New Car Brands Arriving in the UK This Year
Even more new car brands are heading to the UK soon. Keep reading to find out which ones, what cars they’ll be bringing, and when you can catch them on the roads.
8. Denza
Origin: China
Parent Company: BYD
Denza has been around since 2010 and is now positioned as BYD’s premium brand.
Originally a joint venture with Mercedes, it’s now fully owned by Build Your Dreams.
Its first European model, the Z9 GT, is a 925bhp electric grand tourer. Also on the way is the mid-sized Bao 5—an SUV about the same size as a Land Rover Defender (and yes, it’s named after the Chinese steamed bun).
7. Firefly
Origin: China
Parent Company: Nio
Firefly is Nio’s budget brand, set to take on the Renault 5 with an affordable EV. In China, prices start at just £16,000, though it’ll likely cost more in the UK.
Battery details are still under wraps, but there’s a chance it could use Nio’s swappable battery tech—meaning quicker ‘refuels’ and less range anxiety. If priced right, it could be one of the cheapest EVs on the market.
6. Jaecoo
Origin: China
Parent Company: Chery
Chery, a state-owned Chinese automaker founded in 1997, is best known for building Jaguar and Land Rover models for the local market.
Now, its Jaecoo 7 SUV is heading to the UK. About the size of a Hyundai Tucson, it’ll be available with petrol and plug-in hybrid options. To support the launch, a 50-site dealer network is in the works, with franchise partners like Endeavour Automotive, Listers, and Peter Vardy already on board.
5. Leapmotor
Origin: China
Parent Company: None
Stellantis has the exclusive rights to bring Leapmotor cars outside of China, with UK sales kicking off this year. Three models are on the way:
Leapmotor T03 (pictured): A compact EV rival to the Dacia Spring, but with 34 miles more range.B10: A crossover-style hatchback taking on the Renault 5.C10: A family-friendly SUV with a solid 262-mile range.Expect to see them on UK roads soon!
4. Mobilize
Origin: France
Parent Company: Renault
Renault’s new urban mobility brand is stepping into the ultra-compact EV game, taking on the Citroën Ami and Microlino.
Meet the Mobilize Duo—basically the modern-day Renault Twizy. Unlike its predecessor, it comes with airbags and, in its larger battery version, offers up to 100 miles of range.
Need more cargo space? The Bento van version swaps the rear seat for extra storage, making it a tiny workhorse for city life.
3. Onvo
Origin: China
Parent Company: Nio
Onvo may be brand new (founded in 2024), but it’s already setting its sights on Tesla and Polestar.
Unlike many Chinese brands, it’s launching in the UK first, skipping the EU due to import tariffs on Chinese-built EVs.
Its first model, the L60, claims to be the most aerodynamic SUV out there. It’s expected to come with three BYD-supplied battery options—the biggest offering a massive 620-mile range (at least, according to China’s optimistic CLTC test cycle).
2. Xpeng
Origin: China
Parent Company: None
Dubbed the ‘Chinese Tesla,’ Xpeng was founded in 2014 by former GAC execs and quickly gained backing from Alibaba and Xiaomi.
While it’s best known for its wild ‘flying car’ concepts, a much more down-to-earth electric SUV is heading to the UK this year.
Meet the Xpeng G6—one of the most legit Tesla Model Y rivals yet). It comes in three versions:
Standard Range (single motor)Long Range (single motor)Performance (dual motor, but not yet confirmed for the UK)Xpeng’s UK imports are handled by International Motors, the same company that brings in GWM, Isuzu, and Subaru.
1. Yangwang
Origin: China
Parent Company: BYD
BYD’s prestige brand is launching its first model in the UK—the beastly Yangwang U8 SUV. This thing is a total powerhouse, packing four motors, 1180bhp, and a nearly 3500kg weight. It can do tank turns, float on water for up to 30 minutes, and still make you feel like a boss on any terrain.
Oh, and it’s not even a full EV—it’s a range-extender. A 49kWh battery powers the four motors, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine acts as a generator. Talk about next-level engineering.
