Summary
– BYD Seagull outpaced the Tesla Model Y to become the top all-electric model in China in April
– Plug-in electric car sales increased significantly in China in April
– Almost 704,000 new passenger plug-in electric cars registered in China in April
– Plug-in hybrids saw the most growth in registration numbers in April
– The top-selling cars in China are mostly plug-ins, with BYD dominating the market
Article
**BYD Seagull Outpaces Tesla Model Y in China**
In the fast-growing Chinese plug-in electric car market, the BYD Seagull has emerged as the top-performing model, outpacing even the popular Tesla Model Y. According to data from EV Volumes, almost 704,000 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered in China in April 2024, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. The market share for plug-in electric cars in China also saw a significant rise, reaching 44% compared to 35% in April 2023.
**Surging Plug-in Car Sales in China**
China not only boasts the largest plug-in electric car market globally but also represents the majority of global plug-in car sales. In 2023, the share of rechargeable cars in China was 37%, and in 2024, it has already reached 40%. In April alone, registrations for all-electric cars increased by 10% year over year, totaling approximately 415,000 units, while plug-in hybrids saw a massive 65% growth, amounting to about 290,000 units.
**Strong Growth Trends in the Chinese Market**
During the first four months of 2024, over 2.5 million new plug-in electric cars were registered in China, reflecting a 32% increase year over year. These registrations accounted for about 40% of the total car market in the country. In 2023, over 8 million new plug-in electric cars were registered in China, constituting about 37% of the total volume. The strong start to 2024 indicates a likely upward trend, with projections expecting registrations to surpass 10 million units for the year.
**Top-Selling Plug-in Cars in China**
The top-selling plug-in cars in China include models from BYD such as the Song and Qin families, which have shown impressive sales figures. Surprisingly, the Tesla Model Y, a well-known name in the electric vehicle market, was not the best-selling all-electric model in China last month. The BYD Seagull took the lead, signaling a potential shift in market dynamics. Other top-selling models in April included the BYD Yuan Plus, BYD Han, and the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV.
**BYD Dominates the Chinese Plug-in Market**
BYD continues to maintain its dominance in the Chinese plug-in electric car market, holding a market share of 29.8% in the plug-in car segment. When considering its satellite brands, this share increases to 31.9%. Other notable brands in the market include Tesla, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and Geely. In terms of automotive groups, BYD, Geely-Volvo, and SAIC lead the way, showcasing the competitive landscape in the rapidly growing Chinese plug-in electric car market.
In conclusion, the Chinese plug-in electric car market has experienced significant growth, with strong sales numbers and market share increases in recent months. The rise of models like the BYD Seagull and the continued dominance of BYD in the market underscore the dynamic nature of the electric vehicle industry in China. With projections pointing towards further growth and an increasing shift towards electric mobility, the Chinese market remains a key player in the global push towards sustainable transportation.
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