BYD Sets Sights on 1.3 Million Overseas Sales for 2026 Following Record-Breaking 2025 Performance

Leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has officially announced an ambitious export target for 2026, aiming to deliver 1.3 million vehicles to markets outside mainland China. This strategic objective was unveiled following a landmark 2025, during which the company's international shipments—comprising both passenger cars and pickup trucks—surpassed the 1.04 million unit mark. Li Yunfei, the General Manager of BYD’s Branding and Public Relations Department, shared this milestone projection during a high-profile media gathering held in Shanghai on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

The newly established target represents a projected growth of approximately 24% to 25% compared to the international delivery figures recorded in 2025, signaling that global operations have become a primary engine for the corporation's expansion. This push for internationalization follows an extraordinary surge in 2025, where export sales skyrocketed by more than 150% relative to the 2024 fiscal year. On a global scale, BYD’s total sales reached roughly 4.6 million New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in 2025. Within this total, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 2.26 million units, a feat that allowed BYD to secure its position as the world's top BEV seller, overtaking the American giant Tesla.

Looking ahead to 2026, BYD’s strategy emphasizes both volume and value, with a particular focus on introducing the premium Denza brand to international audiences. Li Yunfei confirmed that launching high-end models like those under the Denza banner is a calculated move to penetrate more lucrative market segments globally. To support this influx of inventory, the company is aggressively scaling its physical presence. By the conclusion of 2025, BYD had established a footprint in over 110 countries and regions, supported by a robust overseas network of 2,000 authorized dealerships.

While the 1.3 million unit goal is significant, it appears somewhat conservative when compared to external market expectations. In November 2025, analysts at Citigroup had projected a more aggressive export range of 1.5 to 1.6 million vehicles for BYD in 2026. This discrepancy suggests that BYD may be adopting a more measured planning approach or reacting to intensifying competition within the Chinese domestic market. Beyond simple exports, the company is heavily investing in localized production to ensure long-term sustainability. Manufacturing facilities are already operational in Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Brazil, while the company’s first European production hub in Hungary is currently in the final stages of preparation.

BYD's international triumph in 2025 was further highlighted by the fact that overseas sales accounted for more than 10% of its total volume, more than doubling the share seen in 2024. While plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) primarily addressed domestic demand, the export strategy successfully leveraged specialized models such as the Shark pickup truck, which is sold exclusively in markets like Mexico and Australia. The announcement on January 24, 2026, underscores BYD’s definitive transition from a domestic powerhouse to a truly global automotive conglomerate, now directly challenging the industry's long-standing leaders on the world stage.