The UK could see a major change in new vehicle sales as Chinese brands take over and drivers opt to take a chance on emerging brands instead of traditional manufacturers.
The likes of BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda have all shaken the UK market over the last 18 months as motorists become more open to trying vehicles from brands they may not have been aware of.
The number of new brands joining the UK market has increased more in the last two years than it has in the last 20 years before that, with Chinese automakers looking to expand globally.
Chinese manufacturers have had a strong start to 2026 with Jaecoo (6,878 registrations), BYD (6,175), Chery (3,533) and Omoda (3,132) all impressive in the first two months.
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Other brands are also making an impact, including Changan, Geely, GWM, Leapmotor, Skywell and Xpeng, all registering sales.
The Jaecoo 7 is the third best-selling vehicle in the UK this year with 5,505 registrations, only falling behind the Ford Puma (6,935) and the Kia Sportage (6,880).
The BYD Seal U also makes an appearance on the best-selling list in ninth place with 3,358 sales, which is currently selling better than the Volkswagen Golf.
Experts have indicated that these trends will continue in the coming months and years as drivers become more aware of Chinese brands and their vehicles.
Jaecoo and BYD have become some of the fastest-growing Chinese brands in the UK
| JAECOO/BYDIan Plummer, commercial director of Autotarder, said "word-of-mouth" recommendations were helping Chinese brands as motorists tell friends and family about their experiences with the vehicles.
Awareness of Chinese brands has grown dramatically in recent years, especially through advertising campaigns, with BYD sponsoring the 2024 European Championships, while Jaecoo and Omoda sponsor the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.
Mr Plummer told The Times that Chinese brands could capture 15 per cent of the market share in 2026, and rise further to 20 per cent next year.
He said the rapid rise in interest in these brands had been seen with BYD and Chery brands, including Chery itself, Jaecoo and Omoda, over the last 18 months.
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Chery International will launch a new sister brand called Lepas later this year | CHERYOther Chinese manufacturers are expected to make huge strides into the UK market, with optimism around Changan, Geely and Aion from Mr Plummer.
Last year, Chinese brands made up around five per cent of the total market share of new vehicles, with 10 Chinese brands making up 111,607 new registrations.
This was headlined by BYD, which captured 2.54 per cent of the market with an impressive 51,422 sales in its first full year of sales.
Some Chinese brands have already confirmed plans to bring sub-brands to the UK, including Denza under BYD, Lepas through Chery and Nio's Firefly brand.
The Denza Z9GT is expected to launch in Europe later this year as the brand continues its global expansion
| DENZAMany drivers are choosing vehicles from Chinese brands thanks to cheaper costs and technological advantages, while others simply want to try a car they are unfamiliar with.
Data from a 2025 YouGov poll found that seven in 10 Britons recognise at least one emerging car brand, including Polestar (40 per cent) and BYD (29 per cent).
It found that two in five Britons associate China with having the fastest-growing car manufacturers, beating out the likes of Japan, South Korea and Germany.
Chinese brands were seen to have the fourth highest rating for "good value" behind South Korea, Germany and Japan, but beating out American and Indian manufacturers.