Chinese brands gain market share

Chinese car manufacturers are increasing their market share in Europe, according to a study by AAA Data. The research shows that many buyers of Chinese cars previously owned vehicles from European brands like Peugeot, Renault, and Volkswagen.

European brands rank in the study

Peugeot leads the list with 11.3% of buyers who previously owned one of its vehicles, followed by Renault at 8.8% and Volkswagen at 6.6%. Hyundai ranks at 6.2%, surpassing brands like Citroën, Opel, Ford, and BMW. Tesla is much lower, at 23rd place with 1.46%.

Study based on limited data

The study is based on 274 new car purchase journeys from Chinese brands between January and May 2026. Vehicle disposals were identified in a three-month window before or after the purchase. AAA Data notes that these findings are preliminary and need confirmation with a larger sample.

Used car buyers switch to Chinese brands

Chinese brands are not only attracting buyers of new cars from traditional manufacturers but also those who previously relied on the used car market. The study found that 62% of buyers of Chinese brands previously owned a used car, compared to 35% for buyers of other brands.

Aging vehicles replaced by Chinese cars

The average age of the replaced vehicles is 88 months for Chinese brand customers, compared to 81 months for other buyers. This suggests that Chinese cars are often used to replace older vehicles, possibly due to their affordability.

Price differences attract buyers

On certain segments, Chinese models offer prices lower than their European counterparts. For example, the B segment shows a price gap of up to 15%. This affordability can attract buyers looking to replace aging diesel vehicles or switch to electric models. Among Chinese brand buyers, 32% previously drove a diesel car, compared to 25% for other brands.