UK October 2025: Jaecoo 7 ends month 42 units off third place

The Jaecoo 7 has never been that close to the UK podium.

According to local association SMMT, UK new car sales are stable in October at +0.5% to 144,948 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 3.9% to 1,723,120. SMMT now predicts the UK market will top 2 million sales by the end of the year and for the first time since pre-pandemic 2019. Private sales gain 2% to 55,950 and 38.6% share vs. 38% a year ago while fleet sales are off -1.5% to 85,370 and 58.9% share vs. 60.1% in October 2024. Business sales surge 32.7% to a still small 3,628. Year-to-date, private sales also gain share at +4.6% to 672,922 and 38.8% vs. 39.1% last year, fleet sales are up 3.3% to 1,011,722 and 59% share vs. 58.7% share and business sales are up 7.3% to 38,476.

In terms of power source, BEVs are up 23.6% to 36,830 and 25.4% share vs. 20.7% a year ago, this is their 2nd highest share this year. PHEVs are also in exceptional shape at +27.2% to 17,601 and 12.1% share vs. 9.6% in October 2024. HEVs are up 2.1% to 19,250 and 13.3% share vs. 13.1%, petrol is down -11.6% to 64,360 and 44.4% share vs. 50.5% and Diesel down -22.9% to 6,907 and 4.8% share vs. 6.2%. So far this year, BEVs soar 28.9% to 386,244 and 22.4% share vs. 18.1% over the same period in 2024, PHEVs are up 37.1% to 190,240 and 11% share vs. 8.4%, HEVs up 8% to 241,919 to 14% share vs. 13.5%, petrol off -8.5% to 814,154 and 47.2% vs. 53.6% and diesel down -15.1% to 90,563 and 5.3% share vs. 6.4%.

Source: SMMT

In the brands ranking, Volkswagen (-1.1%) is a distant leader once again at 9.1% share, slightly above its YTD level of 8.9%. Audi (+3.4%) is up two spots to #2 for the first time since August 2024, reaching 6.4% share. Ford (+2.6%) is also up to #3 while BMW (-9.5%) and Kia (-8.4%) struggle and complete the Top 5. Toyota (-10.9%) repeats at #6 and overtakes Nissan (+8.9%) for 8th place YTD. A rarity, Vauxhall (+24.2%) lodges the biggest YoY gain in the Top 15 and climbs into  inside the Top 10 for the first time since last May at #7, its highest ranking since last January. Mercedes (-28.9%), Peugeot (-26.6%), MG (-20.2%) and Skoda (-15.5%) all freefall below. Further down, BYD is up 348.6%, Cupra up 66.3%, Omoda up 141.5% and Suzuki (+65.4%). Newcomers Chery (#28), Leapmotor (#31) and Xpeng (#38) all improve their ranking vs. last month.

Model-wise, the Ford Puma (+25.5%) is back to the top spot it holds year-to-date, passing the Kia Sportage (-24.3%) in great difficulty. The Mini Cooper (-9.2%) surges from outside the September Top 10 directly into third place, its highest ranking since last February when it topped the charts outright. The VW Golf (+33%) is back up ro #4 ahead of the Nissan Juke (+43.7%) but showing fantastic gains. One of the main success stories of the year, the new Jaecoo 7 lodges a third consecutive Top 10 finish and although is is down two ranks on September to #6, it ends the month only 42 sales from #3! The VW Tiguan (-3.9%) is back inside the Top 10 as is the Audi A3 (+17%)

Previous month: UK September 2025: Jaecoo 7 up to #4, BYD Seal U #6

One year ago: UK October 2024: Kia Sportage hits 6th win this year, VW Tiguan up to #5

Full October 2025 Top 52 All brands and Top 10 models below.