THE CHINESE POWER LIST WE RANK THE UK'S CHINESE BRANDS FROM 17 to 1

Confused by the flood of unfamiliar names hitting the UK car market? Our countdown will reveal all

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17 SKYWELL

UK importer Innovation Automotive is trying to grow fledgling brand

SKYWELL sounds like a James Bond blockbuster, but is the minnow of the Chinese EV pack. Skyworth Auto emerged from a Nanjing bus company eight years ago, and the BMW X3-sized BE11 crossover is the first car. The long-range version covers up to 304 miles and costs £39,995, while the 248-mile standard range version is £3,000 cheaper.

It's yet to make much UK impact; Skywell needs to convince leasing firms to offer a standalone car with unproven used values. Reinforcements arrive in 2026 with the '233' electric panel van and the Q hatchback, an MG4 rival. A big saloon may follow.

16 MAXUS

Early adopter of EV power focuses on commercial vehicles, and plans to grow

MAXUS specialises in commercial vans and pick-ups in both diesel and all-electric forms, and is part of the huge SAIC Group that also owns MG. Unlike MG, though, its products are brought into the UK by a third-party importer, which specialises in other commercial brands such as Isuzu.

If you're thinking to yourself that you don't really recognise the Maxus badge, you would be forgiven, because its models were previously sold under the LDV name, or Leyland DAF Vans. In its modern context, the manufacturer is an early adopter of electric power in commercial vehicles, with all Maxus vehicles either designed for, or available with, a battery-electric powertrain, including the Mifa 9 luxury multipurpose vehicle.

15 GWM POER

New pick-up truck entrant has got the (pricing) power