Chinese automakers surge in UK market share

Chinese automotive brands are rapidly expanding their market share in the United Kingdom. In September 2026, Chinese manufacturers accounted for approximately 23% of all new car registrations in the UK.

The Jaecoo 7, produced by Chery, became the UK’s best-selling new car model for the month with 10,813 registrations, surpassing the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Puma. Analysts note the model’s success is driven by its design, competitive pricing, and aggressive 0% interest financing offers.

BYD also saw significant growth, recording its strongest month to date with 20,129 vehicles registered, representing a 5.76% market share. This performance places BYD as the second-largest manufacturer in the UK for the month, trailing only Volkswagen.

This surge in Chinese imports comes amid discussions regarding trade policy. The European Union has reportedly pressured the UK to consider additional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, similar to those implemented within the EU, which could increase costs for certain manufacturers by up to 45%.

Separately, in the broader European Union, electric vehicle sales have reached parity with petrol cars, with both accounting for 21.7% of new registrations in the first eight months of the year.