Geely Auto kicked off 2026 with blockbuster sales figures, reporting 3.0246 million units sold in 2025—a staggering 39% year-on-year growth. Powered by a 90% surge in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales to 1.6878 million units, Geely not only smashed its targets but positioned itself as BYD's fiercest rival in China's hyper-competitive EV market. Meanwhile, Chery Group dominated exports with 1.344 million vehicles shipped overseas, reinforcing Chinese brands' global dominance.
Geely's Record-Breaking 2025 Performance
Geely's ascent was nothing short of meteoric. The company's NEV segment exploded, exceeding internal targets and setting new benchmarks. Key highlights include:
- Total sales: 3.0246 million units (+39% YoY)
- NEV sales: 1.6878 million units (+90% YoY)
- Overseas exports: 420,100 units, hitting annual targets
By brand breakdown:
| Brand | 2025 Sales (units) |
|---|---|
| Geely | ~2.16 million (est.) |
| Lynk & Co | Strong growth |
| Zeekr | Premium EV push |
Geely's Geome Xingyuan emerged as China's top-selling pure electric vehicle in 2025, underscoring its prowess in the EV segment. Mid-year, Geely boldly raised its full-year target from 2.71 million to 3 million units—contrasting sharply with BYD's downward revision from 5.5 million to 4.6 million.
Ambitious 2026 Targets: Eyes on 3.45 Million Sales
Geely isn't resting on its laurels. For 2026, the company targets 3.45 million total sales (+14% over 2025) with a heavy electrification tilt:
- NEV sales goal: 2.22 million units (+32% YoY)
- Geely Brand: 2.75 million units
- Lynk & Co: 400,000 units
- Zeekr: 300,000 units
This aggressive roadmap leverages Geely's diversified portfolio, from affordable EVs like the Geome Xingyuan to luxury offerings under Zeekr, positioning it to erode BYD's market share.
Chery's Export Dominance: A Vehicle Every 23 Seconds
Complementing Geely's domestic surge, Chery Group solidified its export leadership, shipping 1.344 million vehicles overseas from total 2025 sales of 2.806 million—a 17.4% YoY increase. That's one Chery every 23 seconds, marking 23 straight years as China's top passenger vehicle exporter. Cumulative exports now exceed 5.85 million.
Brand performance:
| Brand | 2025 Sales (units) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Chery | 1,700,940 | Tiggo 8: 9-year SUV leader; Arrizo 8: 450k+ cumulative |
| Exeed | 120,369 | Yaoguang C-DM tops EU sales in segment |
| Jetour | 622,590 | X70: 1M+ cumulative; Traveler: 400k+ global |
| iCar | 96,989 | Expanding to Thailand, Malaysia, Russia |
| Luxeed | 90,493 | Huawei collab; 10k+ monthly deliveries Q4 |
Chery's global reach, especially in premium NEVs like Exeed's Yaoguang C-DM (top 3 in Spain/Italy), highlights the brand's "globalized high-end new energy" strategy.
Why This Matters: Reshaping the Global EV Landscape
Geely's emergence as BYD's top challenger signals intensifying competition in China's EV market, now the world's largest. With NEVs comprising over 55% of Geely's 2025 sales and targets pushing higher, the company is betting big on battery tech, autonomous driving, and PHEVs. Chery's export prowess—fueled by models like Jetour and Luxeed's Huawei-integrated EVs—demonstrates Chinese manufacturers' export machine, flooding markets from Europe to Southeast Asia.
This duo's momentum challenges Tesla and legacy automakers globally, driving down prices and accelerating the energy transition. Geely's Geome Xingyuan outselling rivals underscores affordable, high-quality Chinese EVs as the new standard.
Looking Ahead: Geely's Path to Overtake BYD?
2026 will test Geely's ambitions amid tariff pressures and supply chain shifts. Success hinges on scaling Zeekr's premium EVs and Lynk & Co's PHEVs while maintaining export growth. If Geely hits 3.45 million sales, it could close the gap with BYD, propelling Chinese EVs to 60%+ global market share by 2030. Watch for Zeekr's battery innovations and Chery's Luxeed expansions—they're set to redefine automotive trends.
