Geely Xingyuan tops China’s 2025 EV leaderboard, Tesla Model Y slides

The 2025 sales numbers for electric cars in China are officially in, and they tell a story of a massive shift in what drivers want. Until recently, the high-end market seemed to be the only place where big moves happened, but the latest data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) proves that small, affordable vehicles are the new kings of the road. Total retail sales for battery electric vehicles hit 7.877 million units in 2025. This is a jump of 24.4% from the year before, showing that the appetite for electric power is only getting stronger.

In a surprising twist, the Tesla Model Y has lost its long-held crown as the top-selling electric car in the country. Taking the number one spot is the Geely Galaxy Xingyuan that only entered the market in October 2024. Geely moved an impressive 465,775 units of this model in 2025. What makes this win even more interesting is the price. The Xingyuan starts at just RMB 69,800 (about $9,700). For that price, buyers get a modern car equipped with an 11-in-1 intelligent drive system and a "Cell-to-Pack" battery. It measures 162.8 inches in length, making it perfect for crowded city streets while still offering a high-tech feel and plenty of room.

The second spot on the list also belongs to a small car. The SAIC-GM-Wuling Hongguang MINIEV continued its strong run with 435,599 units sold. This means the top two electric cars in China are both focused on value and compact size. Their popularity made the Tesla Model Y slip to third place with 425,337 units sold - an 11.45% drop in sales compared to 2024. The Model Y is still the most popular high-end electric SUV, but the cheaper, smaller EVs are starting to dominate the overall rankings.

Smaller cars actually took up half of the top ten spots this year. Along with the Xingyuan and the Wuling MINIEV, the BYD Seagull landed in fourth place with 310,956 units. Other compact favorites included the Changan Lumin at 162,362 units and the Geely Panda with 162,098 units. Altogether, these five small models sold more than 1.5 million cars. This trend suggests that many people are looking for electric cars that are easy to park, cheap to charge, and affordable to buy.

High-tech brands still have a seat at the table, though. The Xiaomi SU7 had a fantastic first full year on the market, claiming fifth place with 258,164 units sold. This is a major achievement for a company better known for smartphones. The Tesla Model 3 also saw growth, rising 13.3% to reach 200,361 units, holding steady in sixth place. Newcomer Xpeng MONA M03 made its debut in the top ten at eighth place with 175,345 units. These models show that while budget is important, many buyers want smart features like advanced driver assistance and high-end screens.

Looking at the big picture, the 2025 results show a "two-track" market. On one side, you have the giants like BYD, which kept two models in the top ten - the Seagull and the Yuan UP (189,277 units). On the other side, traditional carmakers are using new sub-brands to fight back against newer startups. With more models launching and technology getting cheaper, the competition is only going to get tougher.

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