CHINESE car giant BYD is going from strength to strength in the UK – with the brand’s sales surging by 880% in September compared to a year earlier.
According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BYD sold 11,271 cars last month, with the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV accounting for the majority.
BYD has come a hit in UK with their car sales surging by 880% in September compared to a year earlier[/caption]
The Chinese giant sold 11,271 cars last month with the plug-in hybrid version of the Seal U SUV their biggest seller of the lot[/caption]
This comes as UK EV sales hit a record high, with battery electric vehicle sales reaching nearly 73,000 and plug-in hybrids growing even faster.
BYD’s huge rise is partly down to the UK’s lack of tariffs on Chinese EVs – in contrast with the European Union and the US where levies are imposed to protect local manufacturers.
Coupled with BYD’s budget-friendly prices and tech-heavy features, the rising brand has become a very attractive option for UK buyers.
The company, one of the world’s best-selling car manufacturers – eclipsing the likes of Tesla and BMW for sales globally – now plans to launch more hybrid and electric models in the coming months.
They’ve also recently opened their 100th retail outlet in Britain.
BYD’s rapid rise is also putting pressure on a number of traditionally popular brands such as Vauxhall – one of Britain’s oldest and most iconic carmakers.
In September, while Vauxhall managed to sell 12,120 cars, BYD is closing the gap and could soon overtake them, particularly as demand for its vehicles continues to grow.
Vauxhall, now owned by Stellantis, has historically been a leader in the UK market and while the evergreen Corsa remains popular, selling 5,841 units in September, BYD’s Seal U isn’t far behind, with 5,373 units sold.
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But despite the surge in EV sales, petrol and diesel motors still accounted for over half of new car sales in the UK last month.
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma and Nissan Qashqai remain top sellers, although they were joined in the top 10 by the BYD Seal U and the Jaecoo 7 – both from China.
One sticking point is that BYD remains excluded from the UK government’s recently unveiled EV scheme, which offers discounts of up to £3,750 on EVs from brands such as Nissan, Peugeot and Vauxhall.
BYD criticised this exclusion, arguing it could harm the UK car market in the long term, but the UK scheme purposely excludes Chinese-made vehicles due to emissions concerns during their manufacture.
BYD and Jaecoo aren’t the only Chinese carmakers looking to make their mark in the UK.
A host of new names have popped up in recent months, with many of them tapping into the growing popularity of SUVs – now the UK’s favourite type of vehicle accounting for over a third of all car registrations.
This trend presents a lucrative opportunity for these emerging, ambitious carmakers, which are challenging premium rivals with competitive pricing and cutting-edge tech.
The Jaecoo 7, for example, has quickly become a popular choice in the UK thanks to its striking resemblance to the Range Rover.
However, it comes with a significantly lower price tag, costing thousands less than a brand-new Range Rover, which typically exceeds £100,000.
BYD are joined by a host of other Chinese brands making waves in the UK[/caption]
BYD’s rise could become a concern for traditional brands such as Vauxhall[/caption]
