Car market in 2025: which brands pulled up sales and which car became a bestseller
3 November 19:40
In October, the new car market in Ukraine set a 13-month record. According to Ukravtoprom, 7.8 thousand cars were sold, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
This is a third more than in October 2024 and 14% higher than in September 2025. The dynamics indicate a steady recovery in demand for new cars, as well as an active supply from manufacturers who are increasing supplies and updating model lines.
Who took the lead
The leader of the month was the Chinese brand BYD, which showed the fastest growth among the major players. The company delivered 1199 cars, which is 6.5 times more than last year in October (552%). This breakthrough consolidated the position of Chinese manufacturers at the top of the ranking and confirmed the trend of increasing their share in the new car segment, in particular due to a wider range of electric and hybrid models, competitive prices and aggressive marketing policy.
BYD Company Limited is a manufacturer of cars, buses, forklifts, batteries and trucks based in Shenzhen, China.
BYD promotes the development model of “Self-development, own brand, self-development”, considering its goal to produce world-class quality cars, and the goal of the industry to create a world-class national automobile brand, and promising to revive the national automobile industry. BYD now has four production bases in Shenzhen, Xi’an, Shanghai and Beijing.
Owners and management:
- Wang Chuan-fu (born April 8, 1966) is the founder, chairman of the board of directors and president of the company. He owns 17.64% of BYD Company shares.
- Lv Xiang-yang (born in 1962) – co-founder, vice chairman of the company. Prior to the company’s establishment in 1995, he worked at the People’s Bank of China branch in Chaohu. He owns a 13.55% stake in BYD Company.
Berkshire Hathaway owns 20.49% of the X-shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which corresponds to 7.73% of the total issued shares (through its subsidiary Western Capital Group).
TOYOTA and VOLKSWAGEN were also among the top three in October.
TOYOTA sold 978 vehicles (44% yoy), maintaining its status as one of the most stable brands on the market. VOLKSWAGEN showed the highest dynamics among the “traditional” brands: 856 vehicles and 136% yoy, reflecting strong demand for new models, including electrified versions.
TOP-10 car manufacturers in the new car market in October
In addition to BYD, TOYOTA and VOLKSWAGEN, the top ten most popular brands of the month included:
- SKODA (626 cars, 55%);
- RENAULT (494 cars, -37%);
- HYUNDAI (357 vehicles, 85%);
- BMW (302 cars, -24%);
- AUDI (262 cars, 38%);
- ZEEKR (259 cars, 131%);
- NISSAN (196 cars, 1%).
The multidirectional dynamics of individual brands emphasizes segmental shifts: brands with strong offerings in the electric vehicle and crossover class are showing acceleration, while some manufacturers are going through a period of reconfiguring their model portfolios and pricing strategies.
ZEEKR is worth a special mention with a 131% yoy increase, which strengthens the electric trend in the premium and upper mid-market segments. RENAULT and BMW, on the other hand, recorded a correction in their performance, which may be due to a temporary change in supply or a refocus on other models and prices.
Read also: Demand for used cars from the USA has increased in Ukraine: which models are in the lead
Bestseller of the month: focus on electric traction
The most popular model in October was the VOLKSWAGEN ID.Unyx electric car. Its success illustrates the growing demand for battery cars in both the private and corporate segments. Amid the development of charging infrastructure and a reassessment of the cost of ownership, electric vehicles are gaining a wider audience, particularly in cities with a population of over a million and regional centers. At the same time, maintaining a stable supply and predictable prices remain key to scaling up BEV sales.
Year-end results: small but steady growth
Since the beginning of 2025, 60.7 thousand new passenger cars have been sold in Ukraine, which is 3% more than in the same period of 2024. The market remains sensitive to logistics, exchange rate fluctuations and automakers’ production cycles, but is gradually adapting, and consumers are making faster decisions to renew their fleets. The October sales surge could set a higher base for the fourth quarter, especially if distributors maintain their delivery pace and buyers take advantage of seasonal offers.
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The role of prices, warehouses and electrification: what’s in store
According to experts, the coming months will be determined by three factors.
First, price: brands that maintain attractive price positions and financial programs will be able to scale up their volumes.
Secondly, the availability of warehouses and stability of supply: quick availability of popular models without long waiting times turns into a competitive advantage.
Third, electrification: “electric” bestsellers such as the VW ID.Unyx and fast-growing Chinese brands can continue to pull demand into their segments, shifting the sales structure in favor of BEVs and PHEVs.
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