By South China Morning Post | Created at 2026-06-24 07:07:03 | Updated at 2026-06-24 07:51:29
51 minutes ago
Chinese carmakers continued their rapid expansion in Europe last month according to industry data released on Tuesday, as Brussels reportedly weighs fresh tariffs aimed at slowing their advance.
Geely Group was the highest-placed Chinese carmaker, ranking eighth among all manufacturer groups in May, according to the latest sales data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), covering the European Union, the United Kingdom and the four European Free Trade Association members: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Including sales from European brands that it owns such as Volvo, Geely trailed European carmakers Volkswagen, Stellantis, Renault, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Japan’s Toyota and South Korea’s Hyundai.
BYD sold more than 32,000 cars in May, up 136.6 per cent year on year, overtaking SAIC Motor to become Europe’s bestselling Chinese car brand, with a 2.8 per cent market share compared to SAIC’s 2.6 per cent. Chery and Leapmotor more than trebled their registrations from a small base.
“SAIC, BYD, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor sales continue to grow sharply in Europe, albeit from a low base,” Citi analysts led by Harald Hendrikse said in a note issued on Tuesday.
Combined sales for the five largest Chinese-owned groups – SAIC, BYD, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor – rose 65 per cent year on year last month and were up 61 per cent in the first five months of the year, taking 10.6 per cent of the wider European market, the Citi analysts said.
In comparison, many major European brands, with the exception of BMW and Mercedes, saw sales numbers decline last month.
