- The number of cars imported by the EU from China surged 30.7% in 2025.
- China-made cars' share of the EU market has climbed to 7% from 5% in 2022.
China's car exports to the European Union surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time in 2025, a milestone figure that underscores a profound restructuring of the global auto market.
The number of cars imported by the EU from China surged 30.7% to 1,006,188 units in 2025, according to the latest report released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on April 2.
The share of China-made cars in the EU market has climbed to 7% from 5% in 2022, further cementing China's dominant position as the region's largest source of auto imports.
The ACEA report highlighted the trade imbalance between the EU and China, noting that EU car exports to China plunged 43% in 2025.
In value terms, China's car exports to the EU recorded 13.72 billion euros ($15.83 billion) in 2025, representing a 4.0% year-on-year increase.
While Chinese brands expanded rapidly, traditional Asian rivals stalled, with South Korea and Japan's market shares in Europe stagnating at 3% and 4% respectively last year.
This sluggish growth trend intensified further in 2026; in January and February, Hyundai and Kia's sales in the broader European market fell 8.4% year-on-year to 143,457 units.
In contrast, China's BYD saw its sales in the European market surge by 162.7% during the same period, reaching 36,069 units.
The European EV market is rapidly shifting toward small and low-priced models, with total electric vehicle sales in Europe growing 14.8% year-on-year to 379,604 units in the first two months of this year.
($1 = 0.8666 euros)
