Chinese revolution in the automotive market: Jaecoo 7 dethrones Ford Puma in the UK and attacks the SUV segment in Romania
LONDON / BUCHAREST – In a turnaround that took European auto analysts by surprise, March 2026 marked a historic moment: for the first time, an emerging Chinese brand occupied the top position in the UK sales rankings. The Jaecoo 7 managed to surpass the absolute “king” of recent years, the Ford Puma, reinforcing the Chery group’s aggressive expansion trend on the continent.
A "Victory March" in Britain
According to the latest official figures, the Jaecoo 7 was the best-selling car on the British market in March, with an impressive volume of 10,064 units. The performance is all the more remarkable as the Chinese model outperformed heavyweights such as the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and, most importantly, the Ford Puma.
The Ford model, which had been dominating the charts month after month, was delivered in 9,193 copies in March, losing its leadership position to the newcomer.
If we look at the first quarter of 2026 as a whole, the battle becomes even closer:
- Ford Puma: 16,128 units (January – March)
- Jaecoo 7: 15,569 units (January – March)
With a difference of just 559 units for the full year, analysts estimate that at the current rate of growth, the Jaecoo 7 has every chance of becoming the annual leader of the British market by the end of April. This meteoric rise comes just one year and three months after the brand's debut in the kingdom, in January 2025.
Jaecoo in Romania: The Eastern Offensive
While the Jaecoo 7 is making history in the UK, the model is in the midst of a consolidation phase on the Romanian market. The brand, officially launched in our country on October 21, 2025 through the distributor Genius Automotive Europe, has entered one of the most contested segments: that of compact SUVs.
What does Jaecoo 7 offer for Romanian customers?
In Romania, the Jaecoo 7 is positioned as an "elegant off-road" alternative, a mix between Land Rover's rugged aesthetics and cutting-edge digital technology. The model is available in two main engine variants:
- Gasoline (ICE): A 1.6-liter TGDI engine (145 hp), coupled to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT).
- Plug-in Hybrid (SHS - Super Hybrid System): An extremely efficient variant that combines a 1.5-liter internal combustion engine with a powerful electric motor, offering a purely electric range of approximately 120 km.
Pricing and Positioning
On the local market, prices for the Jaecoo 7 start at approximately EUR 32,000 - 33,000 (promotional prices on platforms such as Autovit) and can reach up to EUR 39,990 for the top-of-the-line Premium SHS equipment.
This pricing strategy puts Jaecoo 7 in direct competition with local "best-sellers":
- Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage (segment leaders in Romania).
- Dacia Bigster (the newcomer targeting the same price and size segment).
- Ford Puma (although the Puma is in a lower class in terms of size, their prices intersect, making the Jaecoo 7 a tempting option for those who want "more car" for the same money).
Conclusions: A new automotive era?
The success in the UK demonstrates that perception barriers towards Chinese brands quickly collapse when the price-performance ratio is unbeatable. In Romania, although the market is more conservative and loyal to European and Korean brands, the expanding distribution network and extended warranty offered by Chery Group (owner of Jaecoo) are starting to attract more and more customers from the retail and fleet segments.
If the model manages to replicate the British success on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, 2026 could be the year in which the sales rankings in Romania will undergo major structural changes.