Chinese brands seize 5.5% of Europe's car market in Aug 2025
Chinese brands overtake Audi and Renault in Europe as PHEVs surge
Chinese brands seize 5.5% of Europe's car market in Aug 2025
Chinese car brands hit a record 5.5% share in Europe in Aug 2025, led by MG and BYD, as PHEV sales jump 59% and Tesla's Model Y declines 38%. Explore the shift.
2025-09-23T15:28:31+03:00
2025-09-23T15:28:31+03:00
2025-09-23T15:28:31+03:00
August 2025 marked a turning point for Europe’s car market: Chinese brands captured a record 5.5% share, overtaking Audi and Renault. According to SPEEDME.RU, citing JATO Dynamics reports, more than 43,500 China-made cars were registered during the month, a 121% year-over-year surge.MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Leapmotor drove most of the momentum, with the top five accounting for 84% of sales. MG’s rise stood out, moving more cars than Tesla and Fiat, while BYD outpaced Suzuki and Jeep. Even relatively new entrants such as Jaecoo and Omoda sold more than Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi. The shift no longer looks tentative; it feels like a real bid for share.The upswing wasn’t only about battery-electric models. Despite a record BEV share of 20.2% and 1.54 million registrations since the start of the year, the real surprise came from plug-in hybrids. PHEV sales climbed 59% to almost 84,000 units. Chinese manufacturers leaned into this segment amid high tariffs on BEV imports. Over the year, PHEV volumes from China jumped from 779 to 11,064 units. Among the top 10 were the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS. Buyers seem to be responding to the balance of electric driving with familiar refueling—pragmatism often wins showrooms.Meanwhile, Tesla lost momentum: Model Y sales in August fell 38% year over year, though the model remains Europe’s best-selling EV for January through August. The benchmark is still high, but the gap is no longer unchallenged.Volkswagen’s T-Roc led the overall market in August with almost 14,700 registrations, ahead of the Hyundai Tucson and the new Tiguan. Yet the defining signal came from China’s badges: they have not only secured a foothold in Europe, they have begun to compete head-on with the established leaders. The competitive map is being redrawn where it matters most—mainstream crossovers and electrified drivetrains.
European car market, Chinese car brands, MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor, PHEV sales, BEV share, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen T-Roc, August 2025, JATO Dynamics, plug-in hybrids
2025
Michael Powers
news
Chinese brands overtake Audi and Renault in Europe as PHEVs surge
Chinese car brands hit a record 5.5% share in Europe in Aug 2025, led by MG and BYD, as PHEV sales jump 59% and Tesla's Model Y declines 38%. Explore the shift.
Michael Powers, Editor
August 2025 marked a turning point for Europe’s car market: Chinese brands captured a record 5.5% share, overtaking Audi and Renault. According to SPEEDME.RU, citing JATO Dynamics reports, more than 43,500 China-made cars were registered during the month, a 121% year-over-year surge.
MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Leapmotor drove most of the momentum, with the top five accounting for 84% of sales. MG’s rise stood out, moving more cars than Tesla and Fiat, while BYD outpaced Suzuki and Jeep. Even relatively new entrants such as Jaecoo and Omoda sold more than Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi. The shift no longer looks tentative; it feels like a real bid for share.
The upswing wasn’t only about battery-electric models. Despite a record BEV share of 20.2% and 1.54 million registrations since the start of the year, the real surprise came from plug-in hybrids. PHEV sales climbed 59% to almost 84,000 units. Chinese manufacturers leaned into this segment amid high tariffs on BEV imports. Over the year, PHEV volumes from China jumped from 779 to 11,064 units. Among the top 10 were the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS. Buyers seem to be responding to the balance of electric driving with familiar refueling—pragmatism often wins showrooms.
Meanwhile, Tesla lost momentum: Model Y sales in August fell 38% year over year, though the model remains Europe’s best-selling EV for January through August. The benchmark is still high, but the gap is no longer unchallenged.
Volkswagen’s T-Roc led the overall market in August with almost 14,700 registrations, ahead of the Hyundai Tucson and the new Tiguan. Yet the defining signal came from China’s badges: they have not only secured a foothold in Europe, they have begun to compete head-on with the established leaders. The competitive map is being redrawn where it matters most—mainstream crossovers and electrified drivetrains.
