Inside China’s Best-Selling EV: What the Geely EX2’s Success Means for Global Buyers
China’s top-selling car isn’t a BYD or a Tesla—it’s the Geely EX2, a small, rear-drive EV that packs space and value into a sub-$10,000 starting price, and it’s heading to more markets.
Geely EX2 Unseats BYD and Tesla as China’s 2025 Sales Leader
The Geely EX2—known as the Xingyuan in China—finished 2025 as the country’s best-selling car, with about 470,000 units sold in China alone. That puts it ahead of BYD and Tesla in a market where Chinese EVs now dominate the top of the sales charts, a reversal from years past when non-Chinese brands led. The win underscores how quickly Geely has closed the gap with its domestic rivals in the hyper-competitive Chinese EV market.
EX2’s Size and Rear-Wheel Drive Set It Apart From the BYD Seagull
The EX2 is petite, roughly the same size as the old Chevrolet Sonic, but it’s a bit bigger than the BYD Seagull, another top seller. That extra size lets it seat five passengers instead of four, and the rear-wheel-drive layout opens up a sizable front trunk—a combination few cars in its size class and price range can match. For buyers comparing small EVs, that’s a practical difference that shows up in everyday use, not just on paper.
On the Autocross Circuit, the EX2 Prioritizes Comfort Over Engagement
A brief drive on a tiny autocross circuit outside Geely’s headquarters in Hangzhou revealed an EX2 that’s soft, comfortable, and not very engaging dynamically. That’s not a knock against it—most buyers in this segment aren’t chasing lap times. The car’s real strength is the amount of space, comfort, value, and quality it delivers for the money, which matters far more to its target buyers than sharp handling.
EX2 Starts Under $10,000 in China, With As-Tested Price Near $13,000
In China, the Xingyuan starts at just under $10,000, a price aimed at the country’s working-class population. The test units, equipped with the upgraded battery and larger motor, came in closer to $13,000. Even as the EX2 expands beyond China, it lands right in the ballpark of other cheap, small EVs globally, keeping the value proposition intact for international buyers.
EX2 Expands to Malaysia, Brazil, and Beyond, but US Entry Remains Unlikely
The EX2, also called the Star Wish in some markets, is already on sale in Malaysia and Brazil, and Geely has announced plans to bring it to the UK, Mexico, and Australia. A US launch, however, isn’t on the horizon anytime soon. For buyers in those new markets, the car offers a proven design from a major automaker at a competitive price—though local pricing will ultimately determine how it stacks up.
Competition Heats Up as Leapmotor A10 Matches EX2’s Starting Price
The EX2’s sales are already down compared to last year, a sign of just how fast the Chinese market moves. A wave of competitors has arrived since the EX2 launched, including the Leapmotor A10, which starts at the same price and is already beginning to catch up. The EX2 remains a compelling package, but holding the top spot in China’s cutthroat EV market is proving to be a moving target.