Chinese EV Brands Show Mixed Results in Germany: June 2025 Update
The electric vehicle (EV) market in Germany is experiencing a dynamic shift, particularly with the increasing presence of Chinese brands. In June 2025, most Chinese EV manufacturers saw impressive growth, but not all enjoyed the same success. While Xpeng surged by 29% and Leapmotor achieved a 12% increase, BYD and Nio faced declines of 10% and 27%, respectively, compared to May’s results.
Key Highlights of June 2025
The June 2025 performance metrics reveal some critical trends in the Chinese EV market:
- BYD has continued its upward trajectory, marking six consecutive months of year-over-year growth.
- Contrarily, Nio has been in a downward spiral for 14 consecutive months, notably selling fewer vehicles than it operates swap stations in Germany.
- Xpeng reached a new all-time high in monthly sales, a significant milestone for the brand.
- Leapmotor also celebrated achieving an all-time sales high.
- GWM (Great Wall Motors) experienced an astounding 256% year-over-year growth.
General Market Trends: A Look at Registrations
June 2025 saw 256,193 passenger vehicles registered in Germany, amounting to a 13.8% decline from the same month last year. However, the landscape for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) looks encouraging, with registrations up 8.6%, totaling 47,163 units and achieving an 18.4% market share.
Plug-in hybrid registrations surged by 66.4% year-over-year, comprising 10.0% of the market with 25,608 units. In stark contrast, traditional gasoline vehicle registrations plummeted by 34.6%, constituting a 28.5% share, while diesel vehicle registrations witnessed a 32.3% drop, holding a 13.9% share.
Tesla’s Decline in Germany
For context, Tesla registered just 1,860 vehicles in June, reflecting a 60% decrease year-over-year. Over the first half of 2025, Tesla managed to register 8,890 vehicles, down 58.2% compared to the same period in 2024. This decline signals potential challenges for the once-dominant market player.
A Closer Examination of Chinese Brands in June 2025
MG Roewe’s Performance
The SAIC-owned MG Roewe recorded 2,119 vehicles registered in June, reflecting a slight 1.7% decrease from 2,147 units the previous month and a staggering 59% decline from last year’s 5,158 units. For the first half of 2025, MG’s registrations stood at 11,520 vehicles, down 15.3% year-over-year. The brand continues to navigate significant hurdles, including EU import duties that impose an additional 45.3% tariff.
BYD’s Remarkable Growth
Despite a 9.8% fall from 1,856 units in May, BYD’s year-over-year numbers are exemplary, showing a 294% increase from the previous year’s 425 vehicles. The first half of 2025 has seen BYD registering 6,323 vehicles, a staggering 426% uplift compared to the same timeframe last year. The company faces 27% tariffs on imported BEVs and 10% on plug-in hybrids.
GWM’s Surge
GWM reported 1,058 vehicles registered in June, demonstrating a jaw-dropping 459.8% increase compared to just 189 units last month and a 256% rise from the same time last year. In the first half of 2025, GWM achieved 1,954 registrations, a noteworthy 42.1% growth.
Leapmotor’s Steady Ascent
Leapmotor has made strides, reporting 571 vehicles sold in June, a 12.2% increase month-over-month. Having begun its deliveries in Germany late in 2024, it yielded 2,067 vehicles in total registrations for the first half of this year.
Progress from Polestar
Crossing the figures, Polestar has registered 517 vehicles in June, reflecting a 115.4% increase from last month and a 55% rise from last year’s numbers. For the first half of 2025, Polestar’s registrations totaled 1,915, marking a 20.8% growth year-over-year.
Smart’s Diminishing Market Share
Geely’s Smart brand registered 338 vehicles, a minimal increase of 2.1% from the previous month yet an alarming 79% decline from last year. Overall, Smart achieved 1,950 registrations in the first half of 2025, marking a 77.2% drop compared to last year.
The Underdogs: Lynk&Co, Xpeng, and More
Lynk&Co’s Impressive Growth
Lynk&Co tallied 273 vehicles in June, achieving a 72.8% increase from May, and a massive 2,175% growth year-over-year.
Xpeng’s Noteworthy Performance
The Volkswagen-backed Xpeng saw 240 vehicle registrations, marking a 29% increase from May, with total registrations reaching 1,065 vehicles for the first half of 2025. Xpeng, along with Nio, is impacted by the 20.7% tariff due to the EC’s anti-subsidy investigations.
Lotus, Maxus, and Nio’s Struggles
Lotus recorded 43 vehicles in June, reflecting a 104.8% increase from May. However, Maxus didn’t lag either, with 22 registrations, marking a 450% jump from last month.
Nio, on the other hand, continues to slide with only 16 vehicles registered in June. This figure denotes a 27.3% drop and a significant 64% decline compared to last year. In total, Nio registered just 121 vehicles during the first half of 2025, down 48.3% year-on-year. With the added burden of a 30.7% import duty, Nio’s challenges continue to multiply.
Chery’s Minimal Impact
Finally, Chery registered merely one vehicle in June, reflecting an 83.3% drop from six in May, illustrating the brand’s minimal presence in the German market.
Conclusion: Navigating a Shifting Landscape
In conclusion, while Chinese EV brands in Germany showcase remarkable potential, the market landscape is undoubtedly complex and competitive. With brands like Xpeng and Leapmotor making significant strides, companies such as Nio and Chery are struggling against various headwinds, including high tariffs and declining sales. As the industry evolves, the success of these brands will depend on their adaptability to market demands and regulatory conditions. The next few months will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of Chinese EVs in Germany.
