Sixty percent of all Chinese cars in Europe come from one brand, with promotions such as "two for the price of one" deals in Germany contributing to its dominance.
According to a new report from analyst firm Schmidt Automotive Research, MG models account for six out of ten Chinese electric cars sold in Western Europe.
MG's success stands in contrast to other Chinese brands, which have yet to achieve comparable sales volumes in Europe. The brand's growth has been particularly driven by the popularity of the MG4 model, which has gained traction among European car buyers.
In the first half of the year, the MG4 became the fourth best-selling electric car in Europe.
Overall, MG registered 165,311 cars from January to September this year, up from 156,513 during the same period last year, according to Schmidt Automotive Research.
In contrast, other Chinese brands are struggling to compete with MG. BYD, a major global player in electric vehicles, has experienced more limited success in Europe.
From January to September, BYD registered 28,535 cars in Western Europe — a threefold increase over last year but still a fraction of MG's sales. Both BYD and MG’s parent company, SAIC, are state-owned enterprises.
Other Chinese brands have seen even lower numbers:
Lynk & Co: 5,296 registrations during the period, just a quarter of their 2023 figures.
Xpeng: Sales increased tenfold but still only reached 4,377 cars in Western Europe.
NIO: Registrations fell to 1,216, down from over 1,500 in the same period last year.
MG's strategy in Europe could serve as a model for other Chinese manufacturers seeking to expand their market share in the competitive industry. Yet, MG’s parent company, SAIC, faces challenges from the EU’s new punitive tariffs, which have hit some car manufacturers particularly hard.
Convincing customers in Europe's largest car market, Germany, remains a challenge. To address this, MG's German importer implemented an unusual promotion earlier this year: customers who purchased a new MG4 received an additional MG4 on a leasing agreement, fully paid for by the importer.
