China retail March 2025: Geely doubles sales YoY, BYD trails surging market

The Geely Xingyuan ranks #3 in China in March.

The selection of models included in this update surge +23.8% year-on-year in March to 1,826,805 units. This means the Q1 volume is up 5.7% to 4,905,936. BSCB is the only non-Chinese medium to cover both wholesales (ex-factory shipments) and retail sales data for China so you can get the most complete picture of the largest new car market in the world. Retail sales tend to give a more authentic view of the market as they roughly correspond to registrations to end-customers and are more difficult to artificially boost with exports which can sometimes be the case for wholesales data.

In the brands ranking, for once BYD (+11%) is outpaced by Volkswagen (+17.8%), although both carmakers trail the market. The Chinese behemoth got us used to significantly more dynamic behaviour. Is this the end of the brand’s spectacular two years of constant stellar lifts? Has BYD plateaued – albeit at very high levels? The next few months will be interesting to follow, to confirm or infirm this nascent trend. BYD models that still manage impressive growth include the Song L (+178.1%), Seal (+38.1%), Seagull (+32.4%) as the brand is supported by its numerous – and successful – launches such as the Seal 06 (24,561), Qin L (19,732) and Yuan UP (16,351). For its part Volkswagen is helped by the Tayron (+64.1%), Magotan (+57%), Sagitar (+46.4%), T-Roc (+35.9%) and Passat (+25.3%).

The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling car in China in March.

Below, Geely (now including the Galaxy lineup) doubles its sales year-on-year, but falls back to #3 after outselling Volkswagen last month. Chery (+62.1%), Wuling (+53.4%) and Changan (+33.8%) are in great shape while Toyota (+21.5%) and Tesla (+17.8%) are more discreet yet in frank positive for a change. Meanwhile Mercedes (-21.7%), Honda (-13%), BMW (-11.6%) and Audi (-6%) all struggle. Xpeng (+272.6%) and Leapmotor (+226.4%) continue to surge ahead, with Deepal (+140.5%) and Jetour (+72.4%) also very dynamic.

Looking at the models charts in isolation, as it is also the case in the wholesales ranking this month, the Tesla Model Y (-0.2%) reclaims the pole position for the first time this year but is stuck at #13 over Q1. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (+186.4%), leader last month, continues to benefit from the launch of its 4-door variant and is above 40,000 units in March. The new Geely Xingyuan excels once again in third position, distancing the BYD Seagull (+32.4%) and BYD Qin Plus. Note there is no BYD on the Chinese podium in March vs. 3 models in the Top 4 one year ago in March 2024. The Xiaomi SU7 celebrates one year in market with a new volume record above 26,000. The Tesla Model 3 (+76.9%) is in excellent shape at #7 ahead of the new BYD Seal 06 and Song Plus (-29.2%). Once the uncontested leader, the VW Lavida (+14.6%) has to settle for 10th place. Note there are just 4 foreign models in the Top 15.

Previous month: China retail February 2025: New 4 door model lifts Wuling Hongguang Mini EV to clear #1

One year ago: China retail March 2024: BYD smashes VW, places 3 models in Top 4, Mazda only foreigner in positive

Full March 2025 Top 128 All brands and Top 718 All models below.