European EV Sales Surpass ICE for First Time; BYD Overtakes SAIC as Top Chinese Brand
Recent reports indicate that electric vehicle sales in Europe have for the first time exceeded those of pure internal combustion engine vehicles. Concurrently, BYD has surpassed SAIC to become the leading Chinese automotive brand by sales volume.
In a significant market shift, electric vehicle (EV) sales across Europe have reportedly surpassed those of pure internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for the first time — Dongchedi. This milestone underscores the accelerating transition towards electrification in the European automotive market, driven by increasing consumer adoption and evolving regulatory landscapes. The data, as reported by Dongchedi, highlights a pivotal moment where new energy vehicles (NEVs) are gaining dominant traction over traditional gasoline and diesel models in a major global region.
Simultaneously, the competitive landscape among Chinese automotive manufacturers is also seeing notable changes. BYD, a prominent Chinese NEV manufacturer, has reportedly overtaken SAIC to secure the position as the top-selling Chinese brand — Dongchedi. This achievement by BYD reflects the brand's robust growth and expanding global presence, particularly within the burgeoning EV segment. The performance of BYD and other Chinese NEV brands like NIO, ZEEKR, and XPeng is increasingly influencing global automotive trends, demonstrating their capacity to compete effectively on an international scale.
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Written by EVPlus Editorial Team · 24 June 2026