Chinese car brands in the UK

While most motorists are familiar with big name Chinese-owned car brands such as MG and Volvo (yes, really!), there is a whole new generation of manufacturers set to make an impact on British soil - many of which will bring a whole new lease of life to the electric car market. 

Do you know your BYD’s from your GWM Ora’s? In this article, we explore what Chinese car brands are coming to the UK and those that have been enjoying success in recent years. Read on to find out more… 

What Chinese cars are available in the UK?

There are already a number of Chinese manufacturers enjoying great success over here in the UK, including the mighty MG brand. Below we list the Chinese makes and models of cars available at dealerships up and down the country… 

BYD

BYD stands for Build Your Dreams and is a Chinese-based world-leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. The all-new BYD ATTO 3 has been available to order in the UK since early 2023 and has been praised for its user-friendly functions and distinctive style. 

The 100% electric BYD ATTO 3 has scored a top five-star rating in the all-important Euro NCAP safety tests. It offers a driving range of up to 260-miles on a full charge with rapid-charging capabilities of up to 80% in just under half an hour. Prices at main dealerships in the UK start from £36,490. 

GWM ORA

Debuting in Asia back in 2018, GWM ORA finally made its way to UK shores with the arrival of the ORA Funky Cat model which launched in August 2022. GWM stands for ‘Great Wall Motor’ which is the parent company of ORA, which in turn stands for ‘Open, Reliable and Alternative’. 

The company is renowned for creating what they describe as ‘user-centric’ cars with a vision for the future, complimented by a splash of retro design. We’re sure you’ll agree that the all-electric ORA Funky Cat will certainly turn heads. Expect a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating plus a competitive warranty package all included in the First Edition’s £31,995 starting price. 

Maxus

While MAXUS is mainly known in the UK for supplying reliable fully-electric vans, the Chinese manufacturer has branched out to pick-up trucks and cars too. Introducing the T90EV - an electric pick-up that’s perfectly designed for on and off-roading. Expect a range of up to 220-miles on a single charge with prices starting from £49,950 in the UK.

Then there’s the MIFA 9 which Maxus proudly launches as the world’s first full-size all-electric MPV - it certainly ticks the people carrier zero emissions box too. The seven-seater SUV boasts a driving range of up to 323-miles on a full charge with prices in the UK starting from £53,588.  

MG

With a rich history steeped in British culture, MG is now in fact Chinese-owned and most models now designed and built in China. It is fast-becoming one of the most popular marques in Britain today. 

Renowned for manufacturing an affordable yet forward-thinking range of cars (including electric options), it seems MG is a firm-favourite for drivers who seek practicality and the latest vehicle technology. 

Models in the MG range include:

• MG4 EV
• MG5 EV Long Range
• MG ZS EV
• MG HS Plug-in Hybrid
• MG3
• MG ZS
• MG HS SUV
• New MG HS

What Chinese cars are coming to the UK?

The UK electric car market is set for a BIG shakeup by the end of the year as numerous Chinese manufacturers launch their latest models in 2023 and beyond. We think that even the most fuel-powered fans will be tempted by what’s to come…  

Aiways

A name you’re probably not familiar with right now, Chinese manufacturer Aiways will launch its flagship U5 electric SUV in the UK before the end of 2023. Offering plenty of space, fantastic tech and an impressive driving range, the Aiways U5 will give the likes of Kia and Hyundai something to worry about. 

Ideal for family-life, this roomy five-seater sports utility vehicle boasts 432-litres of boot space and almost 250-miles of range on a single charge. Six airbags and multiple safety systems have helped the U5 achieve five-stars from Euro NCAP. UK prices are yet to be confirmed but prices are expected to be within the £35,000 to £40,000 bracket. 

Chery

The Chery brand will be making its mark in the UK with plans to launch its OMODA 5 model to a UK market in early 2024. Described by the Chinese manufacturer as a ‘futuristic fastback crossover’, the OMODA 5 has resemblances to the new Nissan Qashqai and will certainly please those in the market for a mid-size SUV which has sporty appeal.  

