BYD expects its overseas vehicle sales to reach 1.8 million units in 2026, nearly 40% above its initial forecast, as international markets continue to account for a growing share of the Chinese automaker’s business.
Li Yunfei, general manager of BYD Group’s branding and public relations department, disclosed the revised outlook in a recent interview, according to Chinese media reports. The latest projection represents the second increase to the company’s overseas sales target this year.
BYD initially set its 2026 overseas sales goal at 1.3 million vehicles. At the end of March, Chairman Wang Chuanfu raised the target to 1.5 million units.
In September, analysts at Deutsche Bank and Citi reported following meetings with BYD management that the company had further increased its full-year overseas shipment target to between 1.9 million and 2 million vehicles. Li’s latest public estimate of 1.8 million units is below that previously reported range.
Overseas Markets Drive Sales Growth
International markets have become an increasingly important contributor to BYD’s vehicle sales, supported by expanding distribution and demand for its electric and electrified vehicle lineup.
In October 2026, BYD sold nearly 170,000 passenger vehicles and pickup trucks overseas, representing a 103% increase from the same month last year. International sales accounted for 34.6% of the company’s total vehicle sales during the month.
From January through October, cumulative overseas sales reached 1.5074 million vehicles, up 92% year on year. The figure represented 41.6% of BYD’s total sales over the 10-month period.
The latest cumulative result places the company within reach of its revised 1.8 million-unit forecast, although it still needs to deliver additional growth during the final two months of the year.
BYD’s International Expansion Accelerates
BYD’s overseas sales have expanded rapidly over the past several years. The company sold slightly more than 50,000 vehicles internationally in 2022, before increasing that figure to over 200,000 in 2023 and more than 400,000 in 2024.
The expansion continued in 2025, when overseas sales reached approximately 1.04 million vehicles.
The latest 2026 figures indicate that international markets are playing a larger role in BYD’s overall sales mix. With overseas deliveries already exceeding 1.5 million units through October, the company is positioning international expansion as a major contributor to its next phase of growth.