BYD sees UK sales surge 880%, making Britain its biggest market outside China

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has reported an 880% surge in UK sales last month compared to the same period last year, making the country its largest market outside China.

The company sold 11,271 vehicles in September, driven largely by strong demand for the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U SUV. The surge comes as the UK’s EV market hit record highs, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Britain’s decision not to impose tariffs on Chinese-made EVs—unlike the European Union and the United States—has made it an especially attractive destination for manufacturers like BYD. The company, known for offering more affordable models than many Western competitors, saw its UK market share rise to 3.6% in September.

BYD’s UK managing director, Bono Ge, said the company’s prospects in the country were “hugely exciting” as it prepares to introduce new hybrid and electric models and recently celebrated the opening of its 100th retail outlet.

Industry data shows that UK EV sales reached record levels in September, with nearly 73,000 pure battery-electric cars registered. Plug-in hybrid models grew even faster, while the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai topped the sales charts. Chinese models including the BYD Seal U and Jaecoo 7 also made it into the top 10.

Despite the growth in EV sales, petrol and diesel cars still accounted for over half of new registrations, the SMMT said.

The EU last year imposed tariffs of up to 45% on Chinese EV imports, citing unfair state subsidies, while Chinese carmakers face similar barriers in the US.

Globally, BYD continues to outperform rivals such as Tesla, Jaguar, and BMW, even as demand in China cools.

Earlier this year, the UK government launched a £650 million incentive scheme to encourage EV adoption, offering discounts of up to £3,750 on select brands like Nissan, Peugeot, and Vauxhall. However, the scheme excludes Chinese-made vehicles, citing environmental concerns over manufacturing emissions— a move BYD has criticised as potentially harmful to the UK’s car market in the long term.