- Sales of Chinese cars (both Chinese-made and non-Chinese brands under Chinese control, such as Volvo) reached nearly 790,000 units in Europe (30 countries: EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway) in the first nine months of 2025, compared to 575,500 in the same period of 2024, representing a 37.3% increase year-over-year. These sales thus account for 8% of the European passenger car market at the end of September 2025, compared to 6% at the end of September 2024. By comparison, Japanese car sales represent 13% of the European passenger car market, and Korean car sales 8%. They also represent 11% of European sales of battery electric vehicles in the first nine months of 2025.
- Sales of Chinese cars are therefore booming, and this expansion is expected to continue, according to Inovev, due to the growing supply and greater acceptance of this type of car by European customers. This acceptance is undoubtedly due to the marketing efforts of Chinese carmakers, but above all to their immense achievements, particularly in design and technology. It's also worth noting that the prices of Chinese cars remain comparable to their European, Japanese, and Korean competitors, despite the additional taxes added to the base prices.
- The best-selling Chinese or Chinese-controlled brands in Europe remain Volvo, MG and BYD, but the gap between these three brands has narrowed considerably between 2024 and 2025.
- By model, two Volvos are among the top three best-selling Chinese cars in Europe, but the best-selling model remains the MG ZS, which has led this ranking for several years. A BYD ( Seal U) comes in fourth place.
