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Registrations for Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers from January to August stood at 519,424, giving them a 28.1% market share, up from 12.9% in 2025. Hybrid vehicles drove most of the increase, with 62,655 additional registrations compared with 32,565 for battery-electric vehicles. Its sales reached 10,814, ahead of models including the Tesla Model 3, Ford Puma and Kia Sportage.
UK Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds is considering matching the EU’s tariffs on Chinese EVs, according to a report by The Sunday Times. An EU official told the Financial Times in September that Britain would need to increase tariffs on Chinese EVs and align more closely with EU trade policy to avoid “Made in Europe” barriers. “Tariffs aimed only at Chinese-built battery EVs could slow one part of the expansion, but would not address hybrid growth, vehicles made outside China or the underlying advantages in cost, product cadence and supply chains,” Hilton added. The Jaecoo 7, a Chinese SUV nicknamed the “Temu Range Rover” , was Britain’s best-selling car in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The move could help British companies avoid the impact of rules that favour goods manufactured within Europe when competing for access to the EU market. Chinese carmakers have been increasing their footprint in Britain with battery electric and hybrid vehicles.