The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that sales growth at BYD slowed to 7.73 per cent in 2025, its weakest pace in five years, as the Chinese electric-vehicle maker grappled with growing local competition and a weakening of its technological lead. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says BYD's total sales were down 18.3 per cent in December from a year earlier, marking the largest monthly drop in nearly two years, according to data in a stock filing on Thursday. For the full year, sales rose by 7.73 per cent to 4.6 million units, meeting its slashed target. BYD lowered its 2025 sales target by 16 per cent as domestic sales weakened from July onward, challenged by competitors including Geely and Zhejiang Leapmotor in the budget segment. BYD's domestic sales fell in 2025 owing to its weakening technological leadership, Chinese media outlet Southern Metropolis Daily reported, citing chairman Wang Chuanfu's comments at a December investor conference. Mr. Wang said the company would release major innovations in 2026, without elaboration. BYD's sweeping price cuts on more than 20 models in May triggered a stock sell-off across the Chinese car sector. (China is Tesla's second-biggest market after the United States.)