When you hear the phrase car company, you might picture Ford, Toyota, or maybe Tesla. But in 2025, a car company is no longer just a factory that builds engines and metal bodies. It’s a software developer, a battery manufacturer, a finance operation, and increasingly, an electric-vehicle brand deciding how fast to move away from gasoline.
Why this matters if you’re car shopping
The way a car company approaches electric vehicles affects everything from reliability and battery life to resale value and charging access. Understanding who’s ahead, who’s catching up, and who’s falling behind can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your next car.
What is a car company in 2025, really?
Traditionally, a car company (or automaker) designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells vehicles, often under multiple brands. Think of General Motors with Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick, or Volkswagen Group with VW, Audi, Porsche, and others. They also run financing arms, parts networks, and dealer relationships that keep those cars on the road for decades.
In the EV era, the definition has widened. A modern car company also needs:
- Battery technology, either developed in-house or sourced from partners.
- Software expertise for infotainment, driver-assistance, and over-the-air updates.
- Charging strategy, building networks, partnering with others, or relying on public infrastructure.
- Data and services, from connected apps to subscriptions.
How fast car companies are going electric
The main types of car companies today
Not every car brand is in the same place on the road to electrification. Broadly, you’ll see four types of car companies when you shop.
Four kinds of car companies in the EV transition
Knowing where a brand fits helps you predict your ownership experience.
1. Legacy ICE-focused companies
These automakers still rely heavily on gasoline models, using EVs to meet regulations and test demand.
- Large truck/SUV portfolios
- Limited EV model range
- Often slower software and charging strategy
Examples: Some truck-heavy U.S. and Japanese brands in the early stages of EV rollout.
2. Legacy companies pivoting hard to EVs
These car companies still sell plenty of gas vehicles but have committed serious money and leadership attention to EVs.
- Dedicated EV platforms
- Rapidly expanding model lineups
- Aggressive charging partnerships (often with Tesla’s NACS)
Examples: Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Volkswagen Group.
3. EV‑only specialists
Brands that build only electric vehicles, with no gasoline models on sale.
- Battery‑first engineering
- Direct‑to‑consumer sales in many markets
- Heavy focus on software and over‑the‑air updates
Examples: Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, several Chinese EV startups.
4. Regional EV champions
Automakers with huge EV volume in specific regions, but limited presence in the U.S.
- Often price‑aggressive and tech‑rich
- Can influence global pricing and innovation
- Face tariffs or political hurdles in the U.S.
Examples: BYD, Geely brands, Changan and others in China and emerging markets.
How to use this when shopping
Instead of asking only, “Do I like this model?”, also ask, “Where is this car company on its EV journey?” That simple question tells you a lot about future software updates, charging access, and long‑term support.
Legacy car companies vs. EV specialists
Legacy car companies
Legacy automakers, from Ford and GM to Toyota and Volkswagen, have enormous advantages: decades of manufacturing experience, vast dealer networks, and well‑understood reliability patterns.
- Strong parts and service networks
- Large used‑vehicle base and resale history
- Comfortable, familiar ownership experience
Their challenge is cultural and structural: retooling factories, retraining workers, and rethinking products built around engines instead of batteries.
EV‑only specialists
Companies like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and high‑volume Chinese brands such as BYD were built around EVs from day one.
- Battery‑centric vehicle platforms
- Integrated software and hardware design
- Often direct, online‑first sales models
They tend to move faster on over‑the‑air updates, charging innovations, and in‑car tech, but may have thinner service networks or less established resale values, especially outside major metro areas.
Watch for early‑generation EVs
First‑generation EV efforts from some legacy brands had limited range, slow charging, and patchy software support. When you’re browsing used EVs, it pays to check which generation a model belongs to and whether the car company has improved it substantially over time.
Which car companies lead in electric vehicles?
Globally, the leaderboard for EV production has changed quickly. Chinese brands have expanded at a blistering pace, while U.S., Korean, and European car companies are using EVs to defend market share at home.
Some of the largest EV-focused car companies
These figures combine battery‑electric and, in many cases, plug‑in hybrid sales. The exact numbers change every quarter, but the pattern is clear: more car companies are betting big on EVs.
| Car company / group | Notable EV brands | Recent annual plug‑in sales (approx.) | Key regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | BYD | ~4.0M | China, Europe, Latin America |
| Tesla | Tesla | ~1.8M | U.S., Europe, China |
| Geely Group | Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr, Geely | ~1.0M | China, Europe |
| GM | Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac | ~1.0M | North America, China |
| Volkswagen Group | VW, Audi, Skoda, Porsche | ~1.0M | Europe, China, U.S. |
| Hyundai Motor Group | Hyundai, Kia, Genesis | ~0.5M | U.S., Europe, Korea |
High‑volume EV players to pay attention to when you’re shopping new or used.
In the United States, Tesla remains the single biggest EV brand by a wide margin, but its share of new EV sales has steadily declined as Ford, GM, Hyundai/Kia, Volkswagen and others launch competitive models. For shoppers, that’s good news: more choices, more price competition, and better technology at lower price points.
