BYD’s Seal U and Atto 2 DM-i are reshaping Spain’s car market in 2026. These Chinese plug-in hybrids are outselling long-standing favorites and influencing what Spanish families look for in a car.
Price and range now matter most, while equipment is also a draw. Five of the ten top-selling plug-in hybrids this year are Chinese, with BYD and Chery leading the way. The BYD Seal U has sold 7,445 units, up from 1,592 in 2024. The Atto 2 is set to top 10,000 sales in its first full year. Expansion reports that Chinese brands have captured about 15% of Spain’s total new-car market in 2026, and nearly 20% among private buyers.
Buyers are switching to Chinese hybrids for better equipment and bold design. Electric-only ranges exceed 100 kilometers, often at lower prices than those of European and Japanese rivals. A BYD Seal U costs the same as a Toyota C-HR plug-in hybrid but has a much bigger interior. The Omoda 9 packs over 500 horsepower at a price others can’t match. The Omoda 7 and Ebro S700 have also attracted buyers with sharp looks and features tailored to European tastes.
Non-plug-in Chinese hybrids, including the MG ZS and Omoda 5, have also broken into Spain’s top ten. New names such as Geely and GWM are arriving with models including the Starray EM-i and Ora 5. Chinese brands offer both combustion and electrified models, giving buyers more options. Spain’s plug-in market share has climbed above 20%.
High gasoline prices add to the appeal. Running a plug-in hybrid on electricity at home can cost as little as €1.20 to €1.60 per 100 kilometers. A petrol car costs €14 per 100 kilometers, while a non-plug-in hybrid costs €10. Public charging is also much cheaper than fuel. The full savings depend on having a home charger, but for those who do, the cost gap is large.
Expansion reports that Chery, through its Omoda and Jaecoo brands, has surpassed 45,000 registrations in Spain in 2026. Omoda and Jaecoo alone recorded 25,465 registrations from January to August, an increase of over 80% year on year.
Legacy carmakers have struggled to keep up. Most European brands dropped small plug-in hybrids, citing cost and space constraints. Chinese firms filled the gap with cars designed for the segment. The BYD Dolphin G DM-i has no direct rival in its size, and Chinese brands now account for 11 of Spain’s 30 best-selling electrified models, a shift that has happened in just two years.
Brussels’ rules have pushed all carmakers toward electrification. Many European brands went straight to fully electric cars, while Chinese companies doubled down on hybrids and plug-in hybrids. They saw an chance as buyers remained concerned about range and the high prices of big-battery EVs.
Earlier coverage from Russpain showed how Chinese brands prompted a rethink on quality and value. The sales figures now back that up: these companies are no longer outsiders but are shaping Spain’s car market.
More Chinese hybrids are coming, and established brands are adding new models.
