Chinese electric vehicles have arrived in the UK, with new brands providing the toughest test yet for the Western automotive scene. BYD has transcended its 'China' tag, with the brand starting to outsell market leader Tesla in 2025.
MG's electric cars have been on the market for several years with their EV4 a top seller in the market. However, a range of new competitors has hit the shores in recent months with Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo and Nio some of the newest. Recent polls show that as many as seven in 10 British motorists would consider a Chinese electric car in a blow to traditional brands.
Jaecoo has flown out of the traps and demonstrated the level of excitement for new brands in the UK is genuine. SMMT data shows that over 6,000 Jaecoo models were sold in September alone, bringing their 2025 total to a whopping 18,170 models from a standing start.
Data from JATO Dynamic shows that Chinese brands almost doubled their European market share, hitting 4.8% after growth between January and July 2025. Bosses have even admitted they were surprised by the success of the Jaecoo brand in the UK ahead of launching sister brands Omoda and the Chery with the Tiggo 7 and 8.
However, Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, suggested the problem is more critical in China, with consumers turning their backs on European brands for homegrown companies.
Michael said: "The pain for Western automakers is real. As a group, they are selling eight million fewer vehicles in China than they did five years ago."
Data shows that the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in China this September with 59,907 units sold.
However, Chinese brands almost rounded out the top 10 with Wuling and Geely second and third followed by multiple BYD models including the Song, Seagull and Qin vehicles.
Nissan was the only non-Chinese company in the top 10 with the Sylphy shipping 32,143 units. Volkswagen was the first traditional Western brand with the VW Sagitar selling over 23,500 models.
Chinese car brands sold in the UK
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