Major Chinese automakers H1 2025 sales report: BYD and SAIC top 2 million units, Geely raises full-year targets
As July begins, several major Chinese automakers have released their impressive sales figures for the first half of 2025, collectively selling nearly 9 million units. This robust performance comes despite a relatively mild pricing environment, indicating that government subsidies for trade-ins and strong domestic and international demand are driving growth, according to Chinese media The Paper.
The combined sales of six leading Chinese automakers totalled 8.7929 million units in H1 2025, with several companies achieving record-high monthly sales. BYD maintained its position as the top seller, with both BYD and SAIC Group exceeding 2 million units in sales. Geely Auto, optimistic about the second half of the year, has even raised its full-year sales target.
New energy vehicles (NEVs) continue to be a cornerstone of sales growth for these automakers. However, while BYD has shown strong expansion in overseas markets, other manufacturers have experienced a slowdown in their export growth, suggesting increasing pressure in the global market.
Here’s a detailed look at the H1 2025 sales data for the six major automakers:
| Automaker | H1 Sales (Units) | YoY Change | H1 NEV Sales (Units) | YoY Change | H1 Export Sales (Units) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | 2,146,000 | 33.04% | 2,146,000 | 33.04% | 470,000 | 229.8% |
| SAIC Group | 2,053,000 | 12.4% | 646,000 | 40.2% | 494,000 | 1.3% |
| Geely Auto | 1,409,000 | 47% | 725,200 | 126% | 184,100 | -8% |
| Changan Auto | 1,355,000 | 6.8% | 450,000 | 48.8% | 300,000 | 49% |
| Chery Group | 1,260,100 | 14.5% | 359,400 | 98.6% | 550,300 | 3.3% |
| Great Wall Motor | 569,800 | 1.81% | 160,400 | 23.57% | 197,700 | -1.05% |
BYD leads the pack with steady growth
BYD’s cumulative sales for the first half of 2025 reached 2.146 million units, a significant 33.04% increase from 1.613 million units in the same period last year. In June alone, BYD sold 382,600 NEVs, up from 341,700 units year-over-year. This steady growth is attributed to strong performers across its brands. For instance, the Qin from the Dynasty series sold 44,000 units in June, with cumulative sales of 274,300 units for the year to date. The Seagull from the Ocean series sold 51,300 units in June, accumulating 284,400 units in the first half. Both the Qin and Seagull have surpassed Leapmotor’s 221,664 units, the top-selling NEV in H1.
SAIC Group sees steady recovery
SAIC Group has shown a consistent upward trend in 2025, with June sales reaching 365,000 vehicles, a 21.6% year-over-year increase, marking six consecutive months of year-over-year growth. Wholesale vehicle sales for SAIC Group in H1 reached 2.053 million units, up 12.4% year-over-year. Furthermore, SAIC Group reported retail deliveries of 2.207 million units, which, if counted, would place them ahead of BYD. The “new troika” of SAIC’s independent brands, NEVs, and overseas markets performed well: independent brands sold 1.304 million units (up 21.1% YoY), accounting for 63.5% of total sales; NEV sales surged by 40.2% to 646,000 units; and overseas sales reached 494,000 units (up 1.3% YoY).
Geely Auto raises full-year sales target
Geely Auto is optimistic about the full-year market outlook and has directly raised its sales guidance. H1 cumulative sales exceeded 1.409 million units, a 47% year-over-year increase. NEV sales (including Geely, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr) reached 725,200 units, a 126% year-over-year surge. In June alone, Geely Auto’s total sales were 236,000 units (up 42% YoY), with NEV sales reaching 122,400 units (up 86% YoY), achieving a monthly penetration rate of 52%. The Galaxy series has become a pillar of Geely’s NEV transformation, with H1 sales of 548,400 units (up 232%) and June sales of 90,000 units (up 202%). The Geely brand’s overall sales in June were 193,000 units (up 59%), though the Zeekr brand saw a decrease of approximately 17% to 16,700 units. Based on its strong H1 performance, Geely announced an 11% increase in its full-year sales target, from 2.71 million units to 3 million units.
Changan Auto achieves eight-year high
Changan Auto’s H1 sales reached a nearly eight-year high of 1.355 million units, a 6.8% year-over-year increase. NEVs and overseas markets were the primary drivers of growth, with NEV sales reaching 450,000 units (up 48.8% YoY) and overseas sales exceeding 300,000 units (up 49% YoY) in the first half.
Chery Group’s overseas sales remain strong
Chery Group sold 1.2601 million vehicles in H1, a 14.5% year-over-year increase, with June sales reaching 233,600 units (up 16.6% YoY). NEV sales were 71,600 units (up 59.6% YoY), and exports reached 106,300 units (up 9.6% YoY). Overseas markets continue to contribute nearly half of Chery Group’s sales, with H1 export sales reaching 550,300 units (up 3.3% YoY). The increase in sales is primarily attributed to NEVs, with Chery Group selling 359,400 NEVs in H1, a 98.6% year-over-year increase.
Great Wall Motor‘s growth slows
Great Wall Motor announced June sales of 110,700 vehicles, up 12.86% year-over-year, with NEV sales at 36,400 units. From January to June 2025, Great Wall Motor’s sales reached 569,800 units, a modest 1.81% year-over-year increase. NEV sales totaled 160,400 units, and overseas sales were 197,700 units. Compared to its former peers like BYD and Chery, Great Wall Motor’s sales gap appears to be widening.
