New car brands coming to the UK you haven’t heard of
They say it’s good to learn something new every day so here are 10 new car brands you’ve probably never heard of.
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 24 January 2025
Do you ever feel like you can’t keep up with all the new car brands coming to the UK? You’re not the only one.
It wasn’t long ago that everyone knew all the car brands in the world – the Toyotas, Volkswagens and Fords of the world.
But now, things are very different, and thanks in big part to the huge rise in electric cars – especially those coming out of China. Like with most new things, these new brands are now making it over to the UK, so here are 10 of the biggest new car brands you’ve probably never heard of before.
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EXEED
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Where’s EXEED from? China
When was EXEED founded? 2017
Who owns EXEED? Chery Automobile (also: OMODA, JAECOO)
What’s the most popular EXEED model? EXEED TX
What makes EXEED stand out? Award-winning design
When’s EXEED coming to the UK? 2026 (estimated)
Chery-owned EXEED is a Chinese car brand that focuses on making premium cars.
They tend to be affordable compared to other competitors and, in many ways, are like Volkswagen – reliable, solid and fairly budget-friendly.
This brand will likely arrive in the UK in 2026 and is already available in Saudi Arabia, Chile and Kazakhstan (and China, of course).
HAVAL
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Where’s HAVAL from? China
When was HAVAL founded? 2013
Who owns HAVAL? Great Wall Motor (GWM)
What’s the most popular HAVAL model? HAVAL H6
What makes HAVAL stand out? Investing heavily in research and development
When’s HAVAL coming to the UK? 2025
HAVAL, owned by Great Wall Motors (GWM), is a well-established car manufacturer that makes SUVs as EVs, self-charging hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
In 2023, it announced its new logo at the Shanghai Auto Show, modernising its badge to read: HAVAL.
HAVAL is due to arrive in the UK in 2025 as a competitively priced brand.
Hongqi
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Where’s Hongqi from? China
When was Hongqi founded? 1958
Who owns Hongqi? FAW Group
What’s the most popular Hongqi model? Hongqi E-HS9
What makes Hongqi stand out? Luxury and longevity
When’s Hongqi coming to the UK? 2026
Unlike most European car brands, China’s Hongqi is state-owned, which means it’s funded by the government to help its chances of success.
Since it’s been making cars for so long, it’s one of the more well-established Chinese car brands out there, specialising in luxury SUVs and saloons.
We’re expecting to see Hongqis in the UK from 2026, whereas countries like Norway and Denmark already have them.
IM Motors
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Where’s IM Motors from? China
When was IM Motors founded? 2020
Who owns IM Motors? SAIC Motor (also: MG) is the majority shareholder
What’s the most popular IM Motors model? IM LS7
What makes IM Motors stand out? High-performance capabilities
When’s IM Motors coming to the UK? From 2025
SAIC-owned IM Motors is a brand that focuses heavily on high-performance electric vehicles.
Models such as the LS7 and LS6 offer luxury and performance in a single package.
When it arrives in the UK – following its introduction into Europe – IM Motors will sit alongside its sister brand, MG, as a more upmarket alternative.
JAECOO
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Where’s JAECOO from? China
When was JAECOO founded? 2023
Who owns JAECOO? Chery Automobile (also: OMODA, EXEED)
What’s the most popular JAECOO model? JAECOO J6
What makes JAECOO stand out? Land Rover-like styling and ruggedness
When’s JAECOO coming to the UK? 2025
JAECOO is a Chinese car brand that promises off-road-inspired styling with plenty of luxury features inside.
It’ll launch alongside sister brand OMODA in the UK, soon to be followed by EXEED, another new brand owned by Chery Automobile.
It currently offers rebadged cars made by Chery (i.e. the JAECOO J6 is also called the iCar 03 and Chery J6 in different markets), which appeal to a broader audience in different markets.
The brand launched in the UK at the end of 2024, with cars arriving in 2025.
Leapmotor
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Where’s Leapmotor from? China
When was Leapmotor founded? 2015
Who owns Leapmotor? Leapmotor is a publicly listed company
What’s the most popular Leapmotor model? Leapmotor B10
What makes Leapmotor stand out? Stellantis backing and unique designs
When’s Leapmotor coming to the UK? 2025
Leapmotor specialises in making electric vehicles and has done since 2015.
However, in 2023, Stellantis acquired 20% of Leapmotor. Together, they established Leapmotor International (Stellantis with 51% control) to help with Leapmotor’s entrance to the European and UK markets.
Set to enter the UK in March 2025 with the B10 electric crossover, Leapmotor promises great EVs at an attractive price.
Lucid Motors
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Where’s Lucid Motors from? The U.S.
When was Lucid Motors founded? 2007
Who owns Lucid Motors? Lucid Motors is a publicly listed company, with Public Investment Fund as the majority shareholder
What’s the most popular Lucid Motors model? Lucid Air
What makes Lucid Motors stand out? Luxurious and ultra-fast Tesla rival
When’s Lucid Motors coming to the UK? 2025
American-based electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors is one of the most promising new car brands in the world.
Its cars are super-efficient, with estimated ranges of up to 520 miles and plenty of performance. So much performance, in fact, that Lucid Motors is supplying components for Aston Martin’s new all-electric range.
The Lucid Air is already available in Europe, and we should see them on UK roads at some point in 2025.
NIO
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Where’s NIO from? China
When was NIO founded? 2014
Who owns NIO? NIO is a publicly listed company
What’s the most popular NIO model? Nio ET7
What makes NIO stand out? Innovative battery-swapping tech
When’s NIO coming to the UK? 2025
NIO has been around for several years now and, in that time, has made huge advancements in EV technology.
It’s most famous for its innovative battery-swapping technology, which lets you drive up to one of these stations and have your low battery changed for a charged one in minutes.
NIO has already launched in Europe, and its budget-focused arm, Onvo, is expected to enter the UK first in 2025.
XPeng
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Where’s XPeng from? China
When was XPeng founded? 2014
Who owns XPeng? XPeng is a publicly listed company
What’s the most popular XPeng model? XPeng G6
What makes XPeng stand out? Automation and driver assist technology
When’s XPeng coming to the UK? 2025
XPeng is another new Chinese EV manufacturer you might not have heard of but is coming to the UK soon.
It has already entered the European market and the Volkswagen Group owns a stake in Xpeng, helping it expand globally and sharing technology with the German company.
It’ll also arrive in the UK in 2025 with its Tesla Model Y rival the G6.
Zeekr
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Where is Zeekr from? China
When was Zeekr founded? 2021
Who owns Zeekr? Zeekr is a publicly listed company, with Geely Auto the majority shareholder
What is the most popular Zeekr model? Zeekr 001
What makes Zeekr stand out? Autonomous vehicles
When is Zeekr coming to the UK? 2025
As well as being a premium electric vehicle maker, Zeekr works closely with other brands to develop autonomous vehicles such as Waymo robotaxis found in some parts of America.
Zeekr also makes its own cars, such as the 001 and 007, which are sleek EVs. The latter claims to have the fastest-charging battery of any electric car (10-80% in just over 10 minutes).
We can expect to see Zeekr models on our roads in 2025.
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