BYD shatters sales records in Q1 2025 - sells more cars than all of 2024

BYD has achieved an unprecedented sales milestone in the UK, selling a remarkable 9,271 passenger cars in the first quarter of 2025. This figure represents a staggering 625% increase compared to Q1 2024.

This exceptional sales record underscores BYD’s rapid ascent in the UK automotive market and firmly establishes its position as the nation’s fastest-growing car brand. The Q1 2025 sales volume not only marks BYD UK’s most successful quarter since its passenger car introduction in March 2023 but also surpasses the total sales volume for the whole of the previous year (2024: 8,787 units).

The surge in sales has dramatically expanded BYD’s market share in the UK, climbing from 0.45% in 2024 to an impressive 1.6% in Q1 2025. Notably, in March 2025 alone, BYD’s total market share reached 1.8%.

BYD’s Claudio de Freitas prepares to get up and present the Broker of the Year award

Bolstering its presence in the fleet and leasing sector, BYD was the Headline Partner for the Broker News Awards 2025, National Contract Hire & Sales Manager Claudio de Freitas (above) handing out the major award to Synergy Car Leasing.

Leading the charge in BYD’s stellar performance were the BYD SEAL U DM-i and the BYD SEAL. The SEAL U DM-i emerged as the best-selling model in the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) segment in March 2025, while the BYD SEAL secured its place as the seventh most popular pure electric vehicle in the same month. In Q1 2025, BYD registered 3,975 units of the SEAL U DM-i and 2,521 units of the SEAL.

"I am incredibly proud of our latest achievement in the UK; thanks to the tireless work of our team and retailer partners we have smashed yet another sales record. At BYD our mission is to bring high-tech and high-value cars to our customers, and it’s great to see this resonating with UK buyers. With the addition of SEALION 7, we are confident that more people will continue to choose BYD."

Steve Beattie, Sales and Marketing Director, BYD UK Tweet

Further bolstering BYD’s growing presence is the recent introduction of the all-new BYD SEALION 7 in March. Built on BYD’s advanced e-platform 3.0 and featuring the brand’s innovative Blade Battery, the SEALION 7 has already garnered significant customer interest. This stylish and sporty SUV offers cutting-edge technology, a spacious and premium interior, and an impressive all-electric range of up to 312 miles, further expanding BYD’s reach in the UK market.

While BYD’s passenger car division is relatively new to the UK, the company boasts a long and successful history in the country through its commercial vehicle operations. BYD introduced its first fully-electric buses to UK roads in 2014 and now has over 2,500 electric buses operating in major cities nationwide. Additionally, since 2016, BYD has contributed 1.8GWh of battery energy storage to the UK’s national grid, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable transportation and energy solutions in the UK.