{
  "id": 16576621,
  "title": "Chinese carmakers overtake Japan in Europe for first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/chinese-carmakers-overtake-japan-in-europe-for-first-time",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-26T07:58:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
    "slug": "the-business-times-companies-markets",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/chinese-carmakers-overtake-japan-europe-first-time"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For the first time, Chinese automakers have outsold Japanese rivals in Europe, according to market researcher Dataforce. Registrations of Chinese-branded cars surged to 12.7 per cent of total sales across the region in September, doubling from a year earlier. This surge has put Chinese brands ahead of Japanese manufacturers like Toyota Motor Corp., which held a 11.9 per cent market share. The rapid growth of Chinese brands in Europe is surprising, as five years ago, Chinese brands accounted for barely 1 per cent of European sales. While European manufacturers like Volkswagen AG and Renault SA still lead the region, the speed of China's surge has caught many off guard. Japan's automakers have spent decades building their presence in Europe, with Toyota selling cars there since 1963 and Nissan since 1986. However, China's offerings have proven particularly successful in the UK, where Chery's Jaecoo 7 SUV was the country's best-selling model in March and September. The shift in consumer preference is benefiting Chinese manufacturers, who are producing new models faster and at lower costs. Meanwhile, European manufacturers face challenges as Chinese cars gain traction. China's drivers are increasingly favoring domestic brands over European brands like VW and BMW, which are now facing pressure to innovate and compete at lower prices. Additionally, shrinking demand in China forces Chinese automakers to expand into new markets, including Europe. To capitalize on this trend, Chinese brands have been showcasing new models at the Paris car show, including the BYD Dolphin G DM-i, a compact plug-in hybrid specifically designed for European consumers. These developments come as the European Union considers measures to curb the influx of Chinese-made hybrid vehicles, which are partially driven by state-backed subsidies. The EU's proposed tariffs on China-made battery-electric vehicles have accelerated shipments of hybrids, and the bloc is also exploring rules that would favor locally manufactured cars when granting subsidies and incentives. This shift poses challenges for European manufacturers and supply chains, as companies like Mercedes-Benz Group AG welcome the support but warn of potential distortions in global trade. Chinese manufacturers have already begun preparing for local production, with Chery set to establish a plant in Barcelona, BYD nearing completion of a facility in Hungary, and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology commencing production of its B10 SUV at Stellantis' Zaragoza plant in Spain.",
  "summary": "The speed of China’s surge has been a surprise",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SCMP Business",
        "title": "BYD to build new factories in Europe to combat strict trade barriers targeting Chinese EVs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/byd-to-build-new-factories-in-europe-to-combat-strict-trade-barriers",
        "published": "2026-10-25T08:00:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}