At a Glance
- Tesla loses crown as world’s bestselling EV maker for second year.
- 2025 deliveries drop 9% to 1.64 million, while BYD sold 2.26 million.
- CEO Elon Musk announces departure after scheduled term ends.
- Why it matters: The shift signals growing competition, policy impacts, and a pivot to new revenue streams.
Tesla’s 2025 sales slump and leadership change mark a turning point for the electric-vehicle giant, as the company faces a new competitor in BYD and a future focused on robotaxes and robotics.
Sales Decline and Market Shift
Tesla delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from 2024, while BYD sold 2.26 million, overtaking Tesla as the world’s biggest EV maker.
- 2025 deliveries: 1.64 M vs 1.79 M in 2024.
- BYD’s 2025 sales: 2.26 M.
- Q4 sales fell to 418,227, below FactSet’s 440,000 estimate.
| Year | Tesla | BYD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.64 M | 2.26 M |
Leadership Change
On May 28, Elon Musk announced on X that he would step down as CEO after his scheduled term ends, ending his time in the Trump administration.
Future Focus and Investor Sentiment
Investors remain bullish, citing Musk’s plans for robotaxi services, energy storage, and humanoid robots.
The company’s stock closed 2025 with an 11% gain, and analysts expect sales and earnings to rebound in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla’s sales decline and BYD’s rise shift the EV market.
- CEO Musk’s departure signals a leadership transition.
- Investors stay optimistic about robotaxi and robotics future.
Tesla’s pivot may redefine its fortunes even as it navigates a tougher sales environment.
