BYD Surges to Top Spot in Brazil Auto Market in April First Half

Takeaways by AI

BYD led Brazil’s retail auto sales April 1–14 and booked 37,634 Q1 units, up 73.7% year‑on‑year.
BYD dominated EVs with 21,768 Q1 sales (over 70% market share) and the Dolphin Mini as best‑selling EV.
BYD’s hybrids hit 15,866 Q1 units, surpassing Toyota and powering broader Chinese brand gains in Brazil.

BYD topped Brazil’s nationwide retail (private) auto sales rankings between April 1 and 14, according to Alexandre Baldy, senior vice president of BYD Brazil.

To mark the milestone, Baldy presented a Bahia sports club jersey printed with the number “1” to BYD global president Wang Chuanfu.

A group of six people holding a soccer jersey with red and blue stripes, smiling and posing with their index fingers raised to indicate 'number one.' — Baldy presented a Bahia sports club jersey to BYD global president Wang Chuanfu

Broader data indicate that BYD’s growth in Brazil is not a short-term fluctuation.

According to Fenabrave, Brazil’s national auto dealers association, BYD’s cumulative sales reached 37,634 units in the first quarter of 2026, up 73.67% year-on-year.

On a monthly basis, BYD sold 16,412 vehicles in March, setting a new record since entering the Brazilian market.

Product mix has been the core driver of this growth. In the pure electric segment, the Dolphin Mini recorded first-quarter sales of 14,765 units, accounting for nearly 40% of BYD’s total and becoming the best-selling EV in the local market.

The model entered Brazil as an imported vehicle in February 2024 with a starting price of R$115,800 ($22,700), and began local production in July 2025, marking BYD’s first locally manufactured EV in the country.

A table displaying sales data for small hatchback car models in 2026, including monthly figures for February and March, cumulative totals, and market share percentages. — Best-selling hatchback car models in Brazil

Meanwhile, the Dolphin posted first-quarter sales of 4,555 units. Combined, the two models achieved a 17% market share in the compact hatchback segment, ranking just behind Volkswagen and General Motors, with both models entering the top 10.

Another growth driver comes from SUVs. The Song series recorded 12,555 units in first-quarter sales, becoming the only Chinese-branded SUV to enter the local top 10 rankings.

In terms of powertrain strategy, BYD has pursued parallel development of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

In the first quarter, its hybrid sales reached 15,866 units, surpassing second-ranked Toyota by around 2,600 units, with a market share of 24.58%.

Table comparing accumulated hybrid and electric vehicle sales by manufacturer, including quantities and market share percentages. — Brazil’s hybrid and electric vehicle sales by manufacturers in March and Q1 2026

More broadly, Chinese brands are gaining visibility in Brazil. During the same period, Great Wall Motor’s hybrid sales reached 11,276 units, with a 17.47% market share, ranking third.

Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo hybrid models recorded combined sales of around 5,800 units, ranking fifth. GAC and Leapmotor remained at smaller scale, with sales of 1,240 and 1,170 units respectively.

In the pure electric segment, BYD sold 21,768 units in the first quarter, capturing over 70% market share. Geely followed with 3,134 units.

Great Wall Motor, GAC, SAIC MG, Zeekr, Omoda and Jaecoo, and Leapmotor recorded pure electric sales of 1,821 units, 732 units, 584 units, 517 units, 193 units, and 169 units, respectively.