered Sweden and Germany in late 2022, in a partnership with the one of Europe’s largest dealers ‘Hedin Mobility Group’.
Both parts decided to adjust its partnership in the German market last Summer, although Hedin’s position as retailer in the Scandinavian market remained.
BYD expanded to Germany with its Atto 3 and Tang SUVs, currently selling from €37,990 ($43,100) and €75,000 ($85,000) respectively.
The company offers mostly battery electric vehicles (BEV) in the country, with just one hybrid model.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Seal U DM-i’s prices starts at €39,990 ($45,200), a cheaper version of the fully electric Seal U, with prices beginning at €42,990 ($48,700). In the same series, the Seal sedan’s prices start at €46,990 ($53,300).
Late last year, BYD launched its Sealion 7 SUV, priced at €49,990 ($56,700) in Germany. Earlier this year, the compact sport-utility Atto 2, specifically tailored for the European market, was unveiled.
The Atto 2 is the carmaker’s cheapest model in the German market, with prices originally started at €31,990 ($36,300), and the website is currently offering a discount of €2,000 to €29,990 ($34,000).
The city compact Dolphin is also available in the country from €32,990 ($37,400). During May, BYD launched its Dolphin Surf model in Europe, with prices starting from €22,990 ($26,100) in the German market.
While BYD led the market regarding NEV brands, Volkswagen was the best-selling brand in Germany last month, with over 50,000 vehicles. BMW and Mercedes followed with over 20,000 units.
Tesla registered 1,210 vehicles, a 36.2% drop year over year. Registrations for the U.S. brand increased by 36.7% from April figures.
XPeng entered Germany exactly a year ago. In May, the Guangzhou-based brand sold 186 vehicles, a slight 10% dip compared to April’s 207 units.
Geely-backed Polestar sold 240 vehicles, a plunge of 42% year over year, and premium brand Nio registered 22 vehicles last month, three units above April but a sharp 37% drop compared to May 2024.
Germany’s BEV registrations in May accounted for a 18% market share, up 44.9% from the same period last year. From the total 239,297 vehicles sold in the country, 43,060 were fully electric.
Hybrid vehicles represented 38.5% of the market, with 92,171 units, and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles remained the top-selling powertrain among German consumers, with a 43% share.
