- The UK market accelerated electrification as NEVs reached 47% share in October, with Chinese brands expanding to capture growing EV demand and pressure legacy incumbents.
- BEVs rose 32.7% to 48,858 units and 32.0% market share, PHEVs 22,898 units (15.0%), total October registrations 152,730 and YTD 1.892 million units.
- Chinese brands scaled quickly—MG 7,837, BYD 6,065, Chery Group nearly 13,000 combined—but execution risks include sustaining supply, dealer networks, and competing margin pressure in premium segments.
The UK registered 152,730 new passenger cars in October 2026, up 5.4% year-on-year but down 56.43% from September, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The market extended its year-on-year growth streak to 11 consecutive months. However, October’s growth rate was roughly half the 9.8% increase recorded over the first ten months of the year, partly reflecting a high comparison base following September’s traditional plate-change period. From January to October, new car registrations totaled 1.892 million units, up 9.8% YoY.
The UK’s shift toward electrified vehicles accelerated further in October.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose 32.7% YoY to 48,858 units, lifting their market share to 32.0% — the highest monthly level so far this year. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) registrations increased 30.1% to 22,898 units, accounting for another 15.0% of the market.
Conventional powertrains continued to lose ground. Gasoline car registrations fell 11.6% YoY to 56,876 units, while diesel registrations dropped 15.9% to 5,811 units. Conventional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) also remained under pressure, declining 5.0% to 18,287 units for a second consecutive month of year-on-year contraction.
As electrified vehicles gain market share, Chinese automakers are expanding rapidly in the UK.
Three brands under Chery Group posted particularly strong growth. Jaecoo registrations surged 113.6% YoY to 6,089 units in October, while Chery registrations jumped 193.5% to 3,707 units. Omoda added another 3,137 units. Together, the three brands registered nearly 13,000 vehicles, making Chery Group the largest Chinese automotive group in the UK by monthly volume.
Among individual brands, SAIC’s MG remained at the forefront of Chinese automakers. It registered 7,837 vehicles in October, up 85.1% YoY, bringing its year-to-date total to 86,767 units and keeping it in first place among Chinese brands.
BYD followed with 6,065 registrations, up 73.3% YoY. Its January-October total reached 74,470 units, surging 90.5% YoY and narrowing the gap with MG.
Emerging EV makers also recorded strong gains. Leapmotor registered 1,773 vehicles in October, up 107.1% YoY, while its year-to-date registrations soared 529.7%.
XPeng registered 330 vehicles during the month, up 120.0% YoY, with cumulative registrations increasing 167.8%. Geely also began gaining traction, recording 2,269 registrations in October. By contrast, Polestar and Volvo saw registrations fall 30.8% and 26.5%, respectively.
Among European and other established foreign automakers, Volkswagen remained the UK’s best-selling brand, with 13,687 registrations in October, up 4.1% YoY. However, its year-to-date total was down 1.6%.
Luxury brands delivered mixed results. BMW registered 8,565 vehicles, edging up 0.7% YoY for the month, although its cumulative registrations fell 4.6%. Audi recorded 8,125 units, down 12.8%. Among Japanese automakers, Toyota registered 6,190 vehicles, a decline of 8.1%.
Tesla, meanwhile, recorded just 282 registrations in the UK in October, plunging 44.8% YoY. Its strong performance earlier in the year helped keep its January-October total at 46,526 units, up 31.2%.
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