Award-winning BYD Dolphin leads a wave of new brands. Here’s what you need to know

Driver Guides  Electric Vehicles  New Launches 

Sometimes an award reveals more than just the merits of a particular car. The 2024 Car Dealer Power “Car of the year” award has just been announced and the winner was the all-electric BYD Dolphin. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that decision at all, it really is a car worth consideration. The underlying story that the award reveals is the really interesting bit though, and that is the pace at which BYD has grown from “who…???” to “Car of the Year 2024”.

If you hold more than a passing interest in the motoring industry you may already be aware, but BYD isn’t alone either. It’s just one of a whole swathe of new car brands you might never have heard of that will be on sale in the UK very soon.

These “new’ brands aren’t actually new, of course.

We are talking about some well-established, hugely experienced, mainly China-based automotive manufacturers that are leading the world in the development of EV technology. Many of them have been in partnership with – in some cases, even ownership of - established European brands for quite some time, bringing their cutting-edge EV technology to our roads in exchange for decades of expertise in the European car market. Some are even in the process of developing manufacturing sites in Europe to simplify the process of introducing this part of the world to their own-branded products.

In the case of the BYD Dolphin, it has proved that EVs don’t need to be hugely expensive, and you don’t have to sacrifice range or equipment levels to make them an affordable option.

It’s a practical hatchback with comfortable seating for five and plenty of interior space. It’s fitted with the latest EV powertrain for efficiency, has a range of around 265 miles, it’s a smart looking car, and it’s incredibly well-equipped. It also costs less than nearly all of its European competition, making it incredibly good value for money. There’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t consider leasing one for yourself.

Or you could end up leasing one of the other new brands you’ve never heard of but you will soon.

Xpeng

Xpeng is one of the most innovative EV manufacturers, even going so far as to exploring the development of EVs that can fly as well as drive. It already produces four all-electric vehicles for the Far East market: a compact SUV, full-size SUV, an executive saloon, and a five-seat coupe complete with gull-wing doors. The brand’s fifth model, the Xpeng G6 is due to be the first to go on sale in the UK.

The Xpeng G6 is a mid-sized SUV intended to carve out a niche in the European market. It offers the usual SUV practicality but its coupe-like sloping roofline makes it a lot more stylish than most. Standard equipment includes electrically adjustable, heated, and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic glass roof, Dolby Atmos stereo, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

The car’s EV drivetrain is among the best currently available, with the car capable of a range of up to 354 miles between charges, with a 10-80% charge taking just 20 minutes at 280kW charging speeds. It’s not short on performance either. The Xpeng G6 made its UK debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the range-topping AWD Performance model put its 470bhp and 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds to good use by tackling the famous hill-climb with surprisingly little drama.

Omoda

Omoda describes itself as “the most futuristic crossover SUV brand”. It’s already established itself as something of an environmentally aware fashion-conscious brand with two models currently in production, the C5 and E5, both of which are expected be launched in the UK.

The Omoda 5 - which you can lease now - is a mid-size crossover that makes no bones about the fact it’s coming to take on the sector-dominant, Nissan Qashqai. It offers the same similarly stylish looks, everyday practicality, and generous equipment of the Qashqai, but if the brand wants to meet its target of selling 1.4 million cars by 2030 it’s got to hit the ground running.

Both the C5 and E5 feature similar trim levels with a focus on comfort and equipment levels. Both boast stylish and spacious interiors with the latest digital screen technology and driver assistance features. We’re presuming the C and E stand for combustion and electric: the C5 features an economical 147bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The E5 is all-electric with a 61kWh battery offering a range of around 260 miles and fast charging from 30-80% in as little as 28 minutes.

Jaecoo

Jaecoo is a new name in the off-road SUV segment. It’s picked the brains of experienced designers from across Europe to harness exceptional four-wheel-drive performance, remarkable safety features, and forward-thinking intelligent technologies. Jaecoo is specifically targeting its market with stylish vehicles intended to take on the likes of Range Rover and Audi, but at a fraction of the price.

