The willingness of British drivers to consider purchasing a Chinese car has dramatically increased, with nearly half of motorists now open to the idea. A recent study found that 49 percent of drivers would consider a Chinese brand for their next car, a substantial rise from 35 percent last year and just 24 percent in 2023.
This growing acceptance is attributed to factors such as value for money, increased brand awareness, and an expanding range of models available from Chinese manufacturers. Enquiries for Chinese car brands on the car buying and selling platform Carwow have more than doubled, rising from 14 percent in the first half of 2025 to 30 percent in the first six months of 2026. Conversely, interest in non-Chinese brands has declined from 86 percent to 70 percent during the same period.
Lower pricing and more extensive equipment offerings are key drivers behind this shift. Over 42 percent of drivers who would consider a Chinese car cite value for money as the primary reason, an increase from 36 percent six months prior. Brand recognition has also seen significant growth. For instance, Jaecoo is now known by 69 percent of drivers, up from 46 percent a year ago. The Jaecoo 7 SUV has become Britain's third most popular new car of 2026 so far, with 26,549 orders between January and July. Other brands like Chery and Omoda have also experienced substantial gains in recognition.
BYD, a well-established Chinese brand in the UK, is now recognized by 71 percent of drivers, compared to 28 percent in 2023. Awareness of Xpeng has also more than doubled in the past three years. Overall, Chinese brands now account for over 15 percent of all new cars sold in Britain. Chery Group vehicles alone represent approximately 6.4 percent of new cars registered in 2026. Chery has also announced plans to produce vehicles for the UK market at Nissan's Sunderland factory and is establishing a new research and development center in Bedfordshire.
Experts suggest this trend reflects a broader change in consumer priorities, with buyers increasingly valuing impressive technology and strong value over traditional brand loyalty. The proportion of drivers who have not heard of any Chinese car brands has fallen from 23 percent in 2025 to 16 percent in the latest survey.