More than 300,000 Chinese cars have been sold in the United Kingdom so far this year, setting a fresh record as European rivals continue to lose ground.
Chinese carmakers made up five of the top 25-performing brands in the first nine months of the year, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Those five brands collectively accounted for just under a quarter of the total UK car market by volume, representing a significant shift in the competitive landscape.
MG, the former Oxford-based marque acquired by Chinese owners in 2006, was the best-performing Chinese brand, recording just under 80,000 registrations in the period.
BYD followed in second place with 68,000 registrations, cementing its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing automotive names.
Jaecoo came third with 59,000 registrations and also produced the single best-selling model in the UK during September, with more than 10,000 units of its 7 SUV sold that month alone.
Total car registrations in September crossed 350,000, marking the best-performing September recorded since 2017, signalling a broader market rebound from the Covid-era sales slump.
European carmakers, however, continued to lose ground, with only the Vauxhall Corsa, the VW Golf, and the Audi A3 making it into the top 10 for the month.
Chinese carmakers, all of whom sell exclusively electric vehicles in the UK, benefited from a growing consumer shift away from petrol and diesel cars amid rocketing fuel prices.
Plug-in hybrid registrations surged 55.7 per cent to take a record volume and share of 17.0 per cent of the overall market during the period.
Battery electric vehicle demand climbed 36.3 per cent in September to a record high of just under 100,000 units, with market share rising five percentage points to 28.3 per cent.
SMMT data suggests that figure equates to almost five new battery electric vehicles registered every minute, more than double the rate recorded three years ago.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Drivers are increasingly embracing the growing choice of models made available and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly giving more consumers reason to consider going electric.”
Hawes added: “Despite all these factors, uptake remains behind mandated targets and, whilst flexibilities help, the UK still has the world’s toughest targets and highest energy costs.”