Core Conclusions

Best-selling model: Geely Xingyuan (204,940 units) became China’s best-selling electric vehicle in the first half of 2024.

Price competitiveness: Starting price 69,800 yuan (≈ $9,600 USD), positioned as a high-value urban commuter car.

Market landscape: BYD Dolphin (174,912 units) and Tesla Model Y (171,491 units) ranked second and third.

Global impact: China accounts for 60% of global EV sales, with annual sales expected to exceed 11 million units.

I. 2025 China EV Market Panorama

Market Scale & Growth

• Q1 2025 China EV sales: 2.63 million units (+43.2% YoY), 60% global share.
• Annual sales projected to exceed 11 million units, surpassing fuel vehicles for the first time.
• Brand Landscape: BYD leads with 31.4% market share, followed by Geely and Tesla.

Policy & Technology Drivers

• Implementation of the Energy Law of the People’s Republic of China , with hydrogen energy and green certificate systems accelerating electrification.
• LFP battery adoption and charging pile expansion (+11 million piles) lower usage barriers.

II. Deep Dive: Geely Xingyuan

Core Data

Success Factors

• Precise Positioning: Targets sub-100k RMB market (40% of top 15 models), meeting urban commuting demand.
• Technical Backing: Geely SEA pure-electric platform supports fast charging and smart features.
• Global Strategy: Launches in Malaysia in late 2025 (renamed Proton e.MAS 5, priced <$14,000).

III. Competitor Comparison: BYD vs. Tesla

1. BYD Dolphin

• Sales: 174,912 units (2nd)
• Price: Starting at 69,800 yuan ($9,560)
• Strategy: Vertical supply chain integration for cost reduction, dual focus on “range + affordability”.

2. Tesla Model Y

• Sales: 171,491 units (3rd)
• Price: Starting at 258,900 yuan ($35,500)
• Positioning: China’s best-selling premium EV, June sales hit 71,599 units.

💡 Key Insight: BYD relies on multi-model matrix (7 models in Top 20), Tesla on brand premium, while Geely breaks through with a single hit.

IV. Regional Variations & Consumer Trends

Price Stratification:

• <$10,000: Wuling Hongguang MINI EV (260k annual sales)
• $10,000–20,000: Geely Xingyuan, BYD Dolphin
• >$35,000: Tesla Model Y, NIO ET5 (slowing growth in premium segment).

Consumer Shift:

• Cost-effectiveness > Brand loyalty: Sub-$10k models dominate 60% sales.
• Family demand rise: Li Auto L7 (EREV MPV) enters Top 15.

V. H2 2025 Forecast & Global Impact

Sales Trends

• Geely Xingyuan: Annual sales may exceed 400k units, Malaysia exports as new growth driver.
• BYD: Song PLUS PHEV (Starting at 129,800 yuan) may challenge top three.
• Tariff Challenge: EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, yet Europe market share holds at 10%.

Technology Trends

• Solid-state batteries: BYD, CATL mass production in 2026.
• Hydrogen acceleration: Energy Law pilots hydrogen fuel vehicles.

Conclusion: Insights from China’s EV Market

Geely Xingyuan’s rise marks China’s entry into a “technology democratization era” —local brands open up new tracks between Tesla and BYD via platform R&D (e.g., SEA architecture) and cost control. Global consumer takeaways:

🔋 Commuting essential: Choose sub-$10k models (e.g., Xingyuan, Dolphin)

🚗 Family needs: Prioritize PHEV/EREVs (Li Auto L7, BYD Song PLUS)

⚡️ Premium experience: Tesla Model Y remains benchmark.

Appendix: China EV Sales Top 5 (H1 2025, data as of June 2025)