BYD tops the electric vehicle king! Tesla, which suffered a dismal output, bets on Robotaxi as the "AI new battlefield".

Is the global electric vehicle king returning to BYD? BYD has broken through one million sales this year with low costs and diverse models, surpassing Tesla! Musk is betting the future on AI Robotaxi, with intertwined technology, regulatory, and competitive risks, reshaping the industry landscape. (Background: Tesla Robotaxi opens global registration: priority for test ride experience ( tutorial ), when will fully autonomous driving be implemented in Taiwan?) (Additional background: Tesla Robotaxi trial operation in Texas, autonomous taxis will challenge Waymo and Uber's positions) The summer of 2025 is very exciting for electric vehicles, as China's BYD sold over one million units in the first half of this year, surpassing Tesla's approximately 720,000 units sold, claiming the global championship. Facing production slowdowns, Elon Musk is pinning hopes on AI Robotaxi, claiming that autonomous driving is the company's 'laser-focused' new mainline, and this competition among major electric vehicle manufacturers is affecting the entire smart mobility industry. How BYD breaks through the million-unit barrier BYD's pure electric sales in the second quarter reached 606,993 units, a year-on-year increase of 41%. Tesla sold 384,122 units during the same period, a nearly 14% quarterly decrease. BYD relies on diverse vehicle types and vertical integration to reduce costs, with the entry-level Dolphin Surf priced at only $23,000, and its production costs are estimated to be about 25% lower than those of Western manufacturers. Coupled with global factories to avoid tariffs, market share is rapidly expanding. Chinese electric vehicle brands have become the main force of global growth. Tesla shifts to 'mobility as a service' Tesla seems to have been preparing for production volume expectations, repositioning from selling cars to AI-driven services. In June of this year, Tesla launched its Robotaxi trial operation in Austin, USA, claiming it is 20% cheaper than current ride-hailing services. "The future of autonomous driving is Tesla's core focus, and for Musk, it is the same; it is even more crucial for investors," said Dan Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush Securities. By utilizing unmanned vehicles to increase asset turnover, Tesla intends to maintain a high price-to-earnings ratio through software premiums. The shadow of high-leverage gambling Relying solely on visual systems for fully autonomous driving is still under investigation by the NHTSA, with regulations undecided. Competitors like Waymo and Zoox are ready to take advantage of the gap. For Robotaxi to scale, Tesla needs to use $37 billion in cash to burn through technology and expand legal operating areas, while simultaneously convincing investors with mileage and gross profit; if progress does not meet expectations, high-leverage gambling could backfire. BYD leads in manufacturing and cost curves, while Tesla bets on AI and service models. Whoever can replicate success first and expand globally may write the rules of next-generation transportation. Related reports Musk reportedly donates $45 million monthly to support Trump's election, lobbying for electric vehicle policies? Tesla once surged 7% after Musk said: If the Trump large and beautiful plan is passed, 'America Party' will be established the next day. Musk and Trump argue 'Bezos becomes the biggest winner', Blue Origin quietly squeezes out SpaceX's business. <BYD crowned the king of electric vehicles! Tesla, which suffered a disastrous drop in production, bets on Robotaxi as the 'AI new battlefield'> This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.