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Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD recorded 40,770 vehicle sales in Türkiye by the end of November 2025, a sharp increase of 1,800% from 2,137 units in the same period of the previous year, positioning the company as the fastest-growing automotive brand in the country for the year.
The company now offers nine models in the local market, following several new product launches throughout the year, including the TANG model introduced in February, followed by the SEALION 7 and ATTO 2 in the fourth quarter.
The SEAL U model became the second-most preferred SUV in Türkiye during the January–November period. It also led the national rankings for plug-in hybrid sales and the D-SUV segment.
According to BYD Türkiye General Manager Ismail Ergun, the brand achieved record monthly sales in eight of the first ten months of 2025, excluding January and February.
He attributed the growth to early demand supported by upcoming tax expectations and consumer interest in models that fall below the special consumption tax (SCT) threshold.
Ergun noted that Türkiye’s passenger vehicle market grew 11% year-on-year in the January–November period, reaching 938,000 units. He projected that total automotive sales would close the year at around 1.35 million units.
Within that total, electric vehicle (EV) sales reached 165,000 units, accounting for 18% of the market, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) reached 42,857 units, or 5%. Combined, these new energy vehicles (NEVs) made up 22.1% of all passenger car sales.
He added that the company expects market demand to remain at comparable levels in 2026, supported by an anticipated easing of loan conditions for individual consumers.
"As interest rates begin to decline, we expect improved access to financing for individual buyers, which should help keep demand strong," he projected.
Ergun said consumer interest in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles became more visible in 2025. He recalled that before 2023, electric vehicles made up only 1% of total sales, while by the end of 2024, that figure had grown to around 10%, or roughly 100,000 units.
Plug-in hybrid demand also expanded, supported in part by the SEAL U DM-i model. "Around 2,500 plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold in Türkiye in 2023. This figure rose to 9,921 in 2024, thanks in part to our BYD SEAL U DM-i model. From January to November 2025, plug-in hybrid sales reached 42,857 units, taking a 5% share of the market,” he said.
"In 2026, we aim to bring new models to market that fully meet the expectations of Turkish consumers and further strengthen the brand’s accessible premium positioning. We also plan to expand our product variety."
As part of a previously signed investment agreement in 2024, BYD plans to invest approximately $1 billion to establish a vehicle production facility and research and development center in Manisa, Türkiye.
The plant is expected to produce up to 150,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles per year and begin operations by the end of 2026.
BYD is currently exempt from the customs tax, set at up to 30% for plug-in and fully electric vehicles, due to its investment pledge, enhancing its appeal in the domestic market.
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