- Leapmotor’s European push accelerated with local B10 production in Zaragoza and a retail network of 1,020 outlets across 36 countries, signaling a shift from pure exports to in-region manufacturing.
- September registrations: Europe 1.363 million units (+10.2% YoY), BEV share 30.5%, Leapmotor 14,594 units (+323.9%) and BYD 49,953 units (+98.7%), cumulative nine‑month figures reflect strong Chinese volumes.
- Chinese brands target mainstream European buyers against legacy groups like VW and BMW, but risks include scaling European production, dealer rollout execution, regulatory compliance and margin pressure from intense price competition.
On October 22, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) released new vehicle registration data for the EU and wider European market in September 2026.
New-car registrations across Europe, including the EU, the UK and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, reached 1.363 million units in September, up 10.2% year on year.
For the first nine months of 2026, registrations in the region totaled 10.555 million units, an increase of 6.3% year on year.
Within the EU alone, new-car registrations reached 971,000 units in September, up 9.3% year on year, providing further evidence of a recovery in the market.
Electrification continued to advance. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 30.5% of European new-car registrations in September, up 9.5 percentage points year on year.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) held a 12% share over the same period.
Conventional hybrids (HEVs) remained the most popular powertrain choice, however, with a market share of 33.6% in August.
By contrast, petrol and diesel vehicles combined accounted for 21.7% of the market, down from 30.7% a year earlier, underscoring continued pressure on conventional internal-combustion vehicles.
Against a backdrop of market growth and accelerating electrification, Chinese automakers continued to expand their presence in Europe.
Leapmotor recorded particularly strong growth. Its European registrations reached 14,594 units in September, up 323.9% year on year.
For the first nine months, cumulative registrations reached 87,922 units, an increase of 424.2%.
On October 16, the first production vehicle manufactured by Leapmotor in Europe, the B10, rolled off the line at a factory in Zaragoza, Spain.
As the company gradually moves beyond exporting fully assembled vehicles toward local production, its European operations are entering a new phase.
Leapmotor had 1,020 retail outlets across Europe by the end of September, covering 36 countries. Its partnership with Stellantis has been a key factor in expanding its local sales network.
ACEA data show that Stellantis and Leapmotor together accounted for 15.3% of new-car registrations across the EU, the UK and EFTA markets in the first nine months of 2026.
BYD also maintained strong growth. Its European registrations reached 49,953 units in September, up 98.7% year on year.
Cumulative registrations for January–September totaled 283,997 units, an increase of 134.6%.
Chery’s brands—Chery, Jaecoo, Jetour and Omoda—recorded a combined 52,801 registrations in September, up 185.8% year on year. Their total for the first nine months reached 260,650 units, up 255.9%.
SAIC Motor registered 41,987 vehicles in Europe in September, an increase of 23.7% year on year. Its January–September total reached 272,251 units, up 20.3%.
At the group level, Geely remained the largest Chinese automotive group in Europe by registration volume among the companies covered here.
Its registrations reached 54,778 units in September, up 33.3% year on year, while the cumulative total for the first nine months stood at 343,875 units, an increase of 14.5%.
These figures include Chinese brands such as Geely, Emgrand, LEVC, Lynk & Co and Zeekr, as well as international brands within the group’s portfolio, including Volvo, Polestar, smart and Lotus.
Tesla also returned to growth in Europe. Its registrations reached 68,776 units in September, up 72.5% year on year.
Performance among established European automakers was mixed. Volkswagen Group registrations in Europe fell 2.9% year on year.
BMW and Renault recorded smaller declines of 0.3% and 0.7%, respectively. Mercedes-Benz, by contrast, posted growth of 5.8%.
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