Chinese automakers are continuing to make major gains in the UK new-car market, with BYD and Chery International delivering particularly strong results in September.
The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show just how quickly both groups are expanding their presence. BYD recorded its strongest-ever month in the UK, while Chery International UK finished September as the country’s third-largest automotive group by registrations.
The results highlight the growing influence of Chinese carmakers across the British market, with electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids and competitively priced SUVs helping new brands attract buyers.
BYD Records Its Best-Ever UK Sales Month
BYD registered 20,129 vehicles in the UK during September, an 80% increase compared with the same month in 2025. The result gave the automaker a 5.76% share of the UK new-car market and placed it second overall among manufacturers during the month.
The performance is particularly notable given that BYD only entered the UK passenger-car market in 2023. In just a few years, the company has established a retail network of 147 sites across the country.
BYD’s growing range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has been central to its rapid expansion. The automaker has continued to broaden its lineup in 2026, giving UK buyers more choice between fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The BYD ATTO 2 was one of the company’s strongest performers in September. Originally launched as a fully electric model, the compact SUV gained a DM-i plug-in hybrid version in June. The availability of both powertrains has helped the ATTO 2 become the second best-selling model in BYD’s UK lineup.
The SEAL U DM-i remained BYD’s overall best-selling model, while the SEALION 7 was the company’s strongest-selling fully electric vehicle during the month.
BYD is also preparing for further expansion. The DOLPHIN G has entered the increasingly competitive supermini segment and had already accumulated more than 500 orders shortly after arriving with UK retailers.
The upcoming seven-seat Ti 7 SUV is also attracting strong pre-orders, while the SHARK pickup is generating significant interest as BYD continues expanding beyond traditional passenger-car segments.
Chery Group Passes 30,000 UK Registrations
Chery International UK delivered an even larger combined result when its four brands are considered together.
Across OMODA, JAECOO, CHERY and LEPAS, the group registered 32,823 vehicles in September, representing a 171% increase from the 12,099 vehicles registered in September 2025.
That performance gave Chery International UK a 9.36% share of the UK market and third place among automotive groups for the month.
The result is particularly significant because the group achieved it with four separate marques, each targeting a different part of the market.
JAECOO was the biggest contributor, recording 15,055 registrations, while OMODA added 7,241. The JAECOO 7 alone registered 10,813 units, making it the UK’s best-selling new car in September.
The JAECOO 7 has also become one of the strongest-performing new models of 2026. Its year-to-date registrations reached 39,473, placing it second among the UK’s best-selling cars for the year so far.
Together, OMODA and JAECOO registered 22,296 vehicles in September, representing a 6.37% market share.
CHERY contributed another 9,788 registrations, equivalent to a 2.79% market share, while LEPAS recorded 739 registrations during its first month of UK sales.
Across all four brands, Chery International UK’s year-to-date registrations have reached 124,365 vehicles. That represents 7.15% of the UK new-car market and a 269% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
Chinese Automakers Are Expanding Beyond EVs
The rapid growth of BYD and Chery also demonstrates that the rise of Chinese automakers in Europe is no longer limited to fully electric vehicles.
BYD has built its UK range around both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models, while Chery’s portfolio covers petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
That broader approach could become increasingly important as UK buyers continue to have different requirements around price, driving range, charging infrastructure and vehicle size.
For buyers who remain hesitant about going fully electric, plug-in hybrid models such as BYD’s DM-i vehicles provide an alternative while still offering the ability to drive on electric power for shorter journeys.
At the same time, the growing number of fully electric models from Chinese manufacturers is increasing competition for established European, Japanese, Korean and American automakers.
More Investment Is Coming to the UK
Chery’s expansion is also being supported by increased investment in the UK.
Chery Automobile has announced plans for a new UK Research and Development Centre of Excellence at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. The facility is expected to open later in 2026 and will become part of Chery Automobile’s global R&D network.
The centre will initially focus on chassis dynamics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tuning and calibration for vehicles developed for the UK market.
That local development work could help Chery adapt its vehicles more closely to British driving conditions and customer expectations as the company continues to increase its presence.
The group is also expanding its retail network and ownership support, including a strengthened seven-year/100,000-mile manufacturer warranty and additional support through the RAC.
A Major Shift in the UK New-Car Market
The September figures from BYD and Chery underline how quickly the UK automotive landscape is changing.
BYD’s 20,129 registrations in a single month and Chery International UK’s 32,823 registrations across four brands would have been difficult to imagine only a few years ago. Both groups are now competing for significant market share alongside long-established automotive manufacturers.
Their growth is being driven by a combination of aggressive product expansion, competitive pricing, hybrid and electric powertrain choices, expanding dealer networks and increasing brand awareness.
The next stage of the competition could be even more significant. BYD is adding models such as the DOLPHIN G and Ti 7, while Chery is continuing to expand OMODA, JAECOO, CHERY and LEPAS in the UK.
For British car buyers, the result is a rapidly expanding selection of electric and electrified vehicles—and increasing pressure on established automakers to respond.
