Chinese automaker BYD says the United Kingdom has become its largest market outside China, after sales soared by 880% in September compared to a year earlier.
The company reported selling 11,271 vehicles in the UK last month, with the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV leading the charge. The surge underscores Britain’s growing appetite for electric and hybrid vehicles — and BYD’s rising influence in Europe’s fast-changing car market.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that sales of electric vehicles reached a record high in September. Nearly 73,000 pure battery EVs were sold, while plug-in hybrids grew at an even faster rate.
Unlike the European Union and the United States, the UK has not imposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. That policy has made Britain an especially attractive destination for firms like BYD, which offers models priced below many Western competitors.
BYD’s share of the UK car market rose to 3.6% in September. Bono Ge, the company’s UK manager, described the brand’s prospects as “hugely exciting,” noting that BYD has now opened its 100th retail outlet across the country.
“The UK has become a crucial market for us,” Ge said. “We see strong demand and enthusiasm for hybrid and electric technology here.”
The boom comes amid growing tensions elsewhere. In October 2024, the European Union announced tariffs of up to 45% on imports of Chinese EVs, arguing that Beijing’s subsidies give its carmakers an unfair advantage. Meanwhile, the United States continues to restrict Chinese automakers through high tariffs, supported by both former President Donald Trump and his successor Joe Biden.
Despite record EV growth, traditional vehicles still dominate the UK market. Petrol and diesel cars accounted for more than half of all new car sales last month, according to the SMMT.
Still, Chinese brands are making inroads. The BYD Seal U and Jaecoo 7 both ranked among the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars in September — alongside familiar names like the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai. As Ge put it, “We’re only at the beginning of the journey.”
