The Jaecoo 7 outsold the Nissan Qashqai in the UK last month, highlighting the challenge posed to long-established competitors by the Chinese newcomer.

A total of 2611 examples of the 7 were registered in the UK in October, according to data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Wednesday, compared with 2461 Qashqais.

Although the Qashqai remains on top over the past three months, with 10,721 registrations, the 7 is close behind, at 10,467.

A total of 35,250 Qashqais have been registered in the UK in 2025 so far, compared with 21,021 examples of the 7 – which first hit UK roads in January.

But the performance could put the 7 in with a chance to land in the UK’s top 10 best-selling models by the end of the year, which would prove a remarkable performance in the brand’s debut year. The Volvo XC40 currently sits in 10th place, with 25,106 registrations.

“The way that the Jaecoo 7 has been taken to by the UK public is truly humbling,” Oli Lowe, UK head of product for Jaecoo and sibling brand Omoda, told Autocar.

Lowe highlighted the car’s styling, competitive pricing and plug-in-hybrid powertrain – with an electric-only range of 56 miles – as key draws.

“On top of this we have an extremely engaged and positive dealer network that have bought into the brand and are really enjoying the steady stream of new products,” Lowe added.

Meanwhile, Renault topped the UK’s EV sales charts in October, taking a 49% share of the market. That was thanks in part to the Renault 5, which was the UK’s best-selling EV. Some 1700 examples were sold during the month.

Adam Wood, managing director of Renault UK, said it is “clear evidence that public attitudes to electric cars are changing”.

Wood added that it was thanks to Renault now having its “best ever” range of EVs, as well as a boost in interest from the introduction of the Government’s Electric Car Grant. Indeed, all of Renault’s electric cars – the 4, 5, Megane and Scenic – qualify for a £1500 discount under the ECG scheme.

“The route to 80% electric registrations by 2030 [as required by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate] remains challenging, but the key is that all stakeholders – manufacturers, Government and charge point providers – continue to work together to build positive momentum,” said Wood.

A total of 144,948 new cars were registered in the UK in October, an improvement of 0.5% on the same month last year. EVs and PHEVs made big gains of 23.6% and 27.2%, respectively, while sales of petrol and diesel cars both slumped. 

However, any growth could be undone by the government’s decision to crack down on the Employee Car Ownership Scheme (ECOS), the SMMT warned. 

The ECOS allows employees of car manufacturers and dealers to buy new cars at bargain prices, selling it back after around six months or 6000 miles to be replaced with another car. This incentive accounts for around 100,000 sales every year, but killing it could lose the industry more than £1 billion in revenue and throttle sales of used cars, the SMMT said.