Chinese carmakers are long past being just local players. The latest data for the first half of 2026 shows a huge shift in the global automotive market. TOP 10 largest automotive groups in the world by market share now includes three Chinese manufacturers right away — BYD, Geely and Chery. Even more interesting is a look back ten years, when all three companies held only a tiny share of the global market.
Chinese automakers are already among the global leaders
The data was published by China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) General Secretary Cui Dongshu. Highest among Chinese manufacturers was BYD in 6th place with a global share of 4.8 %. That’s a real jump — back in 2016, the automaker controlled only about 0.6 % of the global market.
Growth for BYD doesn’t run completely problem-free either. In 2025, according to published data, its global share reached even higher 5,4 %. The first half of 2026 was tougher for the automaker, especially in the domestic Chinese market. According to data from China EV DataTracker, BYD delivered in China over the first six months 2026 in total 795 169 vehicles / which was supposed to represent a year-on-year decline of 45,9 %.
Geely is right behind BYD
Immediately after BYD came another Chinese giant. Geely Holding Group took 7th place with 4.6 % of the global automotive market. Here too, it’s interesting to compare with 2016. Ten years ago, Geely’s global share was about 1.5 %.
When it comes to Geely numbers, there’s one important thing to keep in mind. Geely Holding is not just an automaker producing vehicles with the Geely logo. The group includes or is controlled by brands such as Volvo / Polestar / Lotus / Smart, or Proton. The resulting market share therefore represents an extremely broad automotive group.
Chery caught up with Ford
The third Chinese company in the TOP 10 is Chery with a 4.1 % share. That puts the automaker on the same level as the American Ford. Ten years ago, Chery held only about 0.8 % of the global auto market.
Chery’s result isn’t that surprising for people who follow the Chinese auto industry more closely. The company has long been among the most significant Chinese exporters, and it’s increasingly expanding its vehicles beyond the domestic market as well.
Toyota remains the global leader
The complete front of the ranking is still in the hands of traditional automotive giants. Toyota has a 11% global share in the first half of 2026 and remains the biggest automaker by a clear margin. The second-placed Volkswagen reaches 8.1% and the third Hyundai-Kia group has 7.6%. Next comes Stellantis with 6% and the Renault-Nissan group with 5.4%.
But the next rankings show / just how quickly the situation is changing. BYD and Geely have already overtaken General Motors and Chery has reached Ford’s level. Other Chinese groups are not far behind either. SAIC finished in the 11th spot with a share of 3,7% / Changan is seventeenth with 1,9% and Great Wall Motor one place lower with 1,8%.
Xiaomi is already among the 30 biggest
For our readers, another highly interesting figure is also Xiaomi in 29th place with a 0.4% global share. At first glance, that doesn’t look like a huge number / but you should remember / how short Xiaomi has been producing cars compared to Toyota / Volkswagen or even established Chinese competitors.
Xiaomi entered the automotive industry only recently, and its growth so far is mainly supported by its lineup of electric sedans SU7 and the SUV YU7. Even being listed among the world’s top 30 automakers already shows / what a huge volume of vehicles the company managed to put on the market in a very short time. Chinese brands together grabbed many other spots in the TOP 30, and their growth over the last ten years suggests / that the fight for the very top positions hasn’t ended yet by a long shot.
TOP 30 car companies in the world by market share
| - | Automaker / market share in H1 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota / 11 % |
| 2 | Volkswagen / 8.1 % |
| 3 | Kia Hyundai / 7.6 % |
| 4 | Stellantis / 6 % |
| 5 | Renault Nissan / 5.4 % |
| 6 | BYD / 4.8 % |
| 7 | Geely / 4.6 % |
| 8 | General Motors / 4.5 % |
| 9 | Chery / 4.1 % |
| 10 | Ford / 4.1 % |
| 11 | SAIC / 3.7 % |
| 12 | Suzuki / 3.7 % |
| 13 | Honda / 3.4 % |
| 14 | BMW / 2.4 % |
| 15 | Mercedes-Benz / 2.3 % |
| 16 | Tesla / 2.1 % |
| 17 | Changan / 1.9 % |
| 18 | GWM / 1.8 % |
| 19 | Tata / 1.6 % |
| 20 | Mazda / 1.3 % |
| 21 | BAIC / 1.2 % |
| 22 | Mahindra / 1.1 % |
| 23 | Dongfeng / 1.1 % |
| 24 | Subaru / 0.9 % |
| 25 | Leapmotor / 0.8 % |
| 26 | GAC / 0.8 % |
| 27 | FAW / 0.5 % |
| 28 | Sinotruk / 0.4 % |
| 29 | Xiaomi / 0.4 % |
| 30 | Li Auto / 0.4 % |
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