Chinese vehicle manufacturers charge into Europe

Step into any workshop in Europe today, and you'll notice something different. Technicians are still talking about the usual suspects, but more and more, a new set of names is becoming part of the daily conversation: MG, BYD, OMODA, JAECOO, CHERY, and more. The Chinese vehicle manufacturers are winning market share.

By the end of June 2025, SAIC Motor, parent company of MG and Maxus, had registered 153,154 vehicles across Europe. That’s an 18.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when registrations stood at 129,122. That puts them ahead of several legacy European brands and miles ahead of where they were just two years ago..

Despite MG’s noticeable growth, BYD, China's top EV maker, is growing at an even faster pace. European registrations were up 397% in May, and S&P Global expects them to sell 186,000 units in Europe this year.

These figures represent an even deeper market change. In January 2025, 37,134 Chinese-brand vehicles were registered in Europe. That's 52% more than in January 2024. Their market share grew from 2.4% to 3.7%. Fast-forward to May, and that share had jumped to 5.9%. That's more than double.

Now, imagine what happens next.

The evolution of Chinese vehicle brands in Europe

As little as five years ago, Chinese vehicle makers were mostly unknown in Europe. Today, they're outselling major brands in some months. They are well known for offering affordable options, in fact, one study discovered that one in three buyers would switch over to a Chinese brand if it meant an 11-20% drop in price. 

But that's not the only reason why their sales are booming - Chinese brands also bring Eastern trends to Europe on the wave of modern comforts. They're stylish and packed with technological innovations that modern drivers love.

To win even more buyers over, many Chinese brands are investing in new local manufacturing facilities in Europe. For example, Chery is launching production in Barcelona. BYD has factories set to open in Hungary and Turkey.

It's clear that the Chinese are planning to stick around in Europe long-term.

The pressure on workshops and distributors

This is where the aftermarket challenge comes in. Because for all their momentum, Chinese brands bring complexity. A car that's unfamiliar is harder to service. That raises questions:

• Do we have the right tools?
• Can we get the parts we need?
• Who's going to train us?
• Will we be able to learn fast enough?

These are the exact concerns coming from workshops and distributors across Europe right now. And rightly so. It's not just about EVs anymore. Hybrid models from Chinese brands, including HEVs and PHEVs, are also becoming more popular. In January, 7,500 Chinese HEVs were registered, making up 6.1% of the HEV market.

Anticipating a trend

Not all suppliers are working hard to play catch-up. A few spotted this trend early and readied themselves.

That means parts are stocked for the top Chinese models, and diagnostics speak the language of their ECUs. Better yet, training reflects real-world service conditions.

This kind of preparedness doesn't happen overnight. It takes anticipation, investment, a willingness to innovate, and a read on the market.

What's next?

By 2028, Chinese brands are projected to own 7% of the European car market. That's nearly double today's share. The infrastructure to support them has to scale just as fast. Distributors and workshops can't afford to wait and see. Customers won't wait, and neither will the market.

With Delphi, you can meet changing customer expectations today. Our early coverage of Chinese brands represents our broader commitment to the aftermarket. Explore the full Chinese VMs range today and check back again soon for the next  article in this series.