In 2025, the global automotive landscape witnessed a major shift as three Chinese car brands entered the top 10 best-selling automakers worldwide. This marks a turning point in the industry, with Chinese manufacturers gaining unprecedented global momentum.
Leading the pack, BYD moved up to the fifth position in global sales, driven by its rapidly expanding electric vehicle lineup. SAIC Motor also made significant strides, climbing to seventh place, thanks to strong demand for its popular brands like MG and Roewe. Geely, known for its design innovation, jumped two places to secure the tenth spot, fueled by strong growth in markets like Europe and Southeast Asia.
Toyota maintained its lead as the top-selling brand, with a steady growth of 4.65%, followed by Volkswagen and Hyundai. Despite Ford slipping in rankings, Stellantis and GM continued to grow steadily. The data underscores how Chinese brands are no longer limited to domestic success but are now reshaping global automotive competition.
As we look ahead, 2026 promises even more competition as these brands continue their push into new markets, driven by EV innovation and a focus on affordability and style.
| 2025 Rank | Change vs 2024 | Company | 2025 Sales | 2024 Sales | YoY | Major Brands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | Toyota | 11.32 | 10.82 | 4.65% | Toyota, Lexus, Hino, Daihatsu |
| 2 | — | Volkswagen | 8.98 | 9.03 | -0.51% | Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Škoda, etc. |
| 3 | — | Hyundai | 7.27 | 7.23 | 0.60% | Hyundai, Kia, Genesis |
| 4 | — | GM | 6.18 | 6.00 | 3.03% | Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac |
| 5 | — | Stellantis | 5.48 | 5.42 | 1.27% | Peugeot, Jeep, Fiat, Citroën, etc. |
| 6 | +1 | BYD | 4.60 | 4.27 | 7.72% | BYD, Denza, Yangwang, Fang Cheng Bao |
| 7 | — | SAIC | 4.51 | 4.01 | 12.33% | Roewe, MG, IM Motors, Wuling (JV) |
| 8 | -2 | Ford | 4.40 | 4.47 | -1.68% | Ford, Lincoln |
| 9 | +2 | Geely | 4.12 | 3.27 | 26.03% | Geely, Volvo, Zeekr, Lynk & Co, etc. |
| 10 | -1 | Honda | 3.52 | 3.81 | -7.53% | Honda, Acura |
Unit: million vehicles. Data source: Company financial reports. Compiled by: CLS.