The world’s top three battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturers (OEMs) – Tesla, BYD, and Volkswagen Group (including VW, Audi, Porsche, Skoda, and SEAT brands) – reported intriguing sales results in 2022.
InsideEVs noted that the three EV giants retained the highest positions since 2021. However, the German and Chinese automakers switched positions last year.
Tesla vs Volkswagen Group BEV vs BYD BEV sales – Q4 2022
Tesla, BYD, and Volkswagen Group all enjoyed high sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Unsurprisingly, Tesla dominated the BEV market with 405,278 sales. Meanwhile, BYD saw a year-on-year (YoY) sales growth of 142% to 329,011 units (excluding hybrids). Notably, the Chinese auto group noted the highest growth rate, pushing it near Tesla’s top spot.
On the other hand, VW Group is trailing behind its two rivals with 205,328 sales.
BEV sales results in Q4 2022:
- Tesla: 405,278 (up 31% year-over-year)
- BYD (cars): 329,011 (up 142% year-over-year) or 81% of Tesla’s result
Difference to Tesla: 76,267 (down 56% year-over-year) - Volkswagen Group*: 205,328 (up 29% year-over-year) or 51% of Tesla’s result
Difference to Tesla: 199,950 (up 34% year-over-year)
Tesla vs Volkswagen Group BEV vs BYD BEV sales – YTD
Tesla enjoyed a YoY sales growth of 40% to over 1.3 million electric cars in 2022.
Remarkably, Chinese automaker BYD reported an exceptional YoY sales growth of 184% to 911,141 units. The report noted that it is nearly 400,000 fewer units than Tesla, but the disparity was 35% less than it was a year ago.
On the other hand, the Volkswagen Group had the weakest growth rate of 26% to over 570,000 electric vehicle sales. Considering these figures, BYD surpassed VW’s sales last year, allowing the Chinese group to claim the second spot it previously held.
BEV sales results – YTD:
- Tesla: 1,313,851 (up 40% YoY)
- BYD (cars): 911,141 (up 184% YoY) or 69% of Tesla’s result
Difference to Tesla: 402,710 (down 35% YoY) - Volkswagen Group*: 570,737 (up 26% YoY) or 43% of Tesla’s result
Difference to Tesla: 742,123 (up 54% YoY)
Despite having the lowest growth rate, VW Group still has the chance to boost its sales in 2023. However, it may not be feasible for the German company to surpass 0.9 to 1 million units (probable 75% YoY sales growth.) The report also noted that it would equal the sales results for Tesla in 2021 and BYD in 2022.
Considering these results, VW may put off its goal of surpassing Tesla and dominating the BEV industry for a while.
All that said, “the big three” has significant prospects to increase their sales this year and boost their growth in the coming years. It would be interesting to see BYD overthrow Tesla in the future. It would also be fascinating if VW could reclaim its second-highest position from BYD.
