Tesla rivals XPeng, BYD, Li Auto, Xiaomi, Nio and Zeekr reported April EV sales early Thursday with. EV leader will report April sales on Thursday or Friday.
Tesla does not disclose monthly China EV sales but weekly EV registration data point to lackluster deliveries.
China EV sales are out of the seasonally weak January-February period due to the Lunar New Year holidays. However, April is seeing a mix of new models replacing older versions. Meanwhile, Trump tariffs don't directly affect China EV sales, but will have an impact on the Chinese economy and perhaps consumer spending.
BYD Sales
BYD sold 380,089 EVs in April, up 0.7% vs. March and 21.3% vs. a year earlier. The EV giant is shifting from older models to newer EVs, which have driver-assist systems standard. Two models, the BYD Han L and Tang L, have superfast charging that could provide 400 kilometers of range in five minutes.
Overseas sales hit a record for a fifth straight month, at 79,086 in April. That number should continue to trend higher.
Among passenger EVs, BYD sold 195,740 fully electric battery vehicles (BEVs), up 45.6% vs. a year earlier and 17.8% vs. March. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales were 176,875, down 0.4% vs. a year earlier and 13.85% vs. March.
It's the first time in many months that BYD has sold more BEVs than PHEVs. Tesla's main rival now leads the U.S. giant in EV sales, BEV sales, revenue and, as of Q1, net income.
XPeng Deliveries
XPeng deliveries came in at 35,045, up 5.5% vs. March and 273.1% vs. a year earlier.
be around 34,000, which would be a record. That would be up 260% vs. a year earlier and up 2% vs. March. A big share of that was the Mona M03 sedan, the first EV from XPeng's more-affordable Mona sub-brand. XPeng sells only BEVs for now. It will soon launch some extended range electric vehicles (EREV), essentially a form of PHEV.
Li Auto Deliveries
Li Auto delivered 33,939 EVs in April, up 31.6% vs. a year earlier but down 7.5% vs. March.. Li Auto sells mostly EREVs, but does sell the BEV minivan Mega, with several BEV SUVs set to launch in the coming months.
Nio Deliveries
Nio deliveries were 23,900, up 58.9% vs. March and 43% vs. a year. That includes 19,269 EVs from the main Nio brand, 4,400 from the mainstream Orvo brand and a 231 from the low-priced Firefly brand, which just started deliveries on April 28.
Zeekr Deliveries
Zeekr deliveries came in at 41,316, up 1.5% vs. March. Those figures include the Lynk brand, which is now part of Zeekr Group. Both are part of Chinese auto giant Geely.
Xiaomi Deliveries
Xiaomi deliveries totaled more than 28,000 in April, the seventh straight month above 20,000. The handset-turned-EV maker does not give specific sales figures. Xiaomi is production constrained for its only EV, the SU7, which is outselling the Tesla Model 3. The YU7 crossover, a Tesla Model Y rival, is due later this year.
China EV Stocks
BYD stock, which trades over the counter in the U.S., rose 0.9% to 48. Shares fell 1.5% on Wednesday, extending weekly declines below the 50-day line. Still, shares are within an emerging consolidation with a potential buy point of 54.60.
XPeng stock rose 1.45% to 18.87. Shares dipped 0.4% to 18.60 on Wednesday after undercutting the 50-day line last Friday. XPEV stock in a possible consolidation with a 27.16 buy point. A decisive move above the 50-day line would offer an early entry.
Xiaomi stock, which also trades over the counter, edged up 1 cent to 3.93. Shares gained 3.8% on Wednesday, back to the 50-day line. Shares are building the right side of a deep consolidation, with a 37.45 buy point.
Li Auto stock edged up 0.6% while Nio sank 1.85% and Zeekr stock was little changed. All three stocks have been struggling.
Tesla Stock
TSLA stock rose 2.4% Thursday as Tesla denied a report that the board recently opened a search to replace Elon Musk as CEO.
Tesla stock fell 3.4% to 282.16 on Wednesday, back below the 200-day line and snapping a six-session win streak. Shares came well off lows. A decisive move above the 50-day line and the late March highs would offer an aggressive entry for TSLA stock. But there would be a lot of overhead supply.
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