BARCELONA, Spain, Jun 16 (Xinhua) -- In a notable shift in the automotive landscape, Chinese car brands captured 10.12 percent of the total vehicle registrations in Spain during the initial five months of 2025. This marks a significant increase from last year's figures, more than doubling the 23,235 units registered in the same timeframe, as reported by the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC).

Felix Garcia, the director of communications and marketing at ANFAC, characterized the sales figures for May as "very positive." The month saw more than 112,000 units sold, which represents an impressive growth of over 18 percent, making it the best May since 2019, prior to the onset of the pandemic.

ANFAC's data not only encompasses Chinese automakers like Chery and BYD but also includes European brands owned by Chinese automotive corporations, such as Volvo under the Geely group and MG under SAIC Motor. This highlights the increasing influence of Chinese automotive investments in the European market.

A recent survey by online car dealer Coches.net, in association with the Spanish vehicle distributors' association Ganvam, revealed that seven out of ten Spaniards hold a positive view of Chinese car brands and indicated a willingness to consider purchasing one.

Among the leading players is BYD, the world’s largest plug-in car manufacturer, which sold 7,788 units in Spain by the end of May, a dramatic increase from a mere 54 units sold two years ago. In May, BYD even surpassed Tesla to become the best-selling electric car brand in Spain.

The surge in acceptance of Chinese vehicles coincides with the broader growth of electrified vehicle sales, which encompass both pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. According to ANFAC, these vehicles now account for 20 percent of the Spanish market.

Specifically, the market share for pure electric vehicles has reached 8 percent, while other electrified vehicles have exceeded 11 percent. Collectively, these vehicles represent around 19 percent of the market share, a crucial step towards revitalizing the country's motor vehicle fleet and contributing to emission reduction efforts.

Moreover, the Spanish government's MOVES incentive program has significantly bolstered electric vehicle adoption by providing subsidies of up to 7,000 euros for prospective buyers, further stimulating interest in greener automotive options.