Chinese brands accounted for 14.5 percent of Spain’s auto market in the first eight months of 2026, with MG and BYD leading the surge. Together, MG and BYD account for more than 80 percent of Chinese car sales in the country. Traditional automakers are scrambling to respond.
In 2022, Chinese brands held just 2.7 percent of the market. Their share has since climbed to 14.5 percent, with nearly 120,000 new Chinese cars registered in Spain in the first eight months of 2026. Dozens of new models and brands are competing for Spanish buyers, and industry reports based on official registration data show the increase.
Omoda and Jaecoo, two brands under Chery, together surpassed their total 2025 registrations in the first eight months of 2026, reaching 25,465 units and about 3.1% of the Spanish passenger car market.
MG leads the field with 31,356 registrations so far this year, although its growth has slowed, falling 1.7 percent from 2025. Its lineup spans several powertrains: the MG3 hybrid starts at 17,340 euros, while other models include the MG4, the plug-in S9 and the Cyberster convertible. MG is the only Chinese brand in Spain offering every major powertrain, an advantage in a market still divided over engine types. Concesionariosonline cites its broad lineup as a major reason for its lead among Chinese brands.
BYD is catching up quickly. Sales have soared 111.2 percent to 29,950 cars. The Dolphin Surf starts at 24,490 euros and the Seal sedan at 34,455 euros. BYD now sells electric and hybrid versions of the Atto 2, Atto 3, Seal U DM-i, Sealion 7 and Tang SUV, as well as the plug-in Shark pickup. Denza, BYD’s premium brand, has entered the market with the D9 minivan, priced from 78,500 euros, the Z9GT shooting brake and the BAO 5 plug-in SUV with 544 CV. 20minutos and La Información report that BYD is outpacing most rivals in growth. In some European countries, it has also outsold Tesla in monthly EV sales.
Chery is taking a different approach, offering gasoline, electric and hybrid SUVs through its Omoda and Jaecoo brands. Ebro, a Spanish brand using Chery technology and building cars in Barcelona, has reached 17,992 sales, a 208 percent jump. The S700 HEV and S900 plug-in hybrid (400 CV) are now basic choices for families and fleets. Ebro’s growth is tied to its local assembly in Barcelona. Electromovilidad24 calls the brand a symbol of the new Chinese wave in Spain.
The rapid expansion of Chinese brands in Spain reflects a wider European trend. In 2026, Chinese automakers have reached double-digit market shares in several European countries, with BYD at times surpassing Tesla in electric vehicle sales, EVStats reports.
Lepas, Chery’s newest brand, is already selling the L8 plug-in hybrid. The L6 EV and L4 EV, with a 450 km range, are due in early 2027. Exlantix, a premium electric brand, is also set to arrive in 2027.
Geely, owner of Volvo and a major Lotus shareholder, has launched its own brand in Spain. The E5 electric SUV (218 CV, 475 km range), Starray EM-i plug-in (262 CV, 1,055 km total range) and urban E2 (345 km) are available for reservation. Zeekr, Geely’s premium arm, is promoting the 001, X, 7X and 7GT. Lynk & Co has dropped its subscription model and now focuses on the 01 plug-in, 02 electric (445 km) and 08 plug-in hybrid.
Other brands are also entering the market. Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, targets budget buyers with the T03 city car and B10, priced from 27,300 euros. Xpeng is courting tech-focused drivers with the G6, G9 and P7+ sedan. Changan’s Deepal brand has launched the S05 and S07 electric models, each with a seven-year or 160,000 km warranty.
GWM arrived in June, offering the ORA 5 (hybrid and electric), Haval H7 plug-in (up to 435 CV) and Jolion Max. GAC, through Grupo Invicta, is bringing in the Aion V (204 CV, 510 km, from 37,995 euros) and Aion UT (430 km). Dongfeng, Voyah, SWM, BAIC, DFSK and Livan are also present, each with a mix of electric, hybrid and gasoline models. Their sales remain small compared with those of the leaders.
Maxus, Seres, Hongqi and Skywell have only a handful of cars in showrooms, and their registrations remain negligible.
Despite the growing list of brands, sales are concentrated at the top. MG, BYD, Omoda-Jaecoo and Ebro together account for more than 104,000 of the nearly 120,000 Chinese cars registered this year. Other brands are still building dealer networks and working to establish their cars’ reliability. Several industry publications say the concentration reflects how strongly a few brands are shaping the market.
For buyers, the picture is less straightforward. The Plan Auto+ excludes many China-made models from incentives, so sticker prices often depend on brand discounts. Buyers should compare final costs, warranty terms and service options before purchasing.
Spain’s car market is now a battleground. Chinese brands are setting the pace, with MG and BYD growing quickly, Chery expanding its lineup, and newcomers such as Geely and Leapmotor prompting established brands to rethink their strategies. As reported earlier, pre-pandemic sales levels have returned, with new players driving the numbers.
