The media learned about a 17,000 increase in sales of Chinese BYD hybrid cars in Europe%

BYD's Chinese hybrid vehicle sales in Europe increased by 17,000% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This was reported on August 18 by the German newspaper Handelsblatt with reference to the report.

According to the newspaper, BYD registered about 20,000 hybrid cars in the European Union in the first half of this year, which is more than three times more than in the whole of 2024. Since October 2024, the European Union (EU) has imposed duties of up to 45% on electric vehicles "made in China."

The authors of the article stressed that there are "loopholes" to avoid high surcharges on import duties to Europe. So, one of the ways to circumvent the duties, in addition to increasing production capacity in Europe, is the production of hybrid cars. Unlike fully electric cars, these partially electric models are exempt from the Brussels customs regime.

"The absence of duties on plug—in hybrids is an opportunity that several Chinese manufacturers are constantly using," said Charles Lester, an analyst at Rho Motion.

According to him, it was only "a matter of time before Chinese manufacturers, after the introduction of special duties, change their strategy in order to increase profitability in Europe."

On August 12, CNBC TV channel, citing sources from the White House, announced the intention of American President Donald Trump not to increase duties on imports from China for another 90 days. It was clarified that the relevant order was signed a few hours before midnight, at which time the duties promised by Trump could come into effect.

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