Chinese Challengers

New contenders from the east

As part of its Made in China 2025 strategy, the Chinese government set out to dominate each stage of the EV supply chain; from raw material extration, through battery production to vehicle assembly; in order to control costs and reduce reliance on Western companies.

While we have already seen the fruits of this labour in the car sector, only Maxus has so far successfully penetrated the UK CV market but there is growing evidence that other Chinese OEMs are shifting their attention to our shores.

This year, Farizon was officially launched in the UK via middle-eastern distributor Jameel Motors, Wrightbus partnered with JAC to bring in the Rightech RT75 truck and Wakefield-based Pelican Engineering introduced the Yutong TE7 7.5-tonner, but there are many more gearing up for the move.

BYD

Arguably the most high-profile Chinese entrant to the car market has been BYD with its huge advertising campaigns and sports sponsorships. Not only is BYD China’s largest EV manufacturer, it is also the country’s second-largest battery manufacturer with its vertically-integrated model gives it a significant cost and supply advantage.

Currently commanding 1.8% of new car sales in the UK, BYD is set to enter the UK van market later this year with the 3.5t e-Vali and there are further vans and trucks scheduled for later in the decade.

GWM

GWM, or Great Wall Motors, may be a familiar name to some pickup owners after its Steed one-tonne pickup was on sale in the UK between 2012 and 2017. There was then a four-year hiatus before the Funky Cat car was introduced in 2021 and, later this year, its UK importer IM Group look set to re-enter the pickup segment with the Cannon.

Compared to other OEMs on this list, GWM is a relatively small player but is highly-regarded for its 4x4 expertise. Surprisingly, GWM is taking a conservative approach with the Cannon, and rather an electrified powertrain, it will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and offers a one-tonne payload and 3.5t towing capacity.

Windrose

While most manufacturers on this list are targeting the lighter end of the market, Windrose is focusing on heavy-duty and long-distance haulage. Windrose is still in its embryonic stage with only around 40 trucks in operation but last year the company established a satellite office in Belgium to assist with European type approval.

The 729kWh battery pack returns around 420 miles thanks to the truck’s aerodynamic design, and a 4x2 European prototype is expected to be ready for testing later this year.

Skywell

Owned by consumer electronics giant Skyworth (turnover £3.9bn), Skywell was originally a bus manufacturer and has been producing vans and trucks since 2014. Last year, it launched the BE11 SUV in the UK and unveiled the 233 van at the Paris Motor Show – Skywell’s first product launch outside China.

The 233 will offer a generous payload of up to 1,755kg on the 4.25t GVW derivative and will be available with either an 88kWh or 105kWh LFP battery from CATL – the larger of which will return a range of over 200 miles.

Changan

Along with Dongfeng, FAW and SAIC, Changan is considered as one of the Big 4 of the Chinese automakers and recently set up an office in Birmingham to assist its expansion into the UK marketplace. Its team includes ex-Nissan UK director Nic Thomas and ex-Fiat Professional director Richard Chamberlain.

Changan is renowned for its vans and light trucks in China and the last year unveiled the innovative V919 panel van, which it claims is the world’s first electric rear-wheel-drive wide-body van and the first with brake-by-wire technology. At its launch in Beijing, Changan cited the European market as one of the key targets for the van.

Gecko

One of the surprise exhibitors at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show last year was Gecko with the Magicway mid-large size van, which uses a skateboard chassis design.

Gecko isn’t a subsidiary of a larger automotive company; instead, its shareholders include a range of component suppliers and potential customers like CATL batteries, telematics provider DST and delivery company JNT.

Gecko is a brand-new company and has yet to start production, but prototypes are already going through type approval for Europe. Sales are expected to start in Europe later this year followed by the UK next year, although the UK distributor is yet to be announced.

Sany

With its background in construction and material-handling equipment, Sany is well-positioned to cater for the 8x4 market. Distributed in Europe through its German bodybuilder subsidiary Putzmeister, Sany was officially launched in the UK at Road Transport Expo in 2023 but has kept a low-profile since, although Breedon’s recently took a Sany concrete mixer on trial in County Durham.

Maxus Trucks

Maxus, owned by China’s largest vehicle manufacturer, has quickly established itself within the UK LCV sector, and it plans to expand into the truck segment next year with a 7.5-tonner. A prototype of the light truck, named the EH300 in China, is currently undergoing UK homologation testing and is expected to go on sale next year.

Maxus has, in the past, also touted a 4x2 electric tractor unit with a range of 350 miles.

Who’s after that?

While the length of this list may seem startling, it’s a drop in the ocean compared with the overall number of Chinese automakers – which is currently estimated to be around 150. While significant market consolidation is expected over the coming years, the survivors will be increasingly looking west once they have successfully rolled-out their domestic sales strategies.