BYD’s Sealion 7 Now Australia’s Best‑Selling EV For July

Australia’s electric vehicle market saw a major shake-up in July as the BYD Sealion 7 claimed the top spot on the national EV sales chart, overtaking the long-dominant Tesla Model Y.

Data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) highlights a notable shift in buying trends as newer EV models gain traction among Australian drivers.

▶️MORE: BYD New Car Reviews, News, Models & Prices | zecar

BYD Edges Out Tesla in Monthly Sales

In July 2025, the Sealion 7 recorded 1,427 registrations, comfortably ahead of the Tesla Model Y’s 555 units. This marks the first time the Sealion 7 has led the EV market in monthly sales since its Australian debut.

Monthly EV Sales – July 2025

Year-to-Date Sales Still Favour Tesla

While BYD took the monthly crown, Tesla remains ahead for the year. The Model Y has notched up 10,986 sales to the end of July, compared to the 5,183 units sold of the Sealion 7. It’s worth noting that the Sealion 7 only launched in February 2025, missing out on January sales.

▶️MORE: BYD's 5-Minute 400km EV Charging Breakthrough

Year-to-Date Sales (Jan–July 2025)

BYD’s Strongest Performer Yet

The Sealion 7 has quickly become BYD’s best-selling model in Australia. In July, it outperformed other models in the company’s growing local lineup, including the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute and the Sealion 6 SUV.

▶️MORE: BYD’s 1,000kW EVs Set Sales Record with Game …

Top BYD Models – July 2025

Tesla’s Sales Slide Continues

Tesla’s monthly performance in July was down significantly, both month-on-month and year-on-year. The company sold 3,457 Model Ys in June, making July’s figure of 555 a sharp drop. In July 2024, the Model Y managed 1,353 deliveries, highlighting a longer-term decline of 20.8% year-to-date.

The drop can be partly attributed to gaps in shipments of the updated Model Y from Tesla’s Chinese factory. A strong sales spike in May and June followed the launch of the refreshed “Juniper” Model Y, but deliveries slowed as inventory ran low.

▶️MORE: BYD Smallest EV Spotted Testing With Right Hand Drive

A Sign of Shifting Momentum?

While Tesla still leads overall, BYD’s momentum is undeniable. The Sealion 7’s rapid rise shows growing competition in Australia’s EV sector, especially in the affordable SUV category where Tesla has long dominated.

If current trends continue and supply chains remain steady, we may see a more competitive race in the coming months — with BYD emerging as a serious contender for long-term market leadership.