The Jaecoo 7 has become the best-selling car in the United Kingdom for the month of March, marking the first time a Chinese vehicle has topped the country’s sales chart. The model, which has also led sales in Israel for two consecutive years, ranked second overall in the United Kingdom for the first quarter of 2026, just behind the Ford Puma. Most of its sales in Britain were plug-in hybrid versions.

Chinese carmakers are rapidly expanding their presence in the United Kingdom, capturing 15 percent of the market in 2026, up from 10 percent a year earlier. The shift is particularly striking in a country long associated with historic luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Land Rover, even as much of its mass-market manufacturing has disappeared.

Across Europe, Chinese brands are also posting sharp gains. The Leapmotor T03 ranked among the top-selling electric cars early this year, while other Chinese manufacturers recorded significant sales growth in Germany, even if they have yet to break into the country’s top tier of best-selling brands. The data signals a broader surge of Chinese automotive influence across key European markets.