Exclusives | Americas

Tesla loses EV crown to China’s BYD as competition, tax credit expiry hit demand

2 January 2026, 12:38 pm

1 min read

A Tesla model 3 is pictured inside a showroom, as the U.S. prepares to announce tariffs on Taiwan, in Taipei, Taiwan July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Ann Wang

Reuters beat the competition when Tesla reported a second straight year of lower sales and ceded its crown as the world’s top electric vehicle maker to BYD. Reuters was also ahead on the EV maker’s fourth-quarter production figures. Tesla shares ended down 2.6% after a choppy session.