Prime Highlights:

• BYD’s UK sales soared 880% in September, making the country its largest market outside China.
• The plug-in hybrid Seal U SUV accounted for most of BYD’s UK sales, and the company plans to launch more hybrid and electric models soon.

Key Facts:

• BYD captured 3.6% of the UK market in September, benefiting from no tariffs on Chinese EVs.
• Despite growing EV sales, petrol and diesel cars still made up more than half of new car sales in the UK.

Key Background:

BYD’s UK sales jumped 880% in September compared to last year. The UK is now BYD’s biggest market outside China, marking an important step as the company grows internationally.

Last month, BYD sold 11,271 cars in the UK, with most of the sales coming from the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV. This follows the overall trend in the UK, where battery electric vehicle sales reached nearly 73,000 in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Plug-in hybrid sales also increased significantly.

BYD’s sales in the UK are helped by no tariffs on Chinese EVs, unlike in the EU and the US. With cheaper prices than Western brands, BYD captured 3.6% of the UK market in September.BYD’s sales in the UK are helped by no tariffs on Chinese EVs, unlike in the EU and the US. With cheaper prices than Western brands, BYD captured 3.6% of the UK market in September.

Looking ahead, the company plans to launch more hybrid and electric models, says BYD’s UK manager, Bono Ge. The brand has also recently opened its 100th retail outlet in the country, reflecting its commitment to expanding the UK footprint. “The future for BYD in Britain looks hugely exciting,” said Ge.

Even with the rise in EV sales, petrol and diesel cars still made up more than half of new car sales in September, showing that traditional cars are still popular. Cars like the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai remain favorites, while Chinese models like the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U have entered the top 10 best-sellers.

Even though BYD faces high tariffs in the EU and the US, it is still doing better than competitors like Tesla, Jaguar, and BMW. The government subsidy on EVs in the UK amounted to 650m to encourage the sales of EVs in the country, and excludes Chinese vehicles, which BYD says will harm the industry.

As its sales increase, market share, and additional models are introduced, BYD is emerging as a significant force in the UK EV market and still competes with the carmakers worldwide.