India’s EV Market Turns Competitive: Chinese Automakers Claim 33% Share

Chinese-backed automakers now control about one-third of India’s electric car market, challenging Tata Motors’ dominance. Brands like JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo (owned by China’s Geely) have rapidly expanded through new launches, dealership growth, and aggressive investments.

The report on Chinese brands capturing one‑third of India’s electric car market comes from data shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA).

FADA’s registration-based retail sales data confirms that JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo collectively controlled 33.3% of India’s EV passenger car market in 2025, up from near-zero presence just a few years ago.  

Key market shifts

• Market share: Chinese-linked brands hold 33.3% of India’s EV passenger car market as of 2025.
• Growth rate: Sales surged 165% between January–October 2025, vs. overall EV market growth of 87%.
• Volume: Over 57,000 EVs sold by Chinese brands till October, versus ~101,000 by Indian players.
• Tata Motors impact: Tata’s lead, once ~85%, has eroded significantly.

Major players

• JSW MG Motor: ₹26,000 crore planned investment; 25 new EVs and hybrids by 2030.
• BYD: Exploring local manufacturing to cut costs and expand reach.
• Volvo (Geely-owned): Strengthening premium EV offerings in India.
• Future entrants: Stellantis to bring Leapmotor; Tesla preparing entry.

Competitive dynamics

• Technology edge: Advanced batteries, competitive pricing, faster product cycles.
• Consumer impact: Competition is accelerating tech upgrades and keeping prices in check.
• Indian incumbents: Tata and Mahindra face pressure to innovate and scale faster.

Risks and strategic considerations

• Geopolitical sensitivities: Reliance on Chinese-linked brands may raise policy and security concerns.
• Supply chain dependence: Local manufacturing could reduce imports but deepen footprint.
• Regulatory response: India may push stronger domestic EV incentives.
• Consumer trust: Pricing and tech are attractive; after-sales service and brand perception matter.

Big picture

• Domestic leaders: Tata, Mahindra.
• Chinese-backed challengers: BYD, MG, Volvo.
• Global entrants: Tesla, Stellantis, others.

This competition is expected to accelerate EV adoption, improve affordability, and reshape India’s auto industry over the next decade.

Here’s a clean data snapshot from FADA’s 2025 report on India’s EV passenger car market, showing how Chinese brands reached one‑third share.

FADA EV Market Data (Jan–Oct 2025)

Segment / Brand Group	EV Units Sold	Market Share	YoY Growth
Indian brands (Tata, Mahindra, others)	101,724	59.1%	~87%
Chinese-linked brands (BYD, MG, Volvo/Geely)	57,260	33.3%	~165%
Other global brands (Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, etc.)	~13,000	7.6%	Moderate
Total EV passenger cars	~172,000	100%	~100%

Key Highlights

• Chinese brands now sell 1 in 3 EVs in India.
• Tata Motors’ share dropped from ~85% to ~59%.
• BYD & MG Motor drive growth with launches and local manufacturing plans.
• Volvo (Geely-owned) strengthens premium EV offerings.
• Chinese brands grew almost twice as fast as the overall EV market in 2025.

Strategic Implications

• Indian incumbents must accelerate innovation and scale to defend share.
• Heavy Chinese presence may trigger regulatory incentives for domestic EV makers.
• Buyers benefit from lower prices, faster tech cycles, and wider choice.

Sources: Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) data, as reported by Moneycontrol, India EV News, and Trak.in.