Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz warned that the US could face an influx of low-cost Chinese electric vehicles without protective measures. He noted that Chinese cars are currently 30% to 40% cheaper than competitors in markets like Italy, Spain, and France, despite existing trade barriers.
In the UK, where such barriers are absent, Chinese brands now account for over 15% of new car registrations. BYD, a major player, registered 48,265 vehicles in the UK during the first eight months of the year, nearly doubling its 24,333 registrations from the same period in 2025. Its market share rose to 3.48%.
The UK market saw electric vehicle sales grow by 28.6% this year, while petrol car sales declined by 3%. In August, EVs represented 29.8% of new registrations. The BYD Dolphin Surf is currently available in the UK starting at £18,675, or approximately $25,000.
The US currently maintains a 100% tariff on Chinese EV imports, alongside restrictions on connected-vehicle software and battery components. Ford CEO Jim Farley has also expressed concerns, noting that China possesses the capacity to produce over 50 million vehicles annually.
Western automakers are responding with new budget-friendly models. Ford plans to launch the Fathom pickup in 2027 on its new UEV platform with a starting price of $30,000. Kia has opened orders for the EV3 in the US, which starts at $29,890, while Hyundai offers the IONIQ 5 starting at $35,000.
