Chinese carmakers overtake Japanese rivals in Europe for first time

Chinese carmakers outsold Japanese rivals in Europe over the three months to September for the first time, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce reported by Bloomberg. The shift marks a milestone in the rapid expansion of Chinese brands, although European manufacturers remain the region’s largest players.

Chinese-branded cars accounted for 12.7% of registrations in September, compared with 11.9% for Japanese manufacturers, Bloomberg reported. The figures are for September, not the quarter as a whole. Chinese brands’ share had been about 1% five years earlier.

The rise has been led by brands including BYD and Chery. Chinese cars are gaining ground as the European Union seeks to curb imports: the bloc has imposed additional tariffs on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles and agreed in principle this month to restrict fast-growing imports of Chinese hybrid cars.

Bloomberg reported that the prospect of restrictions may have encouraged some buyers to bring purchases forward. Nieuws.nl, carrying an ANP/Bloomberg report, put Chinese brands’ September share at 15%, nearly three percentage points higher than in August. That figure differs from the 12.7% reported by Bloomberg and cited by The Japan Times, so the two reports do not give the same September share.

The reported quarterly crossover is significant, but does not mean Chinese makers have overtaken European brands. Volkswagen and Renault, among others, still dominate the regional market, according to Bloomberg. The figures indicate a change in the balance between Chinese and Japanese manufacturers, rather than a lead over Europe’s carmakers.