Chinese cars are rapidly strengthening their position in Europe: their share of new sales has exceeded 10% for the first time, Bloomberg reports.
European buyers are increasingly choosing Chinese models, which offer higher performance at a lower price. Demand for hybrids and electric vehicles is growing especially quickly.
Chinese automakers receive support at home—from grants and cheap land plots to preferential financing. This allows them to reduce costs and compete more actively in foreign markets.
Growth in hybrid sales has lifted Chinese automakers to a record share of the EU market
Hybrids BEV (electric) All types 25% 20 15 10 5 0 2023 2024 2025 2026
By sales in the EU, EFTA countries and the United Kingdom; Chinese brands include Polestar, DR, Evo, Chery-Ebro and Stellantis-Leapmotor joint ventures; Smart is excluded; hybrids include plug-in and non-plug-in models · Data: Dataforce
In addition, Chinese companies can also make use of support measures already in Europe. Germany, for example, has launched a new €3 billion program to stimulate sales of zero-emission vehicles, as well as subsidies for hybrids for low-income families.
As a result, after the introduction of subsidies, Chinese brands—including MG and BYD—showed the most visible sales growth in Germany. Their sales rose by 50–75%.
The European Union is trying to protect its own automakers, including Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault. However, the additional tariffs imposed by Brussels, which took effect in 2024, apply only to fully electric cars made in China. Trade barriers for hybrids remain lower.
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