Chinese carmakers posted their best month ever in Europe, roaring past previous highs in September on surging demand for battery-powered and hybrid-electric models.

Companies led by BYD Co., SAIC Motor Corp.’s MG and Chery Automobile Co. captured a record 7.4% of all passenger-car sales across Europe, according to researcher Dataforce, and surpassed South Korean carmakers like Kia Corp. for the first time.

September’s acceleration follows months of steady growth. BYD, the world’s largest maker of electrified vehicles, expanded its dealer network and lineup of plug-in hybrids and EVs, as did others targeting categories driving most of the region’s growth.

The blowout is “a pointer to what might lie ahead,” said Benjamin Kibies, a Dataforce analyst. “We see a constant increase in Chinese

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