Jaecoo 7 tops UK sales chart in March, beating Ford, Nissan and Kia rivals

The Jaecoo 7 has become the UK’s best-selling new car for March, overtaking long-established rivals in a significant shift in the market.

A total of 10,064 units of the Chinese-built crossover were registered during the month, placing it ahead of some of the country’s most popular models. The Ford Puma followed with 9,193 registrations, while the Nissan Qashqai recorded 8,718 and the Kia Sportage reached 7,310.

March is typically the strongest month of the year for car sales, as buyers look to secure vehicles with a new number plate. Against that backdrop, the performance of the Jaecoo 7 stands out, particularly given the brand’s recent arrival in the UK market.

The result has also pushed the model into second place in the year-to-date rankings. So far in 2026, the Jaecoo 7 has achieved 15,569 registrations, placing it just behind the Ford Puma, which leads with 16,128.

The rapid rise of the model reflects the pace at which its manufacturer has established a presence in the UK. Jaecoo, owned by Chinese automotive group Chery, only began selling vehicles in the country in January 2025.

Despite its short time in the market, the brand has already outperformed several long-established manufacturers this year. These include Citroën, Mazda and Mini, highlighting the scale of its early impact.

March also proved to be a record month for electric vehicle registrations, with 86,120 units recorded. However, this figure still falls short of the government’s zero-emission vehicle mandate target for 2026, which requires a 33% market share. Electric vehicles currently account for 22.4% of the market.

Industry figures have pointed to external factors that could influence future sales trends. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), warned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could have economic consequences.

He noted that much of March’s sales performance was likely driven by orders placed before the conflict began. The situation, he said, could lead to rising living costs and reduced consumer confidence.

At the same time, changes in fuel prices linked to the conflict may affect buyer behaviour. Dealers trading in used electric vehicles have reported a sharp increase in interest, suggesting that higher fuel costs could encourage more drivers to consider alternatives.

This trend may also extend to new electric vehicle sales if the situation continues. Alongside EVs, registrations of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles have also increased.

Plug-in hybrid registrations rose by 46.9% compared with the previous year, reaching 49,671 units. In contrast, traditional fuel types saw a decline, with petrol car sales dropping by 6.1% and diesel by 11.4%.

The success of the Jaecoo 7 comes at a time of wider change within the automotive market. While established models continue to perform strongly, the emergence of a new competitor at the top of the sales chart highlights shifting dynamics.

With its strong March performance and growing presence in the market, the Jaecoo 7 has quickly positioned itself among the UK’s leading models.