Chinese Brands Surpass 10% Market Share in Europe for the First Time

Chinese automakers accounted for more than 10% of all new vehicle sales in Europe in May 2026, marking the first time they have reached double-digit market share. The figures were reported by Bloomberg, citing research from automotive analytics firm Dataforce.

Analysts attribute the growing popularity of Chinese vehicles to consumers’ willingness to choose models that offer more features and equipment at a lower price point. The trend is particularly evident in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid segments, where models such as the MG S9 have gained significant traction. In May, nearly one-quarter of all new hybrid vehicles sold in Europe were manufactured in China.

According to Dataforce analyst Julian Litzinger, Chinese manufacturers recognized earlier than many Western competitors that European buyers were not yet ready to make a full transition to battery-electric vehicles. As a result, they adapted their product strategies more quickly by expanding their hybrid offerings. In his view, Chinese brands generally provide more performance, technology, and equipment for the same price.

Litzinger cited the MG S9 and the Volkswagen Tayron as examples. According to the analyst, buyers can save a considerable amount of money by choosing the Chinese model while also receiving a more powerful vehicle, without sacrificing perceived build quality.

Chinese brands are seeing particularly rapid growth in the United Kingdom, where separate trade arrangements have created favorable conditions for expansion. Manufacturers including BYD, MG, Omoda, and Jaecoo have been steadily increasing their presence in the market. In May, the Chery-owned Jaecoo 7 became one of the four best-selling vehicles in the country. Chinese automakers now account for more than 16% of the UK new-car market.

Strong growth has also been recorded in Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, where Chinese manufacturers continue to expand their dealer networks and model lineups.

The success of Chinese brands comes at a challenging time for Europe’s traditional automakers. Earlier reports indicated that Renault plans to cut around 800 engineering positions as part of a major restructuring of its French research and development operations.