ROME, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automakers are rapidly gaining ground in Italy's market of new energy vehicles, driven by competitive prices, expanding model ranges and growing demand for plug-in hybrids.
Data from the Italian auto industry association UNRAE showed that BYD registered 33,973 passenger cars in Italy in the first seven months of 2026, up nearly 195 percent year-on-year. Its market share rose to 3.2 percent from 1.18 percent.
In July alone, BYD registered 4,466 passenger cars, up 127.05 percent from a year earlier.
Motus-E, an Italian association advocating for electric mobility and the growth of Italy's EV sector, reported that the country registered 86,003 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from January through July, up 70.4 percent year-on-year.
The Leapmotor T03, a fully electric Chinese city car, accounted for 22,353 registrations, about 26 percent of the BEV market. Meanwhile, BYD's Dolphin Surf became Italy's best-selling fully electric car in July, with 572 registrations, Motus-E said.
At a BYD dealership in Rome, sales consultant Gianmaria Migliore said the company was seeing "very strong interest" from customers even in August, traditionally a quieter period for the auto industry.
"Customers are attracted to the brand for several reasons, including price, quality, technology and driving experience," Migliore told Xinhua.
He said plug-in hybrids were particularly popular because Italy's charging infrastructure is still limited, and many consumers lack access to home charging. The Atto 2 DM-i and the recently launched Dolphin G DM-i were among the models attracting strong interest, he said.
Italy "is one of the key markets" in BYD's European strategy, BYD Europe said in a statement to Xinhua, adding that Italian consumers particularly valued compact, practical and affordable vehicles.
BYD Europe said Italian consumers were increasingly open to new energy vehicles while continuing to prioritize design, technology, safety and value for money. More than one in four plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in Italy is a BYD, the company added.
The success of compact models such as the Dolphin Surf reflected a shift toward EVs that are "practical, accessible, and ideal for urban daily use," it said.
"Our goal is not simply to sell vehicles in Europe, but to become a long-term participant in the European automotive ecosystem," BYD Europe said, adding that localization remains an "important part" of its European strategy.
It also noted potential for deeper cooperation between Chinese and European automotive partners in technology, manufacturing, supply chains, and sustainability, as Europe's auto industry accelerates its transition toward electrification. ■