Chinese automakers claimed 41.4% of Israel’s car market in February, their highest share on record, according to official data from the country’s Vehicle Importers Association.
Omoda and Jaecoo, the dual-brand operation owned by China’s giant Chery, surged to the top of the overall sales ranking for the first time, while BYD saw its sales jump by over 76%, XPeng posted a 20% decline and Nio failed to register any EVs.
Israel’s total new car market rose 10.6% year-on-year in February to 27,214 units.
Political Tensions
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which a significant portion of cargo bound for Israel transits — has raised supply chain concerns.
A Bernstein research note published this week identified JAC, Chery, SAIC, and Great Wall Motor as the Chinese automakers with the highest sales exposure to the Middle East region.
China has opened talks with Iran aimed at securing uninterrupted oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported Thursday citing sources.
Chery Leads
Omoda and Jaecoo registered 3,678 units in February — a 264.5% year-on-year increase — to claim the overall market lead with a 13.5% share.
The result marks an all-time monthly high for the brand and follows a record-breaking January in which it ranked second.
The February total included 43 battery electric vehicles, 1,623 hybrid units, and 1,879 plug-in hybrids, underscoring the brand’s dominance in electrified powertrains beyond pure battery electric.
Chery brand added a further 3,263 units under its own nameplate — a 125.5% increase — lifting it to third place overall with a 12% share.
Combined, the two brands accounted for more than 6,900 registrations in February, or roughly one quarter of the entire market.
BYD Grows
BYD registered 1,110 units in February, a 76.2% year-on-year increase, placing it seventh overall.
The result included 265 pure electric vehicles and 845 plug-in hybrids.
The brand has now established itself as a consistent top-ten player in Israel, a market where its electrified lineup benefits from strong consumer and fleet demand.
Nio recorded zero registrations in February, after selling just one unit in January.
XPeng‘s sales in Israel fell by 20% year on year to 551 units.
Zeekr registered 197 units, a 26% year-on-year decline.
Both brands sold exclusively fully electric vehicles in Israel despite offering extended range EVs in China since last year.
Deepal and Leapmotor Surge
Deepal, the Changan-owned mass-market EV sub-brand, recorded 350 fully electric vehicles.
Leapmotor, the Stellantis-backed Chinese EV maker, posted 92 units, a 241% year-on-year increase. The total comprised 59 pure electric vehicles and 33 plug-in hybrids.
MG, owned by China’s SAIC Motor, registered 865 units in February, a 210% year-on-year increase, placing eighth overall with a 3.2% share.
Geely posted 465 units, up 154.1% year-on-year, placing 12th. Avatr, the premium EV brand backed by Changan, CATL, and Huawei, registered 176 units as a new entrant in the market.