How car companies make money in the EV era
For decades, most automakers made their profit on gasoline trucks and SUVs, plus financing and service. EVs are forcing a rethink. Battery packs are expensive, software is constantly evolving, and customers expect longer warranties and over‑the‑air feature updates.
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- Vehicle sales and leasing. Many car companies now lean on attractive leases to offset higher EV sticker prices and to work around complex tax‑credit rules.
- Batteries and platforms. Some automakers plan to sell EV platforms and battery tech to others, spreading costs over more volume.
- Software and subscriptions. Features like advanced driver‑assistance, connected services, and infotainment are increasingly sold as ongoing subscriptions.
- Financing and certified used programs. Captive finance arms and factory‑backed used programs help keep customers within the same brand for multiple purchases.
Where does Recharged fit in?
Recharged isn’t a car company, we’re a retailer and marketplace focused on used electric vehicles. We work with multiple brands and sellers, and every car gets a Recharged Score Report with verified battery health, pricing insights, and expert guidance so you can compare EVs from different manufacturers with confidence.
How to choose the right car company for your next EV
When you choose a model, you’re also choosing a car company’s ecosystem, its charging strategy, software pace, dealer network, and attitude toward older vehicles. Here are the big questions to ask yourself.
Key questions to compare car companies
Think beyond the test drive.
1. Charging access
- Does the brand support the Tesla/NACS connector in the U.S.?
- Can you use high‑speed public chargers easily?
- Does the company’s app make stations easy to find?
2. Software & updates
- How often does the car company update its vehicles?
- Are features improved over time or locked in?
- Do owners complain about glitches?
3. Service & support
- Is there a solid service network where you live?
- Are EV‑trained technicians available?
- What do owners say about recall and warranty experiences?
4. Warranty & batteries
- How long is the battery and drivetrain warranty?
- Does the brand have a track record of honoring claims?
- Are replacement packs reasonably available?
5. Resale and demand
- Does the brand’s EV lineup hold value reasonably well?
- Is there healthy used‑market demand?
- Are new‑car discounts crushing used prices?
6. Total ownership cost
- Does the company offer discounted charging or maintenance?
- How efficient are its EVs compared with rivals?
- What are insurance costs like for its vehicles?
Why the car company matters when you buy a used EV
With a gasoline car, brand reputation has long been a shorthand for reliability and resale value. With used EVs, the car company’s strategy around batteries, software, and charging can matter even more, because those factors age differently than engines and transmissions.
Here’s what to weigh as you compare car companies in the used EV market:
- Battery track record. Some brands have years of real‑world data showing slow, predictable degradation; others have had high‑profile recalls or range shortfalls.
- Software support for older cars. Does the car company still push updates to 5‑ to 8‑year‑old EVs, or do they quietly stop improving them?
- Charging changes. Many automakers are switching to the Tesla‑style NACS plug in North America. That’s great for future access, but you’ll want to know what adapters and updates exist for older models.
- Parts availability. On low‑volume or discontinued EVs, even simple parts can become slow or expensive to source, especially from smaller or struggling manufacturers.
How Recharged reduces the guesswork
Every EV listed on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes battery health diagnostics, pricing against fair market data, and key model‑specific insights. Our EV specialists can explain how a particular car company’s history with that model should influence your decision, and your offer.
Checklist: evaluating a car company before you buy
Your pre‑purchase car company checklist
1. Look up the brand’s EV history
How many years has this car company been selling EVs? Do they have multiple generations of the same model, and are later versions significantly improved?
2. Review battery warranties and recalls
Compare battery and drivetrain warranty length between brands, and check for major recalls or buybacks on the models you’re considering.
3. Research real‑world owner feedback
Scan owner forums and long‑term reviews. Are there repeated complaints about software bugs, charging issues, or unhelpful dealers for this brand?
4. Confirm local service options
Make sure there’s a nearby service center with EV‑trained technicians for the car company you’re considering. Rural buyers especially should double‑check this.
5. Check charging compatibility going forward
Verify whether the car company is adopting NACS, providing adapters, or upgrading older models. This affects where, and how easily, you’ll charge in a few years.
6. Compare total cost of ownership
Beyond price, look at efficiency ratings, insurance quotes, and typical maintenance costs for the brand. A cheaper purchase price doesn’t always mean cheaper ownership.
FAQ about car companies and EVs
Frequently asked questions about car companies and EVs
The bottom line for shoppers
A car company today is as much about batteries, software, and charging as it is about sheet metal and styling. Some automakers are sprinting into the electric future; others are jogging; a few are still tying their shoes.
When you’re choosing your next EV, especially a used one, don’t evaluate the vehicle in isolation. Look at the car company behind it: its EV history, its battery and software strategy, its charging partnerships, and its commitment to supporting older models. Those factors will shape your ownership experience long after you sign the paperwork.
If you want help cutting through the noise, Recharged brings multiple car companies under one transparent, EV‑focused roof. With verified battery health, fair market pricing, and specialist support, you can focus on the right car, and the right car company, for the way you actually drive.
