# Chinese car sales in UK skyrocket 750-fold in a decade Tariff advantage opens UK doors to Chinese automakers - **Source:** [The Next Web](https://brifing.si/source/afe24b20-b275-4c19-b9a6-8bb3c8babae7) - **Published:** 2026-07-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e63a167f-4007-4d74-9c86-5f5bfeb090aa ## Explosive growth UK sales of Chinese-made cars surged from 384 units in 2015 to 285,000 in 2026. Chinese brands now account for 13% of new car registrations. BYD nearly doubled its sales in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. ## Tariff gap proves decisive While the EU and US impose 35-100% additional duties on Chinese EVs, the UK's zero-tariff policy on hybrids makes the market attractive. Benchmark analyst Will Roberts notes this created an ideal entry point for Chinese manufacturers. ## Price advantage attracts consumers Chinese-made BYD Seal U sells for £10,000 less than German-built Volkswagen Tiguan. Customers at a Geely dealership in Maidstone cite better features and lower prices as key decision factors. ## Export boom amid domestic cooling China Automobile Manufacturers Association data shows domestic sales dropped 26% while exports rose 72% in H1 2026. Former GM executive Jon McNeill highlights Chinese brands' competitive edge in technology and pricing. ## Strategic production moves Manufacturers like Geely are utilizing Volvo's existing plants instead of building new factories, avoiding tariffs and leveraging excess capacity. This flexible production model helps maintain cost advantages. ## Sustainability questions loom Experts predict the UK's open-door policy may face pressure to align with EU tariffs if Chinese market share continues growing. Yet the 285,000 sales figure stands as tangible proof of Chinese automakers' global rise. ## Sources covering this story - https://thenextweb.com/news/chinese-cars-uk-sales-surge-byd-geely-no-tariff — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._