Chinese automotive manufacturers achieved remarkable expansion in European markets during August, with registrations soaring by 121 per cent compared to the previous year.
The surge resulted in more than 43,500 units sold across the continent, cementing these brands as powerhouses among established Western brands.
This performance placed Chinese brands ahead of several established European marques in monthly sales figures.
The combined registrations exceeded those achieved by Audi, which recorded 41,300 units, and Renault, which managed 37,800 units.
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Data from Jato Dynamics reveals that while 40 different Chinese brands operate in Europe, five manufacturers dominate the sector.
MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Leapmotor together represent an impressive 84 per cent of all Chinese brand registrations.
The dramatic increase marks a significant shift in European automotive preferences, as consumers increasingly embrace vehicles from Chinese manufacturers.
The European battery electric vehicle segment achieved unprecedented success in August, capturing more than one-fifth of the market.
Chinese brands recorded impressive sales totals compared to established brands last month
|BYD/JAECOO/MG
This represents an increase of 3.6 percentage points and marks a new milestone for electric mobility across the continent.
Chinese manufacturers have responded to increased import duties on electric vehicles by pivoting towards plug-in hybrid technology.
Plug-in hybrid vehicle registrations exploded from merely 779 units in August 2024 to 11,064 units last month.
This strategic shift has proven successful, with BYD securing eighth position amongst PHEV manufacturers.
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Three Chinese models penetrated the top ten PHEV rankings, namely the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS.
The broader PHEV segment experienced exceptional growth, with 83,900 units registered, representing a 59 per cent annual increase. The powertrain's market share climbed to 10.6 per cent.
Individual Chinese manufacturers demonstrated particularly strong performances against established competitors.
MG's registrations exceeded both Tesla and Fiat during August, whilst BYD outperformed Suzuki and Jeep in monthly sales.
The Jaecoo 7 is quickly becoming one of the most popular hybrids on the market
| JAECOOJaecoo and Omoda, despite being relatively new entrants, surpassed traditional brands, including Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi, in registration numbers.
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at Jato Dynamics, attributed this success to changing consumer attitudes. He said: "European consumers are responding positively to the growing, competitive line-up from China's car brands.
"It appears that these brands have successfully tackled the perception and awareness issues they have experienced."
The broader European passenger car market demonstrated healthy expansion in August, with 790,177 units registered across 28 nations, representing five per cent annual growth.