BYD's first-half sales fall 16% on China's EV subsidy changes

First January-June drop in 6 years shows domestic market slump

A BYD vehicle on display in Beijing. More than half of the Chinese automaker's sales are in the domestic market. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)

GUANGZHOU -- BYD's new-vehicle sales fell 16% on the year for the first half of 2026 to 1.8 million units, the Chinese automaker said Wednesday, the first drop for the January-June period in six years.