Chinese EV Giants BYD and Chery Outpace Tesla, GM, and VW in 2025 Global Race

In 2025, Chinese automakers 比亚迪 and Chery are reshaping the electric vehicle (EV) landscape, outmaneuvering global giants like Tesla, General Motors (GM), and Volkswagen (VW) with unprecedented speed and scale. A Reuters investigation reveals how these companies slashed vehicle development times to as little as 18 months, compared to over five years for Western rivals, driving explosive growth and challenging the dominance of legacy automakers.

Unmatched Development Speed Fuels Growth

Chinese automakers have redefined efficiency, with BYD and Chery each boosting global sales by about 40% in 2024, while Tesla faced its first annual sales decline. Chery’s rapid overhaul of its Omoda 5 SUV for Europe—completed in just six weeks—highlights this agility. “You can forget doing something that fast with a European automaker,” said Riccardo Tonelli, Chery’s senior vehicle-dynamics expert. “It’s impossible.” This speed, achieved by minimizing prototypes and leveraging digital simulations, allows Chinese brands to deliver fresher models at lower costs.

BYD, now the world’s largest EV maker by units sold, produces 75% of its Seal sedan’s parts in-house, compared to 46% for Tesla’s Model 3, according to AlixPartners. This vertical integration cuts costs and accelerates production. The average age of a Chinese-brand EV or plug-in hybrid is 1.6 years, versus 5.4 years for foreign brands, ensuring cutting-edge technology reaches consumers faster.

Technological and Cost Advantages

BYD’s technological edge extends to its “God’s Eye” driver-assistance system, offered free on some models, undercutting Tesla’s $9,000 Full Self-Driving package. “With God’s Eye, Tesla’s strategy starts to fall apart,” said Taylor Ogan, a Shenzhen-based BYD investor who has driven both systems. BYD’s use of radar and lidar matches Tesla’s FSD costs while enhancing performance, challenging Tesla’s camera-only approach.

Chery, China’s leading auto exporter, shipped 1.14 million vehicles to over 100 countries in 2024, nearly half its total sales. Its Omoda lineup, including gas, electric, and hybrid variants, showcases flexibility that appeals to diverse markets. Chery’s ability to produce five to 10 digital design proposals per model ensures quick recovery from market flops. “If everybody said today, ‘We hate it,’ Chery will just change it,” said Peter Matkin, Chery’s chief international-brands engineer.

Economic and Operational Impacts for EV Owners

For EV owners, Chinese automakers’ strategies translate to affordable, feature-rich vehicles. BYD’s Seagull hatchback, priced at $7,789 in China and around $26,000 in Europe, undercuts most Western EVs while offering competitive range and performance. In June 2025, BYD sold 377,628 vehicles globally, including 206,884 battery EVs, dwarfing Tesla’s 71,599 China-made units. This price advantage stems from China’s lower labor costs and BYD’s 900,000-strong workforce, nearly matching Toyota and VW’s combined headcount.

However, the rapid pace raises questions about long-term reliability. Toyota engineers, collaborating with BYD on the bZ3 sedan, noted BYD’s willingness to alter designs late in development, a practice Toyota avoids to ensure durability. “Skipping prototypes and road-testing… [is] a big no-no in our world,” said a Toyota employee, highlighting potential risks for consumers prioritizing longevity.

Industry Shifts and Regulatory Challenges

The rise of BYD and Chery signals a broader industry shift. Legacy automakers like VW and GM are partnering with Chinese firms to adopt their speed. VW’s China chief, Ralf Brandstaetter, aims to match “Chinese startup” agility, while GM’s Buick brand targets halving its four-year development cycle. “Being able to match their speed is the continuous challenge,” said Matt Noone, a Buick design executive.

Regulatory hurdles loom large. The U.S. and Europe have imposed tariffs, alleging unfair Chinese EV subsidies. BYD faces scrutiny over its Hungarian factory, set to start production in 2025, for potential government aid violations. In the U.S., Chinese-brand vehicles are nearly banned, limiting BYD’s global ambitions. “It will be pretty challenging for BYD to reach [its 2030 export goal] without access to the U.S. market,” said Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights.

Global Expansion and Market Dynamics

Chery’s European push includes a Spanish factory opening in 2025 and plans for two more, aiming to rival VW’s regional dominance. “Chery is a volume manufacturer, so we want to grow big in Europe,” said Jochen Tueting, Chery’s European managing director. BYD, meanwhile, opened its first Brazilian plant in 2025 and surpassed Tesla in European EV sales in April, edging out Tesla by fewer than 100 units.

China’s overcapacity—54 million vehicles annually against 27.5 million produced—fuels a price war, with BYD discounting 20 models in May 2025. This benefits consumers but strains profitability, with only BYD and Li Auto among Chinese EV makers achieving full-year profits. The industry’s “cruel and competitive process,” as Xpeng’s Brian Gu described, ensures only the strongest survive.

What’s Next for EV Enthusiasts?

For EV enthusiasts, BYD and Chery offer exciting, affordable options with rapid tech updates, but buyers should weigh reliability concerns. As Chinese automakers expand globally, their ability to navigate tariffs and maintain quality will shape their impact. Legacy brands, scrambling to adapt, may soon offer faster-developed EVs, intensifying competition. For now, China’s auto giants are setting the pace, leaving Tesla, GM, and VW racing to catch up.

Photos courtesy of BYD / Chery.