Chinese automaker BYD marked a significant milestone in the UK market by delivering its 100,000th vehicle on June 17, according to Executive Vice President He Zhiqi. He shared the news on Weibo, noting that BYD became the fastest brand to reach a 5% cumulative market share in the region. While the milestone car remains covered in official photos, its high bonnet line and slanted windshield strongly suggest it is the Atto 2 crossover.
Details about whether the anniversary model is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) were not confirmed. In the UK, the entry-level Atto 2 BEV starts at £30,875, featuring a 51.1 kWh battery and 130 kW (174 hp) electric motor. The Atto 2 DM-i plug-in hybrid begins at £26,995, pairing a 7.8 kWh battery with a 122 kW (164 hp) system.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, BYD recorded 31,553 UK registrations from January to May 2026, representing a 3.41% market share and a 113% year-over-year increase. Despite these gains, the official share has not yet reached 5% this year, suggesting that He’s claim may refer to cumulative sales across multiple markets, possibly including China. China EV DataTracker reports BYD’s exports hit a record 160,644 units in May 2026.
In addition to its sales achievement, BYD unveiled its first flash charging station in the UK, located in Uxbridge, west London. He noted that local media testers experienced the fastest charging speeds they had seen. BYD’s flash chargers are capable of delivering over 1,000 kW DC, and vehicles equipped with the second-generation Blade Battery can charge from 10% to 97% in about nine minutes. The Uxbridge unit currently serves as a demonstration site rather than a commercial facility.
Looking ahead, BYD plans to install 300 flash charging stations across the UK by the end of 2026. Globally, the company has set a target of deploying 6,000 stations overseas, including 3,000 in Europe. In China, BYD installed more than 5,000 operational flash chargers within 27 days of its initial launch.
Source: https://carnewschina.com/2026/06/17/byd-secured-5-of-the-uk-market-share-according-to-executive-vp/
