Chinese Brands in India EV Market: All the Important Numbers
- Chinese or Chinese-backed brands now hold 33.3 percent of India’s electric passenger vehicle market.
- The top three players: JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo, together control this big share.
- From January to October 2025, 136,610 electric cars were sold across India—an 87 percent increase from last year.
- These three Chinese-linked companies grew their sales by 165 percent in the same period.
- Without them, the total EV growth would be only 63 percent.
- Tata Motors used to have 85 percent of the market a few years ago. Now its share is less than half.
- Petrol and diesel car sales fell by 1.4 percent in the six months ending September 2025.
- New Chinese entries coming: Leapmotor with Stellantis (launch in 2026) and Chery with JSW (debut in 2027).
- JSW MG plans a Rs 26,000 crore investment and up to 25 new models from 2025 to 2030 (EVs, hybrids, and range extenders).
- BYD sells 500-550 units every month, has 47 showrooms in 40 cities, and wants a factory to lower prices.
- Tesla started slow: only 104 units were sold in August and September 2025.
Chinese Brands Change India’s Electric Car Market: From Zero to One-Third Share in Just 18 Months
India’s electric vehicle market is growing faster than ever. In 2025, more than 136,610 electric cars were sold in the first ten months. This is almost double the number from last year. But the biggest surprise is who is selling these cars. Companies from China or with Chinese owners now sell one out of every three electric cars in India. That is 33.3 percent of the total market.
The three main brands are JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo. All have strong Chinese connections. Between January and October 2025, these three companies more than doubled their sales. Their growth was 165 percent. If we remove their numbers, the overall EV market growth drops to only 63 percent. This shows how much Chinese brands are pushing the electric car boom in India.
A few years ago, Tata Motors sold almost 85 percent of all electric cars in India. Now, its share has fallen below 50 percent. Chinese brands came to India only 12 to 18 months ago. They opened many showrooms and launched new models. Their cars have good features, a long battery range, and smart technology. Prices are also competitive. This is why customers are choosing them.
How the Top Chinese Brands Are Winning
- JSW MG Motor
This is a partnership between India’s JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor. MG is now the second biggest electric car seller in India. They plan to spend Rs 26,000 crore on new cars. From 2025 to 2030, they will launch up to 25 new models. These will include pure electric cars, hybrids, and range extender vehicles. Prices will start from Rs 8 lakh. This makes electric cars affordable for more people. - BYD
BYD is China’s largest electric car maker. In India, they sell 500 to 550 cars every month. They have 47 showrooms in 40 cities. Their cars start at Rs 25 lakh and go up to Rs 53 lakh. BYD wants to build a factory in India. This will help them lower prices and add more models. Right now, they import cars, so costs are high. - Volvo
Volvo is owned by China’s Geely. They sell luxury electric cars to rich buyers. Their models compete with BMW and Mercedes. Volvo helps Chinese brands look premium in India.
More Chinese Cars Are Coming Soon
The competition will get even tougher.
- Leapmotor: A Chinese EV brand that works with Stellantis (owner of Jeep and Citroen). Stellantis owns part of Leapmotor. They plan to launch cars in India in 2026.
- Chery: China’s third biggest car company. They are partnering with JSW for a new Indian brand. Chery will give technology, platforms, and parts. The first cars will come in 2027.
Tesla’s Quiet Start in India
Elon Musk’s Tesla entered India in July 2025. They started with one model, the Model Y, priced at Rs 60 lakh. It competes with luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Volvo. Sales were slow: only 104 cars in August and September. Tesla opened a new centre in Gurugram. They plan more showrooms to grow faster.
What This Means for India’s Car Future
Chinese brands are bringing new choices and pushing prices down. This helps more Indians buy electric cars. The government wants 30 percent of new cars to be electric by 2030. Chinese companies are helping reach that goal faster.
But it also creates pressure for Indian brands like Tata and Mahindra. They must bring better cars, lower prices, and more charging stations to stay ahead.
The electric car market in India is now a big race. Chinese brands have taken a strong lead. The next few years will show who wins the hearts of Indian buyers.
Source: moneycontrol.com
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