Uruguay Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Oct)

Registrations were up 20% YTD with 47,184 cars and SUVs delivered. Sales are now about the same as 2026, with two months in hand. The economy is sound and that is reflected in the growth in sales.  Chinese brands are taking over and that's not unexpected. Value pricing is tempting everywhere. 

BYD has taken the top spot for the second year. It replaced Chevrolet in 2025 when it doubled its sales while Chevrolet slipped by 17%. Things are settling down now. Allowing for the 20%, BYD had a 13% increase in market share on top of that, so still going well.

Geely is closing in on GM. Volkswagen and Hyundai are both well down as is Renault. Dongfeng and GAC are threatening Suzuki. That's a trend that is happening right down the list and in many other nations.

Photos: Chevrolet Uruguay (Onix & Tracker).

Israel PC Sales : 2026 (Jan-Oct)

Registrations are up 6.6% YTD, with Jaecoo/Omoda establishing itself at the top. I would prefer to list the two separately but that is how it is supplied. With Chery moving into second spot, Toyota is uncharacteristically elbowed out of the way. Hyundai and Kia have likewise suffered that indignity. 

BYD, MG and Geely are moving up with haste. I'm surprised to see Deepal so high. EV and hybrid cars make up 70% of total sales and Chinese brands have benefited greatly from that uptake. 

Mazda was the top brand here as recently as 2010, but is now 20th. Hyundai and recently Toyota held  the top spot. Will they ever get it back? It doesn't look like it. 

Data source: Israel Vehicle Importers Association.
Photos: Jaecoo Israel (J7) & Geely Israel (Starray).

UK China PC Brands: 2026 (Jan-Oct)

Registrations of Chinese brands in the UK was 9.8% in 2025 and are currently at 17.0%. That's steady progress and will only become more so. 

European brands that have dominated the market will be watching with intense interest as the UK hasn't been resisting this influx like the EU has been.

The data to the left is from the SMMT. MS means market share. MG got in early in the UK and benefits from that, but they seem to be hitting a ceiling at just under 5%. Newer entrants are making large gains. Smart is a Chinese joint venture brand, so I view it as suitable for inclusion.

The European Union is exerting pressure on the UK to have the same  tariffs and import quotas on Chinese manufactured electric and hybrid vehicles or lose access to EU Made in Europe benefits. 

Meanwhile, China has warned that if the UK yields to EU demands, China will retaliate against the UK. What a ridiculous situation!

Both the EU and China export far more cars to the UK than the UK exports to either. How much clout does that give them? Threatening isn’t the solution, talking and trying to find a solution is.