Tesla Model Y leads Europe in September, Chinese cars accelerate.
The Model Y delivered 25,938 vehicles in Europe in September, down 8.6% year-on-year; Chinese vehicles achieved a record market share of 7.4% with 90,571 units sold, with MG leading the growth.
The Tesla Model Y reclaimed its position as Europe's best-selling car in September with 25,938 deliveries, surpassing long-standing rivals at a time when Chinese brands were accelerating their sales. In the same month, Chinese car market share reached a record 7.4%, equivalent to 90,571 vehicles, double that of the same period last year.
Tesla Model Y reclaims top spot in September.
According to statistics, 25,938 Model Y units were delivered in Europe in September. This represents an 8.6% decrease compared to the same period last year, but a significant improvement compared to August when the model ranked 17th and July when it only ranked 60th in the region.
Cumulatively from the beginning of the year, the Model Y is currently in 17th place with 109,793 units sold, significantly lower than the 185,947 Dacia Sandero units sold in the first nine months of the year.
September Bestselling Rankings
| Car model | September sales figures (vehicles) |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 25,938 |
| Renault Clio | 20,146 |
| Dacia Sandero | 19,200 |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 18,652 |
The top 10 best-selling cars in September did not include any representatives from Chinese automakers.
Chinese cars set record market share in Europe.
According to the latest figures, Chinese brands accounted for 7.4% of all new car sales in September, up from 5.5% in June. Compared to the same period last year (3.3%), market share has doubled in just one year. According to Auto News, total Chinese car sales in September reached 90,571 units, an increase of 149%.
MG, BYD, Chery: Growth and Key Models
Among Chinese brands, MG led with 33,536 vehicles in September, a 77% increase, bringing its year-to-date sales to 225,334. The MG ZS continued to be the flagship model with 94,925 vehicles sold year-to-date.
BYD recorded 24,336 vehicles in September, a sharp increase compared to 4,561 vehicles in the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year, the company has delivered 119,805 vehicles in Europe; over 55,000 of these are Seal U models (also known as Sealion 6 in some markets).
Chery ranked third in the group with 18,454 vehicles in September, bringing its total annual sales to 73,128 vehicles, including its two sub-brands Jaecoo and Omoda.
| Trademark | September (car) | Compared to the same period | Since the beginning of the year (car) | Main model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG | 33,536 | +77% | 225,334 | ZS: 94.925 |
| BYD | 24,336 | Up from 4,561 | 119,805 | Seal U: >55,000 |
| Curry | 18,454 | — | 73,128 | Includes Jaecoo, Omoda |
The competitive landscape is being reshaped.
The Model Y's return to the top spot demonstrates Tesla's appeal as an electric vehicle across the region, even though its cumulative annual sales haven't yet surpassed those of mainstream hatchbacks and crossovers. Conversely, Chinese brands continue to expand their presence at a rapid pace, contributing increasingly larger market shares through their flagship models.
In the short term, traditional car manufacturers will maintain their position in the mass market segment, while the monthly EV leader may fluctuate depending on supply and delivery cycles. In the long term, the impressive growth rate of Chinese manufacturers suggests that the race for market share in Europe will become even more competitive, especially in the affordable product range.
