Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Volkswagen Drops to Third in China Sales
Volkswagen, a big car company, used to be the top foreign car seller in China.
But in 2025, it fell to third place because two Chinese companies, BYD and Geely Auto, sold more cars.
Volkswagen's sales went down because people in China and North America didn't buy as many of their cars.
They also faced tough competition and changes in rules about electric cars.
Geely Auto and other Chinese companies did better, especially in selling cheaper cars.
Volkswagen is trying to catch up by making new cars and working with other companies.
They still believe they can be the best foreign car company in China.
Volkswagen dropped to third place in China's auto market behind BYD and Geely Auto in 2025.
Volkswagen's market share in China fell to 10.9% from 12.2% in 2024.
Geely Auto's market share rose to 11% from 7.7% in 2025, while BYD's share fell to 14.7% from 16.2%.
Volkswagen's Q4 deliveries declined by 4.9%, with significant drops in China and North America.
Volkswagen is focusing on value over volume and plans to develop new technologies and export cars made in China to overseas markets.
- Who
- Volkswagen, Geely Auto, BYD, CPCA, Marco Schubert, Horizon Robotics, Xpeng
- What
- Volkswagen dropped to third place in China's auto market, behind BYD and Geely Auto, due to lower demand in China and North America.
- When
- The data is from the fourth quarter of 2025 and the full year of 2025.
- Where
- The events took place in China, North America, Western Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe.
- Why
- Volkswagen's decline is attributed to intense competition, tariffs, and the discontinuation of electric vehicle subsidies in the US. Geely Auto and other Chinese automakers gained share, mainly in the budget car segment.
- Volkswagen's Market Share
- 10.9%
- Geely Auto's Market Share
- 11%
- BYD's Market Share
- 14.7%
- Volkswagen's Q4 Deliveries
- 2.38 million vehicles
- Volkswagen's Q4 Deliveries Decline
- 4.9%
- Volkswagen's Q4 Sales Decline in China
- 17.4%
- Volkswagen's Q4 Sales Decline in North America
- 17.4%
- Volkswagen's Q4 Sales Increase in Western Europe
- 5.6%
- Volkswagen's Q4 Sales Increase in Central and Eastern Europe
- 5.9%
- Volkswagen's Q4 BEV Sales Increase
- 11.6%