Chinese automotive manufacturers continue to strengthen their position in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new car registrations during the first six months of 2026.
The latest registration figures show that almost 175,000 vehicles from Chinese-owned brands were registered between January and June, out of a total UK market of 1.13 million new cars. This represents an impressive 121% increase compared with the same period last year, significantly outperforming the overall new car market, which grew by just 9%.
The figures highlight the increasing appeal of Chinese manufacturers as they continue to expand their model ranges, improve dealer networks and offer competitively priced electric and hybrid vehicles. This continues a trend we’ve been following in our article Chinese Car Manufacturers Strengthen Their Position in the UK Automotive Market, which explored how newer brands have been steadily increasing their presence across the UK.
Intense competition from manufacturers including BYD, MG and Chery is helping reshape the UK automotive market, giving motorists greater choice and increasing pressure on established brands. In fact, we recently explored how EV prices have fallen below petrol cars in the UK market for the first time, highlighting the increasing affordability of electric vehicles for both private and business users.
MG and BYD Lead the Charge
Among the Chinese manufacturers, MG remained the strongest performer, registering 48,741 new cars during the first half of the year. The brand continued its steady growth, increasing registrations by 14% compared with the same period in 2025.
BYD secured second place with almost 38,000 registrations, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing electric vehicle manufacturers.
Other brands also enjoyed significant momentum. Jaecoo recorded one of the strongest growth rates, with registrations increasing fourfold thanks to the introduction of additional models. Omoda more than doubled its sales year-on-year, while Chery enjoyed an impressive market debut, capturing a 1.6% share of the UK new car market during its first six months on sale.
As manufacturers continue to launch new models and compete for market share, drivers are benefiting from greater choice and increasingly competitive lease deals.
Find out why there’s never been a better time to make the switch in our guide, Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Lease an Electric Vehicle.
Chinese Brands Gain Market Share Across the UK
Several Chinese manufacturers are now becoming established names in the UK market.
| Brand | H1 2026 Registrations | Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| MG | 48,741 | 4.28% |
| BYD | 37,795 | 3.32% |
| Jaecoo | 34,067 | 2.99% |
| Omoda | 18,761 | 1.65% |
| Chery | 17,979 | 1.58% |
| Leapmotor | 6,770 | 0.59% |
| Geely | 6,497 | 0.57% |
| Changan | 1,579 | 0.14% |
| Smart | 1,159 | 0.10% |
| Xpeng | 767 | 0.07% |
| Aion | 101 | 0.01% |
| Skywell | 90 | 0.01% |
| GWM | 144 | 0.01% |
| Maxus | 4 | 0.00% |
The rapid expansion reflects increasing consumer confidence in newer manufacturers, particularly as many focus heavily on electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid technology.
European Manufacturers Still Hold the Advantage
Despite the strong growth from Chinese brands, Europe’s established manufacturers continue to dominate UK registrations.
Volkswagen remained the country’s best-selling manufacturer during the first half of 2026 with 90,150 registrations, almost double the volume achieved by the highest-ranking Chinese brand.
BMW secured second place with close to 63,000 registrations, while Kia was the highest-performing non-European manufacturer overall.
Not every manufacturer experienced growth, however. Brands including Fiat, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and SEAT all recorded noticeable declines in registrations compared with the previous year.
Business Fleets Are Adopting Chinese Brands Faster
Fleet operators appear to be adopting Chinese manufacturers even faster than private buyers, reflecting growing confidence in the latest generation of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Chinese brands accounted for 16% of all true fleet registrations during the first half of 2026, slightly ahead of their overall retail market share. This suggests businesses are increasingly willing to consider newer manufacturers when replacing company vehicles.
The increasing availability of electric vehicles is benefiting both businesses and employees. Alongside business fleet leasing, EV salary sacrifice schemes are making it easier than ever for drivers to access a brand-new electric car while benefiting from significant tax savings. Learn more in our guide to EV Salary Sacrifice Explained: How UK Employees Can Drive a New Electric Car for Less in 2026.
For many businesses, the shift towards electric vehicles is driven by a combination of lower running costs, environmental goals and tax benefits. Our guide Cut Costs, Reduce Emissions: Why Businesses Are Choosing Electric Fleets explores these advantages in more detail.
The number of Chinese-branded vehicles entering UK fleets more than doubled compared with the first six months of 2025, reflecting the wider availability of electric models and increasingly competitive leasing costs.
Leasing providers are playing a major role in this transition, helping businesses access the latest vehicles while managing costs and supporting their move towards lower-emission fleets. Learn more in our article Leasing Providers Continue to Drive Fleet Electrification.
Overall, the true fleet market recorded 315,662 registrations, representing around 28% of all new car registrations in the UK. Fleet demand increased by 6% year-on-year, although several long-established manufacturers experienced lower fleet volumes than they did in 2025.
BYD Tops Chinese Fleet Registrations
Within the fleet sector, BYD emerged as the leading Chinese manufacturer, securing a 4.2% market share, narrowly ahead of MG, which achieved 3.9%.
Across the wider fleet market, Volkswagen remained the leading choice for businesses with around 10% market share, despite registering fewer fleet vehicles than last year.
BMW retained second position, while Audi climbed into third after recording a healthy 16% increase in fleet registrations following a slower start to 2025.
What This Means for the UK Leasing Market
The continued rise of Chinese manufacturers is reshaping the UK automotive landscape. With more electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and competitively priced models entering the market, businesses are gaining access to a wider choice of vehicles than ever before.
Government incentives are also helping accelerate electric vehicle adoption by making the switch more affordable for both private motorists and businesses. Learn more in our guide to the Government Electric Car Grant.
For leasing providers and fleet operators, this growing competition is helping drive innovation, improve value and accelerate the transition towards lower-emission transport. As more manufacturers establish dealer networks and expand their product ranges, Chinese brands are likely to become an increasingly familiar sight on UK roads.
Discover the Best Electric Cars to Lease in 2026
The rapid rise of manufacturers such as MG, BYD, Jaecoo and Chery means UK drivers now have more electric vehicles to choose from than ever before.
Whether you’re looking for a private lease, company car or salary sacrifice scheme, now is an excellent time to explore the latest electric vehicles. Read our Top 10 Electric Cars to Lease in 2026 to discover the standout EVs available on the UK leasing market today.
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