Tesla EU sales climb 78.6% in September, BYD more than doubles registrations

Tesla leads BYD in September registrations, while Chinese automaker remains ahead over first 9 months

Tesla’s new car registrations in the European Union surged 78.6% year-on-year in September, while Chinese automaker BYD recorded growth of 111.4%, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Tesla registered 45,866 cars across the bloc last month, up from 25,681 a year earlier. Its market share rose to 4.7% from 2.9%. BYD’s registrations climbed to 28,309 units from 13,391, lifting its share of the EU new car market to 2.9% from 1.5%. Despite Tesla’s higher September volume, BYD remained ahead in cumulative registrations for the January-September period. BYD’s EU registrations increased 154.4% year-on-year to 206,002 units during the first nine months, while Tesla’s rose 68.9% to 188,035. The Chinese automaker’s market share expanded to 2.4% from 1%, compared with Tesla’s increase to 2.2% from 1.4%. The manufacturer figures cover all new passenger cars registered by each company, rather than a comparison limited to battery-electric vehicles. Tesla’s gains follow a sharp downturn at the start of 2025, when its EU registrations fell 50.3% year-on-year to 7,517 units in January. Across the EU, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the UK combined, registrations dropped 45.2% to 9,945 units that month. The weakness persisted through the first half of 2025, with Tesla’s registrations in the broader European market declining 33.2% to 109,879 units. Its market share fell to 1.6% from 2.4% a year earlier, providing a weaker comparison base for this year’s gains.   Broader European market Across the EU, EFTA countries and the UK combined, Tesla’s September registrations rose 72.5% year-on-year to 68,776 units. Its market share increased to 5% from 3.2%. BYD registered 49,953 cars in the broader market, up 98.7% from a year earlier, with its share rising to 3.7% from 2%. For January-September, BYD’s registrations across the region climbed 134.6% to 283,997 units, exceeding Tesla’s 260,575, which represented a 50% increase. BYD’s share of the broader European market reached 2.7%, up from 1.2% a year earlier, while Tesla’s rose to 2.5% from 1.7%.