Brits are embracing the lower monthly payments on most Chinese cars, here’s the word;
Three of the top 10 most leased vehicles across 2026 are now from Chinese manufacturers, new stats from a leading UK broker have revealed. The data is based on vehicles delivered by Select Car Leasing since the start of the year and sees the Jaecoo 7 in pole position, with a 26% share of the top 10 as a whole. Jaecoo, a brand that belongs to Chery International, is joined on the list by fellow Chinese manufacturers BYD and Leapmotor.
The BYD Seal saloon is placed 4th while the Leapmotor C10 is in 8th.
Select Car Leasing’s most-delivered vehicles in 2026 so far
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Jaecoo 7 – 25.48% of top 10 deliveries
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Kia Sportage – 14.59% of top 10 deliveries
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VW T-Roc – 9.4% of top 10 deliveries
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BYD Seal – 8.85% of top 10 deliveries
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Nissan Qashqai – 8.48% of top 10 deliveries
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VW Tiguan – 7.42% of top 10 deliveries
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VW Golf – 7.07% of top 10 deliveries
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Leapmotor C10 EV – 6.70% of top 10 deliveries
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Hyundai Tucson – 6.04% of top 10 deliveries
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VW ID. Buzz Cargo – 5.96% of top 10 deliveries
That’s a first for Select; there was just one Chinese manufacturer in 2025’s list of most-delivered vehicles – the Jaecoo 7 in No.1 position.
Select’s most-delivered vehicles across 2025
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Jaecoo 7
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Nissan Qashqai
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Hyundai Tucson
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Tesla Model 3
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VW Tiguan
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VW Golf
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Peugeot 2008
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Renault Symbioz
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Kia Sportage
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Peugeot 3008
Geoff Cockerill, Director of Operations at Select Car Leasing, says the rise of Chinese manufacturers reflects a modern car and van leasing landscape where the price of a deal can often trump the allure of a well-known brand.
He said: “For the second year running, the Jaecoo 7 is proving to be Select’s most popular lease vehicle – but it’s not the only Chinese manufacturer making huge inroads into the UK leasing market.
“We’ve delivered more examples of the BYD Seal than any other electric vehicle across 2026, while the Leapmotor C10 Electric has also proved incredibly popular, its success driven by affordable special offers.
“While our top 10 list still features traditional manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Kia, Nissan and Hyundai, our data illustrates how the sector is being reshaped.”
There are three fully electric vehicles in Select’s top 10 most-delivered; BYD Seal, Leapmotor C10 EV, and the VW ID. Buzz Cargo.
By comparison, there was just one EV – the Tesla Model 3 – in 2025’s list.
The unstoppable Jaecoo 7
The Jaecoo 7, described by many as an affordable Range Rover lookalike, is continuing its unprecedented sales success.
The latest figures revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the Jaecoo 7 was the UK’s best-selling car in September, with 10,814 registrations compared to the 9,929 enjoyed by its nearest rival, the Tesla Model 3.
The Jaecoo 7 is also on course to become the second most popular new car of 2026 as a whole, behind the Ford Puma but ahead of the Kia Sportage.
Select Car Leasing is the UK’s largest vehicle lease broker by volume, so its figures may be representative of the lease market as a whole – though actual deliveries will vary between brokers.
Mr Cockerill added: “Select’s own delivery data differs from that of official new car registration figures and suggests that certain Chinese brands are performing particularly well within our customer base, relative to their national registration volumes.
“One possible explanation is our customer demographic, which is predominantly Personal Contract Hire (PCH). Established company-car schemes may take longer to incorporate newer brands into their approved vehicle lists, potentially influencing the mix of vehicles selected by fleet customers compared with personal leasing customers.
“Overal, the lease market never stands still and customers are more adept than ever when it comes to choosing a car lease deal that’s best suited to their budget and needs, regardless of the badge sitting on the front of the bonnet.
“Jaecoo’s rise to prominence in such a short space of time shows just how quickly the market can adapt.”
Fuel type – 2026
Electric – 39.00% (up from 31.82% in 2025)
Petrol – 29.03% (down from 34.73% in 2025)
Petrol PHEV – 14.37% (up from 13.00% in 2025)
Petrol Electric Hybrid – 10.41% (down from 11.07% in 2025)
Diesel – 7.16% (down from 9.32% in 2025)
Diesel PHEV – 0.01% (down from 0.05% in 2025)
The rise of EVs continues apace in 2026, according to the Select Car Leasing data.
The percentage of EVs delivered across the year has risen by more than 7%, from 31.82% in 2025 to 39% in 2026. Petrol plug-in hybrids have also made gains.
With the price of diesel having skyrocketed in 2026, deliveries have dwindled – dropping from 9.32% in 2025 to 7.16% this year.
Petrol deliveries have also fallen, going from 34.73% in 2025 to 29.03% this year.
Mr Cockerill said: “More than 53% of the vehicles we’ve delivered so far in 2026 now have a plug of some description. That’s a significant milestone for Select Car Leasing and way above the industry norm.”
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