Chinese EV Brands Surge 108% in European Sales in November 2025, Multiple Brands Top Segments

In November 2025, Chinese automakers sold 78,358 vehicles in Europe—including the EU, the UK, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland—marking a dramatic 108% year-over-year increase and capturing a record-high market share of 7.4%. Facing EU tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric vehicles, companies such as BYD, Chery, and Leapmotor swiftly adjusted their strategies, prioritizing plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine models. The BYD Seal U remained Europe’s best-selling plug-in hybrid SUV, while the Dolphin Surf made its debut in the top ten best-selling all-electric models in Europe. The Leapmotor T03 ranked fifth among microcars. In the first eleven months of 2025, cumulative sales of Chinese brands in Europe surpassed 700,000 units, up 95% year-over-year. Meanwhile, localization efforts are accelerating: BYD’s plants in Hungary and Turkey are set to begin production in 2026; Leapmotor is leveraging its partnership with Stellantis to circumvent tariffs; Chery is co-building a production line in Barcelona with a Spanish partner; and battery makers like CATL are also establishing operations in Europe. Despite challenges related to regulations, data compliance, and brand recognition, Chinese automakers are deepening their local integration through technological adaptation, systemic compliance, and ecosystem alignment—moving decisively toward becoming truly rooted in the European market.