The chasing pack has an unlikely new leader – a former Birmingham-based basket case of a car company that was dumped by uncaring Britain into the hands of China, who duly adopted, housed, fed, watered and funded the poor orphan, before steering it into sixth place in the UK sales league just a few days ago. I’m referring to MG, which now outsells Mercedes, Skoda, Vauxhall and Toyota in the UK. More importantly, MG is the only brand in the top 10 to increase its market share year-on-year. I’m impressed.
Equally impressive is that BYD has moved into 11th place (ahead of Hyundai, Nissan, Peugeot and Jaecoo). The Koreans, Japanese and French are forced to accept shrinking slithers of the pie, while the two Chinese brands are gorging on still growing portions.
Completing the top 20 are Volvo, Renault, Land Rover (all three losing market share), then Tesla and MINI (both gaining, impressively so). My predictions for the year end? MG may well move up one place, thereby demoting Ford from the top five. BYD will promote itself to the top 10 as it overtakes Toyota and, possibly, Vauxhall. Jaecoo is ready to sail past Nissan, Peugeot and Hyundai. Tesla is on course to surpass Land Rover.
Unlike all those marques that have been on sale here for years (even BYD and Jaecoo) or decades, China’s Chery has only been in the UK for months. It should enter the top 20 by the end of the year, the top 10 by 2027 and if/when it produces vehicles in Sunderland or elsewhere in Britain, a place in the top five beckons.
Get even more from Auto Express, follow our channels…
• Google
• Reddit
• Whatsapp
