Seres Group and Li Auto intend to begin selling cars in Europe in 2027. Their entry into the new market comes amid declining sales in China and mounting competition among local manufacturers.
In the fall, Seres plans to unveil its Aito SUV lineup in Europe, developed jointly with Huawei. Depending on demand, the company may offer fully electric models, plug-in hybrids and extended-range vehicles.
Li Auto plans to launch its family electric SUV, the Li 6, by March. It features an 800-volt architecture that enables faster charging.
Europe is becoming an increasingly important market for Chinese automakers. In December 2025, China-made cars accounted for 9.3% of registrations in the EU—significantly more than in January 2023. Their share is expected to exceed 10% in 2026.
Meanwhile, new-car sales in China fell 22% in the first nine months of 2026. Additional EU tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles have not halted the growth in shipments: manufacturers have increased exports of plug-in hybrids and expanded their SUV offerings, adding modern displays and features aimed at younger buyers.
The EU responded with a preliminary agreement to halve exports of Chinese hybrids and plug-in hybrids through safeguard measures lasting four years. Despite this, Chinese companies continue to strengthen their positions in Europe. BYD, Chery and Geely entered the market earlier.
