Chinese car manufacturers have sharply increased their presence in the UK market. In September 2026, almost a quarter of all new cars in the country were Chinese brands, and the best-selling car of the month was the Jaecoo 7 — 10,812 units. The crossover even surpassed the Tesla Model 3.

The growth is noticeable not only for Jaecoo. Among the rapidly developing brands were BYD, Omoda, Chery, and Leapmotor. According to industry analysts, Chinese brands, including companies with Chinese owners, already account for about 16% of the British new car market in 2026.

Currently, cars from China in the UK are subject to a standard 10% import duty. London has not yet introduced additional tariffs, similar to those in force in the European Union for Chinese electric vehicles. The British government is already considering possible measures against the import of Chinese cars.

The reason was not only sales growth. The European Union applies additional anti-subsidy tariffs to Chinese electric vehicles, and the British automotive industry fears increased price competition from Chinese manufacturers. In the EU, additional rates depend on the manufacturer and in some cases bring the total burden up to 45%.

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