tesla is no longer him largest manufacturer of electric cars in the world, a title that now belongs to the China BYDby Elon’s distractions Muskthe policies of President Donald Trump’s Administration and increased competition.
tesla confirmed its decline this Friday by reporting that last year delivered 1,636,129 vehiclesa 8.5% less than the previous year. It is the second consecutive year in which the American tesla loses sales.
Hours before, the China BYD had revealed that its sales in 2025 rose to 2.25 million of automobiles, 28% more than the previous year. The decline of tesla against its Chinese rival is summed up in one fact: in December, BYD sold 414,784 cars, practically the same figure as tesla delivered from October to December.
The drop in deliveries tesla in the last quarter of 202515.6% to 418,227 units, has generated doubts among specialists that the Model Ythe main model of the American manufacturer, continues to be the best-selling vehicle in the world, as its CEO, Elon, stated a few days ago. Musk.
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The company said that, in the last three months of the year, produced 422,652 units of Model 3 and Model Yand that delivered a total of 406,585 of the two models. For the year as a whole, production was 1,600,767 and deliveries were 1,585,279.
Unlike other car manufacturers, tesla does not specify the production and sales by models so analysts can only make estimates.
Fred Lambertweb editor Electrekspecialized in the market of electric vehiclessaid that the figures “confirm with almost certainty that the Model Y It was not the best-selling car 2025“.
Analysts have been quick to point out that the decline in sales of tesla It is a consequence of the distractions of Musk in 2025a year that began by joining the Government of US President Donald Trump, at the head of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The implication of Musk in the Trump Administration, as well as his activism in favor of far-right policies around the world, provoked the rejection of many consumers and boycott campaigns against Trump products. tesla that affected its sales in markets such as Europe and North America.
Musk finally abandoned DOGE in May amid criticism that its political activities were affecting his leadership in tesla. But Musk He has dragged throughout the year the reproach that his other interests, including that he also leads SpaceX and the artificial intelligence firm xAI, have prevented tesla react to changes in the market.
The third element that has contributed to the decline in sales of tesla was the Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate tax credits, up to $7,500which provided buyers of electric vehicles.
- He subsidy ended the September 30 of 2025 and, although it affected all manufacturers with electric models, it has had a special impact on tesla.
While other companies such as ford either General Motors (GM) have reversed their electrification plans to adapt to the new reality, tesla It has not been able to adopt the same strategy (it only produces electric vehicles), but has had the same models for years, without introducing new vehicles that encourage consumers.
