Chinese automaker BYD has announced that the United Kingdom has become its largest market outside China, following a dramatic 880% surge in sales this September compared to the same period last year. The milestone underscores both the growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles in Britain and BYD’s rapid ascent as a global automotive force.
According to the company, BYD sold 11,271 vehicles in the UK last month, with the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV leading the charge. The surge coincides with data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which reported that electric vehicle (EV) sales reached record highs in September.
Unlike the European Union and the United States, the UK currently imposes no tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, making it an especially appealing market for brands like BYD that offer more affordable models than many Western competitors. As a result, BYD’s market share in the UK jumped to 3.6% last month.
BYD’s UK manager Bono Ge described the company’s momentum as “hugely exciting,” noting that the automaker has just opened its 100th retail outlet in Britain and plans to launch new hybrid and electric models in the coming months.
According to the SMMT, UK EV sales hit an all-time high, with nearly 73,000 pure battery-electric vehicles sold in September. Plug-in hybrid sales also saw faster growth, suggesting that consumers remain drawn to flexible, lower-emission options. Among the month’s top sellers were the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai, with Chinese entries such as the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U breaking into the top 10.
Still, petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate the UK market, accounting for over half of all new car sales, the SMMT reported.
Globally, the policy environment remains mixed for Chinese automakers. In October 2024, the EU imposed tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EV imports, claiming that state subsidies were giving them an unfair advantage over European producers. Meanwhile, the US market remains largely closed to Chinese brands due to steep tariffs supported by both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden.
Despite those barriers, BYD continues to outpace its rivals. It now leads US competitor Tesla in total global sales, and has also surpassed European makers such as Jaguar and BMW in several markets.
In the UK, the government is also pushing hard for broader EV adoption, having announced a £650 million ($875 million) package in July 2025 to provide discounts of up to £3,750 on certain EV purchases. However, Chinese-made cars are excluded from this subsidy program due to concerns about manufacturing emissions.