UK Welcomes BYD: How a Chinese EV Powerhouse Just Drove Sales Up 880%!

Chinese EV giant BYD has made significant strides in the UK market, where its sales skyrocketed by 880% in September compared to the same month last year. The company sold 11,271 cars in the UK, making it its largest market outside of China. The surge was largely driven by the popularity of the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV, which constituted the majority of its sales.

The rise in sales aligns with record-high figures reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), highlighting a booming demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK. Notably, the absence of tariffs on Chinese EVs—contrary to the situation in the European Union and the US—makes the UK market particularly inviting for companies like BYD. Their market share in the UK jumped to 3.6%, a reflection of their competitive pricing compared to many Western car manufacturers.

BYD’s UK manager, Bono Ge, remarked on the exciting future for the brand, notable for just opening its 100th retail outlet in the country. The EV market in the UK recorded nearly 73,000 sales of pure battery electric vehicles in September, while sales of plug-in hybrids grew even quicker. Popular models during this surge included the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai, alongside Chinese entries like the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U that broke into the top 10 selling cars.

Despite the impressive growth in EV sales, petrol and diesel vehicles still comprised more than 50% of new car sales in September. This growth trajectory for BYD is in stark contrast to challenges posed by the EU and US, which have implemented tariffs and levies to protect local automakers from what they view as unfair competition from Chinese state-subsidized vehicles.

In July of this year, the UK government introduced a £650 million incentive scheme to encourage EV purchases, offering buyers subsidies of up to £3,750. However, this scheme notably excludes Chinese-made vehicles due to concerns over emissions from their production, a decision BYD criticized as damaging to the UK car market’s long-term prospects.