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A $9,500 Hatch Stole Tesla’s Best-Seller Crown In China

  • Geely Galaxy Xingyuan was China’s best-selling vehicle in 2025.
  • Wuling Mini EV ranked second, ahead of the Tesla Model Y in 2025.
  • BYD stayed China’s top-selling brand by a wide margin in 2025.

A new electric subcompact has pulled off a quiet revolution in China’s fiercely competitive car market, topping the charts without the backing of Tesla or BYD. The Geely Galaxy Xingyuan, a fully electric hatchback, has officially become the country’s best-selling vehicle for 2025, racking up 465,775 registrations and ending the two-year reign of the Tesla Model Y.

More: Ford Held The Best-Seller Crown, But GM Outsold It On A Technicality

Known as the Geely EX2 in export markets, the Galaxy Xingyuan was introduced in 2024 and measures 4,135 mm (162.8 inches) in length. It sits in the subcompact category, going up against popular rivals like the BYD Dolphin, Wuling Bingo, and Aion UT.

It blends simple, approachable styling with a well-equipped interior and pricing that stays competitive, currently ranging from ¥65,800 to ¥95,800 ($9,500 to $13,800 at current exchange rates) in China.

GM JV Snags Second Spot

 A $9,500 Hatch Stole Tesla’s Best-Seller Crown In China
Wuling Hongguang Mini EV

China’s second-best-selling vehicle in 2025 was the compact Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, repeating the success of its earlier version from 2021 and 2022. The pint-sized electric hatchback from the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture entered a new generation last year, bringing more playful styling and a new five-door variant. Those updates clearly landed well, helping it reach 435,599 units sold, a huge 82 percent jump over its 2024 total.

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Geely Galaxy Xingyuan

The Tesla Model Y, which held the top spot in 2023 and 2024, slipped to third place in 2025. It still put up strong numbers with 425,337 units sold, though that marked an 11.5 percent decline from the year before, even with the launch of a significantly updated version earlier in the year.

More: One in 10 New Cars Sold in Europe Last Month Was Chinese

In fourth place, the BYD Qin Plus sedan registered 387,315 units sold. Available as either a fully electric model or a plug-in hybrid, the Qin Plus had previously held the second spot in both 2023 and 2024 but saw its position slip this year.

The Nissan Sylphy sedan, known as the Sentra in the US, was China’s best-selling model from 2020 to 2022 before Tesla took over. Now down to fifth place with 320,000 sales, it still holds the distinction of being the country’s best-selling non-EV. A new generation has just arrived, which might give it a boost heading into next year.

RankModelPowertrainSales
1Geely Galaxy XingyuanEV465,775
2Wuling Hongguang Mini EVEV435,599
3Tesla Model YEV425,337
4BYD Qin PlusPHEV/EV387,315
5Nissan SylphyICE/Hybrid320,000
6BYD SeagullEV310,956
7BYD Qin LPHEV264,671
8Xiaomi SU7EV258,164
9Volkswagen LavidaICE245,000
10BYD Song PlusPHEV/EV200,276
SWIPE

Source: China Passenger Car Association (CPCA)

Another standout in China’s top 10 for 2025 is the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, which landed in eighth place with 258,164 units sold. The Chinese newcomer made headlines by outselling its direct rival, the Tesla Model 3, which slipped to eleventh with 200,361.

 A $9,500 Hatch Stole Tesla’s Best-Seller Crown In China

Local Brands Dominate The Charts

According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), BYD held onto its lead as the largest manufacturer in China by total volume, selling 3,484,525 vehicles in 2025. Geely followed in second with 2,605,565 units, marking a striking 47% increase over the previous year.

Chinese brands as a whole captured 65 percent of the domestic market, while many foreign automakers that once dominated have struggled to keep up. FAW-Volkswagen secured third place with 1,531,276 sales, but joint ventures from Toyota and Honda have now dropped out of the top five.

RankBrand2025 SalesMarket Share
1BYD3,484,52514.70%
2Geely2,605,56511.00%
3FAW-Volkswagen1,531,2766.40%
4Changan1,400,8205.90%
5Chery1,348,4095.70%
SWIPE

Source: China Passenger Car Association (CPCA)

GM’s New SUV Is Bigger Than An Equinox And Starts Under $8,600

  • Wuling has introduced the new Xingguang 560 SUV.
  • It offers gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains.
  • Larger than the Equinox, the model starts at $8,581.

Western brands have been struggling in China, but GM is the rare exception as the company and its joint ventures delivered nearly 1.9 million vehicles last year. That was up 2.3 percent compared to 2024 and this was largely driven by sales of New Energy Vehicles such as the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, which found over 435,000 takers.

More: China’s New Cadillac XT5 Will Make You Jealous We Don’t Get It Here

GM is looking for continued success with the new Wuling Xingguang 560, which is a mid-size crossover that will be offered with gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. The company said surprisingly little about the model, but it features a slender grille that is flanked by sweptback headlights with X-shaped daytime running lights.

 GM’s New SUV Is Bigger Than An Equinox And Starts Under $8,600

They’re joined by a powertrain-specific front end, which is enclosed on electrified models and open on the ICE-powered variant.

Moving further back, we can see plastic body cladding and an available contrasting roof. Other highlights include stylish wheels, a liftgate-mounted spoiler, and X-like taillights. The model also has a rear pillar and window treatment that closely recalls the Subaru Forester.

How Big Is It?

In terms of size, the Xingguang 560 measures 186.8 inches (4,745 mm) long, 72.8 inches (1,850 mm) wide, and 69.1 inches (1,755 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 110.6 inches (2,810 mm). To put those numbers into perspective, the model is 3.6 inches (91 mm) longer than the Chevrolet Equinox and has an extra 3.1 inches (79 mm) between the wheels.

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The interior has a minimalist design with a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that reportedly measures 12.8 inches. They’re accompanied by a two-spoke steering wheel, distinctive air vents, and a center console that appears to have a dual wireless smartphone charger.

Wuling was coy on specifics, but said the crossover offers up to 68.7 cubic feet (1,945 liters) of cargo room when the second-row is folded flat. They added the model has more than 25 storage compartments, including one hidden beneath the rear seats.

Powertrain Options

On the performance front, the Xingguang 560 will be offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque. It can be paired to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission.

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Customers can also opt for a plug-in hybrid, which offers a WLTC combined range of up to 684 miles (1,100 km). Wuling didn’t elaborate, but an earlier report from CarNewsChina said this variant has a 1.5-liter engine and an electric-only range of 78 miles (125 km).

Last but not least, there’s a fully electric variant that has a CLTC range of up to 311 miles (500 km). It’s said to have a 60 kWh battery pack as well as an electric motor developing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS).

How Much Does It Cost?

To help promote the model’s launch, Wuling is offering introductory pricing that ranges from $8,581 (¥59,800) to $13,746 (¥95,800). After this offer expires, pricing will apparently climb to $9,155 – $14,751 (¥63,800 – ¥102,800).

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