Six new car brands coming to the UK this year including Porsche rival & EV-maker selling bargain-priced hatchback
Among them is BYD's rival to Porsche, as well as NIO's budget-friendly sub-brand, Firefly, which could compete with established players such as Renault and Dacia.
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Denza
6
Move over Porsche... Denza is coming to town
Credit: Denza
Porsche could soon face some serious competition from China in the form of motoring giant BYD.
The ever-expanding car brand, one of the largest private companies in China, has already begun making waves globally, including in the UK, with its range of Tesla-challenging EVs.
For those seeking something with more speed and
luxury
, their sister brand Denza might appeal, starting with the first car in its line-up – the stunning Z9 GT.
Clearly borrowing design cues from Porsche's Taycan and Panamera, the grand tourer, with its shooting brake estate styling, was unveiled at the recent Milan Design Week ahead of its European market release later this year.
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The Z9 GT, available in both EV and PHEV variants, will be followed by four to six
models
in Europe, including SUVs and off-roaders, launching over the
next
few years.
Firefly
6
Firefly, which belongs to the Chinese car manufacturer Nio, will look to take on the budget car segment
Credit: Pacific Coast News
From one sister brand to another: Firefly will be the lower-tier, budget option introduced by Chinese EV maker NIO.
Its first UK offering will be a sleek, five-door supermini designed to rival the Renault 5 and Dacia
Spring
as one of the most affordable electric cars on the market.
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Specifications such as
power
and range have yet to be confirmed, but it will feature NIO's innovative battery-swap technology.
Most read in Motors
GAC
6
Mini, who? China's answer to the famous hatchback is on the way
Credit: Instagram
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the little-known brand GAC is preparing to take on the mighty MINI with an all-electric hatchback.
The Chinese manufacturer, which has partnerships with Honda and Toyota, is one of the country's largest carmakers.
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Watch the promo for the BYD Sealion 7
GAC is gearing up for its UK debut with the stylish Aion UT hatchback, billed as 'China's version of the Mini'.
The compact car certainly bears a resemblance to the iconic Mini and has been designed with city driving in mind.
In terms of size, it's perhaps closer to the Volkswagen ID.3, with its interior space being remarkably well-utilised.
The Aion UT is expected to launch in the UK at a price point just above £20,000, making it significantly cheaper than the £30,795-rated ID.3 and roughly on par with the MG 4 EV and the Renault 5.
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Mobilize
6
The Mobilize Duo is Renault's take on the quadricycle
Credit: www.mobilize.co.uk
It's not all about China, as Renault's new urban mobility brand is entering the fray to challenge the UK's favourite quadricycles – the enduring Citroën Ami and the charming Micro Microlino.
The Mobilize Duo, a spiritual successor to the cult-favourite Twizy, reportedly has a 100-mile range with its larger battery version, while a van variant—called the Bento—provides additional cargo space at the rear.
Onvo
6
The plush Onvo L60 coupe-SUV
Credit: Getty
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Another NIO-owned brand is set to arrive in the UK in the coming months, offering an affordable EV that could give Tesla a run for its money.
The luxurious Onvo L60 coupe-SUV is expected to hit showrooms soon, with a particular emphasis on value as it aims to undercut Tesla's hugely popular Model Y.
The L60 prioritises interior space, with NIO claiming the model's short overhangs maximise cabin room and that 'with ingenious storage design, every occupant can bring along their own luggage'.
It's also significantly more powerful than the £46,990-rated Model Y, featuring a 900V electrical architecture capable of ultra-rapid charging.
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Yangwang
6
Yangwang's go anywhere U8
Credit: BYD
The curiously named Yangwang, like Denza, is linked to BYD – but with an added touch of prestige.
Yangwang specialises in large, luxury SUVs, such as the Yangwang U8, a rugged off-roader with a surprising party trick: it can float in water for up to 30 minutes.
