Half of UK drivers would now consider a Chinese car as acceptance grows

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Key points

• Source: SMMT data (Jan-July 2026) – Chinese brands highlighted in bold. *Jaguar has paused production of new cars since December 2025.
• This is despite Chery launching in 2025 and both Jaecoo and Omoda having been on the market for around 24 months.
• The Jaecoo 7 is the third best-selling car in Britain in 2026.
• Jaecoo is rapidly becoming a household name, with 69 per cent knowing the brand now compared with 46 per cent 12 months ago.
• This is unsurprising, given the 7 SUV is Britain's third most popular new car of 2026 so far.

Almost half, 49 per cent, of motorists have informed car buying and selling site Carwow that they would now consider a Chinese brand for their next purchase.

This is the highest level of Chinese car acceptance it has recorded since the rolling poll was first conducted in 2023.

Willingness to go Chinese is significantly up from 35 per cent when the study was run last year, and less than a quarter (24 per cent) when it surveyed drivers in 2023.

It notes that 'value for capital, growing awareness and an expanding range of models' from China are reshaping the UK new-car market, and the popularity of vehicles like the Jaecoo 7, additionally known as the 'Temu Range Rover', is increasing acceptance.

This rapid shift in consumer attitudes is further backed by Carwow's own platform data.

Enquiries for Chinese car brands have more than doubled from 14 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 30 per cent between January and the end of June this year.

In contrast, expressions of interest for non-Chinese brands have fallen from 86 per cent to 70 per cent in the same period, it claims.

Carwow's research, based on responses from 1, 270 in-market car buyers surveyed in its rolling Insider Report, demonstrates that lower pricing and more equipment are key factors behind the surge in Chinese car acceptance levels.

More than two in five (42 per cent) drivers who would consider one now cite value for funds as the main reason, up from 36 per cent six months ago. Awareness of Chinese car brands has additionally risen dramatically.

It's a similar story for sister brands Chery and Omoda. It have seen their brand recognition growth from 16 to 50 per cent and from 42 to 57 per cent respectively over the last year.

Would you trust a Chinese car over traditional brands for your next vehicle?

For context, the Jaecoo 7 is the third best-selling car in Britain in 2026. Dubbed the 'Temu Range Rover', it represents Chinese value for funds as it looks like a £60k Range Rover Velar but costs half as much.

BYD's brand recognition has grown from 28% in 2023 to 71% today as the firm – like other Chinese brands – increases sales and sets up more dealership throughout the UK. Where Chinese brands rank on the UK sales charts in 2026. 1. Volkswagen: 104, 204. 2. Kia: 71, 931. 3. BMW: 71, 135. 4. Audi: 67, 314. 5. Ford: 65, 898. 6. Mercedes: 56, 534. 7. MG: 55, 944. 8. Vauxhall: 54, 841. 9. Skoda: 53, 410. 10. Toyota: 52, 237. 11. Hyundai: 51, 179. 12. Peugeot: 46, 610.

13. Nissan: 46, 583. 14. BYD: 44, 398. 15. Renault: 41, 300. 16. Volvo: 40, 059. 17. Jaecoo: 39, 569. 18. Land Rover: 38, 771. 19. Mini: 34, 111. 20. Tesla: 28, 189. 21. Cupra: 25, 306. 22. Omoda: 22, 164. 23. Chery: 21, 191. 24. Citroen: 18, 324. 25. Dacia: 16, 909. 26. Mazda: 16, 420. 27. Suzuki: 14, 870. 28. Honda: 12, 145. 29. Porsche: 11, 093. 30. Seat: 9, 826. 31. Polestar: 9, 654. 32. Lexus: 9, 027. 33. Leapmotor: 8, 375. 34. Geely: 8, 160. 35. Jeep: 6, 779.

36. Fiat: 4, 396. 37. Alpine: 2, 275. 38. Changan: 1, 948. 39. Alfa Romeo: 1, 797. 40. Smart: 1, 368. 49. DS Automobiles: 167. 51. Great Wall Motor: 151. Source: SMMT data (Jan-July 2026) – Chinese brands highlighted in bold. *Jaguar has paused production of new cars since December 2025.

Jaecoo upgrades warranty for its 'Temu Range Rover' after. Lepas L8 review: The premium Chinese SUV at a.

Brands that have been in the UK longer than the Chery Group offering have additionally become more established.

While awareness of Xpeng has more than doubled from 8 per cent three years ago to 20 per cent today, BYD, which has become one of the best-known Chinese car makers in the UK, is recognised by 71 per cent of drivers, up from just 28 per cent in 2023.

Other major Chinese players have lately entered the UK, namely Geely. It is the fourth most popular brand in its domestic market behind BYD, VW and Toyota.

Meanwhile, the proportion of drivers who say they have heard of none of the Chinese brands listed has fallen from 23 per cent in 2025 to just 16 per cent in the latest survey.

China's best-selling car lands in Britain: Could Geely's electric EX2 be a hit here too? We've driven it to find out.

In short, half of UK drivers would now consider a Chinese car as acceptance is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.