China boosts sales of combustion engine and hybrid cars in Europe

While sales of Chinese electric cars are declining in Europe, hybrids and cars with internal combustion engines from the same brands are gaining popularity, Bloomberg reports.

In the first three months of 2025, a record 150,000 Chinese cars were registered in Europe, of which electric cars accounted for 30%, the lowest share since 2020. In March, which was the most successful month for Chinese companies, the share of Chinese cars reached 5.2% of all sales in Europe, breaking the 5% mark for the first time.

The shift in focus from all-electric vehicles to hybrid and internal combustion engines by Chinese automakers is linked to the imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year. The European Union imposed these tariffs because of Beijing's subsidies that gave Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage.

BYD, the leading electric car brand, sold more hybrids than pure electric cars in Europe and the UK for the first time. Another company, SAIC Motor, sold 47,000 hybrids and internal combustion engines in the first quarter, double the number it sold at the start of 2024. On the downside, however, electric car sales have halved.

In addition to tariffs reaching 45% for SAIC, a significant reason for the changes is the growing demand among European buyers who prefer hybrids and conventional cars. This has particularly affected the strategy of BYD, which, according to recent data, is reviewing its approach to the European market.