We are told to expect an initial petrol-powered version of the OMODA 5 on UK shores, which will be followed by hybrid and electric versions later on in the year. Sporting class-leading technology across the range, prices are yet to be confirmed but could cost around £45,000. 

HiPhi

Premium electric vehicle brand HiPhi is planning its launch in the UK by the end of 2023 with the release of models HiPhi X, HiPhi Y and HiPhi Z. However, it’s not yet clear if the HiPhi brand will be sold in traditional showrooms; this is because a roll out of what’s being dubbed ‘HiPhi Hubs’ has already been teased in other European countries by the newcomers.

Owned by parent company Human Horizons, us Brits have three new models to look forward to in the form of China’s best-selling all-electric luxury SUV - the HiPhi X, then there’s a 100% electric ‘lux-tech’ SUV with a range of nearly 500-miles called the HiPhi Y, and finally, an eye-catching electric GT which is the brands flagship model - the HiPhi Z. 

Lynk & Co

Another Chinese car manufacturer due to launch its model in the UK by the end of 2023 is Lynk & Co. Bringing its new subscription-based finance model to our shores, the ‘01’ is already available in other European markets where lease-style contracts enable motorists to drive the car for as long or short as they wish. 

Lynk & Co’s current model - the 01 - is a plug-in hybrid, but rumour has it that an all-electric version will be available in 2024. Promoting the subscription model as an exclusive ‘club’, members will have access to showroom-style hang out zones at destinations across the country. 

NIO

Already operating in several other European countries, NIO is the Chinese brand responsible for creating one of the fastest electric cars in the world - the EP9. The remarkable EP9 holds lap records at the Nurburgring and the Circuit of the Americas, but has many more strings to its bow. 

A firm looking to rival the likes of Tesla, we can expect to see NIO cars on our roads by the end of 2023, including the fully electric eS7 large SUV and the flagship eT7 saloon models. Plus, the manufacturer has a cheeky trick up its sleeve; it will introduce battery ‘swapping stations’ so NIO owners can ‘swap’ their batteries rather than wait to recharge them. Clever. 

XPENG

Chinese electric car manufacturer XPENG is said to be planning a launch to the UK market in 2025. So what can we expect? Well, it is the high-end G9 model that has already launched in Scandinavian countries, so the electric SUV is likely to be the first XPENG model to be released here too. 

With the strapline ‘intelligently moving your world’, XPENG sees its collection of electric cars not just as a means of travel, but a space in which mobility can be transformed as an immersive experience. Other models in the four-fleet range include the P7, P5 and G3i.   

Zeekr

Announced by the company at the Shangai Auto Show in April 2023, Zeekr has laid out its plans to launch cars over here in the UK. No date is yet confirmed, but it's predicted the Geely-owned brand could be launched in 2025. Certainly, the company’s Zeekr X and Zeekr 001 models will go on sale in Sweden and the Netherlands by early 2024. 

Why are UK car buyers choosing Chinese cars?

As you can see from our list above, there is a huge amount of choice for UK car buyers when it comes to choosing a new Chinese model. If you’re in the market for an electric car, then the choice is yours. In a recent survey, it was revealed that a quarter of drivers in the UK would consider a Chinese brand for their next car, despite a lack of familiarity compared to the big-name brands. 

The reason being is that these models are considered to be of high quality, have a high specification, prove more affordable and look good too. So it certainly seems that Chinese car brands are shifting the perceptions of UK motorists - watch this space!   

What is the cheapest Chinese car currently available in the UK?

MG models tend to be cheaper than other Chinese-owned models in the UK at the moment. True to its values, MG aims to provide drivers with more for less, and even offers a £1,000 test drive voucher via its website. 

The cheapest model is the MG3 which is available from £13,820 and you can get your hands on the brand new MG4 EV from £26,995 at stockists across the UK.   

Car finance for world-renowned brands

Whether or not you’ll be tempted to choose a brand of car from China, our class-leading vehicle finance solutions can help you afford the drive of your dreams. Here at Octane Finance, we have many years of experience sourcing the best possible finance deals from an extensive range of lenders across the country. 

Do you already have a car in mind? Then head over to our free online finance calculator to discover how much you could be paying for your new or used car on a monthly basis.