Chinese electric vehicle brand Chery entered the top 10 of car sales in the Greek market last month, illustrating the considerable penetration of the Chinese automotive industry in Greece.

This is attributed to the significantly more affordable models compared to European and Japanese ones in the electric and hybrid electric categories, with the latter increasingly strengthening their presence.

The appearance of a Chinese car brand in the top 10 comes at a time when overall electric car sales are not following the same pace compared to a year ago, following the changes in the electric mobility subsidy program that provides for much smaller amounts of support.

According to data the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) released on Friday, Chery was in eighth place in new passenger cars in December with a 3.7% share, above Peugeot (3.5%) and behind Volkswagen (4.6%).

A Chinese brand had also appeared in the top 10 at the start of 2025, when the previous cycle of the “I Drive Electric” program was underway, which provided for generous subsidies. At that time, MG (now owned by SAIC Motor) had appeared in the top 10 with a market share of over 4%, the first Chinese brand to enter the domestic car market, with the Syngelidis group realizing in time the broader trend that would follow.

In the whole of 2025, 9,574 new passenger cars of Chinese brands were sold in Greece, a percentage that reaches approximately 6.7% of the total number of new passenger cars to circulate for the first time in the country.

In the local car market, there are currently about 20 Chinese brands, many of which belong to the same group, with Dongfeng, Geely and Chery being the most active. All major Greek car importers are now active in the import and representation of Chinese brands (Syngelidis group, Sfakianakis, Spanos, Vassilakis group, Motodynamiki).

Based on Association of Motor Importers Representatives (SEAA) data, sales of purely electric passenger cars increased in 2025 by 2.1% and amounted to 8,894, while sales of hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) soared 41.1%, with the number of cars sold reaching 11,657.

Source: Ekathimerini.com