(Reuters) -Chinese automakers sold more cars in Europe than the Renault and Audi brands in August, helped by booming plug-in hybrid sales, with models from BYD, Jaecoo and MG in the category’s top-ten sellers, data from JATO Dynamics showed on Tuesday.

Tesla’s Model Y remained Europe’s most popular battery-electric vehicle (BEV), but its sales dropped 37% from the same month last year despite growing BEV sales overall, data from the research firm showed.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Chinese automakers have ramped up exports of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to Europe and plan to build more models locally, minimising the impact of the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.

PHEVs, which run on a combination of gasoline and electricity, are gaining in popularity as

See Full Page