China's electric car market is a dynamic landscape, with a mix of established brands and new entrants vying for dominance. Among the top-selling models, the Geely Galaxy Xingyue stands out as a strong contender. Despite the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV's decline in sales, it remains a close second, showcasing the competitive nature of the market.
The Geely Galaxy Xingyue, previously marketed under the Geely Geometry brand, has emerged as the top-selling electric car in China for 2025. With a starting price of 68,800 yuan (approximately 8,500 euros), the Xingyue offers two battery variants. The base model provides a range of 310 kilometers under the CLTC standard, while the larger battery extends the range to 410 kilometers. This affordable and efficient vehicle has captured the attention of Chinese consumers, resulting in impressive sales figures.
The Xingyue's success is not surprising, given its consistent top rankings in many months. In 2025, it sold 465,775 units in the Chinese retail market, solidifying its position as a bestseller. This achievement is all the more remarkable considering the competition from other top-selling models.
The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, a compact battery-electric vehicle, secured second place with 435,599 sales. It is followed by the Tesla Model Y, a mid-size SUV, which completed the podium with 425,337 units sold. Interestingly, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are the only foreign-brand models in the top 20, with the Model 3 ranking ninth. This highlights the dominance of Chinese brands in the electric car market.
Among the top 20 best-selling New Energy Vehicles, 18 are from Chinese brands. BYD, the market leader, is the most represented, accounting for nine models. However, none of BYD's models cracked the top three, which can be attributed to its extensive portfolio of similar models under different labels, such as the 'Dynasty' and 'Ocean' series. This strategy allows BYD to target various customer groups but also makes it challenging to rank individual models.
The rise of NEV startups is another notable trend. Xiaomi's SU7 secured seventh place in its first full year of sales, while the Xiaomi SUV YU7 debuted in 18th place. Smaller companies like Xpeng, Li Auto, and Aito have also made their mark, with models like the Xpeng Mona M03, Li Auto L6, and Aito M8 ranking 13th, 14th, and 19th, respectively. These startups are gaining traction and contributing to the diversity of the electric car market in China.
