New cars brands for 2026 UK

The UK car market is changing fast – and that’s good news for buyers. Big-name brands are now up against cheaper newcomers, mostly from China. The result? More choice and electric driving becoming easier to access for more drivers.

Here are some of the new car brands coming to the UK, who they are, and which models they could be bringing first.

AION

AION might be a new name for UK drivers, but Chinese parent company GAC is the fifth-largest carmaker in China. So, it knows a thing or two about making cars.

With design studios located in Milan, LA and China, AION is pitched as GAC’s most stylish brand.

First up for us are the five-door AION UT hatchback – similar in size and shape to the VW ID.3 – and the AION V, a mid-sized family SUV that lines up with the Kia EV5.

DENZA

DENZA is the premium offshoot of BYD – the brand that hit UK roads in 2023 and has gone on to become the world’s biggest EV and PHEV seller, knocking Tesla off top spot.

If BYD targets budget-savvy buyers, DENZA is on the premium end – think BMW and Mercedes.

Three cars are destined for our shores: the estate-like Z9 GT (rivalling the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo), the D9 minivan (much like the Lexus LM) and the more rugged-looking B5 (an INEOS Grenadier alternative).

firefly

firefly is a new sub-brand from NIO – a brand that’s made a big splash in China with battery-swapping technology designed to calm range anxiety.

Beyond the marketing, firefly is clearly going after outdoorsy drivers who like their tech.

The first car in the pipeline is a small electric hatchback that’ll take on the Renault 5. For now, both the brand and the car are simply being called ‘firefly’.

iCAUR

China’s fourth-largest car brand, Chery, has already brought JAECOO and OMODA to the UK – and it’s off to a flying start.

iCAUR is another Chery spin-off, this time aimed at buyers who want affordable, off-roady SUVs with electrified underpinnings.

The V25 model could be the first to arrive in the UK, but the brand also has V23 and V27 models in the range. All three have chunky, go-anywhere looks similar to the latest Toyota Land Cruiser.

Lepas

Before iCAUR, though, Chery looks set to bring Lepas to the UK. Lepas cars should feel pretty familiar if you’ve already come across any models from Chery, JAECOO or OMODA.

The L4 and L6 will be built on the same platform as the OMODA 5, J5 and J7, likely offering petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric (EV) powertrains.

Where they’ll stand out is in their look and feel, which is key to setting Chery’s brands apart in the UK.

EXEED

Yes, it’s another Chery company – but this one’s a bit different. EXEED is going after a slightly more upmarket crowd, offering Chery’s most premium cars.

Cars like the Mercedes EQS, BMW i7 and Tesla Model S are all benchmarks for EXEED, whose current international lineup consists of four SUVs.

EXEED started gearing up for a UK launch back in 2023, even before OMODA, JAECOO and Chery arrived on UK soil, but we haven’t heard much since. Maybe 2026 could be the year?

Zeekr

Zeekr, a Geely company, is gearing up to launch in the UK with its own cars after the success of sister brand Lynk & Co in Europe with models like the 01, 02 and 08.

Fast acceleration, rapid charging, long ranges, countless driver-assist sensors and plenty of HD screens define Zeekr’s high-performance models.

The line-up includes two sleek SUV-style 'shooting brakes’ – the Zeekr 001 and Zeekr 7GT. There’s also a more conventional SUV called the Zeekr 7X, and the Zeekr X, which is a blend of high-riding hatchback and crossover.

Honourable mention for returning brands

2026 won’t just be characterised by newcomers – we’re also set to see two household names make a comeback.

Cadillac

Cadillac has tried selling cars in the UK a few times before, but its big V6 and V8 engines never really suited British drivers.

Now, the General Motors brand is lining up another go at the UK – this time with an electric SUV that’s proven quite popular in America already.

The LYRIQ electric SUV is already available in some European markets, and Cadillac could be looking to ship it here next.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi left the UK in 2020, but a few years later, rumours of a comeback start to swirl – and that’s now been confirmed.

The brand is set to return to Britain in summer 2026, and should feel a lot fresher than the Mitsubishi that left half a decade ago.

The latest Outlander PHEV and L200 pick-up will be the first models to return, but a deal with Renault could also bring the Clio-based Colt and Captur-based ASX.

New car brands from 2025

It’s gearing up to be a busy year. Here’s a reminder of which car brands launched in 2025, and the models they offer UK drivers:

• HAVAL – HAVAL Jolion Pro

• IM Motors – IM5, IM6

• JAECOO – JAECOO 7, JAECOO 5

• Chery – Chery TIGGO 7, Chery TIGGO 8, Chery TIGGO 9

• Leapmotor – Leapmotor T03, Leapmotor C10, Leapmotor B10

• XPENG – XPENG G6

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