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Chinese automakers outsell Renault and Audi in Europe on plug-in hybrid surge

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Chinese carmakers outpaced Renault and Audi in European sales in August, driven by soaring demand for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), according to new data from JATO Dynamics.

Chinese brands, including BYD, Jaecoo (a Chery brand), and MG (owned by SAIC), placed models in Europe’s top-ten PHEV sellers, with the BYD Seal U, Jaecoo J7, and MG HS leading the charge.

By the numbers:

  • Chinese brands’ market share: 5.5% in August, with 43,500 sales (+121% year-on-year).

  • Audi sales: 41,300

  • Renault sales: 37,800

  • PHEV sales in Europe (28 countries): nearly 84,000 units, up 59% year-on-year.

  • Chinese PHEV sales: 11,000 units, up 14-fold.

  • BEV sales overall: up 27%, beating overall market growth of 5%.

Tesla’s Model Y remained Europe’s top battery-electric vehicle (BEV), though sales fell 37% from August 2024 despite rising BEV demand overall.

Why it matters:

Chinese automakers are using PHEVs as a stepping stone into the European market, where they are seen as a practical compromise between combustion and fully electric vehicles. With EU tariffs looming on Chinese-made EVs, carmakers like BYD are preparing to localize European production by 2028, reducing tariff risks and strengthening competitiveness.

Analyst view:

“There was strong demand for BEVs in August, however a 27% increase is less significant than it looks when you consider how widely they are being promoted,” said JATO’s Felipe Munoz, noting that growth is moderating despite heavy industry backing.

The surge in Chinese sales reflects how rapidly they are reshaping Europe’s auto market, challenging established brands with aggressive pricing, hybrid offerings, and plans for local expansion.

‘China Inside’: Chinese EV Tech Becomes Backbone of Global Auto Design

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In 2021, Audi executives were stunned when they saw the Zeekr 001, a long-range Chinese EV with sleek European styling. The moment marked a turning point: if global carmakers wanted to stay competitive, they would need to adopt Chinese EV technology.

Fast-Track to Market

To speed its lineup, Audi partnered with SAIC to build the Audi E5 Sportback in just 18 months, using Chinese batteries, powertrains, software, and driver-assist systems. The $33,000 EV begins deliveries in China this month.

Audi is not alone:

  • Toyota is co-developing EVs with GAC.

  • Volkswagen is working with Xpeng on China-dedicated models.

  • Renault and Ford are exploring building global models on Chinese EV platforms.

This marks a shift where Western automakers license Chinese EV intellectual property — saving billions of dollars and years of R&D — while Chinese companies earn revenue abroad amid a fierce price war and trade tensions at home.

‘China Inside’ Strategy

The approach echoes Intel’s 1990s “Intel Inside” branding, but for EVs. Chinese firms package EV platforms — batteries, chassis, and software — for ready-to-build models, even for low-volume players.

  • Leapmotor is licensing technology to Stellantis.

  • Renault’s Dacia Spring was built on a Dongfeng platform.

  • CATL has licensed battery tech to Ford and is expanding its Bedrock EV chassis in Europe.

  • Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings used Nio’s chassis and software to build its own EV, even while leveraging the McLaren brand it acquired.

Why Legacy Automakers Need China

Traditional brands often struggle with slow development cycles. Chinese EV makers, inspired by Tesla, built modular platforms that cut costs, speed updates, and lower barriers to entry. “They are quick learners from Tesla,” said former CATL executive Forest Tu.

Analysts argue that leveraging China’s rapid innovation allows Western firms to leapfrog the EV curve. “You get a much more quality-proof product in the market in a shorter timeframe,” said Oliver Wyman’s Marco Santino.

Risks of Dependency

But some warn of over-reliance. Former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer cautioned: “In the long-term you’re screwed because you’re just a retailer.” Analysts say global brands must blend Chinese technology with their own to preserve brand differentiation.

The Big Picture

As automakers from Europe to the Middle East adopt “China Inside” EVs, Chinese firms gain global influence. The question is whether this win-win model will remain sustainable — or whether traditional automakers risk trading independence for speed.

Exclusive: Audi’s New China EV Series Won’t Feature Signature Four-Ring Logo

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SHANGHAI, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Audi’s upcoming series of electric vehicles (EVs), developed specifically for the Chinese market, will not carry the brand’s iconic four-ring logo, according to two sources familiar with the plans. The decision, driven by “brand image consideration,” also reflects the automotive architecture co-developed with Chinese partner SAIC and a greater reliance on local suppliers and technologies.

A concept car for this new series is scheduled to be unveiled in November, where Audi will also elaborate on the series’ “brand story,” the sources said. A third source indicated that nine models are planned by 2030. The sources requested anonymity as the plans have not been publicly announced.

Audi declined to comment on what it termed speculation, while SAIC assured Reuters that the EVs would be “true Audi with authentic Audi DNA.”

Chinese automakers, armed with tech-savvy EVs, are increasingly capturing market share in China—the world’s largest automotive market. This has resulted in declining sales for foreign automakers, many of which still rely heavily on gasoline-engine models, prompting them to forge new partnerships.

In May, Audi and long-time VW partner SAIC announced they would jointly develop a platform for EVs tailored for the Chinese market. By developing cars specifically for China, foreign automakers can align with the latest features in EVs and Chinese consumer preferences while tapping into a vast customer base. Yale Zhang, managing director at Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, suggests that Audi and VW will likely conduct further research before adapting these models for other markets.

Audi sold fewer than 10,000 EVs in China during the first half of 2024, while Chinese premium EV brands Nio and Zeekr each sold eight times that amount. The new Audi EV series will incorporate a CATL battery and an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) from Chinese tech startup Momenta. The electrical architecture of SAIC’s EV brand IM Motors will be utilized in the “Purple” series, the sources added.