Chinese brands are gradually increasing their presence in the global market. By country/region, the market share of Chinese-brand automobiles (passenger cars + commercial vehicles) tends to be high in Russia (48.2% in 2023) and the Middle East/Africa (10.7% in 2023). In Russia in particular, the market share has increased from 2.1% in 2019 to nearly half in a few years, as Chinese brands have entered the market in place of a succession of automakers from former Western countries that withdrew from the market due to the war in Ukraine.

Looking at Western European countries, the United Kingdom expanded from 0.5% in 2019 to 3.9% in 2023. In the same period, the Chinese market is gradually entering the market in Spain from 0.0% to 3.2%, Italy from 0.1% to 2.0%, France from 0.0% to 1.7%, and Germany from 0.0% to 1.2%. In Europe, BYD is building a BEV plant in Hungary (scheduled to start operation at the end of 2026), and other moves toward local production are also becoming conspicuous, as the company focuses on developing a supply system within the European region.

At IAA Transportation 2024, Europe’s largest exhibition of commercial vehicles and next-generation transportation systems, held in September 2024 in Hanover, Germany, the focus was on commercial vehicles (including vans), not passenger cars. The high presence of Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers and suppliers was highlighted by such events as the China Day. BYD, JAC, Sino Truck, Maxus, Dongfeng, FEIDI, Wuling, Shandong Wuzheng, Kaiyun, BAIMI, Higer, Dehli Automobile Major companies such as BYD, JAC, and Sino Truck exhibited a wide range of models from medium- to large-size trucks to light commercial vehicles, showing their enthusiasm to capture the European market. Shandong Wujing, which exhibited a three-wheeled light-duty truck, is aiming to expand its market share in a manner different from existing European automakers.

The wave of Chinese automakers’ entry into the European market, including passenger cars, cannot be stopped, and it will be interesting to see to what extent they will increase their market share in the future.