Chinese manufacturers made up more than one in 20 car sales in the UK last year, as drivers began to choose more affordable and technologically advanced vehicles, rather than traditional, Western brands.
According to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 10 popular Chinese brands accounted for 111,607 total registrations across 2025.
This makes up more than five per cent of the 2.02 million new vehicles registered across the UK last year, capping off a year of remarkable growth.
BYD has quickly become one of the most popular brands in the UK, capturing an impressive 2.54 per cent of the total market last year.
This is despite launching just over a year ago, with the Shenzhen-based manufacturing seeing a staggering 485 per cent growth year-on-year.
It registered more than 51,000 new registrations, beating out the likes of Citroen, Dacia, Honda and even Tesla.
The figures come just days after it was confirmed that BYD had overtaken Tesla as the best-selling electric vehicle brand in the world.
Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert, said: “Chinese carmakers are no longer the sideshow; they are rapidly becoming the main event.
BYD and other Chinese brands made up an impressive five per cent of the total car sales market in 2025
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REUTERS
“For years, commentators have speculated about the ‘arrival’ of Chinese brands – well, here it is, in black and white.”
Other brands, including Jaecoo (28,232 registrations) and Omoda (19,855), also saw staggering year-on-year growth, with the former seeing an astounding 13,408 per cent rise in sales.
The Jaecoo 7 hybrid has consistently been in the top 10 best-selling vehicles, with the premium SUV instantly becoming a hit for motorists up and down the country.
It comes equipped with Super Hybrid System (SHS), offering 275NM torque, an electric range of 56 miles and a total range of 745, with prices starting from £35,165.
Many brands have already pledged to massively expand their UK presence, including a fresh lineup of vehicles in 2026, as well as a burgeoning network of dealerships.
Some manufacturers have also hinted at bringing sister brands to the UK over the next 12 months, offering drivers an even wider choice of vehicles.
Mr Masson continued, saying: “With much more to come from Chinese car manufacturers over the next 12 months, there is a real risk that we could see a number of legacy car brands simply disappearing from the UK car market altogether.
“This is the beginning of a new era for the global car industry, and China is in charge.”
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Best-selling Chinese brands in the UK across 2025
BYD – 51,422
Jaecoo – 28,232
Omoda – 19,855
Chery – 5,517
Leapmotor – 4,273
Xpeng – 900
GWM – 542
Geely – 478
Changan – 357
Skywell – 31