BYD almost dethrones Tesla as largest EV manufacturer

Research firm GlobalData predicts that 11 million fully electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will probably be sold worldwide this year. That is 41 percent more than flew over the international counters last year. Worldwide, about one in eight cars sold will be fully electric. In Europe in particular, a strong growth in the number of EVs sold is expected. GlobalData is aiming for a 50 percent increase in sales for the European market, partly because the consequences of the worldwide shortage of computer chips are diminishing. GlobalData also predicts EV sales growth for the United States and China, although the growth figures in China are leveling off.

Who will become the largest manufacturer of electric cars worldwide? According to GlobalData, that is Tesla. The research firm expects the Americans to be in first place with 1.6 million cars sold worldwide in 2023. Tesla does feel the hot breath of the Chinese BYD – which is already the largest manufacturer of electrified cars worldwide – in the neck. For BYD, GlobalData is aiming for sales of no fewer than 1.58 million electric cars this year. SAIC Motor follows with considerable distance in third place (1.01 million units). The Volkswagen Group is expected to end in fourth place with 840,000 units. A Chinese manufacturer may also be in fifth place: Volvo and Polestar parent company Geely (580,000 units).

The – expected – largest EV manufacturers of 2023