UK car sales hit post-Covid high as Chinese EV makers gain ground

UK car sales reached their strongest May performance since before the Covid pandemic, with 160,662 new registrations—a 7% increase—according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands dominated the growth, with BYD selling 5,200 cars and Chery (including Jaecoo and Omoda) selling 8,200. Over the first five months of 2026, BYD’s sales doubled, while Chery’s increased fourfold, reflecting a broader surge in demand for EVs. Sales of MG, owned by China’s state-backed SAIC, rose 13% to nearly 7,500 units, while Leapmotor and Geely saw sharp increases after minimal sales the prior year. The UK’s lack of punitive tariffs on Chinese imports has allowed these manufacturers to expand rapidly, while rising fuel prices—linked to the US-Israeli conflict in Iran—and government EV grants have boosted consumer interest. Tesla, an American brand, also recorded a 45% sales increase in May, though its year-to-date growth remained at just 3%. The SMMT attributed the overall rise to private buyers, not corporate fleets, with consumers increasingly opting for lower-emission vehicles due to high fuel costs. Electric vehicles accounted for over 27% of May’s market, nearing the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets, though analysts at New AutoMotive estimate the effective target sits around 24.6% due to flexibilities in the rules. Plug-in hybrid sales allow automakers to offset shortfalls, but the SMMT is pushing for weaker ZEV mandates, arguing current targets lack a credible path to net zero. Mike Hawes, SMMT’s CEO, called the figures a sign of ‘robust’ demand, while Sue Robinson of the National Franchised Dealers Association noted consumers are prioritizing cleaner alternatives. Ben Nelmes of New AutoMotive highlighted strong private buyer momentum, though industry lobbying suggests automakers may resist tightening emissions rules.