China’s BYD overtakes Tesla revenue for first time

BYD also notched a monthly sales record in the last month of the quarter, in a sign that momentum continues to build for China’s bestselling car maker.

But there is a growing backlash abroad against the Chinese government’s support for domestic car makers like BYD.

Earlier this week, European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% on imports of Chinese made EVs came into force across the bloc.

Chinese EV makers were already facing a 100% tax from the United States and Canada.

The tariffs are in response to alleged unfair state subsidisation of China’s car industry.

As of last week, official data showed 1.57 million applications had been submitted for a national subsidy of $2,800 per each older vehicle traded in for a greener one.

That’s on top of other government incentives already in place.

China has been counting on high-tech products to help revive its flagging economy, and the EU is the largest overseas market for the country’s electric car industry.

Its domestic car industry has grown rapidly over the past two decades and its brands, such as BYD, have begun moving into international markets, prompting fears from the likes of the EU that its own companies will be unable to compete with the cheaper prices.