MAIDSTONE, England — Izzy Woodrow is a believer.
4 weeks in the past, he joined the small however rising variety of Brits who’ve purchased a Chinese language-made car.
“I’ve obtained a automotive that I take pleasure in driving [and is] tremendous cozy. It’s extremely quiet and the match and end is nice and the expertise expertise is satisfying ” Woodrow stated throughout an interview at Lipscomb Vehicles in Maidstone, England. The Geely dealership southeast of London opened throughout the previous 12 months.
It is a part of a pattern, as gross sales of Chinese language-made autos have been surging in the UK.
In 2015, Brits purchased simply 384 Chinese language autos imported into the nation, in keeping with Mobility World, an automotive consulting agency. By 2020, that quantity climbed to 25,302, and final 12 months it topped 285,000.
Regardless of promoting simply two Geely fashions, Lipscomb has been attracting consumers like Chris and Tracy Smith.
“It is worth for cash, and what you are getting in gear versus among the prime manufacturers which are promoting for in all probability extra money, however with much less equipment on it,” stated Chris Smith.
Analyst Will Roberts of Benchmark, an automotive consulting agency, stated Chinese language-made autos from firms like BYD are not a novelty within the U.Ok.
“I keep in mind noticing the primary BYD crossing London Bridge a few years in the past, and that was an enormous second in a manner. Ever since then, it is simply change into second nature,” Roberts stated.
A BYD Co. Sealion 7 EV charging at a roadside cost level in central London, UK, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
China’s auto exports have boomed lately because the nation’s urge for food for brand spanking new fashions has cooled. Within the first half of 2026, retail auto gross sales fell 26% whereas auto exports had been up 72% in contrast with final 12 months, in keeping with the China Affiliation of Vehicle Producers.
Whereas all of Europe has seen an inflow of Chinese language-built automobiles and SUVs, the U.Ok. stands out as a result of it doesn’t cost a further tariff on plug-in hybrid electrical autos, which is the case within the European Union.
That has supplied a gap for Chinese language automakers.
“It turns into a superb measurement market that is progressing nicely in direction of electrification and is in demand for some cheaper autos with that void to fill,” Roberts stated.
Many Chinese language fashions are priced a number of thousand kilos beneath comparable fashions from legacy automakers. For instance, a brand new Volkswagen Tiguan plug-in hybrid in-built Germany sells in the UK for simply over £43,000 ($58,000). By comparability, the BYD Seal U in-built China prices nearly £10,000 much less.
Executives for legacy automakers, together with the US’ so-called Huge 3, have lengthy complained that subsidies the Chinese language authorities offers automakers permits these firms to promote automobiles for much lower than different automakers in Asia, the U.S. and Europe. Regardless of these complaints, China auto exports continue to grow.
“The Chinese language are coming into Europe with actually engaging automobiles at actually engaging costs with expertise that type of blows away what they will purchase from a European producer, ” former Basic Motors board member Jon McNeill instructed CNBC.
At Lipscomb Vehicles, seller John Panda-Noah stated he believes the aggressive pricing may get consumers within the door, however the match, end and expertise in a brand new Geely are what wins them over.
“Once they see the automotive, they’re blown away by how good they appear,” he stated.
