Electric vehicles (EVs) are now mainstream in Australia, with record sales in May driven by falling prices, improved resale values, and the oil crisis. Chinese brands dominate the market, offering models below $30,000, while infrastructure remains the primary barrier to wider adoption.
Electric vehicles are now mainstream in Australia, with record sales in May driven by falling prices, improved resale values, and the oil crisis. Chinese brands dominate the market, offering models under $30,000, while infrastructure remains the key barrier to wider adoption.
Chinese passenger car sales in Russia decreased by 14% year-over-year to 47,700 units in April 2026, with Chinese brands holding a 41% market share, down from 55% the previous year.
For German consumer Erik Böhme, a first visit to the Beijing auto show was an eye-opener – the world’s largest car exhibition showcased a vast array of electric vehicle (EV) brands, many already gaining traction in Europe. “I think there will be more Chinese brands coming and being successful in Europe,” said Böhme, a freelance automotive consultant who spent two days at the event, which ran through May 3. Böhme was among 250 foreign media, clients and social media influencers invited by Geely...
Chery's Jaecoo 7 became the UK's best-selling car in March, with 10,064 units sold, marking a significant milestone in Chinese automotive manufacturers' aggressive European expansion. The partly state-owned Chinese company, founded in 1997, has a cost advantage of around $8,000 per vehicle compared to European rivals, with materials costs 40% higher and labor costs four times higher in Europe. While the EU imposed 20.7% tariffs on Chinese electric cars, it notably excluded hybrids, allowing PHEVs to flood the market – with 75% of Chery's UK sales being plug-in hybrids.
Chinese consumer brands including tea chains Chagee, Molly Tea and Mixue, retailer Miniso, EV maker BYD, and sportswear company Anta are rapidly expanding globally, challenging established Western brands. This 'chuhai' (going out to sea) trend is driven by intense domestic competition and a sluggish economy, while companies leverage scale built in China's massive consumer market. Despite 'Made in China' perception challenges, analysts note Chinese products now meet demanding global consumer expectations.
A number of Chinese brands have localized production in Russia
