China wholesales April 2025: Geely up 115.5%, BYD up 1.4%

The Geely Xingyuan is the best-selling vehicle in China in April and year-to-date.

According to data by CAAM, the Chinese wholesale market continues to perk up in April at +9.8% year-on-year to 2.59 million units (this figure includes exports). New Energy Vehicles climb 44.2% year-on-year to 1,226,000 equalling to 47.3% share vs. 36% in April 2024 and 42.4% last month. BEV sales are up 58.4% to 822,000 and PHEVs are up 21.9% to 403,000. Excluding exports, NEV wholesales are up 39.3% to 1,025,000 units. 517,000 vehicles were exported in April, up 2.6% year-on-year, including 200,000 NEVs (+76%), a new record. This includes 140,000 BEVs (+57.5%) and 60,000 PHEVs (+140%).

BYD (+1.4%) can’t keep up with the market growth rate, showing another slowdown which has been apparent over the last couple of months. Whereas a year ago the carmaker monopolised the models podium and placed 7 vehicles in the Top 10, this time it has “just” 4 in the Top 10. Former blockbusters such as the Destroyer 05 (-70.6%), Yuan Plus (-47.3%), Qin Plus (-44.8%), Han (-43.3%), Tang (-42.2%), Song Pro (-36.6%) and Song Plus (-35%) have lost their shine. The brand stays afloat thanks to strong performances by the Song L (+173.6%), Qin (+86.5%), Seagull (+18.1%) and Yuan UP (+15.3%) and, most significantly, a raft of new models such as the Qin L, Seal 05, Seal 06, Seal 06GT, Sealion 05, Sealion 07, Tang L and Xia.

The BYD Seagull follows in 2nd place…

Geely (+115.5%) showcases spectacular growth once again and overtakes Volkswagen (+7.4%) to return to the 2nd place it holds year-to-date. The Panda Mini (+119.5%), Binyue (+107.9%), Boyue (+84.1%) and Xingyue L (+76.8%) are superstars, and the brand is pushed further up by the tremendous success of its Galaxy NEV line: the Starship 7, E5 and L6 all sell more than 7,500 units. Despite almost matching the market for once, Volkswagen falls to 3rd position. The Tharu (+83.6%), T-Roc (+55.4%), Tiguan L (+44.5%), Tayron (+36.3%) and Magotan (+35.8%) are the manufacturer’s strongest performers. 

The next four brands show fantastic health with double-digit gains. Toyota (+30%) is unusually strong and is followed by Wuling (+37.8%), Changan (+19%) and Chery (+29.4%). Honda (-43.4%) is in complete freefall as are Audi (-27.3%), BMW (-16.7%), Nissan (-16.7%) and Mercedes (-11.3%). Among dynamic locals, Xiaomi (+305%) celebrates one year in market by sliding inside the Top 20 brands for the second time in the past three months, with Xpeng (+223.7%), AvatR (+140.2%), Deepal (+90.7%), Leapmotor (+88.7%), Haval (+54.7%), Lynk & Co (+49.9%), Denza (+41.2%), Li Auto (+31.6%) and Hongqi (+20.2%) also strong. Tesla is down -8.6%.

… while the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV rounds out the podium.

Looking at the models ranking in isolation, the new Geely Xingyuan snaps the top spot for the second time in the past three months and breaks its volume record at over 36,000 units. It cements its YTD pole position in the process. The BYD Seagull (+18.1%) advances to #2, toppling the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (+132.9%). The Xiaomi SU7 (+305%) manages a third consecutive month in the Top 5 at #4. Below a freefalling BYD Qin Plus (-44.8%), the Nissan Sylphy (+0.8%) is stable at #6 while the BYD Qin L is back inside the Top 10 for the first time since last November at #7. Once the dominant force in China, the VW Lavida (+4%) ranks at a lowly #9 this month, like in March. Notice also the Geely Panda Mini (+119.5%) up 28 spots on last month to #12.

Previous month: China wholesales March 2025: Tesla Model Y #1, Xiaomi SU7 breaks volume record

One year ago: China wholesales April 2024: BYD monopolises podium, places 7 models in Top 10, outsells VW by 104,000 units

Full April 2025 Top 99 All brands and Top 588 All models rankings below.