UK China Brands: 2025-26 (H1)

Registrations of Chinese brands in the UK was 9.8% in 2025 and are currently at 15.3%. 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 below has been extracted from the complete list of brands. MG got in early in the UK and benefits from that, but they seem to be hitting a ceiling. Newer entrants are making large gains. Smart is a Chinese joint venture brand, so I view it as suitable for inclusion.

UK Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations were up 11% in June and 9% YTD. The current top six all lost market share on 2025. Mercedes managed to climb three places despite a 1% fall due to Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai all dropping more. This Nissan's lowest ranking since 1971 when they were named Datsun. Hopefully, the second half of the year will be more successful.   

Chinese brands are making their presence felt but for now only MG has managed to enter the top ten. How far they will go is a moot point. With EVs taking 30% of registrations in June and 25% YTD, one would think Chinese brands will relish the opportunity to capitalise on that. 

Data source: SMMT. Photos: Nissan Sunderland & Omoda. 

VW Group Car/LCV/CV Deliveries: 2025-26 (H1)

The VW Group's H1 is broken down into four parts. The first covers passenger car and light commercial deliveries by brand. 

Deliveries are down 7% YTD (Q1 was -4%). Just over half (52%) are for VW PC, which is down 11%. Audi is down 7% and Porsche -15%. Škoda is up 9% and VW light commercial division +7%.

The truck division is known as Traton. Man is up 8% (Q1 up15%), Scania +1% (Q1 -6%) but the rest are down. That puts the division 1% lower than 2025 (Q1 -6%). When added to the above, it brings VW Group to 4,125,700 units. 

The regions involve adding the two above for a complete VW Group. Western Europe leads the way with 42% of the total and a 3% increase. China continues its trajectory down, now just under a quarter of the total and -26% (Q1 -15%). Take China out of the equation and the result is quite good. 

Finally, we look at how electric vehicles are faring. Virtually all of them are sold in Europe (86%) and it was the only region that increased. Frankly, everywhere else is very poor. The USA and China experienced a collapse in volume but as the numbers involved aren't large, it mitigated the impact to just -6% collectively (Q1 -8%).