La Centrale in France leads at +206% year-on-year EV lead growth, followed by AutoTrader in South Africa at +154.6%, Autovit in Romania at +66%, Standvirtual in Portugal at +60%, and Otomoto in Poland at +34.3%. Portugal is Europe’s most EV-mature market: EVs account for 14.9% of leads there, almost double the next closest market.
Chinese brands are converting early interest into durable market share. France recorded the strongest increase in Chinese brand demand, up +276% year-on-year, more than double Romania at +119%. In Romania, where EV prices fell nearly 8%, Chinese-made vehicles are widening access to affordable EVs. In France, Chinese brand demand keeps climbing even as EV prices rise +25%.
South Africa tells a different story. Chinese brands hold their highest share of demand in the group at 7.31%, led by Haval. But just 0.3% of Chinese brand demand there is for EVs. Petrol and hybrid SUVs dominate, reflecting local infrastructure and consumer preferences.
MG and BYD now appear among the leading Chinese brands in four of the five markets.
“Where EV adoption is accelerating, demand for Chinese automotive brands is accelerating with it. The transition to electric mobility is happening faster, and more broadly, because Chinese manufacturers are in it.”
Christian Gisy, CEO of OLX Group
