BYD Europe is now only 10,839 vehicle registrations behind Ford in Europe as a result of an explosion in sales for BYD in the first eight months of 2026. BYD had 234,099 new vehicle registrations in January – August; this was a 144.1 percent increase from the previous year. Ford had 244,938 new vehicle registrations in January – August; this was a 14.4 percent decrease from the previous year.
The registrations in the list above are for the entire European Union, UK, and EFTA. These registrations were compiled from the most up-to-date registration information available to the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). Compared to a year ago, the difference in registrations between these two companies is much greater now.
In fact, since a year ago, BYD’s total number of registrations has been at least double that of what it was then. On the other hand, Ford’s volume has gone down over the same time period.
Therefore, BYD is currently about 4.4% of Ford’s eight-month registration total.
BYD Europe Registration Total Has Doubled in One Year
BYD Europe registered 234,099 vehicles in total during January through August of 2026; a total of 135,000 additional vehicles than BYD registered during the same time frame in 2025.
In addition to doubling its total number of registered vehicles, BYD increased its market share in the included countries from 1.1% in January through August of 2025 to 2.5% in January through August of 2026.
This increase in market share occurred throughout the European market which has experienced rapid changes in recent years. Battery-electric cars accounted for 21.7% of all new registrations in the EU during January through August of 2026 versus 15.8% for BEVs during the same time last year. Plug-in hybrids accounted for 10%, while hybrid vehicles accounted for another 36.6%.
Although BYD does sell both BEVs and PHEVs in Europe, it is important to note that the ACEA manufacturer table does not delineate BYD’s registration numbers by type of powertrain.
Therefore, BYD’s Registration Number cannot serve as a reliable measure of BYD’s sales of only Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). It is important to note when examining the registration numbers that these numbers represent the number of vehicles registered by each manufacturer; however, they do not provide any information regarding the type of power train used to register each vehicle.
Ford Lost More Than 41,000 Registrations
In addition to the registration numbers as mentioned before, Ford also had registration numbers for the same period (January-August) in 2026. The number was 244,938 which is down 14.4% compared to the number registered during the same period in 2025. This represents a year-on-year drop of more than 41,000 registrations.
In recent years, there have been some significant changes at Ford’s European passenger car business. Ford stopped building the Fiesta in 2023 and has removed the Focus, Ka and Mondeo from the list of passenger cars available in Europe.
Currently, Ford’s European passenger car line-up includes models such as the Puma, Kuga, Explorer, Capri and Mustang Mach-E as well as electrified versions of existing models.
As a result of these changes, Ford is seeking to reintroduce smaller vehicles into its European line-up. In December of 2025, Ford entered into an agreement with Renault Group to develop two Ford-branded electric passenger cars based upon Renault’s Ampere platform. Ford expects the first of these vehicles to appear in showrooms sometime in 2028.
Additionally, Ford has identified further European product introductions for future years including new multi-energy vehicles.
None of these additional European products announced by Ford are represented in the 2026 registration data. The current registration data therefore reflects Ford’s existing European line-up as opposed to new products that Ford has announced for introduction at a later date.
SAIC Motor Is Only 14,648 Registrations Behind Ford
BYD Europe is not the only Chinese manufacturer positioned to challenge Ford.
SAIC Motor registered 230,290 vehicles from January through August of 2026; only 14,648 fewer than Ford. SAIC Motor’s registrations increased 19.7% over the same time last year.
SAIC Motor’s European presence consists of MG and Maxus.
As a result, SAIC Motor has a broader array of brands and products than BYD’s singular brand registration total.
The registration data indicates that three manufacturers are relatively close to each other in terms of registrations:
- Ford: 244,938
- BYD: 234,099
- SAIC Motor: 230,290
Only 14,648 registrations separate Ford from SAIC Motor.
Geely Group Is Already Ahead of Ford
Geely Group is positioned ahead of Ford in terms of registration totals.
Geely Group registered 289,128 vehicles through August of 2026; an increase of 11.6%. Geely Group’s registration total is 44,190 vehicles greater than Ford’s.
Geely Group’s registration totals include multiple brands including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.
Consequently, Geely Group’s registration totals are not comparable to either Ford or BYD on a singular brand basis.
However, Geely Group’s registration totals clearly demonstrate how large some Chinese-owned automotive groups have become in terms of registrations in Europe.
Chery Has the Fastest Growth Among the Major Chinese Groups
Chery Automobile registered 207,871 vehicles through August of 2026.
While Chery Automobile’s registration total is less than those of Ford, BYD and SAIC Motor; Chery Automobile experienced a year-over-year increase of 279.7%.
Chery Automobile’s European expansion consists of brands such as Omoda, Jaecoo and Jetour.
As is the case with SAIC Motor; Chery Automobile’s registration totals include vehicles with various powertrains.
Therefore, Chery Automobile’s registration total should not be viewed as representing only electric cars.
The four major Chinese groups included in the ACEA data have the following eight-month totals:
| Manufacturer | Jan-Aug 2026 | Change From 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Geely Group | 289,128 | +11.6% |
| Ford | 244,938 | -14.4% |
| BYD | 234,099 | +144.1% |
| SAIC Motor | 230,290 | +19.7% |
| Chery Automobile | 207,871 | +279.7% |
Four Major Chinese Groups Account for 10.4% of the Market
Collectively, Geely Group, BYD, SAIC Motor and Chery Automobile accounted for 10.4% of registrations in the EU/EFTA/UK manufacturer data.
It is important to interpret this percentage as representing a collective group share. Each of Geely Group, SAIC Motor and Chery Automobile represent multiple brands whereas BYD’s percentage represents only the BYD brand.
Furthermore, it is important to recognize that these comparisons include companies at varying stages of expanding into Europe.
BYD Europe has been selling vehicles in Europe for many years whereas several of the brands under the larger Chinese groups have only recently begun expanding into Europe.
BYD Europe and the EU EV Market
The broader European market is also transitioning away from gasoline and diesel.
ACEA recorded 1,641,333 new battery-electric cars in the EU during January through August of 2026.
The transition away from gasoline and diesel is occurring across several large European markets. BEV registrations in France increased 74.2% through August of 2026, BEV registrations in Germany increased 53.1% through August of 2026, and BEV registrations in Denmark increased 40.9% through August of 2026 according to ACEA.
These transitional elements provide a valuable context for BYD’s growth; however, the registration data does not provide evidence that BYD’s 144.1% increase in registrations was attributable solely to increases in overall EV demand.
As previously mentioned, BYD sells both BEVs and PHEVs and the ACEA manufacturer table does not provide a powertrain breakdown for BYD.
The Gap Between Ford and BYD Is Now 10,839 Vehicles
Following eight months of 2026, the gap between BYD Europe and Ford is evident:
- Ford — 244,938 registrations
- BYD — 234,099 registrations
- Gap — 10,839 registrations
More notably, what occurred between these two totals relative to a year ago. BYD increased its registrations at a rate of 144.1% whereas Ford’s registration totals decreased by 14.4%.
SAIC Motor is also within 14,648 registrations of Ford whereas Geely Group has now surpassed Ford on a group-level basis.
Ford’s next European product introductions will not occur until a later date. The first two Ford EVs being developed jointly with Renault Group are expected to arrive in showrooms in 2028; thereby separating them from the registration totals reported for January through August of 2026.
For the remainder of 2026; future registration reports will demonstrate whether the gap between Ford and BYD continues to narrow.
