Chinese Auto Brands Surge in UK Market, Jaecoo 7 Tops Sales Charts

The Jaecoo 7, often called the 'Temu Range Rover' for its resemblance to the Range Rover Velar at a lower price point, has achieved the top spot in UK new car sales for September, marking its second time leading the charts this year. The SUV registered 10,813 deliveries, outpacing all other new models. This success in both March and September, traditionally peak months for new car registrations due to updated number plates and manufacturer incentives, indicates a growing consumer preference for Chinese brands over established European manufacturers.

The Jaecoo 7 surpassed the Tesla Model 3, which recorded 9,929 registrations, largely due to a recent influx of vehicles from the factory. The Ford Puma, previously Britain's best-selling car for three years, came in third with 6,958 deliveries. The Jaecoo 7 has significantly closed the gap in year-to-date sales, reaching 39,473 units.

Beyond the Jaecoo 7, the overall presence of Chinese automotive brands in Britain is intensifying. Preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) suggest Chinese manufacturers accounted for 23% of all new car deliveries in September. BYD emerged as the UK's second best-selling brand with 20,140 registrations, overtaking Kia. Volkswagen remained the leading manufacturer overall.

This rise in Chinese sales has coincided with a decline for some established car makers. Hyundai saw its registrations fall by 32% year-on-year, while Renault sales dropped by nearly 30%. Ford also experienced a 27% decrease in registrations compared to the previous year.

Despite its sales success, the Jaecoo 7 faces scrutiny regarding its reliability. According to a What Car? survey of 40,000 UK drivers, the Jaecoo 7 was ranked the sixth least dependable model, with reported faults including electrical issues, infotainment problems, and bodywork defects. Around 30% of owners reported faults, with many experiencing lengthy repair times. In response to customer concerns and warranty coverage issues, Jaecoo has since improved its warranty terms, extending coverage for key components.

Chery Group, Jaecoo's parent company, is investing in its UK operations, including an R&D facility in Bedfordshire and a memorandum of understanding with Nissan to potentially utilize its Sunderland factory for vehicle production. Victor Zhang, managing director of Jaecoo UK, stated that the company aims to transition from rapid growth to sustained strength by enhancing its product range, technology, and aftersales support.

Total new car registrations in September reached 350,518 units, a 12.7% increase from September 2025 and the highest figure in a decade. The market saw a surge in plug-in hybrid sales, up 55.7%, with the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U among popular choices. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations also rose significantly, reaching a record 99,199 units, representing 28.3% of the market share. Despite this growth, BEV sales remain below the government's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate target for 2026. Petrol cars still constitute the largest segment, though their registrations declined by 6.7%. Notably, diesel sales increased by 11.5%, even as average UK diesel prices exceeded £2 per litre for the first time.