Penalized by the blocking of its Shanghai factory, Tesla again had to give up its first place in the electric rankings to BYD in May.
It’s not just in Europe where the automotive market is complicated. Impacted by supply issues and the resumption of the pandemic, China is also having a difficult start to the year. While sales of electric vehicles were particularly weak in April due to the new confinements, the market started to rise again. In May, more than 420,000 vehicles sold across the country. A figure up 111.5% compared to May 2021.
Tesla in turmoil
In China, Tesla is one of the manufacturers most affected by the new confinements. After virtually shutting down its Shanghai factory in April, the brand started up again timidly in May. With 32,165 electric cars produced, including 22,340 dedicated to export, the American manufacturer has halved its volumes compared to March (65,814).
Due to the new lockdowns in Shanghai, Tesla’s Chinese factory produced almost nothing in April. Source : CNEVPost
A situation that benefits BYD for the second consecutive month. With 114,183 electric vehicles sold, including 53,349 electric models and 60,834 rechargeable hybrids, the Chinese giant propelled itself to first place in the ranking of electric sales.
On the third step of the podium, GAC Ion set a new record in May with 21,056 cars sold. Next come Neta (11,009), Xpeng (10,125) and Leapmotor (10,069). Also more impacted than its competitors due to its factory located in Shanghai, the epicenter of the new confinements, Nio sold only 7,024 electric vehicles in May.
BYD’s electric sales figures in China. Source : CNEVpost
Nearly 2 million vehicles sold
In total, 1.89 million electric vehicles, including 1.71 million passenger cars, were sold in China in the first five months of the year. A figure up 117.4% compared to last year. First in the ranking, BYD occupies more than a quarter of the market with more than 500,000 units sold since the beginning of the year.
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