This photo taken on April 24, 2024 shows a new energy vehicle (NEV) assembly line of BYD, China's leading NEV manufacturer, at the plant of BYD in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province. Photo:Xinhua

Chinese carmaker BYD surpassed the US' Ford Motor Co in global vehicle sales last year, moving ahead of the US automaker in the worldwide rankings for the first time, according to a media report on Wednesday. The development is not surprising amid Chinese carmakers' steady rise in the global auto market, a Chinese expert said.  

Ford reported on Tuesday that its global wholesales slipped nearly 2 percent to just under 4.4 million units. BYD said in January that it sold about 4.6 million vehicles in 2025. The shift pushed BYD up to sixth place among the world's largest automakers, edging ahead of Ford in the worldwide standings, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. 

According to Bloomberg, while Ford's US sales rose last year, it has lost ground in Europe and particularly China, where domestic manufacturers like BYD, Xiaomi Corp and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd have gained market share from foreign automakers with affordable, tech-laden EVs.

BYD has also made inroads into markets in Europe, South America and Asia, with exports reaching 1.05 million units in 2025. It aims to increase that to 1.3 million this year, per the report.

Commenting on the BYD's surpassing of the US carmaker for the first time, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said that it is not surprising, as "Chinese EVs are steadily gaining a foothold in the global auto market, thanks to their growing competitiveness in technology, cost effectiveness, and market appeal."

This also reflects an effective response to the growing global demand for green transition, Cui told the Global Times on Wednesday, adding that with the ongoing drive for sustainable mobility this year, the trend is expected to strengthen further.