Chinese carmakers are gaining ground in Germany, with their share of modern registrations rising to 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026 — up from 2.4 percent for all of 2025 and just 1.7 percent in 2024. This steady climb reflects a deliberate push by brands like BYD and MG Roewe, which together account for over half of all Chinese vehicle sales in the country.
The growth is being driven not just by product appeal but by a rapid expansion of dealer networks. MG Roewe now operates around 180 locations in Germany, BYD has about 155, and Leapmotor — through a partnership with Stellantis — has reached roughly 120 sites. These numbers have increased significantly in recent weeks, according to Stefan Reindl of the Institute for Automotive Economics in Geislingen, who notes that Chinese manufacturers have recognized the need for local visibility and customer support to succeed in a competitive market.
Burkhard Weller, whose Wellergruppe runs 42 dealerships across Germany and now offers BYD at 12 locations and MG Roewe at 10, says the response from buyers has been positive. “We are very satisfied,” he states. “Sales are strong, and customers reach to us having already researched the brands in depth.” He adds that both BYD and MG approached his group independently, and after evaluation, his team concluded they were the right partners to bring on board.
Despite the momentum, Reindl cautions that not all entrants will survive. He expects only five or six Chinese brands to establish a lasting presence in Germany, collectively capturing perhaps eight to ten percent of the market. The German automotive landscape remains demanding, with strong consumer loyalty to domestic manufacturers and intense competition from established players.
On a broader European scale, the impact is even more pronounced. ACEA data for January and February 2026 shows BYD holding a 1.8 percent share of the EU market, while SAIC — parent of MG and Maxus — reached 1.9 percent. These figures exclude European-made vehicles owned by Chinese companies, such as Volvo or the Smart fortwo, which are counted separately.
Yet in the overall fleet, Chinese cars remain a minor presence. As of January 1, 2026, only 131,000 of Germany’s 49.5 million registered vehicles were of Chinese origin — just 0.26 percent. The low absolute number underscores how early this shift still is, even as the trajectory points upward. In China itself, manufacturers face growing pressure to export more vehicles abroad due to domestic overcapacity, which could further accelerate their push into Western markets.
Will Chinese cars become a common sight on German roads soon?
Not in the near term. While their share of new sales is growing rapidly, Chinese vehicles still build up less than three percent of registrations and under 0.3 percent of the total vehicle fleet. Widespread visibility will take years, depending on sustained sales growth and consumer acceptance.
Why are Chinese automakers focusing on building dealer networks in Germany?
Because success in the German market requires local presence for visibility, customer trust, and after-sales support. As Stefan Reindl explains, manufacturers have realized that without a strong retail footprint, even competitive vehicles struggle to gain traction among discerning buyers.
