Chinese Electric Car Makers Are Taking Over Europe's Market

Chinese EV makers BYD and Chery are moving fast into Europe. In May 2026, they sold thousands of cars in the UK alone. Chinese brands now hold 15% of Europe's electric car market—a record—with sales more than doubling year-over-year. This mirrors Japan's 1980s surge into Europe, but now EU emissions rules and EV mandates give Chinese manufacturers with strong electric portfolios a built-in advantage.