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The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Legendary car brand pulls out of country forever as it shuts massive engine factory in move to rival Tesla
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Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Fci Calls for Mini Job Tax System for Contractors in Budget
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has called for a short-term worker taxation system to be included in Budget 2026. In its pre-budget submission, the association said such a measure would facilitate agricultural and forestry contractors and other rural employers who have short-term seasonal, and weather dictated skills requirements. The system would allow these workers to deduct a standard rate of 30% in tax and social security contributions, in addition to accident insurance contributions of 1.3%, for seasonal and part-time workers who are already engaged in other employment. John Hughes, national chair of the FCI, said that "a combination of high personal taxation levels and high employment levels are making it difficult to employ part-time or short-term seasonal employees in our sector". The FCI chair believes that adopting the "German Mini-Job system" would allow the Irish contractors and the farming sector "to maintain and develop the necessary financial foundations for longer-term sustainability" Hughes said that such a facility would make "seasonal part-time employment in the agricultural sector more attractive". 'This high-cost employment situation based around the current tax credits system is now leading to a significant shortage of seasonal employees on which the agricultural and forestry contractors and farming sectors depend to operate machines during the peak and highly seasonal work demands of the Irish farming year,' he said. FCI estimates that of the 20,000 employees in the sector, in the region of 14,000 are part-time and seasonal employees. 'The number of available part-time employees is declining significantly as it is no longer financially attractive for seasonal employees to work in our sector due to high personal taxation issues. 'It is also no longer possible for employers in our sector to secure the necessary funds to make worthwhile payments to seasonal workers while striving to provide cost-effective and high technology machinery services to the Irish farming and food sector. "There is an urgent requirement to put in place a personal taxation system that reflects the realities of the agricultural sector which is seasonal and highly weather dependent, and the German government has provided the solution with the Mini-Job system that we urgently need to adopt,' Hughes added. Michael Moroney, FCI research director, visited Germany to researched the mini-job system in place there. He said that the German tax system allows the employer (an agricultural or forestry contractor) to deduct a flat 31% tax on income from part-time employees through a system of mini-jobs and/or a short-term employment system. The employees are registered on a central database. 'The German system allows small and seasonally based rural businesses, such as agricultural and forestry contractors and farmers, to employ seasonal workers in addition to that worker's main employment, while allowing the employer to make a simple to administer flat-rate tax payment on their mini-job or seasonal employment," Moroney said. He said the system is significantly easier to operate than the current Irish tax credits system where part-time employment can be very costly for the agricultural and forestry contractor and the farmer. Moroney added that the German Mini-Job system allows part-time workers who operate machines in agriculture to earn up to €556 per month tax and social security contribution-free in 2025. This equates to an hourly wage of €12.82 (the current statutory minimum wage) and an approximate monthly working time of 43 hours. In the Irish situation, he said this would equate to earning up to €648 per month tax and social security contribution-free in 2025. This is based on an Irish hourly wage of €13.50 per hour (the current statutory minimum wage) and an approximate monthly working time of 48 hours over a four month period. The mini-job taxation proposal is just one of nine proposals put forward in the FCI pre-budget 2026 submission. FCI chair John Hughes said that the sector, which the association said has an annual turnover of more than €1 billion, "must now be adequately supported and financed". "Failure by this government to acknowledge this critical issue pertaining to the agricultural and forestry sectors will lead to business closures, and essential services required by the farming sector will become less available at critical seasonal times, impacting on future agricultural output and vital food exports," he said.