Its first foray into the UK will come in the shape of the Jaecoo J7, due to go on sale sometime in 2025 with starting prices around £25k. With its large grille, luxurious interior reminiscent of earlier Range Rover Evoque models, and the latest infotainment technology, the J7 blends the looks of a rugged off-roader with the styling of an EV – despite the fact that it isn’t an EV.

When it does arrive on these shores, we expect the Jaecoo J7 to be initially available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Its off-road credentials include a drive select that includes modes for sand, mud and snow, and traction control system that can mimic a locking differential. There will also be a PHEV option with an impressive electric-only range of up to 100 miles following shortly after, with an all-electric model also due to join the line-up in the future.

GWM Ora

GWM is actually one of the leading Chinese car makers with decades of experience to call on. In 2021 alone, it sold more than 1.2 million vehicles in over 60 countries around the world. With a blend of stylish design, cutting-edge technology, and a character GWM describe as “playful, but effortlessly practical”, the new model range could prove to be incredibly popular.

You might have already noticed the brand thanks to its uniquely-named Funky Cat EV that went on sale last year. That was most likely an attempt to test the waters and develop a little bit of brand recognition in the UK. The Funky Cat name has now been dropped in favour of the much more serious-sounding, Ora 3.

GWM is offering the Ora 3 with a choice of two all-electric drivetrains - the Pure+ with a 48kWh battery and a range of 190 miles, and the Pro+ with 63kWh battery and 260-mile range. Both are well-equipped as standard, featuring a digital display and instrument cluster, navigation, cruise control, surround cameras, LED headlights, wireless phone charging, and electrically adjustable seats.

There’s also a premium all-electric saloon, the Ora 7, due in 2025 that will boast around 400bhp, a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds, and a range of up to 300 miles.

KGM

Despite 2024 marking KGM’s 70th anniversary, there’s an excellent chance you’ve never heard of this particular Korean manufacturer. Curiously, you probably have though. The KG Mobility Corporation was established in 1954 before it was bought by SsangYong in the 1980s and subsequently renamed. After changing hands a few more times, the company has been back in the hands of the KG Group since 2023, hence the name reverting back to the original.

Which essentially means it’s a manufacturer that is already well-established in the UK and the only thing that’s really changed is the name on the badge. Consequently, the bulk of KGM’s model range is already known and has been on sale and available to lease for a number of years. The Musso pick-up truck, Tivoli compact SUV, Rexton mid-size SUV, and Korando full-size SUV shouldn’t really need any introductions as they’ve already been around for a while. The latest member of the line-up, and the one you may not be aware of, is the rugged KGM Torres. This chunky SUV has been designed from the ground-up to offer a blend of capability and practicality with a more premium feel and the latest technology. Petrol versions feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and either front or all-wheel drive depending on which of the three trim-levels you choose. There are also two all-electric versions available with a 152kWh battery and a range of up to 287 miles.

There are more brands to come, too

That’s not an exhaustive list of brands coming to the UK either. Those are just the ones that are already here and ready to start selling cars. Other brands like Nio and Chery are also likely to arrive here in the next 12 months or so.

Chery International is already established as a top-tier luxury brand in over 80 countries. Current models include its Tiggo range of premium SUVs in compact (Tiggo 2), mid-size (Tiggo 4), and full-size (Tiggo 7) models, alongside the ultra-premium “turn left as you enter the aircraft” Tiggo 8 full-size SUV. There are also a couple of premium saloons on offer in the shape of the Arrizo 6 and even more luxurious Arrizo 8.

Nio currently produces a wide range of EVs in a variety of segments. The ET range of saloons includes the mid-size ET5 and ET5t touring/estate, the premium ET7, and flagship ET9, alongside a couple of stylish all-electric coupes in the EC6 and range-topping EC7.

You could also choose from the ES SUV range with its mid-size ES6 family SUV, slightly larger and more spacious ES7, or the phenomenally well-equipped ES8 flagship model. Nio is also responsible for the EP9, which you’re highly unlikely to ever drive but you’ll wish you could because it’s currently a contender for the fastest EV in the world with a host of lap records, and a peak power output of 1mW which allows it to accelerate from standstill to 125mph in just 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 195mph.

So, while you may not have heard of these brands before you certainly will in the next year or so. Which means it won’t come as so much of a surprise when you end up leasing yourself one of them in the future.

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