@usatoday Chinese auto giant BYD surpassed Tesla to become the world’s top electric-vehicle seller in 2025, according to new data released by the two companies. The Chinese automaker has come a long way since 2011, when Tesla CEO Elon Musk dismissed BYD as a competitor in a Bloomberg TV interview, saying "I don't think they have a great product" and added its focus should be "making sure they don't die in China." #cars #tesla #BYD ♬ original sound - USA TODAY

🌿 ⚡🎮 When Engines Race and Lobbies Pulse

Much like the playful tension captured in “Friendly Competition… for Online Lobby” by Game Garage and Qteku — where rivals gather in a digital waiting room, sizing each other up before the match begins — the global EV market now feels like its own charged lobby, with Tesla losing ground as BYD surges ahead and reshapes the leaderboard. The song’s upbeat rivalry mirrors this real‑world shift: a moment where the countdown ticks, strategies collide, and a new champion steps forward while the former leader recalibrates for the next round.

🎶 ♻️🌍⚡🚗✨📉🏆🔧🇨🇳🚀🇺🇸🗽💵🔋🏗️🐉 🔊 Friendly Competition… for Online Lobby - Game Garage, Qteku

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Tesla enters 2026 facing one of its most challenging years yet, marked by a sharp decline in global sales and intensifying competition.

The company’s 9% drop in deliveries has opened the door for China’s BYD to claim the title of the world’s top electric‑vehicle maker.

📉 Tesla’s 9% Sales Decline

Tesla delivered 1.63 million vehicles in 2025, down from 1.79 million in 2024 — a 9% year‑over‑year decline. This marks the second consecutive year of falling sales, signaling deeper structural challenges for the company. The drop was especially visible in the fourth quarter, where deliveries fell 15.6% compared to the previous yearTechCrunch.

🇺🇸 Loss of U.S. Tax Credits Hits Hard

One of the biggest blows came from the elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in the United States, which had previously boosted Tesla’s sales. Consumers rushed to buy vehicles before the incentive expired, leading to a record third quarter — but demand retreated sharply afterward. Without the credit, Tesla struggled to maintain momentum in its largest market.

🇨🇳 Rising Chinese Competition

Tesla’s market share has been eroded by aggressive Chinese automakers, especially in Europe and China, where competition is fiercest. While Chinese brands cannot sell directly in the U.S., their global expansion and lower‑cost models have reshaped the competitive landscape. Tesla’s aging lineup and lack of a new low‑cost platform have further weakened its positionElectrek.

🏆 BYD Becomes the Global EV Leader

China’s BYD surged ahead with 2.26 million all‑electric vehicles sold in 2025, officially overtaking Tesla as the world’s top EV maker. BYD’s 27.9% growth in BEV sales contrasts sharply with Tesla’s decline, highlighting two companies moving in opposite directions. BYD’s strong international expansion — surpassing 1 million overseas sales for the first time — solidified its global leadElectrek.

🤖 Tesla’s Strategic Crossroads

As sales fall, CEO Elon Musk is attempting to pivot Tesla toward AI, robotics, and “sustainable abundance”, as outlined in Master Plan IV. Yet the company still relies heavily on its EV business, which generated $21.2 billion of its $28 billion Q3 revenueTechCrunch. With competition rising and incentives shrinking, Tesla now faces a critical moment: reinvent or risk losing more ground in the rapidly evolving EV race.

#EVMarket ⚡ #TeslaNews 🚗 #BYDLeader 🏆 #CleanEnergy 🌍 #AutoIndustryShift 🔧