UK August 2025: Jaecoo 7 up to 6th place

First UK Top 10 finish for the Jaecoo 7.

The UK new car market is down for the 2nd consecutive month with August sales at -2% to 82,908, the weakest August since 2022. The year-to-date tally is now up 2.1% to 1,265,281, the highest result since pre-pandemic 2019 (1,519,016). Private sales edge up 0.7% to 32,319 and 39% share vs. 38% a year ago, while fleet sales drop -4.6% to 48,980 and 59.1% share vs. 60.7% last year and business sales surge 41.6% to 1,609 and 1.9% share vs. 1.3%. Year-to-date, private sales are up 3.8% to 485,969 and 38.4% share vs. 37.8% over the same period in 2024, fleet sales grow 1.2% to 752,016 and 59.4% share vs. 60% and business sales are stable at +0.2% to 27,296 and 2.2% share, unchanged.

Looking at propulsion type, petrol drops -14.2% to 37,373 and 45.1% share vs. 51.5% in August 2024, diesel is off -16.6% to 4,307 and 5.2% share vs. 6.1%, HEV sinks -13.9% to 9,456 and 11.4% share vs. 13% and PHEVs surge 69.4% to 9,803 and 11.8% share vs. 6.8%. According to local association SMMT, the newly announced Electric Car Grant (ECG) may have had a limited initial impact on BEV sales this month. They stand at 21,969, up 14.9% year-on-year to reach 26.5% share, the highest this year and 4th highest in UK history behind December 2022 (32.9%), December 2024 (31.0%) and April 2020 (31.8%). So far this year, BEV registrations are up 29.5% to 276,635 and 21.9% share vs. 17.2% over the first 8 months of 2024.

UK August volumes from 2009 to 2025. Source: SMMT

In the brands ranking, Volkswagen (-1.5%) remains by far the best-seller with 9.5% share, distancing Ford (+5.9%) in rather solid shape. BMW (+13.9%) is back up two spots on July to #3 which is still lower than the #2 it commands year-to-date. Audi (-22.4%) struggles and remains at #4 above Mercedes (+3.1%) up three ranks to #5. Peugeot (+19.1%) and Hyundai (+11.8%) shine in the remainder of the Top 10 with double-digit gains whereas Toyota (-21.9%) and Kia (-13.6%) are hit hard, Skoda (-5%) less so. Tesla is up by 7.6% and climbs back up to #11 with 3.9% share vs. #18 and 2.1% share year-to-date (-5.4%). Other notable performers include Omoda (+2258.7%), Alpine (+763.6%), BYD (+301.6%), Mini (+143.3%), Polestar (+94.9%) and Cupra (+32.9%). 

Looking at the models ranking, the Ford Puma (-0.6%) reclaims the top spot it holds year-to-date above the Kia Sportage (-9%) in difficulty. The Tesla Model Y (+12.3%) and Model 3 (+3.3%) follow with positive results, with the VW Tiguan repeating at #5 and advancing to #7 year-to-date. Below we have potentially one of the biggest surprises of the year: the new Jaecoo 7 storms into the Top 10, landing directly in 6th place with 1.6% share. This is the first time a “true” Chinese model (arguably the MG brand itself is English) manages to end the month inside the UK Top 10. Granted, this has a lot to do with the minimal August market but a very important milestone nonetheless.

Previous month: UK July 2025: Mini (+46.6%), Peugeot (+33.4%) and Skoda (+30.2%) highlight negative market

One year ago: UK August 2024: Volkswagen and Ford Puma dominate, Omoda launches

Full August 2025 Top 50 All brands and Top 10 models below.