Chinese automakers have expanded their presence in the European market, doubling their market share to 5.9% in May 2025, according to JATO Dynamics.
This growth is an increase from the 2.9% recorded in May 2024, highlighting the rising influence of Chinese brands in Europe.
Europe’s new car market saw a 2.5% year-on-year increase in registrations last month, with a total of 1,107,517 new vehicles registered across 28 European markets.
This brings the year-to-date figure to 5,535,831 units, representing a 0.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
JATO Dynamics’ global analyst Felipe Munoz said: “Despite the EU’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, its car brands continue to post strong growth across Europe. Their momentum is partly due to their decision to push alternative powertrains, such as plug-in hybrids and full hybrids, to the region.”
Volkswagen Group, Renault Group, and BMW Group all experienced growth in May, with volume increases of 3.3%, 4.6%, and 6.3%, respectively.
MG registered 29,400 vehicles in May, marking a 30% year-on-year increase and surpassing Fiat in year-to-date registrations with 133,400 units compared to Fiat’s 125,300.
BYD saw a 397% surge in registrations year-on-year, although it dropped 40 units short of Tesla in May after outselling the US brand in April.
Other notable performers in May included Skoda, which ranked second in brand rankings, and Dacia, which experienced a rise in volumes.
Cupra overtook Seat in year-to-date brand rankings, recording a 30% increase in registrations.
In addition, Jaecoo outperformed Honda with 7,449 registrations while Omoda recorded 4,213 units, surpassing Mitsubishi.
Leapmotor registered 1,723 units but did not outperform its sister brands from Stellantis such as DS. Furthermore, INEOS was ahead of Jaguar, which registered only 86 units, and while Maserati saw a 40% decline, Lotus and Abarth experienced dips of 48% and 78%, respectively.
In model rankings, the Renault Clio led in May with a nearly 12% increase in volume.
Although Dacia experienced a 10% sales drop, it clinched second place in model rankings and maintained its lead in year-to-date standings.
The Volkswagen Tiguan and Dacia Duster also showed strong results, whereas the Volkswagen Golf and T-Roc saw declines of 18% and 10%, respectively.
In May, standout performers included the MG ZS, BMW X1, Seat/Cupra Leon, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Avenger, MG 3, and Mini Cooper.
Among recent market entries, the Skoda Elroq topped the charts with 9,200 units registered in May and 24,100 year-to-date.
Earlier this month, Startline’s June Used Car Tracker revealed that more than seven out of ten UK motorists are open to purchasing vehicles from emerging Chinese car manufacturers.
In the survey, 72% of respondents expressed willingness to consider Chinese cars, with BYD emerging as the most recognised brand among potential buyers at 28% awareness, followed by Maxus at 19% and Chery at 14%.
