BYD accelerates in Morocco and weakens its European competitors

BYD, the spearhead of the offensive of Chinese automakers in Africa, is gaining ground. In Morocco, its sales, which were almost zero last year, are progressing. According to the Association of Vehicle Importers in Morocco (AIVAM), the Chinese manufacturer’s market share reached 2.63% in July 2025. This growth has even supported the results of Auto Nejma, the local distributor of the Chinese leader in electric vehicles. The latter announced a 70% increase in vehicle sales in the first half of the year.

According to Auto Nejma, this progress is notably explained by the arrival of new BYD hybrid and electric ranges. These contributed to sales of 1,982 vehicle units in the second quarter of 2025, compared to 971 in the same period a year earlier. Thanks to this progress, BYD is now the fourth most popular automotive brand in the kingdom, according to an Ipsos survey cited by Auto Nejma’s CEO, Adil Bennani.

In addition to Morocco, BYD is also fiercely competing with the Nissan, Renault and Volkswagen brands in South Africa, Benin, and fourteen other countries where it is present. In the second quarter of 2025, Chinese automakers accounted for 15% of the South African new vehicle market, compared to 3.1% in 2022, it is specified. BYD plans to install between 200 and 300 fast charging stations in South Africa by the end of 2026.

In Europe, MG, BYD, Chery and the other Chinese brands present represented 7.4% of the market, according to data from the Dataforce market research institute. This fierce Chinese competition is now pushing European manufacturers such as Stellantis and Renault to invest in production capacities in South Africa and Morocco, to plan to assemble hybrid and electric models locally, and to form a partnership with the Chinese Leapmotor to distribute low-cost electric SUVs on emerging markets.