Summary
- Li Auto delivered a record number of cars in July, with strong sales of its new Li L6 SUV
- The Li L6, priced at 249,000 yuan, has seen monthly deliveries of over 20,000, similar to Tesla’s Model Y in China
- Tesla China sold 59,261 cars in June, while Nio delivered 20,498 cars in July
- BYD reported over 60% of its 340,799 passenger car sales in July were plug-in hybrids
- Xiaomi delivered more than 10,000 SU7 electric sedans in July and aims to deliver 100,000 cars by November
Article
Chinese new energy vehicle company Li Auto set a new record for car deliveries in July, driven by strong sales of its new Li L6 SUV model. The Li L6, which launched in April, has been a popular choice among consumers with monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 units. Priced at 249,000 yuan, the Li L6 is the cheapest vehicle in Li Auto’s lineup, similar to Tesla’s Model Y in China. This success comes as Chinese consumers continue to express concerns about relying solely on batteries for driving, with Li Auto’s cars featuring a fuel tank for extended driving range. In comparison, Tesla, Nio, and other major battery-only automakers reported varying monthly delivery figures.
Tesla sold 59,261 cars in China in June, although it does not break out monthly country-wise delivery figures. Nio delivered 20,498 cars in July, marking a consistent delivery rate above 20,000 for a third consecutive month. Other major battery-only automakers like Zeekr and Xpeng reported lower monthly delivery figures. Xiaomi, which recently entered the electric vehicle market, delivered more than 10,000 units of its SU7 electric sedan in July, with plans to maintain a similar pace in August. The company aims to deliver 100,000 cars by November, a month earlier than originally projected.
BYD, a major automaker selling both battery-only and hybrid-powered cars, reported over 340,000 passenger car sales in July. More than 60% of these were plug-in hybrids, with the hybrid category experiencing year-on-year sales growth of 44%, compared to just under 14% growth for battery-only cars. This shift in sales figures contrasts with trends observed in 2023, where battery-only cars grew faster and accounted for over half of BYD’s passenger car sales. Additionally, Aito, a brand co-developed by Huawei, delivered 41,535 cars in July, slightly lower than the previous month.
Huawei, primarily known for its technology products, has been focusing on selling software for cars rather than manufacturing vehicles directly. In July, the company announced the sale of the Aito trademark and patents to automaker Seres for 2.5 billion yuan. This strategic move reflects Huawei’s shift towards software solutions in the automotive industry. Li Auto’s record-breaking July deliveries combined with the success of its Li L6 SUV model demonstrate the company’s strong position in the Chinese new energy vehicle market. As consumer preferences and concerns evolve, automakers are adapting their offerings and strategies to meet the changing landscape of electric vehicle adoption in China.
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