New car registrations in the UK rose 3.09% year-to-date to the end of April, with 700,833 units sold — but what brands are making the biggest gains in market share?
AM has crunched the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data to look at original equipment manfacturer (OEM) performance year-to-date.
Volkswagen extends lead at the top
Volkswagen is not only the UK’s best-selling marque so far in 2025, but also the biggest winner in terms of market share gains. With registrations up 16.56% year-on-year to 63,630 units, VW has grown its market share from 8.03% in 2024 to 9.08% — a full percentage point increase and clear momentum heading into Q2.
BYD climbs rapidly from a low base
Chinese EV brand BYD has made one of the most striking leaps, increasing its share from just 0.24% last year to 1.68% in 2025 — a 631% increase in volume, placing it firmly within the UK’s top 20 selling brands.
The growth underlines rising interest in affordable electric options and brand flexibility when considering new car options.
Peugeot and Volvo win with electrified line-ups
Peugeot grew its market share from 3.77% to 4.92% this year, on the back of a 34.59% increase in registrations to 34,450 units. The Stellantis-owned brand continues to benefit from a wide choice of electrified and value-focused models.
Volvo also made a notable impact, increasing its market share from 2.71% to 3.31% thanks to a 25.86% rise in sales — a sign that its plug-in and mild hybrid strategy is resonating with buyers.
Polestar and Mazda gain ground
Polestar has more than doubled its market share, climbing from 0.26% to 0.65% off the back of a 157.58% rise in registrations. Mazda also saw strong year-on-year growth, increasing its share from 1.32% to 1.79% — helped by strong demand for its updated SUV range and mild hybrid powertrains.
Omoda and Jaecoo arrive with impact
New Chinese entrants Omoda (4,104 units) and Jaecoo (4,288 units) have quickly established themselves with a combined 1.2% share of the total UK market — despite having no presence in the prior year.
While some brands surged, others struggled to maintain share.
Audi, Nissan, and Citroën all lost more than 1% market share year-on-year, and Jaguar saw volumes fall nearly 79% as its plans to halt new models ahead of a total rethink as a luxury EV player pushed its share down to 0.25%.
The shifting share landscape reflects a more fragmented, competitive UK market, with new brands establishing themselves quickly and established names under pressure to adapt.
| Marque | 2025 Market Share (%) | 2024 Market Share (%) | Change in Market Share (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | 9.08 | 8.03 | +1.05 |
| BYD | 1.68 | 0.24 | +1.44 |
| Peugeot | 4.92 | 3.77 | +1.15 |
| Volvo | 3.31 | 2.71 | +0.60 |
| Polestar | 0.65 | 0.26 | +0.39 |
| Mazda | 1.79 | 1.32 | +0.47 |
| Omoda | 0.59 | 0.00 | +0.59 |
| Jaecoo | 0.61 | 0.00 | +0.61 |
| Dacia | 1.60 | 1.57 | +0.03 |
| Genesis | 0.07 | 0.05 | +0.02 |
(Source: SMMT)