Geely tops BYD in global sales as Chinese iCaur V25 SUV targets Spain

Chinese automaker Geely became the world's leading Chinese car seller in the first quarter of 2026, overtaking BYD, which fell from sixth to eleventh place after a 30% sales drop driven by an internal price war. Toyota retained the overall global lead, while Volkswagen and Hyundai‑Kia saw modest declines. The shift reflects a broader stabilization of Chinese market share, which slipped from 24.4% to 23.5% of global sales.

At the same time, Chery’s sub‑brand iCaur unveiled the V25 SUV, an extended‑range electric vehicle designed for the European market, especially Spain. The V25 measures 4,636 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,855 mm high, and uses a 1.5‑litre turbo gasoline engine solely as a generator for its 33.68 kWh LFP battery, delivering about 145‑150 km of electric range. Its styling mimics off‑road SUVs and it is positioned to compete with models such as the Toyota RAV4.