Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has reported a sharp rise in sales in the United Kingdom, marking the country as its biggest market outside China. The company said sales of its models jumped by 880% in September compared to the same month last year.
The growing popularity of the Chinese EV brand in the UK was largely driven by its plug-in hybrid Seal U SUV, which became the company’s best-selling model. BYD sold 11,271 vehicles last month, capturing a 3.6% share of the UK auto market.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), electric vehicle sales across the UK reached record highs in September. Nearly 73,000 pure battery-powered cars were sold, alongside strong demand for plug-in hybrids.
The UK’s open trade policy toward Chinese EV manufacturers has helped boost BYD’s performance. Unlike the European Union and the United States, the UK has not imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. This, combined with BYD’s lower prices compared to Western rivals, has made its cars more appealing to consumers.
Bono Ge, BYD’s UK manager, said the company is optimistic about its growth in the region. He noted that the automaker now operates 100 retail outlets across the UK and plans to introduce more hybrid and electric models soon.
Popular models in September included the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai. However, Chinese EV brands like BYD and Jaecoo also made it to the top ten best-sellers list.
While electric vehicle sales are rising rapidly, petrol and diesel cars still make up over half of all new registrations, SMMT data showed.
In contrast, the EU recently introduced tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese-made EVs to protect European automakers. Similarly, BYD and other Chinese brands remain largely blocked from the US market due to strict import duties.
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