(Yicai) Nov. 7 -- Sales of Chinese cars in the United Kingdom more than tripled in September, with three models ranking among the country’s top 10 sellers, amid a rapid overseas expansion by Chinese automakers.

Some 40,729 Chinese cars were sold in the UK in September, up 235 percent from a year ago and accounting for nearly 30 percent of all autos registered in the first three quarters, according to data released by the China Automobile Dealers Association yesterday.

Chery Automobile’s Jaecoo7 ranked fourth by sales in the UK with 6,489, while BYD’s Seal U took sixth spot with 5,373 and MG’s HS took eighth place with 5,173.

BYD, China’s top-selling new energy vehicle maker, reported particularly fast sales growth in the UK market. Its passenger vehicle sales skyrocketed to 11,271 in September, up 880 percent from a year earlier and 541 percent on August.

The UK’s new car market expanded 14 percent to 312,891 registrations in September, one of the strongest months in a decade, second only to the 328,041 logged in September 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the country’s main auto trade association.

Electric vehicles accounted for more than half of new registrations in the month, with pure EV sales reaching a record 72,779, per the association’s figures.

China’s auto supply chain resilience is proving an advantage, with exports surging over the past two years, said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association. Exports of Chinese self-owned brands have entered a new strategic stage, he added.

Starting with localized local knock-down assembly, they are gradually improving their supply chains, and the collaborative efforts of vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers in overseas markets have yielded significant results, Cui noted. Chinese carmakers are also growing sales in markets such as Australia, Peru, and Spain.

Editor: Futura Costaglione