European Auto Market Shift: BYD’s Growth Decimates Tesla’s Sales Performance in October
Chinese automaker BYD maintained exceptionally strong sales growth across Europe last month, while its American rival, Tesla, continued to report a significant decline. This trend is highlighted in the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), which covers the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (EU + EFTA + UK).
In a remarkable performance, BYD’s new vehicle registrations in the wider European area reached 17,470 units in October, marking a massive 206.8% increase compared to the 5,695 units registered in October last year. Conversely, Tesla’s new vehicle registrations for the same period totaled only 6,964 units, representing a sharp 48.5% decrease from the 13,519 units sold the previous year. This dramatic reversal of fortunes signals a major competitive shift in the European electric vehicle market, with BYD rapidly closing the volume gap. The trend extends to the year-to-date figures, where BYD’s registrations from January to October soared by 285.0% to 138,390 units, while Tesla saw a 29.6% decline to 180,688 units over the same ten months.
What is the Price of Suzuki New Fronx Compact SUV?
European EV Registration Data Comparison (EU + EFTA + UK)
| Category | BYD (Units) | Change (YoY) | Tesla (Units) | Change (YoY) |
| October 2024 Registrations | 17,470 | +206.8% | 6,964 | -48.5% |
| October 2023 Registrations | 5,695 | – | 13,519 | – |
| YTD Registrations (Jan-Oct 2024) | 138,390 | +285.0% | 180,688 | -29.6% |
| YTD Registrations (Jan-Oct 2023) | 35,949 | – | 256,495 | – |
EU-Only EV Registration Data Comparison
| Category | BYD (Units) | Change (YoY) | Tesla (Units) | Change (YoY) |
| October 2024 Registrations | 13,350 | +195.0% | 5,647 | -48.0% |
| October 2023 Registrations | 4,525 | – | 10,867 | – |
| YTD Registrations (Jan-Oct 2024) | 94,216 | +239.6% | 117,000 | -39.2% |
| YTD Registrations (Jan-Oct 2023) | 27,741 | – | 192,439 | – |
The data indicates a significant and rapid shift in the European electric vehicle market, with China’s BYD demonstrating aggressive growth at the expense of Tesla.
BYD’s primary models in the European market include the Dolphin (sometimes marketed as Seagull), known for being affordable and compact; the Seal U (a plug-in hybrid), which has performed exceptionally well and topped the European PHEV market for a period; and the Atto 3 SUV, designed for urban families.
Sindh Government Approves Over 600 EV Charging Stations, Boosting Sustainable Transport
The strong growth in BYD’s sales is attributed to its competitive pricing, vertical integration (controlling its own battery supply chain), and a strategic move to offer a wider variety of models, including plug-in hybrids, which appeal to a broader base of European buyers, especially as government subsidies for pure electric vehicles (BEVs) are being phased out in some key markets.
