Ford Motor Firm has been overtaken in world automobile gross sales for the primary time by Chinese language electrical automobile large BYD, underscoring the dramatic shift below manner within the world automotive business.
Ford’s gross sales slipped 2 per cent final yr to only below 4.4 million automobiles, whereas BYD offered 4.6 million, climbing to sixth place within the world rankings of automobile producers.
The milestone is symbolic for an business formed by Ford’s legacy. Founder Henry Ford revolutionised mass automobile possession with the Mannequin T within the early twentieth century. Greater than a century later, the corporate that outlined industrial automobile manufacturing is being outpaced by a Chinese language electrical automobile specialist.
BYD’s development has been pushed by its increasing portfolio of inexpensive, high-tech electrical and plug-in hybrid automobiles. Amongst its greatest sellers are the SEAL U DM-i and the Dolphin electrical metropolis automobile, priced at below £19,000 in some markets.
In distinction, Ford has scaled again lower-cost small vehicles in Europe, phasing out the Ford Fiesta throughout the pandemic and pivoting in the direction of higher-margin SUVs and crossovers. Its entry-level Puma now begins at greater than £26,000.
Ford’s gross sales within the US rose, however the firm has misplaced floor in Europe and China — markets the place electrical competitors is intensifying.
Felipe Munoz, an unbiased automotive analyst, stated the development was broadly anticipated. “BYD continues to be in growth mode. Even when gross sales in China sluggish, it’s counting on exports to develop,” he stated.
“Ford, in the meantime, stays closely depending on the US, the place development is modest, and has solely a minor presence in China. Europe can be stagnant. This divergence is more likely to proceed.”
Western carmakers, together with Ford, have struggled to navigate the electrical automobile transition. In December, Ford took a $19.5bn (£14bn) cost to reduce EV manufacturing, citing weaker-than-expected demand.
Munoz stated Ford’s electrification technique was sophisticated by its publicity to North America. “North American shoppers aren’t captivated with electrical vehicles, and authorities assist has been inconsistent,” he stated.
Ford has tried to regain a foothold in China via a three way partnership with Jiangling Motors, launching an all-electric model of its Bronco SUV. Nonetheless, its Chinese language market share has fallen from almost 5 per cent a decade in the past to lower than 2 per cent as we speak.
“Let’s see how the Bronco Electrical performs,” Munoz stated. “However up to now, nothing vital has modified.”
Regardless of world challenges, Ford stays Britain’s third-largest automobile model. In accordance with the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants, it offered about 119,000 automobiles within the UK in 2025, representing a 5.9 per cent market share, an 8 per cent improve on the earlier yr.
BYD, whereas nonetheless smaller within the UK, is rising quickly. It offered round 51,400 vehicles final yr, reaching a 2.5 per cent market share, however with gross sales rising nearly sixfold.
On the high of the worldwide league desk, Toyota retained its crown for the sixth consecutive yr with gross sales of 11.3 million automobiles.
For Ford and different Western producers, BYD’s ascent indicators greater than only a rating shift, it displays a deeper rebalancing of energy in an business more and more outlined by electrification, value effectivity and Chinese language technological ambition.
