BERLIN, April 16 (Reuters) – Chinese car brands like BYD are gaining traction among German consumers who are increasingly looking to buy electric cars amid rising fuel prices, according to online marketplace data seen by Reuters on Thursday.
BYD was one of the fastest-growing brands in Germany in the first quarter of the year, online marketplace Carwow said, citing a 135% rise in purchase queries for the Chinese EV heavyweight during that period.
The data showed strong interest in BYD’s electric-powered SUVs and the low-cost Dolphin hatchback, which have put pressure on European rivals to produce more affordable alternatives.
Carwow said Chinese brands look set to profit from higher prices at the pump due to the Middle East conflict and rising prices for new cars, with Chinese-owned carmaker MG also seeing a boost on its platform.
“Affordable electric cars with short delivery times are thus becoming significantly more attractive — an environment in which Chinese manufacturers, in particular, are capitalising on their strengths and noticeably gaining market share,” the company said.
Queries for battery-electric vehicles in general rose by around 184% in the first three months of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to the data.
(Reporting by Rachel More and Christina Amann, Editing by Friederike Heine)
