If you've been keeping an eye on car news lately, you've probably noticed a wave of new car brands making their way to the UK. Most of them? Coming straight out of China.
There are two big reasons for this:
- China is now the biggest car market in the world (over 23 million new cars sold in 2024 alone).
- The way we buy cars is changing—especially when it comes to EVs.
While European brands are still getting their electric act together ahead of the UK's 2035 petrol/diesel ban, Chinese manufacturers are already well ahead. A decade ago, their cars weren’t taken seriously. Now? They're legit competitors.
And here’s the thing: more and more EV buyers don’t care about sticking to “legacy” brands. Tesla proved a new name can take over the charts. (Case in point: the Tesla Model Y was the UK’s best-selling EV in 2024.)
So, who’s coming to the UK next? Let’s dive into the names you’ll be seeing on the road soon.
Denza
From: China
Parent company: BYD
Denza has actually been around since 2010. It started as a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz’s parent company but is now fully BYD-owned. It’s being pitched as BYD’s premium brand.
First up: the Z9 GT, a seriously powerful shooting brake with either 925bhp (EV) or 858bhp (PHEV). After that, a big seven-seat MPV called the D9 is on the way.
Expected UK arrival: Late 2025 or early 2026
Firefly
From: China
Parent company: Nio
Firefly is Nio’s new budget-friendly EV brand. Think of it as a rival to the upcoming Renault 5 reboot.
Prices start at around £16,000 in China, so even with the UK price bump, it could be one of the cheapest EVs you can buy here. It might even come with Nio’s clever battery-swapping tech—but details are still under wraps.
GAC
From: China
Parent company: Guangzhou Automobile Group
GAC might be one of the biggest car brands you've never heard of. It’s state-owned, works with both Honda and Toyota, and it’s heading to the UK very soon.
You’ll see two models first:
- The Aion UT (a quirky, Mini-style hatch that’s actually ID.3-sized)
- The Aion V, a crossover built to take on the Tesla Model Y
Mobilize
From: France
Parent company: Renault
Meet Renault’s city-focused sub-brand, built for tight spaces and urban life.
Its first UK car, the Mobilize Duo, looks like the spiritual successor to the Renault Twizy—but with airbags and up to 100 miles of range. There’s also a van version, the Bento, which swaps the back seat for a bigger boot.
Perfect for city driving, food delivery, or just standing out.
Onvo
From: China
Parent company: Nio
Onvo is brand new (launched in 2024) and already positioning itself as a Tesla rival.
First up: the L60 SUV. It claims to be the most aerodynamic SUV on the market and could come with up to 620 miles of range (though that’s based on China’s very generous testing cycle).
UK gets it before the EU—thank our lower import tariffs.
Yangwang
From: China
Parent company: BYD
This one sounds like a meme but is seriously wild. Yangwang is BYD’s luxury off-road brand, and their first UK model—the U8 SUV—is a monster.
Stats?
- 1180bhp
- Nearly 3500kg
- Can spin on the spot with quad motors
- Can float in water for 30 minutes (yes, really)
- Range-extender setup with a petrol generator + 49kWh battery
Think of it as an electric tank with a tech twist.
