BYD interest on Carwow is skyrocketing

Chinese automotive brands are no longer fringe players — they’re establishing a strong foothold, and BYD is amongst those leading the charge. 

At Carwow, we have a unique vantage point on shifting consumer behaviour. As a leading automotive marketplace, we track real-world engagement across millions of car buyers monthly. Recent trends indicate that Chinese brands are resonating with UK consumers at a rapidly growing rate.

BYD: The UK’s fastest-growing car brand

In March 2025, enquiries for BYD models on Carwow skyrocketed by 990% year-on-year, while configurations rose by 449%. This makes BYD the fastest-growing car brand on our platform, outperforming every other marque by a considerable margin. Enquiries passed to BYD retailers surged by 836% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year — a clear signal of rising purchase intent.

And it’s not just BYD

BYD’s success is part of a broader trend. Fellow Chinese brands are also gaining traction:

• OMODA enquiries rose 41% quarter on quarter in Q1 2025.
• JAECOO saw enquiries in March exceed February by a staggering 531%.

These figures illustrate that despite the well documented challenges around the need for brand building, establishing franchise networks and instilling trust, consumer appetite for Chinese brands is accelerating, and fast. 

The EV advantage

Interestingly, the top 10 most-viewed car reviews on Carwow in March reflect this shift:

• Nine of the top 10 models were battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
• Eight of those were Chinese brands.

Models like the BYD Seal, Sealion 7, Omoda 5, Jaecoo 7, and MG4 are capturing significant consumer attention, often outpacing more established competitors.

Consumer sentiment is shifting

In 2023, only 24% of surveyed car buyers said they would consider a Chinese brand for their next vehicle. By early 2025, this figure has climbed to 39% — a marked increase in consumer acceptance.

BYD’s high-profile Euro 2024 sponsorship was a pivotal moment, boosting brand awareness from 28% to 44%. Since then, awareness has continued to climb, reaching 58% in March 2025.

What this means for retailers & brands

For dealers, these trends pose critical questions:

• Should you consider adding a Chinese brand franchise to your portfolio?
• How are consumer perceptions impacting the competitive landscape?
• Where is future retail demand heading?

For established OEMs, understanding the dynamics of this competition is vital to adapting marketing and sales strategies.

At Carwow, we help brands — both established and newcomers — connect with high-intent car buyers through data-driven insights and market-leading demand generation.

Final thoughts

Just like we predicted in May 2023, Chinese OEMs are no longer a speculative bet. They're here, they’re growing, and consumers are showing up in large numbers.

Carwow’s data-driven perspective offers dealerships and OEMs a valuable edge in understanding and capitalising on these market shifts.

Curious about how Carwow can help you navigate this changing landscape? Contact us on brandsolutions@carwow.co.uk