A shockwave is sweeping the global auto industry after the latest statements from the top of China's largest automaker. Wang Chuanfu, founder and chairman of the giant BYD (Build Your Dreams), has issued a clear warning to traditional rivals: in the next five years, the Chinese brand aims to become number one in the world, directly attacking the crown historically held by the Japanese from Toyota.
The performance of recent years shows that the ambitions of the Chinese are not mere marketing metaphors. In 2025, BYD delivered 4.6 million new cars worldwide. This impressive volume places the brand in 6th place in the world's top car manufacturers and establishes it as the absolute leader in the huge Chinese market.
However, to reach the top of the global podium, BYD must climb a mountain managed for decades by the Toyota group.
"BYD will truly become the No. 1 global automobile manufacturer in 5 years," Wang Chuanfu declared resolutely at the annual shareholders' meeting in Shenzhen.
Toyota currently dominates the global rankings. Last year, the Japanese group sold 11.21 million vehicles, a figure that includes not only Toyota models but also its subsidiaries Lexus and Daihatsu. The math behind this rivalry is as simple as it is brutal: to close the gap and overtake Toyota, BYD will need to increase its global sales by an average of 1 million vehicles each year.
The Chinese mission is far from being a walk in the park, especially since their main engine — the domestic market in China — is showing signs of fatigue due to fierce competition and aggressive price wars.
In May, BYD sold 207,372 new cars in the Chinese market, marking a 29.2% drop compared to the same period in 2025. This domestic contraction has forced a rapid change in strategy: the rescue and increase in pace come from aggressive international expansion. In addition to large newly targeted markets such as Canada, BYD is betting heavily on Europe.
To dodge the customs duties imposed by Brussels on electric vehicles made in China, the company is accelerating the construction of its first large-scale European factory in Szeged, Hungary, planned to begin assembling cars towards the end of this year.
If globally the duel is just beginning, on the Romanian market the two brands are at completely different points in their commercial evolution.
| Criterion | Toyota Romania | BYD Romania |
| Market Status | Traditional leader of imported cars, holding a dominant position in the Full Hybrid segment. | New player, officially entered the market in mid-2025. |
| Key Models | Corolla, RAV4, Toyota C-HR, Yaris Cross. | Sealion 7, Seal, Atto 2, Seal U DM-i (Plug-in Hybrid). |
| Network Strategy | Showrooms consolidated over decades across all major cities. | Multi-dealer strategy (partnerships with Țiriac Auto, DAB Auto, Proleasing, Materom, ATP Group). Targets over 30 points of sale. |
For customers in Romania, Toyota is synonymous with the reliability and efficiency of self-charging hybrid technology. Models such as the Corolla or RAV4 consistently dominate the sales charts for (corporate) fleets and private customers, being considered the “safe” options when switching from simple diesel or gasoline engines. The extensive national network and excellent resale value make Toyota a brand extremely difficult to dislodge from the collective psyche.
On the other hand, BYD officially entered Romania in May 2025 with an extremely bold plan. Instead of building their own network from scratch, the Chinese turned to the great sacred monsters of local car distribution (such as Țiriac Auto or DAB Auto), managing to ensure instant visibility in key cities such as Bucharest, Brașov, Timișoara, Iași or Cluj-Napoca.
BYD's main argument to the Romanian buyer is the technology-price ratio. Their models are powered by the famous Blade batteries (recognized for their crash safety and energy density) and come in a dual configuration: pure electric and plug-in hybrid systems (DM-i technology). The latter promise substantial urban electric ranges and purchase prices that put direct pressure on similar European and Japanese models.
The next five years will decide whether Wang Chuanfu's bold prediction will materialize or whether Toyota will keep its global crown intact. In Romania, although Toyota starts with a considerable lead in image and volume, the explosive expansion of BYD's network and the proximity of the future factory in Hungary will transform this duel into one of the most dynamic shows on the domestic auto market.