Tesla is a decade ahead of rivals when it comes to intelligent electric vehicles, the thinking on Wall Street goes. Its archrival in China begs to differ.
Whether in terms of EV products, technology or manufacturing chains, China's "new energy vehicles" are ahead of the rest of the world by three to five years, BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu told the state television broadcaster CCTV in a recent interview.
His company is the world's leading maker of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. BYD's 2024 sales surged 41% to a record 4.3 million electric vehicles, as it expanded rapidly both in China and overseas.
Wang spent the first portion of his career as a chemist. He founded Shenzhen-based BYD, an acronym for "Build Your Dreams," 30 years ago. The company is also the world's largest manufacturer of cellphone batteries. In addition, it makes forklifts, semiconductors, solar panels and rail transit components.
But auto manufacturing is its focus. Autos now generate more than 80% of Byd's revenue.
Far from the clunkers of old, China's electric cars are now packed with cutting-edge technology, fun to drive and often attractively priced.
Bonus: They look great.
China EV Stocks Rising Again
So, why can't U.S. consumers buy China-made EVs? Mainstream logic says tariffs make the cars too expensive for China to consider sale in the U.S.
Tariffs on China EVs had been around 25%, and were hiked to 100% in September.
But in a market starved for quality, low-cost EVs, China could double the price of a BYD Seagull, then add the tariff, and the car would still be among the lowest price EVs on the U.S. market. For the Wuling Hongguang Mini, you could quadruple the price.
But, as the U.S. trade war with China gathers momentum, hopes are slim that China autos will hit U.S. highways anytime soon.
Still, China EV stocks that trade in the U.S. are rising on the stock market again, as sales and the economy improve.
Year to date, Li Auto has surged almost 24% and XPeng has skyrocketed 109%. BYD stock has surged 35% and Nio is up 17%.
That compares with Tesla's 39% dive in 2025 so far. Shares of General Motors and Ford also sit in the red this year. The legacy automakers poured billions of dollars into the development of electric cars.
Here are some of the best China-made electric vehicles that Chinese and European drivers can buy right now, but Americans can't just yet:
Best Chinese Electric Cars: BYD Song
The BYD Song was the bestselling plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in China last year. The BYD Qin and Qin Plus took the second and third spots.
Last year, Warren Buffett-backed BYD majorly upgraded the Song, a compact electric SUV. More than 16 new features included lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Sold as the Song Plus, it costs around 149,800 RMB or a little over $20,000. It will compete against electric crossovers like the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, and Hyundai Kona.
A new battery electric version of the Qin midsize sedan is coming soon to woo younger buyers.
BYD Seagull
Also from BYD, the Seagull was China's second top-selling battery electric vehicle last year.
Soaring sales pushed the $10,000 Seagull to a 7% market share, just a notch behind the Model Y at 7.6%.
BYD is now adding self-driving features even to its budget electric hatchback. That is part of a wider rollout of autonomous driving systems across 21 BYD models. The move, making advanced technology available and affordable to mass-market consumers, could widen the BYD vs. Tesla gap.
The Seagull also underpins BYD's aim to dominate the global car market.
The larger and pricier BYD Seal is a direct competitor to the Model 3. Sold in many overseas markets, the Seal starts at around £46,000 ($58,000) in the U.K.
BYD Yuan Plus (AKA Atto)
The third top-selling BEV in China last year was the Yuan Plus, a small SUV. It's called the Atto overseas.
The Atto has quickly become a bestseller in markets like Europe, Australia, Thailand, Brazil and Mexico.
An updated version for 2025 will offer new exterior styling and enhanced driver assistance features.
The Yuan Plus starts around 117,000 RMB ($16,000) in China. Reviewers have praised its elegant looks and refined driving.
Wuling Hongguang Mini EV
The Wuling Hongguang Mini is a top-five bestselling BEV, and arguably the quaintest. It comes from a General Motors joint venture in China.
Wuling sold 261,161 units of the cube-shaped car last year, though sales are down sharply from 2022. That was enough to put the micro mini in the No. 4 top sales spot behind the Model Y, Seagull and Yuan.
Its popularity owes to low-as-you-can-go pricing (starts around RMB 33,000 or $5,000) and its urban practicality (it darts in and out of city traffic with ease).
A new generation of the Hongguang mini for 2025 is a bit larger and more spacious. It's cuter, too,
swapping out the angular aesthetic for soft curves.
Though it seems possible to get China's beloved diminutive EV in the U.S., it's not easily available.
Li Auto L6, Nio And XPeng
In 2024, EV startup Li Auto scored one of the top five bestselling plug-in hybrids in China: the Li L6.
Li Auto launched the L6 last April, describing it as a five-seat, premium family SUV. The L6 offers highly autonomous driving and extended range for long family drives. It comes with other little luxuries, such as acupressure seat massage and an adjustable heated steering wheel, as well.
Another big reason for its popularity: It is Li's most affordable electric vehicle, starting around RMB 250,000 ($34,000). Li has sold more than 200,000 units since the L6 debuted last year.
For EV startup rivals Nio and XPeng, new and more affordable sub-brands are the beacons of hope. Those include Nio's Onvo (maker of the L60 SUV) and XPeng's Mona (behind the M03 SUV).
Those electric SUVs will eventually be headed to Europe as well, where they will join Nio's ET7 and XPeng's P7 electric sedans.
Zeekr, Xiaomi EVs From Chinese Giants
For Zeekr, owned by Chinese car giant Geely, the 7X SUV has raced to become its top seller. Notably, 7X was designed in Europe keeping local drivers in mind.
The L6 offers an advanced driver assistance system and fast charging up to 80% in 13 minutes, Zeekr claims. Inside, the model provides premium finishes, a 5G connected vehicle cockpit, and more.
Finally, there is Xiaomi's SU7. It is off to a hot start: Xiaomi has delivered more than 150,000 units since this electric SUV launched a year ago.
A high-performance "Ultra" version is due in March, priced around RMB 815,000 ($112,000). More well known for smartphones, Chinese tech titan Xiaomi has just begun venturing into electric vehicles.
Please follow Aparna Narayanan on X @IBD_Aparna for more coverage.
