Half of UK drivers would now consider a Chinese car – an all-time high

Almost half of UK drivers would now consider buying a Chinese car for their next vehicle, according to new research from Carwow, marking the highest level of consideration ever recorded.

Carwow’s latest data shows that 49% of drivers would now consider a Chinese brand for their next car, up significantly from 35% in H1 2026 and 39% in H2 2025. Less than one in four (24%) drivers said they would consider one as recently as H1 2023.

This rapid shift in consumer attitudes is further supported by Carwow’s own platform data. Leads for Chinese car brands on Carwow more than doubled from 14% in H1 2025 to 30% in H1 2026, while the share for all other non- Chinese brands fell from 86% to 70%.

Carwow’s research shows that value for money is a key factor for the increase; 42% of drivers who would consider a Chinese car now cite value for money as the main reason, up from 36% in H1 2026.

Awareness of Chinese car brands has also risen dramatically; Jaecoo has seen awareness rise from 46% to 69% in just a year, while Chery has gone from 16% to 50%. Awareness of OMODA has increased from 42% to 57% over the same period.

Brands that have been in the UK market for a bit longer have also started to establish a growing presence. BYD, which has become one of the best-known Chinese car makers in the UK, is recognised by 71% of drivers now, up from just 28% in 2023, while awareness of Xpeng has more than doubled from 8% in 2023 to 20% now.

At the same time, the proportion of drivers who say they have heard of none of the Chinese brands listed has fallen from 23% in H2 2025 to just 16% today.

Ben Carter, Chief Customer, Marketing & Media Officer at Carwow, added: “The dramatic increase in UK drivers considering Chinese brands on our platform isn’t just about cost-of-living pressures or lower price tags, it’s a shift in how people think about their cars. Buyers are leaving badge loyalty behind and looking for impressive tech and great value. 2026 or the “Year of the Fire Horse”is shaping up to be huge year for the UK automotive market – there’s a lot of ambition, pace and significant volatility for car brands.

“Our best advice for anyone looking for a new car is to evaluate every model on its own merits. Focus on your lifestyle and practical needs, check out our independent expert reviews online and on YouTube, we’ve tested every model on the market, shortlist your options against your budget, and take some test drives. There are good Chinese cars, just as there are from every country of origin – which one you choose really depends on what you need from it.”

Speaking about the findings, Steve Walker, head of digital content at Auto Express, said:

“Chinese cars have entered the market and are competing very strongly on value for money – we saw the same thing when Japanese and Korean brands first arrived in the UK. This is keeping the established brands honest and creating some very attractive deals for consumers across the market. It’s a great time to buy a car but the rapidly changing marketplace can certainly be confusing.”

Carwow Insider Special: China Rising – read the full report here.