All NewsEducationTV
Equities & FundsCrypto & Digital AssetsAI & TechnologyBusiness & CorporateUS Politics & PolicyGeopolitics & Global RiskMacro, Rates & FXCommodities & EnergyEuropean Politics & MarketsAsia-PacificReal Estate & Property
All NewsHome
← Back to Asia-Pacific

BYD profit rebounds on strong overseas sales amid China slowdown

Created at 28 Aug · 11:31 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Chinese EV maker BYD's profits rebounded in the second quarter, driven by robust international sales that compensated for a challenging domestic market. The company's overseas business has become a critical growth engine, with exports surpassing one million units in 2025.

Key Numbers

CNY 803.97 billionBYD 2025 total revenue
CNY 32.62 billionBYD 2025 net profit
-18.97%BYD 2025 net profit year-on-year change
4.6024 million unitsBYD 2025 total vehicle sales
1.046 million unitsBYD 2025 vehicle exports
+140%BYD 2025 vehicle exports year-on-year change
CNY 310.74 billionBYD 2025 overseas revenue
+40.1%BYD 2025 overseas revenue year-on-year change
20.5%BYD automotive business gross margin in 2025
16.7%BYD domestic business gross margin in 2025
321,123 NEVsBYD April 2026 NEV sales
6.96%BYD April 2026 sales increase from March
~15-16%BYD April 2026 sales year-on-year decline
1.02 million vehiclesBYD January-April 2026 cumulative sales
~26%BYD January-April 2026 cumulative sales year-on-year decline
134,542 unitsBYD April 2026 overseas passenger vehicle and pickup sales
70.9%BYD April 2026 overseas sales year-on-year increase
42.8%BYD April 2026 overseas sales as percentage of total
455,707 vehiclesBYD January-April 2026 overseas sales
~60%BYD January-April 2026 overseas sales year-on-year increase
29,138 unitsBYD FangchengBao April 2026 sales
190.25%BYD FangchengBao April 2026 sales year-on-year increase
11,250 vehiclesBYD Denza April 2026 sales
264 unitsBYD Yangwang April 2026 sales
4.09 billion yuanBYD Q1 2026 net profit
~$599 millionBYD Q1 2026 net profit in USD
>55%BYD Q1 2026 net profit year-on-year decline
10+New models launched by BYD with flash charging
>20 million yuanPrice of Yangwang supercar

Who's Involved

BYD
Chinese electric vehicle champion facing domestic market challenges
Blagojce Krivevski
Author of BYD April 2026 Sales report
BYD profit rebounds on strong overseas sales amid China slowdown

↳ Why This Matters

BYD's strategic pivot towards international markets highlights a significant trend in the global automotive industry, as Chinese EV makers seek growth abroad to counter domestic market saturation and intense competition. This shift has implications for global market share, pricing strategies, and the pace of EV adoption worldwide.

Key facts

  • BYD's profits rebounded in the second quarter, driven by strong overseas sales.
  • BYD's overseas sales hit a record 134,542 units in April 2026, accounting for 42.8% of total sales.
  • In 2025, BYD's vehicle exports exceeded one million units for the first time, a 140% increase.
  • BYD's total revenue in 2025 was CNY 803.97 billion, but net profit fell 18.97% year-on-year to CNY 32.62 billion.
  • The company's automotive business gross margin decreased to 20.5% in 2025 due to intense price competition in China.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD experienced a profit rebound in the second quarter, largely attributed to a surge in overseas sales that offset a slowdown in its domestic market. The company's international business has become a crucial growth driver, with exports reaching a record 134,542 units in April 2026, representing 42.8% of total monthly sales.

Despite this international success, BYD's domestic sales have faced an eighth consecutive month of year-on-year decline, falling approximately 15-16% in April 2026 compared to the previous year. This downturn is attributed to aggressive price competition, reduced government incentives, and broader weakness in China's auto market. Cumulative sales from January to April 2026 stood at just over 1.02 million vehicles, down about 26% year-on-year.

BYD's overall financial performance in 2025 showed a 3.5% revenue increase to CNY 803.97 billion, but net profit attributable to shareholders declined by 18.97% year-on-year to CNY 32.62 billion. This marked the first annual net profit decrease since 2021, with the automotive business gross margin falling to 20.5% due to the ongoing price war. Net profit in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone dropped 38.2% year-on-year.

In response to market pressures, BYD is investing heavily in innovation, launching new models with advanced features like ultra-fast flash charging and second-generation Blade Battery technology. Sub-brands like FangchengBao have shown significant growth, with sales surging 190.25% year-on-year in April 2026. The company is also targeting higher-margin segments, including the luxury market with its Yangwang supercar, priced above 20 million yuan.

Frequently asked questions

BYD's net profit in the first quarter of 2026 fell over 55% year-on-year to 4.09 billion yuan (approximately $599 million).

BYD's vehicle exports surged by 140% year-on-year in 2025, surpassing one million units for the first time.

In 2025, the gross margin for BYD's automotive business was 20.5%, down 1.8 percentage points year-on-year.

BYD's FangchengBao offroad EV brand recorded a 190.25% year-on-year sales increase in April 2026.

What Happens Next

01BYD's near-term outlook depends on stabilizing margins and navigating China's competitive EV landscape.
02BYD is expected to continue its push into higher-margin segments and international markets.

How It Developed

BYD's second-quarter profits rebounded due to strong overseas sales.
BYD's domestic market share has declined amidst intense price competition and reduced policy support.
Overseas sales of BYD passenger vehicles and pickups reached a record 134,542 units in April 2026.
BYD's cumulative sales from January to April 2026 were over 1.02 million vehicles, down 26% year-on-year.
BYD's overseas sales in 2025 surpassed one million units for the first time, a 140% year-on-year increase.
BYD's total revenue in 2025 was CNY 803.97 billion, with a net profit decline of 18.97% year-on-year.
BYD's automotive business gross margin fell to 20.5% in 2025 due to price wars.
BYD's net profit in Q4 2025 fell 38.2% year-on-year.

Sources

T1
BYD profit rebounds as overseas sales offset China slowdownNikkei Asia
T2
BYD Sales Rebound in April as Overseas Growth Accelerateselectriccarsreport.com
T2
BYD's 2025 Net Profit Falls Nearly 20% as Overseas Sales Surge Fails to ...finance.biggo.com
T2
BYD's overseas surge fails to offset China slowdowntheinsight.asia

Related Stories

China Solar Industry Faces Mounting Losses Amid Weakening Demand
28 Aug · 8:21 AM
Li Auto Swings to Loss on Competition, Lower Deliveries
27 Aug · 8:06 PM
Toyota Sales and Production Decline in July Amidst China and Middle East Weakness
28 Aug · 4:36 AM
Toyota to build next-gen EV in China first, with gigacasting tech
27 Aug · 9:26 PM
Vanke's first-half loss widens to 12 billion yuan amid property crisis
27 Aug · 12:51 PM