MG and BYD Gain Ground in Britain’s 2026 Car Sales Race

As the UK market grows, Chinese brands are improving their positions while several established rivals lose market share.

Source: Auto Express2026-10-181 min read

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Chinese brands MG and BYD are making notable gains in the UK new-car market, according to a column published on 18 October 2026. The market grew 10% from January to September compared with the same period in 2025, but growth has not been shared evenly among manufacturers.

Volkswagen remains the UK’s best-selling brand so far this year, ahead of Kia, BMW, Audi and Ford. However, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen recorded lower sales year on year, and all five leading brands lost market share. MG, now sixth in the sales ranking, has moved ahead of Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, Vauxhall and Toyota. It is the only brand in the top 10 to have increased its share of the market year on year.

BYD has reached 11th place, ahead of Hyundai, Nissan, Peugeot and Jaecoo. The columnist expects MG could climb into the top five by overtaking Ford, while BYD may enter the top 10 if it passes Toyota and possibly Vauxhall. The article also forecasts gains for Jaecoo and Tesla. Chery, which has been selling in the UK for only a few months, could enter the top 20 by year-end; the columnist suggests UK production could help it aim higher in later years.

This is an original summary compiled and translated from the source below, not a direct translation of it.

Source: Auto Express →How we compile the news →

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