China’s 10 Best-Selling Chinese-Brand Cars of 2026: Geely Xingyuan Leads as BYD Takes Five Spots

The latest China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) data, published by Gasgoo on 22 October 2026, reveals the 10 best-selling Chinese-brand cars in China in 2026 for the month of September, alongside each model’s year-to-date total for January–September 2026. Geely’s compact electric Xingyuan tops the list by a wide margin, BYD places five models, and Chery’s Tiggo 7 secures a spot in the top ten.

China is the world’s largest car market, and what succeeds there today often reaches export markets, including the GCC, shortly afterwards. This list therefore offers an early look at the Chinese models we are likely to see more of in showrooms across Kuwait and the region.

Top 10 Best-Selling Chinese-Brand Cars in China (September 2026)

Rank	Model	September 2026 sales	January–September 2026	Year-on-year change (September)
1	Geely Xingyuan	60,871	426,349	↑ 21.2%
2	BYD Seagull	38,650	265,901	↑ 11.8%
3	BYD Yuan UP	37,579	238,993	↑ 18.3%
4	BYD Dolphin (EA1)	35,141	204,822	↑ 60.5%
5	Changan Qiyuan Q05	29,064	152,569	↑ 2,088.6%
6	Geely Binyue	28,879	232,662	↑ 24.1%
7	Chery Tiggo 7	28,107	215,500	↑ 18.9%
8	MG4 EV	25,556	170,805	↑ 45.7%
9	BYD Song Pro DM	25,272	214,725	↑ 87%
10	BYD Yuan UP DM-i	25,132	125,233	New model

1. Geely Xingyuan – 60,871 units

Geely’s small electric hatchback is by far the best-selling Chinese-brand car in China this year, with 60,871 units in September and 426,349 since January, up 21.2% year on year. The Xingyuan is sold in several export markets as the Geely EX2, and its success reflects strong demand for affordable city EVs.

2. BYD Seagull – 38,650 units

BYD’s smallest electric car continues its strong run, with 38,650 units in September (up 7% on August) and 265,901 since the start of 2026. In some overseas markets it is known as the Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf.

3. BYD Yuan UP – 37,579 units

The compact electric crossover, known internationally as the Atto 2, recorded 37,579 units in September, up 18.3% year on year, taking its January–September total to 238,993.

4. BYD Dolphin – 35,141 units

Listed in Gasgoo’s data under the code name EA1, the Dolphin posted one of the strongest gains on the list: 35,141 units in September, up 20.6% on August and 60.5% on September 2025, with 204,822 units since the start of the year. The Dolphin is one of BYD’s best-known models among Gulf buyers.

5. Changan Qiyuan Q05 – 29,064 units

The biggest surprise on the list: the compact SUV from Changan’s Qiyuan (Nevo) brand saw sales jump 2,088.6% year on year to 29,064 units in September, reaching 152,569 since January. It is offered in some export markets as the Deepal Q05.

6. Geely Binyue – 28,879 units

Binyue is the Chinese name of the Geely Coolray, the compact crossover familiar to buyers in Kuwait and the GCC. It recorded 28,879 units in September, up 24.1% year on year, and 232,662 since the start of the year, making it fourth on the list by cumulative sales.

7. Chery Tiggo 7 – 28,107 units

Chery Group’s key model in its home market, and Chery’s only compact SUV on this list. The Tiggo 7 recorded 28,107 units in September, up 18.9% year on year, and 215,500 since January, at a time when Chery Group is posting record results in 2026. The Tiggo 7 family is among Chery’s most popular cars in Kuwait and the Gulf.

8. MG4 EV – 25,556 units

The electric hatchback from SAIC-owned MG recorded 25,556 units in September, up 45.7% year on year, and 170,805 since the start of 2026. MG is one of the longest-established Chinese brands in Gulf markets.

9. BYD Song Pro DM – 25,272 units

BYD’s plug-in hybrid SUV grew 87% year on year to 25,272 units in September, with 214,725 since January, underlining buyers’ appetite for plug-in hybrids as a middle ground between petrol and electric.

10. BYD Yuan UP DM-i – 25,132 units

The plug-in hybrid version of the Yuan UP is new for 2026, yet it entered the top ten with 25,132 units in September and 125,233 since its launch this year, making it BYD’s fifth model on the list.

Reading the Numbers

• BYD holds half the list with five models and Geely has two, while Changan, Chery and MG have one each.
• Eight of the ten are new-energy models, either fully electric or plug-in hybrid.
• Nine models grew year on year in September; the tenth is a new model with no comparison figure.
• For comparison across the whole market (Chinese and foreign brands), the China-built Tesla Model Y led January–August 2026 sales with 415,071 units according to Good Car Bad Car, followed by the Geely Xingyuan with 365,478.

What It Means for Kuwait and the GCC

Several of these models reach the region under different export names, such as the Coolray, Dolphin, Atto 2, MG4 and the Tiggo 7 family, meaning Kuwaiti buyers are dealing with cars that have proven themselves in the world’s largest and most competitive market. The strong growth of plug-in hybrids also mirrors a trend beginning to appear in the Gulf, where Chinese brands are offering options that combine long range with fuel savings, as with the new Jetour T1 plug-in hybrid. These brands are expected to keep expanding their presence in the region with their 2027 models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best-selling Chinese car in China in 2026?
The Geely Xingyuan, with 60,871 units in September 2026 and 426,349 in January–September 2026, according to CPCA data via Gasgoo.

How many BYD models are on the list?
Five: the Seagull, Yuan UP, Dolphin, Song Pro DM and Yuan UP DM-i.

Where does Chery rank?
Seventh, with the Tiggo 7 selling 28,107 units in September 2026 and 215,500 since the start of the year, up 18.9% year on year.

Does the list include Tesla and foreign brands?
No, the ranking covers Chinese-brand models only. Across the whole market, the Tesla Model Y led January–August 2026 sales.

Sources: China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) via Gasgoo – “September, 2026 auto sales ranking of Models from China’s brands” (22 October 2026); Good Car Bad Car – “China’s 50 Best-Selling Models Through August 2026” (27 September 2026); CnEVPost (October 2026); MeroAuto (2026).