According to data from the Uruguayan Automotive Trade Association (ACAU), released by the consulting firm SEG Ingeniería, 96 percent of battery electric vehicles sold in Uruguay in 2025 came from China.

The first quarter of 2025 saw a 206 percent increase in electric vehicle sales compared to the same period in 2024, positioning Uruguay as one of the regional leaders in sustainable mobility.

The country has become a focal point of the electric vehicle boom in South America, with a multitude of Chinese BYD models driving through Montevideo and a growing presence throughout the interior.

BYD leads the ranking by a wide margin, followed by JAC, Omoda, and other brands from the Asian giant, which together account for 90 percent or more of local electric vehicle sales. Among the 10 best-selling models last year, BYD holds five of those spots.

The leading model is the BYD Yuan Pro EV GS, which displaced the Seagull as the market favorite, according to the report.

On March 25, the gigantic ship Grande Texas docked in the port of Montevideo, carrying seven thousand electric vehicles in its holds.

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