https://insideevs.com/news/792143/tesla-no1-ev-maker-q1-2026/
Tesla lost to BYD last year, but the American company is back with a vengeance in 2026.
The American company’s global deliveries went up 6.5% in the first quarter.
China’s BYD, which was the world’s top EV maker last year, slips to second place after its EV sales dropped 25.5% in Q1.
Well, not in China.
BYD is in the midst of a pricing battle in China. As Huawei expands to Canada and Australia, it’s cutting its profit margins. Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group) has cut its profits margins down to or below zero.
The Huawei Stelato S9 prices out at the top lux car at $30,000 under the Tesla S Model; and there’s no comparison. The Huawei has better range, faster charging time, and an interior that makes the Tesla look like something from Orville & Wilbur’s garage. Tesla is only doing sales because Huawei can’t import cars fast enough for Canada and Australia; and can’t even get into the US market.
If BYD, Geely, and Huawei start selling cars in the United States, Tesla is history
I dunno about China but if we look at the World. Tesla is fast out the gate.
Looking at the best selling models , with slow Chinese sales, it was a great opportunity for foreigners to shine, as one can see at the top with Tesla taking the #1 and #2 spots in a non-peak month, for the first time in years!
While you’re right, Tesla’s sales in China surged 90%, still BYD has 20% of market share in China as of Q1 2026 while Tesla has 8%. BYD and Huawei have yet to sell a car in Canada; that will change this year. Canada has soured on American products; I know, big surprise. Just as a for example, PwC is forecasting that 40% of California wine makers will go out of business before 2028 due to lost sales abroad, esp Canada.
You’re quite right, Tesla is doing phenomenal Q1, but as they say in baseball, “It’s not how you start the season, it’s how you end it.”
Musk changed his tune. The public is getting over it.
Musk doesn’t own a winery either. Canadians are not buying Americans products. It’s a mystery. PwC estimates Wine sale to Canada are down 78% to 94%. This has nothing to do with Musk’s quality work a DOGE.
