BYD Overtakes Tesla in OTA Car Updates, Nikkei Reports

BYD leads in OTA car updates with around 200 releases in 2025, surpassing Tesla, according to Nikkei Asia. See how software is reshaping the auto industry.

BYD delivered around 200 OTA updates in 2025 — compared to just 16 from Tesla. For a company that once defined how cars evolve through software, that shift signals an unexpected change in leadership.

This is not just about volume. Over-the-air updates have moved far beyond minor interface tweaks. Today, they affect core vehicle systems — from battery management to driver assistance algorithms — turning update frequency into a real measure of technological capability.

Tesla pioneered this model in the early 2010s with the Model S, sending software updates over Wi-Fi or cellular networks that could change vehicle behavior, add features, and even fix issues without a service visit. Over time, this approach reshaped expectations across the industry: a car was no longer a fixed product, but something that evolves after purchase.

Now, BYD appears to be pushing that model further. According to Nikkei Asia data, the company deployed roughly 200 updates across its Ocean and Dynasty lineups in 2025 — more than Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen combined. BYD already supports large-scale OTA rollouts across multiple models, including ATTO 3, Dolphin, and Seal, with updates delivered in stages and covering both user interfaces and functional systems such as climate control and driver assistance.

The pace is closely tied to BYD’s structure. The company develops much of its own technology in-house — from batteries and power electronics to chips and its DiLink software platform. This level of vertical integration reduces reliance on suppliers and allows faster development and deployment of updates.

Competition is intensifying across the Chinese market as well. Leapmotor, for example, highlights OTA updates as a tool to improve safety, driver assistance, and user interfaces, with recent updates adding features like one-pedal driving and expanded connectivity. Update frequency itself is becoming a competitive differentiator.

For owners, this changes the nature of car ownership. Vehicles no longer remain static after purchase — features can be added, refined, or even reworked over time. OTA updates are also increasingly used to address critical issues, including recall-related fixes delivered remotely.

At the same time, the risks are growing. Cybersecurity and reliability are becoming central concerns, with global regulations now requiring structured systems for both software updates and security management. Real-world incidents involving data exposure and vulnerabilities underline how critical the software layer has become.

The business model is shifting too. Tesla already offers features like Full Self-Driving through subscription, and in Europe some vehicle functions are tied to time-limited or paid access. This turns the car into a service platform, where software becomes a source of recurring revenue.

The raw number of updates does not tell the full story — without context on their scale and impact, direct comparisons remain limited. Still, the broader direction is clear: competition in the automotive industry is moving into software. And the advantage now lies with companies that can update their vehicles faster, more frequently, and at greater depth than their rivals.