Sales of Chinese-made hybrid cars in the European Union have seen a dramatic increase, with figures revealing a surge from 659 units in 2022 to 160,662 in the first seven months of 2026. This development has sparked concerns among EU officials about the mounting competition faced by European car manufacturers.
The rapid growth in Chinese hybrid vehicle sales comes in the wake of the EU’s decision to impose anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024. These tariffs did not extend to hybrid vehicles, allowing them to gain a stronger foothold in the European market. In parallel, sales of Chinese-made plug-in hybrids also saw a substantial increase, rising from 56,706 units in 2022 to 217,764 in the same period of 2026.
In response to this surge, the European Commission has approached China with a request to voluntarily limit the export of hybrid vehicles to the EU. Should negotiations fail, the EU might consider implementing safeguard measures, such as potential quotas, to protect its automotive industry.
Chinese automotive manufacturers like BYD, Chery, and Leapmotor have been instrumental in this growth, with BYD alone selling about 177,000 vehicles in the EU, reflecting a year-on-year increase. Geely, the largest Chinese automotive group in Europe, reported sales of approximately 205,000 vehicles in the first eight months of 2026. Despite these advances, European manufacturers continue to maintain the largest share of the overall market.
The influx of Chinese hybrid vehicles has contributed to hybrids accounting for nearly 37% of the European car market, while fully electric vehicles hold just over 21%. This trend occurs amid the EU’s efforts to address a growing trade imbalance with China and safeguard its automotive industry’s competitiveness.