Data from 2026 reveals Chinese automakers have established a dominant position within the UK’s car leasing sector, according to Select Car Leasing. The company’s annual rankings show three Chinese-branded vehicles now occupy three spots among its top 10 most-leased cars and family SUVs for 2026.
The Jaecoo 7 SUV leads the pack
The Jaecoo 7 SUV represents 25.98% of Select Car Leasing’s top 10 deliveries year-to-date, placing it at the top of the leasing hierarchy. This performance aligns with its March 2026 record as the UK’s best-selling new vehicle—a position it repeated in the most recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) registration figures. Jaecoo and its sibling brand Omoda surpassed 100,000 combined UK sales earlier in 2026, less than two years after their market debut.
Last year, the Jaecoo 7 was the sole Chinese-owned model appearing in Select Car Leasing’s top 10 deliveries, where it outpaced competitors like the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson. The model’s rapid ascent shows the shifting trends in the UK’s leasing environment.
Market competition and diversity
While the Jaecoo 7 maintains its lead, the Kia Sportage has emerged as its closest rival, comprising 14.59% of the top 10, followed by the newly launched Volkswagen T-Roc at 9.4%. The BYD Seal introduces variety to the lineup as a four-door saloon, capturing 8.85% of the leasing share.
The Volkswagen Golf remains the sole hatchback in the top 10, occupying seventh place, a notable outlier in a list otherwise dominated by SUVs.
Industry insights from Select Car Leasing
He attributed this trend to the company’s primary customer segment, Personal Contract Hire (PCH) lessees, suggesting that corporate fleet policies may lag in adopting newer brands.
Cockerill added, “The leasing market remains in constant flux, and customers today are more skilled than ever at tailoring lease agreements to their financial and practical requirements.
