Chinese brands take 23% of the UK car market in September
In the plate-change month, 81,776 of the 350,536 new cars registered in Britain came from Chinese brands — almost double the share of a year ago.
- 23.3% Chinese share September 2026
- 12.4% A year ago September 2025
- 81,776 Chinese-brand cars of 350,536
- 17.5% Year to date Jan–Sep 2026 (8.7% in 2025)
Chinese brands registered 81,776 of the 350,536 new cars sold in Britain in September 2026, a 23.3% share. That is almost double the 12.4% they took in September 2025.
UK new car market in September 2026: the headline numbers
September is always the UK's biggest month because of the number-plate change, and this one was the strongest September since 2017. SMMT figures show the market up 12.0% year on year, but the growth was narrow: it came almost entirely from cars with plugs and from Chinese brands. Petrol registrations fell by around 7% and conventional hybrids by about 4%.
Battery-electric cars reached a record 99,201 registrations, a 28.3% share, while plug-in hybrids jumped 55.5% to 59,571 cars, a record 17.0% share. Plug-in hybrids have now overtaken self-charging hybrids, and Chinese brands are a big reason why.
Across the first nine months of the year Chinese brands hold 17.5% of the UK market, up from 8.7% in the same period of 2025. If you also count Chinese-owned Polestar, Lotus and smart, September's share rises to 24.1%.
BYD, MG and Chery: who sold what
BYD was the second-biggest brand in the country in September, behind only Volkswagen (25,972). Its 20,129 registrations were up about 80% on a year ago and gave it a 5.76% share — its biggest UK month so far. A year earlier BYD ranked 15th. The BYD Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid was its best seller, and the BYD Sealion 7 was its top electric model with 3,191 cars. BYD says the new Dolphin G DM-i took more than 500 orders soon after reaching showrooms, and it now has 147 UK retail sites.
MG registered 18,026 cars, close behind Kia's 18,399, with the MG HS ninth in the overall top ten.
The biggest story is Chery Group. Its four UK brands registered 32,823 cars, up 171% from 12,099 a year ago, for a 9.36% share — third among car groups. Jaecoo led with 15,055, followed by Chery with 9,788, Omoda with 7,241 and the newly launched Lepas with 739 in its first month. The Jaecoo 7 was the UK's best-selling new car with 10,813 registrations, around 900 ahead of the Tesla Model 3.
Geely, only in its 11th month on sale, registered 5,155 cars — more than Mazda (4,417) or Honda (4,149). Its range includes the Geely EX5 electric SUV. Changan, Leapmotor and Xpeng also grew strongly.
Chinese brands, UK registrations, September 2026
| BYD | 20129 cars |
|---|---|
| MG | 18026 cars |
| Jaecoo | 15055 cars |
| Chery | 9788 cars |
| Omoda | 7241 cars |
| Geely | 5155 cars |
| Lepas | 739 cars |
Source: SMMT via BYD, Chery International UK and Geely
Why plug-in hybrids are driving Chinese growth
Much of the rise is down to plug-in hybrids rather than pure EVs. Omoda & Jaecoo UK says plug-in hybrids made up 55.7% of its September registrations, with electric models just 10.0%. Chery says its Super Hybrid models accounted for 83% of its own-brand volume. BYD's top seller is also a plug-in hybrid.
This matters for price. Britain charges a flat 10% import duty on cars from China, whether electric or hybrid. A plug-in SUV such as the Seal U DM-i or Jaecoo 7 can therefore undercut European and Korean rivals on equipment for the money. None of the Chinese brands' models currently qualifies for the government's Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750, because eligibility depends on where cars and battery cells are made. For a wider view of the options, see our guide to the best Chinese plug-in hybrids.
How the UK compares with Germany
The contrast with Germany is stark. On the same day, Germany's KBA reported 256,774 registrations, with Chinese brands taking just 15,784 cars — a 6.1% share, and 4.5% for the year so far. Germany has higher EV adoption (34.5% battery-electric share) but its buyers have been slower to switch to new brands, and the EU applies extra duties on China-built electric cars on top of its 10% standard tariff.
Tariffs: what happens next
Success has made Chinese cars a political issue. After UK trade minister Anas Sarwar said on 15 October that Britain and the EU should coordinate on Chinese carmaking, China's Ministry of Commerce warned on 19 October that it would take firm countermeasures if the UK restricted Chinese EVs. Downing Street said all tariffs remain under review and called talk of specific terms premature.
The EU's countervailing duties since October 2024 range from 17.0% for BYD and 18.8% for Geely to 35.3% for SAIC, the owner of MG. Hybrids are not covered, and Brussels has since reached a separate understanding with Beijing on hybrid imports. If Britain copied the EU, battery-electric models would be hit but plug-in hybrids would not. A formal UK investigation would likely take more than a year, though quotas could come faster. China is also cutting its export VAT rebate on new energy vehicles from 13% to 9% from April 2027, which could squeeze margins.
UK vs Germany, September 2026
| UK | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Total registrations | 350,536 (+12.0%) | 256,774 (+9.0%) |
| Chinese-brand cars | 81,776 | 15,784 |
| Chinese share (month) | 23.3% | 6.1% |
| Chinese share (year to date) | 17.5% | 4.5% |
| Battery-electric share | 28.3% | 34.5% |
What it means for buyers
More Chinese brands means more choice and sharper prices, especially for plug-in hybrid SUVs. Dealer networks are growing fast (BYD has 147 sites, Geely 100 signed), so servicing is getting easier. If the UK follows the EU on tariffs, electric models could get dearer, while plug-in hybrids would be unaffected under the EU-style system.
FAQ
What share of UK new cars are Chinese brands?
In September 2026 Chinese brands took 23.3% of UK new car registrations (81,776 cars). Over January to September 2026 their share is 17.5%.
What was the best-selling car in the UK in September 2026?
The Jaecoo 7, made by Chery, with about 10,800 registrations, ahead of the Tesla Model 3.
Is BYD bigger than MG in the UK?
In September 2026, yes: BYD registered 20,129 cars and MG 18,026. BYD was second only to Volkswagen that month.
Will the UK put tariffs on Chinese cars?
Nothing has been decided. The government says all tariffs are under review, and China has warned of countermeasures. Today Chinese cars pay the standard 10% UK import duty.