New car sales in the UK increased by 9.2% in the first half of 2026, reaching 1.138 million registrations. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that demand for electrified vehicles fueled the growth, though the sector remains under pressure from regulatory targets and slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption.
Chinese brands surge as Jaecoo becomes a top seller
The most notable success among foreign automakers came from Chinese brands, led by the Chery Group. Its Jaecoo sub-brand entered the UK market with a design inspired by Range Rover. The Jaecoo 7 became the country’s third best-selling car in the first six months, with 23,840 units sold.
Sales of the Jaecoo 5, 7, and 8 combined reached 34,067, nearly matching Renault’s total. Chinese-made vehicles now represent over 15% of the UK market, with nearly 175,000 Chinese-branded cars sold in the first half of the year.
Electric vehicles hit record share but fall short of targets
EVs and plug-in hybrids continued to drive industry growth, with sales rising 26.6% and 38.4%. Electric cars now account for 25% of new registrations year-to-date, up from 21.6% in the same period last year. In June alone, they made up 30% of sales, surpassing hybrids and plug-in hybrids combined.
The figures still lag behind the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. Tesla saw a 22% increase in registrations in 2026, driven by aggressive pricing and entry-level models. The Model Y and Model 3 topped June’s sales, though Tesla’s bulk deliveries sometimes distort monthly figures.
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Ford remains a dominant force in the UK. The Puma was the best-selling car in the first half of the year, with 29,942 registrations. That total exceeded its closest competitor by nearly 6,000 units. The Transit Custom also led the van segment, with 23,000 units sold.
Stellantis brands and Mazda struggle as market shifts
Not all automakers benefited from the growth. DS Automobiles, despite launching new models like the No.8 and No.4, saw sales drop 88%, with only 112 cars registered in six months. Fiat and Peugeot, both part of Stellantis, also posted declines of 39% and 14%.
Mazda’s sales fell 21%, though the company expects its new CX-5 and electric Mazda 6e to help recover ground. The uneven performance shows how quickly consumer preferences are changing, with some brands adapting faster than others.
The first half of 2026 revealed a market in transition. Chinese brands are gaining influence, electric vehicles are growing steadily but not fast enough, and long-established players face new challenges. The coming months will determine whether these patterns continue or if new developments arise.
