Europe’s new auto reality? Made in China

For more automotive coverage and exclusive interviews, subscribe to our bi-weekly Cars & Culture newsletter. By signing up you will receive the latest in EV's, F1, design, automotive culture and collaborations — delivered straight to your inbox. What happened Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding their Europe market share, reaching 5.4% as of August 2025, their fourth consecutive month above 5%. According to data from automotive industry intelligence company Jato, registrations in August exceeded 43,500 units — a 121% increase compared to the same month last year. This total surpassed the individual registrations of several leading European marques, including Audi (41,300 units) and Renault (37,800 units). While around 40 Chinese brands are active in the European market, the top five (MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, and Leapmotor) made up roughly 84% of registrations last month. Sales hit 430,650 units in the first eight months of 2025, up 74% year-on-year, driven by a pivot from pure EVs to hybrids amid EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Brands such as MG outpaced Tesla and Fiat, while BYD moved ahead of Suzuki and Jeep, and newcomers Jaecoo and Omoda outsold legacy marques including Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi. According to Felipe Munoz of Jato Dynamics, this momentum signals that “European consumers are responding positively to the growing, competitive lineup from China’s car brands,” as Chinese manufacturers continue to overcome earlier perception challenges. The success of names like MG (SAIC), BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, and Leapmotor, which together accounted for 84% of total Chinese-brand registrations, underscores how quickly China’s automotive ambitions are translating into tangible market share in Europe. Analysts expect the trend to accelerate: Chinese brands could make 6% of all cars built in Europe by 2028 as per a published report by American investment bank Jefferies, with BYD and Chery factories already under construction in Hungary and Spain. The Jing Take China’s auto challengers are reshaping Europe’s car landscape, leveraging scale and hybrid innovation to pressure legacy players. While European marques, from Mercedes-Benz to BMW, have long been champions of cultural storytelling, heritage, and sleek, aesthetic design, there is a shift being driven by China toward tech-driven convenience. Chinese automakers such as BYD, MG, and Chery, by contrast, are exporting competitive solutions to Europe: range efficiency, lower cost, integrated software, and pragmatic hybrid offerings suited to European middle markets strained by inflation and green policy mandates. With consumers drawn to affordable, tech-rich models, Chinese automakers are piling pressure on European marques. This will perhaps trigger a shift toward a higher focus on tech, or emphasis on what these brands perform best in: nostalgia-driven marketing, and cultural impact.

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Europe’s new auto reality? Made in China