Chinese car makers expand in Spain, BYD reaches 50,000 registrations

The Chinese automaker BYD has become the first brand to register 50,000 electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicles in Spain within just over three years. BYD led the Spanish plug‑in market throughout 2025 with 25,552 registrations and maintained its lead in the first five months of 2026 with 17,987 units, aided by competitively priced models such as the Dolphin Surf and the Atto series.

Barcelona’s port is increasingly the main gateway for Chinese cars entering Spain and southern Europe. Great Wall Motors and Changan have begun commercial operations, with GWM’s first 500 vehicles arriving from Lianyungang and Changan delivering its Deepal SUVs. In 2025 the port handled 716,657 vehicles, a 5.1% rise on the previous year, while imports grew 44%. January 2026 saw 43,768 vehicles processed, with imports up more than 80%. The facility now supports storage and preparation for BYD, MG, Omoda, Jaecoo and other Chinese brands, and a third terminal is slated for completion in 2027.