BYD recorded its sharpest drop in global sales in six years last month, reflecting increasingly intense competition in the world’s largest automotive market. In February, sales for the Chinese tech company **decreased by 41,1% compared to the previous year**, marking the sixth consecutive month of contraction. But above all, representing the **most marked decline** since February 2020, a period when the COVID-19 pandemic had heavily impacted the economy.
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BYD slump in February
The stock exchange document published yesterday and reported by Reuters highlights how the setback affected both the domestic market and the **overall performance of the group**, despite the good performance of exports. Part of the volatility in sales data for the first two months of the year is attributable to the effects of the Lunar New Year, which traditionally **alters production and purchase volumes**. This year the situation was accentuated by the extension of the holidays to nine days, a record that probably amplified the February contraction.
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Start of 2026 the worst in six years
But BYD’s decline appears deeper than mere seasonal factors. In the first eight weeks of the year, the group’s global sales fell by 35,8% year-on-year, **the worst result since 2020**. While overseas shipments showed solid growth, with over 100.000 vehicles in February, the domestic market suffered a **slump of 65% with 89.590 cars sold**, a dynamic that allowed competitors like Geely to challenge BYD for the role of leading Chinese automaker.
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