BYD has continued its remarkable rise in the UK automotive market, achieving record sales in the first quarter of 2026. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the brand registered 21,337 vehicles in the UK over the three-month period, marking its best-ever quarterly performance. March alone proved historic, with 15,162 units sold, representing a 134% increase compared to the same month last year and securing a market share exceeding 3.98%.
This surge in sales reflects the growing appeal of BYD’s New Energy Vehicles, which include fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. The SEAL U DM-i emerged as the standout performer across the quarter, while the SEAL established itself as the most popular fully electric vehicle in the lineup. With the arrival of new models such as the SEALION 5 DM-i and SEAL 6 (Saloon and Touring), BYD’s diverse portfolio is capturing the attention of UK buyers seeking efficiency, style, and cutting-edge technology.
The brand’s Super Hybrid DM-i models are particularly popular due to their exceptional range, offering up to 935 miles on a full tank, while demand for fully electric vehicles continues to grow. BYD’s expanding retail network, now at 132 locations with plans to reach 150 by summer, has also played a crucial role in supporting this record-breaking performance.
Bono Ge, Country Manager of BYD UK, commented, “We’re naturally delighted to have achieved such impressive UK car sales in March and the overall quarter. Building on the growth which we’ve already had in this country since we arrived three years ago, our cars, with their strong value-for-money and appealing style and technology, continue to really strike a chord with both private and fleet buyers. As a result of the fluctuating prices at the pumps currently, we’re seeing plenty of interest from British car buyers keen to explore our electric and plug-in hybrid technologies.
I’d like to personally thank the drive and passion of our UK team and our retailer partners in delivering this success, and we’re looking forward to having a really strong rest of the year, with plenty more interesting new BYD cars to come, as well as the UK launch of our technology-led premium brand, DENZA.”
BYD’s Q1 2026 performance cements its position as the UK’s leading New Energy Vehicle brand, with over 11% of the BEV and PHEV market in March, demonstrating the brand’s increasing influence and the growing appetite for sustainable mobility solutions in the UK.
