BYD celebrates 13 millionth ‘New Energy’ electrified vehicle

BYD has become the first carmaker to reach the production milestone of 13 million ‘New Energy Vehicles’ (NEVs), a term used to describe fully-electric or super hybrid cars and trucks.

The 13th million NEV was a quad-motor U7 manufactured by the Chinese automotive giant’s luxury subsidiary, Yangwang, which rolled off BYD’s production line in Shenzhen on July 21 this year.

To contextualise BYD’s achievement, it took the brand 13 years to build its first million NEVs. From 10m to 13m, it took just eight months. Moreover, BYD sold 2,145,954 NEVs globally, with 470,086 of them headed for overseas markets. These figures represent a year-on-year growth of 128%.

To add to its list of 2025 wins, in May this year, BYD sold more cars across Europe than Tesla for the first time, shifting 7,231 units to 7,165. Fast-forward to June, and BYD hit the milestone of selling a million of its Dolphin Surf city cars within 27 months of its launch.

The high-end Yangwang brand is unavailable in Europe, but since its foundation in 2023 has added four models to its roster on the domestic Chinese market.

The Yangwang U7 is aimed at the likes of the BMW i7 and the Mercedes EQS, and is underpinned by BYD’s DiSus system, controlling the suspension’s hydraulics, intelligent damping, and air-based systems. Moreover, the U7’s quad-motor system generates a supercar-troubling 1,305bhp.

Further models in the Yangwang range include the all-electric U8 SUV, the long-wheelbase U8L, and the U9 supercar, which went viral in 2024 for its ability to ‘dance’ thanks to its DiSus X suspension.

While no comment about Yangwang’s European future has been made, BYD confirmed that it will be bringing its luxury Denza brand to the continent beginning with its Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo-rivalling Z9 GT shooting brake. The Denza D9 people van and the chunky B5 off-roader are expected to follow.