Yazılar

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

/in /tarafından

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.

Xiaomi Faces Backlash as YU7 EV Buyers Confront Year-Long Delivery Delays

/in /tarafından

Buyers of Xiaomi’s new YU7 electric SUV are voicing growing frustration after being told they may have to wait up to 60 weeks for delivery, despite paying a non-refundable deposit. The smartphone giant turned automaker received around 240,000 orders for the YU7 in the first 18 hours after sales opened last Thursday, but only a limited number of vehicles were available for immediate delivery.

By Tuesday, Xiaomi’s official app indicated wait times of 38 to 60 weeks, Reuters confirmed. More than 400 customer complaints have since been filed on the Sina Black Cat consumer complaint platform, with many saying they were unaware of the lengthy wait until after confirming their orders. Customers paid 5,000 yuan ($698) upfront and are now demanding refunds, citing concerns about EV tax exemptions expiring by year-end.

Xiaomi has not publicly responded, but CEO Lei Jun said he would address customer concerns in a livestream event on Wednesday via Weibo, where he has nearly 27 million followers.

The backlash mirrors earlier issues with Xiaomi’s first EV, the SU7 sedan, which debuted in March 2024. Though SU7 buyers initially faced seven-month delays, the car eventually outsold Tesla’s Model 3 in China from December onward. However, the SU7 brand image was hit by a fatal crash in March, and since then, Xiaomi has also faced complaints about unclear delivery schedules and optional feature configurations.

The YU7, Xiaomi’s second EV, is priced from 253,500 yuan ($35,360) — nearly 4% cheaper than Tesla’s Model Y, the best-selling SUV in China. Xiaomi has made clear its ambition to directly challenge Tesla’s dominance in China’s EV market.

To meet demand, Xiaomi is scaling up production at its Beijing factory, raising monthly output from 4,000 units in March 2024 to 28,000 in May, and is preparing to expand to two new factory sites nearby.

Still, unless transparency improves and production catches up, Xiaomi risks damaging its EV reputation — especially at a time when consumer trust and timely delivery are becoming major differentiators in China’s competitive electric vehicle landscape.