The Automotive Update: Chinese carmakers excel in UK and emissions talks continue
10 October 2025
Which Chinese carmakers are excelling in the UK? What is the latest on the EU emissions targets for 2035? What upcoming events should you know about? Tom Geggus, editor of Autovista24, discusses the week’s news in The Automotive Update podcast.
In this episode, Autovista24 explores how Chinese brands are making their mark in the UK. Then, as discussions continue around the EU’s CO2 emissions plans for 2035, what are industry associations saying? Finally, find out about two exclusive Autovista Group events that are just around the corner.
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Chinese brands prove strong
September saw a strong result for the UK’s new-car market, with a 13.7% year-on-year improvement in volumes. Of the 312,891 cars delivered, 12.4% came from Chinese brands.
These carmakers are establishing a foothold in the UK. New entrants are building their customer base, providing alternatives to well-established marques, and challenging their market positions.
BYD had its best-ever month in September, with registrations up 880.1% year on year. In total, it delivered 11,271 new cars, according to data from the SMMT. This places it close to brands such as Volvo, Peugeot and Vauxhall.
The Seal U DM-i was its most popular model in the month, accounting for 66.8% of BYD’s total. This makes it the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model in the year to date, according to the carmaker.
Omoda and Jaecoo, brands from the Chinese manufacturer Chery, also had a very strong month, with 10,812 combined registrations. This comes just over a year after the launch of Omoda, with its petrol-powered 5, and all-electric E5. It is also around eight months after the Jaecoo J7 PHEV made it to market.
Jaecoo was the more popular brand, with 6,489 registrations, while Omoda picked up 4,323 deliveries.
MG, owned by SAIC Motor, had its best September on record. In total, it secured 14,577 registrations, making it the UK’s eighth-most-successful brand, ahead of established marques such as Nissan, Peugeot, Skoda, Vauxhall and Renault. The carmaker attributed this success to its hybrid lineup, including the HS, ZS and MG3.
Discussions on emissions
Discussions around the EU’s CO2 emissions targets for 2035 are ongoing. ACEA has proposed that the Commission consider easing its rules for cars, vans and trucks.
According to Reuters, the industry body recommended longer compliance periods, as well as greater acceptance of hybrids and alternative fuels. ACEA highlighted the difficulties of cutting vehicle CO2 emissions by 100% come 2035, particularly with lower demand and a lack of EV charging infrastructure.
The association recommended that the 2030 targets be set on an average between 2028 and 2032. It suggested small EVs be given a super credit, while PHEVs and range-extended electric vehicles play a bigger role.
However, Transport and Environment calculated that suggested loopholes to the EU’s CO2 rules would halve the bloc’s ambition of selling only zero-emission cars in 2035.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held discussions with industry bodies and trade unions to discuss the country’s automotive sector.
These talks covered the competitive and adaptive pressures on carmakers, including electrification, digitalisation and international competition.
While committing to German and European climate targets, there was also support for alternative fuels as well as a flexible and realistic frameworks.
Residual value trends
Autovista Group’s latest webinar: The road ahead: Residual value trends and the next market shift, will air on 14 October at 09.30 BST / 10.30 CEST.
Autovista24 journalist Tom hooker will discuss major used-car market valuation trends with a panel of Autovista Group experts. This includes Dr Anne Lange, product director, valuation apps, Robert Madas, regional head of valuations, and Javier Salgado, director of valuations and forecast experts.
Register now for The road ahead: Residual value trends and the next market shift. It will begin at 09.30 BST / 10.30 CEST on 14 October 2025.
Also, the winners of the Residual Value Award will be announced on 15 October. The honours recognise cars with leading value retention rates across eight categories, using Autovista Group data from 17 European countries.
