In the past year, the performance of Tesla and BYD, the two biggest electric vehicle (EV) powerhouses globally, has taken divergent paths in the European market. In 2025, BYD's new vehicle registrations in Europe soared to 187,657 units, marking a staggering 268.6% year-on-year increase. In contrast, Tesla's registrations stood at 238,656 units, representing a 26.9% year-on-year decline. Although Tesla still holds the lead in overall sales, it has been outperformed by BYD in key EV markets such as Germany and the UK, with its growth trajectory looking far from promising. Analysts suggest that Tesla's cooling performance in the European market may stem from delayed model updates. Moreover, the political remarks made by its CEO, Elon Musk, have triggered a backlash among certain consumers. (Here, "backlash" is used for its conciseness and ability to convey the strong negative reaction, though alternatives like "discontent" could also fit depending on the nuance desired.) Notably, in 2025, BYD overtook Tesla for the first time to claim the title of the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, Chinese automakers achieved record-breaking sales in Europe in 2025, with SAIC MG leading the charge.