Chinese vehicle manufacturers are continuing to make their presence felt in the UK fleet and leasing market, with the latest data showing businesses increasingly considering models from brands that, until recently, had little or no presence in the UK.
Figures from Leasing.com show that Chinese manufacturers accounted for 15.8% of all fleet leasing enquiries on its platform during 2026 so far. Their influence is even more noticeable in the electric vehicle market, where Chinese brands represented 17% of UK fleet EV enquiries over the same period.
The figures provide another indication of how quickly the UK vehicle market is changing, with fleet operators now having a much wider choice of manufacturers and models when considering their next vehicles.
This is particularly relevant as businesses continue to look at electric vehicle fleets and assess the financial and practical implications of moving away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
BYD Leads Chinese Fleet Demand
BYD currently accounts for the largest share of Chinese-brand fleet enquiries, representing 41.6% of demand within the Chinese manufacturer group.
The BYD Seal is the most requested Chinese model among fleet customers, accounting for 17% of Chinese fleet enquiries. The BYD Sealion 7 follows closely behind with 16.9%.
The figures show that Chinese manufacturers are attracting fleet interest across several different areas of the market. Rather than being limited to smaller electric cars, their ranges now include larger executive models and SUVs that can appeal to company car drivers and businesses looking for higher levels of equipment.
Jaecoo has also established a significant position despite being a relatively recent arrival in the UK. The manufacturer currently accounts for 19.1% of Chinese-brand fleet demand, putting it second behind BYD.
Chinese Manufacturers By Fleet Enquiries
| Manufacturer | Share Of Chinese Fleet Enquiries |
|---|---|
| BYD | 41.6% |
| Jaecoo | 19.1% |
| MG Motor UK | 11.8% |
| Chery | 9.0% |
| Leapmotor | 8.5% |
| Omoda | 8.4% |
Source: Leasing.com, year-to-date 2026
The figures highlight just how quickly the competitive landscape is expanding. Alongside established names such as BYD and MG, manufacturers including Jaecoo, Chery, Leapmotor and Omoda are building their own positions within the UK market.
CVC has previously looked at the wider growth of Chinese manufacturers in Chinese Car Manufacturers Strengthen Their Position In The UK Automotive Market, while more recent registration data has highlighted the continued expansion of Chinese brands in the UK.
Electric Vehicles Are At The Centre Of The Growth
Electric vehicles account for 61% of fleet enquiries for Chinese manufacturers, according to Leasing.com’s figures.
That compares with 56% of enquiries across the wider UK business fleet market, showing that electric vehicles make up a particularly large proportion of demand for Chinese manufacturers.
For businesses, the appeal of these vehicles is not simply about moving to electric power. Fleet decisions are influenced by a combination of factors, including monthly leasing costs, vehicle specification, driving range, charging requirements and expected running costs.
The financial side of the equation is particularly important for company car and fleet operators working within fixed budgets.
Leasing.com reported that average business car lease payments fell by 10.3% to £397.38 a month during 2025, excluding VAT. Chinese manufacturers are now competing in a market where keeping monthly costs under control is an increasingly important consideration for businesses.
For companies assessing the practical side of electrification, CVC’s guide to electric vehicle charging for businesses covers the different charging options available to employers and fleet operators.
New Models Can Quickly Build Fleet Demand
The changing popularity of individual models also demonstrates how quickly new manufacturers can attract attention in the UK.
The Jaecoo 7 accounted for 27.8% of all Chinese fleet enquiries during its main introductory period in 2025. Its share has subsequently fallen to 9.3% so far in 2026.
However, this needs to be viewed alongside the growing number of Chinese manufacturers and models now competing for the same customers.
Leapmotor and Xpeng have expanded the number of alternatives available to UK buyers, while Chery and Omoda are also increasing their presence.
The result is a much more competitive market in which a new model can quickly attract significant interest before its share changes as further vehicles enter the sector.
The Chinese Models Attracting Fleet Interest
The BYD Seal and BYD Sealion 7 currently occupy the first two positions among Chinese models requested by UK fleet customers.
The Jaecoo 7 and Jaecoo 5 follow, with vehicles from Leapmotor, Chery and Omoda also featuring among the ten most requested models.
| Rank | Model | Share Of Chinese Fleet Enquiries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BYD Seal | 17.0% |
| 2 | BYD Sealion 7 | 16.9% |
| 3 | Jaecoo 7 | 9.3% |
| 4 | Jaecoo 5 | 7.8% |
| 5 | Leapmotor C10 | 4.4% |
| 6 | Chery Tiggo 8 | 4.3% |
| 7 | Omoda 5 | 4.0% |
| 8 | Leapmotor B10 | 3.8% |
| 9 | Chery Tiggo 9 | 2.8% |
| 10 | BYD Seal U | 2.8% |
Source: Leasing.com, year-to-date 2026
The model rankings also show that Chinese manufacturers are competing across several different parts of the car market. Larger SUVs, executive cars and family-focused models are all attracting fleet interest alongside smaller vehicles.
This expanding choice is particularly relevant for businesses reviewing their company car policies or considering an electric fleet. CVC’s guide to the best electric cars to lease provides a broader look at some of the electric models available to UK drivers.
Chery is another manufacturer expanding its presence in the UK, with the brand preparing to introduce four new or updated models, including its first fully electric car, as outlined in our article on Chery Confirms Four New UK Models Including First Electric Car.
What Chinese Brands Mean For UK Fleets
The growth of Chinese manufacturers is giving UK businesses more choice at a time when the fleet and leasing market is already undergoing significant change.
The fact that 61% of Chinese fleet enquiries are for fully electric vehicles is particularly notable. It suggests that these manufacturers are gaining attention at the same time as businesses are examining how electric vehicles can form part of their wider fleet strategies. However, the wider transition to electric fleets still presents practical challenges for businesses, particularly around charging, range, vehicle suitability and operating costs.
The increasing number of manufacturers also means businesses can compare a broader range of vehicles based on factors such as leasing costs, specification, range, practicality and running costs. This wider choice is also contributing to the changing approach businesses are taking towards fleet electrification, with many now introducing electric vehicles gradually rather than replacing their entire fleet at once.
For fleet operators managing several vehicles, the decision can involve considerably more than choosing an individual model. Broader fleet management solutions can help businesses consider vehicle requirements across an entire fleet, while leasing providers continue to play an important role in helping fleets electrify.
Chinese manufacturers are therefore becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around UK fleet electrification. With more brands and models entering the market, businesses now have a wider selection of vehicles to consider when reviewing their future fleet requirements.
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