Chinese car brands accounted for 8.7 % of EU new‑car registrations in the January‑July 2024 period, up from 0.6 % in 2021. The increase represents an 8.1‑percentage‑point jump and a more‑than‑fourteen‑fold rise in market share, according to a Handelsblatt analysis of Dataforce figures.
Share growth and volume
The data show that roughly 780 000 Chinese‑made vehicles were registered in the EU during the first seven months of 2024 – a volume almost equal to the total expected for the whole of 2025. The share rise is described by Handelsblatt as “fast‑accelerating” and “almost tripling” the 2021 level.
| Period | Share of registrations | Number of vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (full year) | 0.6 % | — |
| Jan–Jul 2024 | 8.7 % | 780 000 |
Source: Handelsblatt (analysis of Dataforce data).
Geographic rollout
The Handelsblatt report notes that Chinese manufacturers first expanded in Southern and Eastern Europe as well as the United Kingdom before turning their attention to the continent’s largest market – Germany. The rapid uptake in those regions helped push the overall EU share to the current level.
Industry observers warned that the accelerating Chinese presence could intensify price competition and further squeeze the margins of European automakers, many of which are already facing profitability challenges. The report states that “the attack of Chinese manufacturers could further accelerate and the price competition in Europe could tighten, putting additional pressure on the margins of already struggling car makers.”
What remains unknown
Handelsblatt did not disclose the exact brand mix behind the 780 000 vehicles, nor the projected share for the remainder of 2024. The analysis also stops short of quantifying the impact on specific European manufacturers’ sales or profit outlooks. Those details will likely emerge as the full‑year registration data are released.
Looking ahead
If the trend continues, Chinese brands could approach or exceed a 10 % share of EU new‑car registrations by year‑end, reshaping the competitive landscape ahead of the 2025 model‑year cycle. Investors and analysts will be watching the next set of registration figures for signs of whether the growth pace sustains or eases.