Jaecoo 7 is UK’s biggest selling car in March
If you were doubting the impact of Chinese vehicles on the UK market, then this week’s news about the Jaecoo 7 being the biggest selling car on our shores in March should wake you up.
Jaecoo, a brand under the Chery Group umbrella, released the 7 last year — its launch model in the UK — to much intrigue. This was a premium compact SUV to rival established models like the Range Rover, as well as the likes of the Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. However, with a starting price from £29,105, this represented a more accessible route into the premium SUV sector, without compromising on reliability. It was Jaecoo’s first release in the UK
Powertrain options were decent enough, with the 7 available to buy in a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine configuration or a 1.5-litre petrol with plug-in hybrid option giving 745 miles of total range, 56 miles of it being pure electric.
The Jaecoo 7 had already been in the top ten of UK sales since September 2025, but has now pushed on significantly in 2026, registering 10,064 sales in March, bringing its total sales to 15,569 in 2026. Jaecoo’s presence in the UK market is being felt significantly, helped by its now 124-strong retailer network.
What else happened in the UK automotive market in March?
March is typically one of the busiest months for sales in the UK, and 2026 was no different, with the market growing by 6.6% thanks to 380,627 new vehicles being registered. It was the strongest March in terms of new car sales since 2019 (458,054 units), and also represented a record month for registrations of electric cars, at 86,120 units.
A changing geopolitical climate and government support in the form of the Electric Car Grant have seen an increase in uptake of EVs, although manufacturers are still shouldering what the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) calls ‘unsustainable costs to comply with regulation’.
Events like the war in the Middle East are severely impacting the cost of fuel, which is likely to work in favour of electric vehicle producers. However, a market share of 22.6% for the month and 22.4% year to date is significantly below the 33% Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate target for 2026.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The strongest new car market since 2019, with the highest ever volume of EV registrations, is a boost to the industry and the economy. However, the headlines belie the costs incurred and the challenges involved. Much of March’s performance will be from orders placed before the start of the Iran conflict, which threatens to raise the cost of living, undermining consumer confidence. Against this backdrop, and with the EV market falling further away from mandated levels despite record levels of incentives, an urgent review of the transition is required to secure a sustainable market, economic growth and the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
What next for Jaecoo?
Jaecoo will look to further infiltrate the UK market in May with the release of the flagship 8 model, available in both six and seven-seat configurations. Prices are a little bit higher for the Jaecoo 8, starting at £45,500, although all-wheel drive, self-charging capability and a total range of 700 miles (including 83 miles of pure electric range) are sure to pique people’s interests once again.
Keep an eye on Driven for a review of that one in the next month or so.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Jaecoo