Stellantis and BYD Clash Over European EV Sales Dominance





A recent controversy has unfolded between two prominent automotive giants, Stellantis and BYD, concerning their electric vehicle (EV) sales performance in the European market, particularly in Germany. The contention arose after Stellantis' CEO, Antonio Filosa, asserted that their joint venture, Leapmotor, had outsold BYD in Germany's EV sector. This claim was swiftly challenged by BYD, which presented official registration data to demonstrate its significant lead. The ensuing exchange highlights the intense competition and strategic maneuvering within the rapidly expanding European EV landscape, as both companies vie for market dominance and consumer trust.
Automotive Giants Spar Over German EV Market Share
In a recent and notable exchange, the automotive world witnessed a heated debate between Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, and the Chinese electric vehicle behemoth BYD, regarding their respective sales figures in the German EV market. The controversy ignited when Antonio Filosa, the chief executive of Stellantis, stated during a recent investor conference that Leapmotor, a joint venture under Stellantis, had outperformed BYD in electric vehicle sales in Germany during the preceding month. This assertion quickly drew a sharp response from BYD, which, on Friday, issued a press release to refute the claim with verifiable data.
BYD's counter-argument, supported by official statistics from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), revealed a different picture. According to the KBA data, BYD had registered a total of 8,610 vehicles in Germany during the first eight months of 2025, a figure that more than doubled Leapmotor's 3,536 registrations in the same period. A more detailed breakdown further clarified that BYD recorded 5,809 all-electric vehicles (EVs) and 2,844 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), whereas Leapmotor registered 3,083 EVs and 448 PHEVs. This data unequivocally contradicted Filosa's initial statement, demonstrating BYD's substantial lead in the German market.
Adding to its rebuttal, BYD highlighted that its sales even surpassed those of other Stellantis-owned brands, such as Alfa Romeo and nearly matched Jeep's, within the same timeframe. Alfa Romeo registered 5,222 vehicles, and Jeep recorded 8,884, barely edging out BYD. However, a closer look at the powertrain types showed that Jeep sold only 350 EVs and 569 PHEVs, while Alfa Romeo managed a mere 140 all-electric vehicle sales. A Stellantis spokesperson later attempted to clarify Filosa's remarks, suggesting he was referring specifically to the month of August, where Leapmotor's T03 model was indeed the top-selling EV. However, the overarching KBA data for the broader period still firmly positioned BYD ahead, showcasing their growing influence in the European electric vehicle sector.
This incident serves as a clear indicator of the fierce competition and rapidly evolving dynamics within the global electric vehicle industry. As new models like BYD's Dolphin Surf and Leapmotor's B05 enter the market, the race for market share in Europe, and indeed worldwide, is intensifying. The episode underscores the importance of accurate data and transparency in a highly competitive landscape, reminding us that every claim will be meticulously scrutinized as companies strive to establish dominance in the sustainable transportation revolution.