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Danone Reports 4 Rise in Like for Like Sales
Global food and drinks company, Danone has reported a 4.1% rise in sales for the period April to June 2025 (Q2). In Q2 2025, sales stood at €6.9 billion, up +4.1% on a like-for-like basis (LFL), led by an increase of +3.2% from volume/mix and +1% from price. On a reported basis, sales decreased by -0.4%, due to the negative impact of currencies (-4.9%), reflecting the depreciation of several currencies against the euro, notably the US dollar, the Mexican peso, the Chinese renminbi and the Argentine peso. Hyperinflation also contributed positively to reported sales (+0.7%), while there was no impact from scope effect, the company has reported in its latest financial results. In the first half of 2025 (H1), sales stood at €13.7 billion, up +4.2% LFL, led by an increase of +2.6% from volume/mix and +1.7% from price. On a reported basis, sales decreased by -0.1%, mainly due to the negative impact of currencies (-2.9%), according to the company report. Reported sales were also negatively impacted by scope (-1.5%), resulting predominantly from the sale of Horizon Organic and Wallaby on April 1, 2024, while hyperinflation contributed positively (+0.8%). In Q2 2025, Europe sales were up +2.2% LFL, with volume/mix at +2.4% and price at -0.2%. Source: Danone The zone recorded its seventh consecutive quarter of positive volume/mix, reflecting continued progress in dairy, notably driven by functional products such as High Protein, Skyr and Kefir, while Alpro delivered strong growth in plant-based. Specialised nutrition posted a solid performance, notably driven by the medical nutrition brands Fortimel and Nutrison, while Waters achieved competitive growth, supported by evian. In North America, sales were up +2.3% LFL, led by volume/mix at +1.8% and price up +0.5%. This performance was supported by sustained double-digit growth in High Protein and a strong momentum in specialized nutrition, while Coffee Creamers is progressively recovering following service challenges. China, North Asia & Oceania delivered another quarter of broad-based strong performance, with sales up +12.4% LFL, led by volume/mix at +13.2% and price at -0.8%. Specialised nutrition recorded double-digit growth, driven by strong growth in both IMF (infant milk formula) and medical nutrition. In waters, Mizone sustained its good performance, while EDP delivered another quarter of competitive growth in Japan, led by Activia and Oikos brands. In Latin America, sales were up +2.9% LFL, with volume/mix down -3.1% and price up +5.9%. Specialised nutrition posted strong growth across the region, particularly through the Aptamil brand. EDP delivered a solid performance, notably supported by the successful launches of High Protein and drinkable yogurt offerings, while 'waters' was impacted by adverse weather conditions in Mexico. In Asia, Middle East and Africa, sales increased by +4.1% LFL, with volume/mix up +1.4% and price up +2.7%. The performance was fueled by the strong momentum in specialised nutrition, particularly in South-East Asia, India and the Middle East, as well as the continued expansion of the Aptamil brand into new countries. In EDP, dairy maintained growth, notably supported by solid performance in North and West Africa. In April this year, Danone successfully issued an €800 million bond with an eight-year maturity and a 3.438% coupon. The company said that the bond issue was widely subscribed by a diversified investor base. Also in April at Danone's 2025 Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved all resolutions including the distribution of a dividend of €2.15 per share in cash, up +2.4% compared to last year, and the proposed renewals of terms of office of Antoine de Saint-Affrique, chief executive officer (CEO), as well as independent directors Patrice Louvet, Geraldine Picaud, and Susan Roberts. In July 2025, Danone completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Kate Farms, a fast-growing U.S business and the top doctor-recommended plant-based brand in the US. Danone also announced the acquisition of The Akkermansia Company (TAC), a Belgian company with nearly 20 years of history and science, specialising in biotics. Speaking in relation to the result published today, Danone CEO, Antoine de Saint-Affrique said: "We started chapter two of the Renew Danone strategy with a strong performance, demonstrating consistency in driving quality growth and reflecting the strength and resilience of our health-focused portfolio: sales for the first half increased by +4.2% on a like-for-like basis, driven by volume-mix up +2.6%. "In a volatile and uncertain environment, we are consistently doubling down on our fundamentals, further fueling our winning platforms such as high protein, medical nutrition, Alpro and Aptamil, while moving forward with this next chapter of our strategy. "We started actively complementing our portfolio, further investing in medical nutrition, acquiring Kate Farms in the US, and in next generation biotics through The Akkermansia Company. "We remain focused on the consistent execution of our consumer-centric and science-based strategy and the delivery of our mid-term guidance," he said.
