BEIJING — Chinese language electrical automotive maker BYD noticed gross sales greater than double in Might, solidifying the corporate’s climb into the ranks of the highest three automakers in China.

That is in line with knowledge by the China Passenger Automobile Affiliation which was launched Friday. China is the world’s largest auto market.

Backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, BYD can be a battery maker that is develop into a significant electrical automotive model in China — and a few of its fashions are vying with Tesla in reputation.

Up to now this yr, not solely has BYD continued to dominate new vitality autos, which embody hybrid and battery-powered vehicles, however the firm additionally climbed into the ranks of the highest three manufacturers in China by passenger automotive gross sales.

Regardless of Covid lockdowns that hit provide chains and Chinese language shopper sentiment, BYD offered 113,768 new vitality passenger vehicles final month, the info confirmed.

Whether or not in SUVs or smaller passenger vehicles, BYD accounted for 2 of the highest three bestselling new vitality fashions in China final month, in line with affiliation knowledge. Tesla, Nio and Xpeng did not make the reduce.

These gross sales put BYD into second place in China’s passenger automotive market general — simply behind FAW-Volkswagen, with 150,009 vehicles offered, in line with the info. FAW-Volkswagen is the German automaker’s three way partnership in China that sells the Audi and Volkswagen branded autos.

BYD’s gross sales marked a 159.5% year-on-year enhance, whereas FAW-Volkswagen’s fell 10.6% from Might final yr. Geely was the third-largest by passenger automotive gross sales, at 73,315, down 14.5%.

Final yr, BYD ranked thirteenth by passenger automotive gross sales. FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC GM took the highest three spots.

Within the U.S. passenger automotive market, Tesla didn’t make the highest three spots. Toyota ranks first by gross sales, adopted by Ford and Common Motors’ Chevrolet model, in line with Sino Auto Insights.

China’s passenger automotive gross sales fell 11.8% in Might from a yr in the past, whereas new vitality autos noticed gross sales climb 91.2%, in line with the passenger automotive affiliation.

For the primary 5 months of the yr, FAW-Volkswagen ranked first by gross sales, adopted by BYD after which Changan Vehicle, the info confirmed.

Inside new vitality autos, BYD ranked first, adopted by Common Motors’ three way partnership with Wuling Motors and state-owned SAIC Motor. Tesla China ranked third.