Jeep, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen Customers Are Migrating to Chinese Automakers Like GWM and BYD. See Why Hybrids Are Changing the Market.
Traditional brands like Jeep, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen are seeing customers migrate to Chinese automakers like BYD and GWM, which are gaining strength in 2025 with sustainable and more affordable models.
Chinese automakers are dominating the Brazilian automotive market in 2025. According to a survey by MegaDealer, released in June, Jeep is losing more and more ground to rivals like BYD and GWM.
Hybrids and Electric Vehicles Drive Chinese Automakers
The study indicates that in the first two quarters of the year, customers are trading their combustion vehicles for hybrid and electric models from Chinese brands, attracted mainly by cost-effectiveness and embedded technology.
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Renault Espace F1 put a Formula 1 V10 with 820 hp inside a 4-seater minivan, exceeded 300 km/h, and became one of the craziest automotive experiences ever built.
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Jetour hybrid SUV targets Brazil with 360 hp, 6 or 7 seats, and a range of 800 km, as the Chinese brand prepares to compete with Haval H6 and BYD Song Plus in the family plug-in market in 2026.
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In the range of R$ 35,000, consumption of up to 22 km/l, 1.0 three-cylinder engine, electric steering, 8” multimedia, four airbags, and over 80% of national parts with low maintenance costs: meet the Renault Kwid 2026.
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Changing the 5W30 oil to 10W40 to “compensate for clearances” after the Corolla surpasses 150,000 km can damage the engine, warns a technical consultant.
This shift reflects a profound transformation in consumer behavior.
Data shows that Jeep customers are leading the migration to GWM models, while Volkswagen and Chevrolet follow closely behind.
A similar movement has been recorded regarding BYD, which has attracted buyers who previously opted for traditional brands.
The rapid rise of Chinese automakers in Brazil is mainly due to the offer of hybrid and electric vehicles at competitive prices.
These models, besides being sustainable, deliver technology, comfort, and savings, which has convinced many customers to switch from traditional brands for new experiences.
In the first quarter of 2025, Jeep led the list of trades for GWM cars, with over 17% of the replacements.
Toyota and Volkswagen followed next. In the second quarter, Jeep maintained its lead, while Volkswagen rose to second place and Toyota fell to third, with 9.5%.
BYD Also Advances and Changes the Ranking of Brands Exchanged
In the case of BYD, another Chinese automaker gaining prominence, the movement is also significant.
In the first quarter, Hyundai, Chevrolet, and Jeep led the exchanges for models from the brand.
In the second quarter, Volkswagen rose to the top, with 11% of the replacements, followed by Chevrolet and Hyundai.
This scenario shows that Brazilian customers are increasingly receptive to Chinese brands, especially due to the advantages they offer in the electric mobility segments.
Change in Profile of Jeep Customers
According to MegaDealer’s country manager, Fábio Braga, this market transformation had been indicated since last year.
“Comparing with the data from 2024, we see few changes. Jeep, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and Toyota continue to lead as the most exchanged brands. The difference is that Hyundai has taken Honda’s place,” he stated.
The statement reinforces that, although the most replaced brands remain practically the same, customer preference is shifting towards more modern technologies, which places Chinese automakers at a strategic advantage.
Traditional Automakers Face Adaptation Challenge
While Chinese automakers accelerate in Brazil, brands like Jeep, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen need to rethink their strategies to avoid losing even more market share.
The adoption of hybrid and electric models, along with more competitive prices and technology, will be crucial to reversing the trend.
With information from CanalTech.

A tecnologia dos carros chineses é muito boa, a beleza de seus carros não perde pra ninguém e, ao que vejo, a confiabilidade não fica atrás de nenhuma outra montadora, mano com preços extremamente competitivo, alguém tem alguma dúvida de que os chineses dominarão o mercado?
Prefiro meu cavalinho alasão, movido a capim. De vez em quando ele faz uma cagada, mas tudo bem.
Tenho um Híbrido da Haval H6 Hev há dois anos e não troco por nenhum modelo à combustão. Agora em outubro vai sair o Yaris Híbrido e já estamos na lista de espera. Chega de tecnologia atrasada.
Troquei meu jeep compass por um toyota corolla cross hybrido e não me arrependo. Ótimo carro, mas na troca do corolla cross, já está na lista. Será um BYD hybrido plug-in.