Chinese Automakers Outpace Audi and Renault in August Registrations

Chinese automakers registered a sharp surge in sales across Europe in August, overtaking both Audi and Renault in monthly registrations. According to JATO Dynamics, Chinese brands sold more than 43,500 vehicles in the month, a 121 percent year-on-year increase, giving them a market share of 5.5 percent. That put them ahead of Audi at roughly 41,300 registrations and Renault at 37,800 for that month.

The figures mark a significant milestone but should be seen as a snapshot rather than a wholesale shift in Europe’s car market. Over the course of 2025 so far, legacy manufacturers such as Audi and Renault continue to sell larger volumes overall, supported by established dealer networks and decades of brand loyalty.

The August growth was particularly strong in plug-in hybrids, a segment where Chinese brands have gained a foothold. Forty different Chinese marques are now present in Europe, though most sales come from a handful of names. MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, and Leapmotor accounted for 84 percent of Chinese registrations. MG, the historic British marque now owned by SAIC Motor, outsold Tesla and Fiat in August. BYD surpassed Suzuki and Jeep, while Jaecoo and Omoda registered more vehicles than Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi.

Analysts point to competitive pricing and fresh model lineups as reasons behind the surge. Felipe Muñoz of JATO Dynamics noted that European buyers appear increasingly receptive to Chinese offerings, as the stigma that once surrounded them fades.

Still, industry watchers caution that expansion may face hurdles. Much of the surge is concentrated in PHEVs, which depend on regulatory incentives and consumer use patterns for their long-term emissions profile. At the same time, the European Commission is continuing its investigation into subsidies and pricing for Chinese EVs — a process that could lead to tariffs or other trade measures.

Earlier this year, JATO reported that Chinese automakers had already doubled their share of the European market to nearly six percent in May compared with the same month in 2024. The August data confirm the trend: Chinese newcomers are no longer on the fringes, but credible competitors. The question now is whether they can sustain growth in a market where established European players still dominate in volume and infrastructure.

Source: CTK