Quick Highlights:BYD became the first global automaker to produce 15 million new energy vehiclesThe last 5 million units were produced in just 13 months, highlighting rapid scale-upThe milestone vehicle was the Denza N8L plug-in hybrid SUVOverseas factories in Thailand and Brazil are playing an increasing role in productionBYD has reached another landmark moment in the global electric vehicle industry, rolling off its 15 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) on December 18, 2025. The milestone was achieved at the company’s Jinan manufacturing base and cements BYD’s position as the first automaker worldwide to cross the 15 million NEV production threshold. The pace of growth behind this achievement is equally striking, with the company producing its most recent 5 million vehicles in just 13 months, a stark contrast to the 13 years it took to reach its first 1 million units.The vehicle marking this milestone was the Denza N8L, a large six-seat plug-in hybrid SUV that also represented the 15,000th unit of that specific model. The choice of Denza, BYD’s premium brand, underlines how the company’s growth is no longer driven solely by entry-level or mass-market models, but increasingly by higher-end products equipped with advanced technology and safety systems.BYD’s journey in new energy vehicles dates back to December 2008, when it produced the F3DM. This model was China’s first mass-produced NEV and the world’s first production plug-in hybrid, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most aggressive electrification strategies in the global auto industry. Despite that early start, progress was gradual in the initial years. It was not until May 19, 2021, that BYD reached cumulative production of 1 million NEVs, marked by the rollout of the Han EV. This milestone came after more than a decade of incremental capacity building, technology development, and market cultivation.The growth trajectory shifted dramatically after 2021. In November 2022, BYD produced its 3 millionth NEV, the Seal EV, a mid-size electric sedan positioned directly against the Tesla Model 3. The jump from 1 million to 3 million units took around 18 months, signaling the beginning of BYD’s high-growth phase. From that point onward, production milestones arrived at an accelerating pace.BYD’s 5 millionth NEV rolled off the line on August 9, 2023. That vehicle was a Denza N7 equipped with DiSus-A active suspension and advanced driver assistance systems. Just three months later, in November 2023, the company produced its 6 millionth NEV, the Fangchengbao Bao 5 off-road SUV. By November 18, 2024, BYD had reached 10 million cumulative NEVs with the Denza Z9, achieving this mark less than two months after producing its 9 millionth vehicle. The rapid compression of these milestones illustrates how BYD has transitioned from steady growth to industrial-scale expansion.International manufacturing is now an increasingly important contributor to BYD’s overall volume. On July 4, 2024, the company produced its 8 millionth NEV at its Rayong factory in Thailand, highlighting the strategic role of Southeast Asia in BYD’s overseas manufacturing footprint. This global shift continued on October 9, 2025, when BYD produced its 14 millionth NEV at its Bahia plant in Brazil. The milestone vehicle was a Song Pro DM-i built for overseas markets, and the event was attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva alongside BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu, underscoring the political and economic significance of BYD’s international investments.Sales performance has kept pace with production expansion. From January to November 2025, BYD sold 4.182 million vehicles, representing an 11.3 percent year-on-year increase. Overseas sales reached 917,000 units during the same period, already surpassing the company’s full-year overseas total for 2024. BYD vehicles are now exported to more than 110 countries and regions, reflecting its transformation from a China-focused automaker into a truly global player.The Denza N8L, which marked the 15 millionth NEV milestone, exemplifies BYD’s current product strategy. Positioned as a large six-seat SUV, it uses a 2.0T three-motor plug-in hybrid system and is offered in two variants in China. Prices range from 299,800 CNY (approx. INR 38.2 Lakh) to 329,800 CNY (approx. INR 42 Lakh), placing it firmly in the premium segment of the domestic market. All versions are equipped with DiSus-A intelligent body control and BYD’s God’s Eye B assisted driving system.BYD claims the Denza N8L completed a 210 kmph moose test without rollover, aided by its YiSanFang vehicle control system. Structural safety features include the use of 2,000 MPa-strength steel in key areas, CTB battery-body integration, and nine airbags. The model also boasts a minimum turning radius of 4.58 meters, which BYD says is the smallest among large SUVs. Interior space measures 6.11 square meters, with a flexible “4+N” seating layout, while onboard technology includes an AI agent based on the DeepSeek large language model and support for vehicle-to-home connectivity.Denza’s overseas expansion mirrors BYD’s broader global push. The Denza D9 luxury MPV ranked first in luxury MPV sales in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia during the first half of 2025. Overseas pricing for Denza models is significantly higher than in China, with the D9 starting at around 1.606 million CNY ((approx. INR 2 Crore) in Singapore and about 1.05 million CNY (approx. INR 1.3 Crore) in Brazil, reflecting differences in taxes, import duties, and market positioning.Underlying BYD’s rapid scaling is sustained investment in research and development. The company’s cumulative R&D spending has exceeded 220 billion CNY (approx. $31.2 billion), with 43.75 billion CNY (approx. $6.2 billion) invested in the first three quarters of 2025 alone. These funds are being directed toward vehicle platforms, charging technologies, and advanced driver assistance systems as BYD prepares for even broader global deployment.As BYD celebrates its 15 millionth NEV, attention is already turning to what comes next. Whether the company’s next 5 million vehicles will arrive even faster may depend less on factory capacity and more on how efficiently global markets can absorb the growing wave of Chinese electric and plug-in hybrid models entering showrooms worldwide.