^{Source: South China Morning Post}

In March 2025, China's electric vehicle (EV) sector witnessed remarkable milestones, with leading manufacturers reporting unprecedented delivery figures. This surge underscores the escalating competition and rapid evolution within the industry.​

Xiaomi's Landmark Deliveries

Xiaomi, primarily known for its electronics, made a significant impact by delivering over 29,000 electric vehicles in March, marking its highest monthly figure to date. This achievement builds upon a consistent performance of over 20,000 units delivered in each of the preceding five months. The company's flagship model, the SU7, has been central to this success. However, the SU7 was involved in a highway accident on April 1, resulting in three fatalities. Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle was operating in autopilot mode before the driver took control and collided with construction infrastructure. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.​

Despite this incident, Xiaomi remains optimistic about its trajectory, having set an ambitious target of delivering 350,000 vehicles by the end of 2025. Discussions are also underway regarding the expansion of their second EV factory in Beijing to accommodate growing demand. ​

Surging Deliveries Among Competitors

Other Chinese EV manufacturers have also reported significant growth:​

• Xpeng: Achieved deliveries of 33,205 vehicles in March, marking the fifth consecutive month surpassing 30,000 units and reflecting a 268% increase compared to the same month last year.​
• Leapmotor: Reported deliveries of 37,095 vehicles, a 154% year-over-year growth. The company recently launched sales of its T03 and C10 models in the U.K., signaling its international ambitions.​
• Li Auto: Delivered 36,674 vehicles in March, a 26.5% increase from the previous year, though slightly below figures from the latter half of 2024.​

BYD's Market Dominance

BYD continues to lead the Chinese EV market, with March sales reaching 371,419 passenger vehicles, a 57.9% year-over-year growth. Notably, overseas sales hit a record high of 72,723 units. The company unveiled its "Super e-Platform" technology, boasting a 400-kilometer range with just five minutes of charging. Additionally, BYD announced the integration of DeepSeek artificial intelligence to develop "DiPilot," an advanced driver-assistance system.​

Tesla's Declining Performance in China

In contrast, Tesla experienced a decline in its China-made EV sales, with 78,828 units sold in March, an 11.5% decrease year-over-year. This downturn is attributed to intensified local competition and production adjustments ahead of the new Model Y release.

Performance of Other EV Manufacturers

Several other Chinese automakers reported growth but faced challenges in surpassing the 20,000-unit delivery mark:​

• Nio: Delivered 15,039 vehicles in March, a 26.7% year-over-year growth, though below delivery figures from May to December of the previous year.​
• Zeekr (Geely-owned): Reported 15,422 deliveries in March, an 18.5% increase compared to the previous year. The company announced the rollout of free advanced driver-assistance technology to local customers to enhance competitiveness.​

First Quarter Overview

Analyzing first-quarter performance:​

• BYD: Maintained its lead with 986,098 vehicles sold, surpassing Tesla in battery electric vehicle sales for the quarter.​
• Tesla: Sold 172,754 vehicles in China during the first quarter, according to the China Passenger Car Association.​
• Xpeng: Achieved 94,008 deliveries in the quarter ending March, reflecting a 331% year-over-year growth.​
• Leapmotor: More than doubled its quarterly deliveries to 87,552 units from 33,410 units in the same period of 2024.​
• Nio: Delivered 42,094 vehicles in the first quarter, a 40.1% year-over-year increase.​
• Li Auto: Reported a 15.5% year-over-year growth with 92,864 vehicles delivered in the first quarter.​

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The Chinese EV market is experiencing dynamic shifts, with domestic manufacturers like Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Leapmotor making significant strides and challenging established players such as Tesla. As technological advancements continue and competition intensifies, the landscape of China's EV industry is poised for further evolution.

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