Story perspectives

Chinese EVs surge as BYD, Chery cut EU automaker share

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 8:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

BYD and Chery expanded European sales in August, cutting traditional manufacturers' market share.
Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz groups fell from 41.3% to 39.1% of European Union passenger-car registrations.
Combined share of Renault, Stellantis and other European makers dropped to 49.8%.
Chinese EV registrations rose to 11.3% in August, nearly double a year earlier.
European Union battery-electric vehicle registrations jumped 62.7% YoY, reaching 27.7% of new car sales.

History

Historical Context

Toyota launched the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, the Prius, on 10 December 1997, and by January 2017 the family had sold 6.1 million units worldwide. Its early success spurred broader adoption, and European plug-in registrations now rise sharply, echoing the market shift that began with the Prius. In Japan it topped sales from 2009 through 2012, while U.S. buyers made it top hybrid in California in 2012 and 2013.

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Story summary

BYD and Chery expanded European sales in August, cutting traditional manufacturers' market share.
Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz groups fell from 41.3% to 39.1% of European Union passenger-car registrations.
Combined share of Renault, Stellantis and other European makers dropped to 49.8%.
Chinese EV registrations rose to 11.3% in August, nearly double a year earlier.
European Union battery-electric vehicle registrations jumped 62.7% YoY, reaching 27.7% of new car sales.

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