Chinese car manufacturers are rapidly expanding their presence in the UK, offering vehicles that closely resemble popular European models but at a fraction of the cost. Brands like BYD, Chery (under its Jaecoo and Lepas sub-brands), and MG are capturing consumer attention with offerings that rival established names like Range Rover, Volkswagen, and Mercedes in terms of features, safety, and efficiency.
The Jaecoo 7, a sub-brand of Chery, has gained significant popularity with its "Temu Range Rover" design, a lookalike for the Range Rover Velar. This model was Britain's best-selling new car in March, with 10,064 units sold. The Jaecoo 7 is available as a petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid, with the long-range plug-in hybrid SHS-P variant being the most popular, boasting a combined 745-mile range. Jaecoo has also upgraded its warranty for the 7 SUV to a seven-year, 100,000-mile policy.
BYD, now the world's largest electric car maker, offers the Dolphin Surf, a compact EV that competes with models like the Vauxhall Corsa Electric. While the Corsa offers a greater range, the Dolphin Surf starts at a considerably lower price point. The Dolphin Surf features a 308-litre boot and a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen.
The MG4, which has become the UK's fourth best-selling EV since its 2022 debut, has seen a facelift and the introduction of the MG4 Urban. The Urban model offers practicality with a 479-litre boot, exceeding rivals like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Nissan Leaf. It features a 7-inch driver display and a 12.8-inch central screen, with ranges between 201 and 258 miles.
Chery's Lepas brand has launched the L8 plug-in hybrid SUV, priced nearly £10,000 less than the Volkswagen Tiguan and tens of thousands less than luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 or BMW X5. The L8 offers a spacious interior and a substantial combined range.
Omoda, another Chery marque, offers the 9 SHS (Super Hybrid System), a luxury mile-muncher with a combined EV and petrol range of 700 miles and a 93-mile electric-only range. It competes with the Mercedes GLC, offering similar comfort features like massage seats and a large infotainment screen at a lower price point.
Jaecoo's flagship model, the Jaecoo 8, is a seven-seater SUV that undercuts the Audi Q7 and BMW X7 significantly. It features a hybrid system with an 83-mile EV-only range and a 700-mile combined range, offering plug-in hybrid capability for a seven-seater, a feature not yet available on its German counterparts at a comparable price.
MG's 'technology showcase' arm, IM, has introduced the IM6 Long Range, positioned as a rival to the Tesla Model Y. The IM6 offers a slightly longer range (388 miles vs. 378 miles) and significantly faster charging capabilities, reaching 80% charge in 17 minutes with its 396kW charging speed compared to Tesla's 250kW. The IM6 also boasts a large boot and front trunk.
Denza, BYD's premium brand, is launching the Z9GT, a performance electric shooting brake that rivals the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo. The Z9GT boasts 1,140bhp, a 0-62mph time of 2.7 seconds, and an unprecedented five-minute charging time. While not a 'dupe' due to its approximately £100,000 price tag, it offers advanced technology and luxury features, surpassing the Porsche in several performance metrics, though lacking the brand prestige.