10:47 - 23.09.2026

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September 23, Fineko/abc.az. Chinese automakers, led by players such as BYD Co., captured a record share of nearly 12% of total new car sales in Europe in August.

According to Dataforce metrics, Chinese brands accounted for a quarter of all hybrid vehicle sales and approximately one-third of all plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales across the region. The surge stems from consumer caution regarding pure electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure, paired with the current exemption of Chinese hybrid imports from high European Union tariffs.

Demand for battery-electric and hybrid vehicles rose 27% in August, helping offset declines in internal combustion engine sales and pushing overall European automotive market growth up by 4,6%. In the UK, Chinese vehicles now represent more than 1 in every 5 new cars sold.

However, this competitive advantage may face headwinds as Germany prepares a proposal for the EU to evaluate imposing supplementary tariffs on imported Chinese hybrid models.