Why this market is moving now
- On 12 January 2026 the EU published guidance letting Chinese exporters offer minimum import prices in place of countervailing duties.
- Chinese brands passed Japanese brands in European sales in September 2026.
- Chinese brands reached a record 11.2% share in July 2026, with BYD up 150%.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese-branded cars made up 12.7% of total European new-car sales in September 2026, with registrations roughly doubling from a year earlier, according to Dataforce. | 12.7 % of European new-car sales | 2026 | Bloomberg |
| Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota, held 11.9% of European sales, behind Chinese brands. | 11.9 % of European new-car sales (Japanese brands) | 2026 | Bloomberg |
| Chinese brands reached a record 11.2% combined share of European sales in July 2026, with sales up 107% from July 2025, according to preliminary Dataforce data. | 11.2 % of European sales (July 2026) | 2026 | Electric Cars Report |
| BYD, including its Denza brand, grew sales 150% in Europe in July 2026. | 150 % year-over-year growth (BYD incl. Denza, July 2026) | 2026 | Electric Cars Report |
| Sales of fully electric cars in Europe rose 51% year over year in July 2026, giving EVs a 25% share of the European new-car market. | 25 % battery-electric share of European new-car market (July 2026) | 2026 | Electric Cars Report |
| EU countervailing duties on Chinese-built EVs range from 7.8% to 35.3%, on top of the standard 10% import duty. | 35.3 % highest countervailing duty (range 7.8% to 35.3%, plus 10% base duty) | 2026 | electrive.com |
| For VW Anhui's Cupra Tavascan the extra EU duty is 20.7%, on top of the ten per cent base tariff. | 20.7 % additional EU duty (VW Anhui, before price undertaking) | 2026 | electrive.com |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Bloomberg: Chinese carmakers overtake Japanese rivals in Europe for first time (2026-10-26)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
Registrations of Chinese-branded cars roughly doubled from a year earlier in September to make up 12.7% of total sales across the region
- Figure 2
That’s put them ahead of Japanese manufacturers including Toyota Motor Corp. at 11.9%.
- Figure 1
- Electric Cars Report: European EV Sales Surge 51% as Chinese Brands Reach Record Market Share (2026-08-25)
Quoted lines
- Figure 3
Their combined market share reached a record 11.2%, while sales increased by an impressive 107% compared with July 2025.
- Figure 4
while BYD, including its premium Denza brand, grew by 150%.
- Figure 5
Sales of fully electric cars increased 51% year over year, giving EVs a 25% share of the European new-car market.
- Figure 3
- electrive.com: Good-bye tariffs: EU publishes guidance on minimum price mechanism with China (2026-01-12)
Quoted lines
- Figure 6
range from 7.8 to 35.3 per cent, on top of the standard 10% import duty.
- Figure 7
this amounts to an additional duty of 20.7 per cent on top of the ten per cent base tariff
- Figure 6
Companies to watch
BYD
Grew European sales 150% in July 2026, including its Denza brand, per Dataforce data reported by Electric Cars Report.
Volkswagen (Anhui)
Its Cupra Tavascan carries an extra EU duty of 20.7% on top of the ten per cent base tariff, per electrive.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
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Frequently asked questions
What share of the European car market do Chinese brands have?
Dataforce data reported by Bloomberg show Chinese-branded cars at 12.7% of European new-car sales in September 2026, with registrations roughly doubling from a year earlier.
Have Chinese brands overtaken Japanese brands in Europe?
Yes, per Bloomberg citing Dataforce: Chinese brands at 12.7% were ahead of Japanese manufacturers at 11.9%.
What are the EU tariffs on Chinese EVs?
Countervailing duties range from 7.8% to 35.3% on top of a standard 10% import duty, according to electrive.
How fast is BYD growing in Europe?
BYD, including Denza, grew sales 150% year over year in July 2026, according to Dataforce data reported by Electric Cars Report.
How big is the European EV market?
Dataforce data show fully electric cars at a 25% share of the European new-car market in July 2026, with sales up 51%.
What EU duty applies to a Chinese-built Cupra Tavascan?
Electrive reports an additional EU duty of 20.7% on top of the ten per cent base tariff for VW Anhui's Cupra Tavascan.
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