KATHMANDU: Chinese car brands are gaining strong traction in the UK, led by Chery’s Jaecoo. The Jaecoo 7 SUV has become one of the country’s most talked-about models. In December, it ranked as the sixth best-selling car in the UK. It sold more units than the Mini Cooper, Tesla Model 3, and Nissan Juke.
Jaecoo entered the UK market only a year ago. Since then, its growth has been rapid. By the end of 2025, the brand sold around 28,000 vehicles. This gave it a 1.4 percent market share. It now sits ahead of well-known brands such as Honda, Citroen, and Porsche, according to Bloomberg.
The Jaecoo 7 is the brand’s top seller. In China, the same SUV is sold under Chery with different names, depending on the powertrain. Despite its sales success, the model has received weak reviews.
Jaecoo says buyers are drawn by the interior design, long equipment list, and a seven-year warranty. Many rivals offer only half that coverage. Reviewers agree the SUV is well equipped. However, they criticize the ride, handling, performance, infotainment system, and driver-assist features.
Price remains the biggest attraction. The Jaecoo 7 looks similar to a Range Rover Evoque but costs about $19,000 less. This has earned it the nickname “Temu Range Rover” on social media. The Evoque itself does not feature among the UK’s top 10 best sellers.
The base Jaecoo 7 uses a 1.6-liter petrol engine. It produces 143 hp. In the UK, it starts at around $38,000. A basic Range Rover Evoque costs roughly $56,000, with only slightly more power. Jaecoo also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the 7 at about $44,000. The smaller Jaecoo 5 starts at around $31,000, while its electric version costs close to $35,000.
With these prices, many UK buyers are willing to overlook poor reviews. Strong sales have also pushed Chery to consider building a factory in the UK.
Jaecoo is not the only Chinese brand seeing success. BYD’s Seal U DM-i is now the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid. BYD holds about 2.5 percent of the UK car market. Chinese automakers are clearly reshaping the market. Other regions, including Canada, may soon see the same trend.
