China new models September 2023: GAC Trumpchi ES9, Lynk & Co 08 land, all 11 models Chinese

GAC Trumpchi ES9

After going through September 2023 Chinese wholesales, it is now time to focus on the new locally produced models hitting the Chinese market this month. This way you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the largest and most dynamic market in the world. This month we have no less than 11 new models appearing in the charts, and strikingly all of them are Chinese! Foreign legacy OEM really can’t catch up with the rhythm imposed by domestic manufacturers. To fully understand the scope of the Chinese market, make sure you consult our Exclusive Guide to all 199 active Chinese Brands.

1. Lynk & Co 08 (4,017 sales)

After years of cloning the front design of its models, Lynk & Co finally tries something new with this 08 which looks relatively different to the rest of the brand’s lineup. Its sculpted silhouette is actually quite impressive from the side (see above). It was previewed by the concept The Next Day from 2022 which announced this new breed of models for the brand. The 08 was unveiled last March. It is a mid-size, 4.82m long SUV featuring frameless doors and retractable door handles. It is available in front or four-wheel drive associated with a 1.5T PHEV engine. The front-wheel drive model is powered by a single 280 KW motor while the four-wheel drive model has dual motors for 436 KW. 0-100 km/h is done and dusted in just 4.6 sec.

Inside, the 08 has a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 15.4-inch infotainment screen and a 92-inch augmented reality head up display. It is reasonably priced from 208,800 to 288,000 yuan (27,000-37,200€ or US$28,500-39,400) and will compete with the likes of the Aito M5 (249,800-331,800 yuan) and M7 (249,800-379,800 yuan). For comparison, the Lynk & Co 09 is priced from 257,900 to 312,900 yuan. Lynk & Co has managed solid success since its launch, and continues to progress with 2023 YTD sales up 8.6%. It is now selling 4 times the amount of its competitor WEY. Prospects for the 08 are great and it already betters the highest monthly score reached by the 09 (2,805). Given that its launch performance already makes it the third best-selling Lynk & Co model below the 03 and 06, it’s difficult to see it go much higher.

Bar for success: 6,000 monthly units

2. Geely Galaxy L6 (3,073 sales)

The L6 sedan is the second model in the Galaxy series after the L7 SUV, which has established itself around a stunning 10,000 units per month since launch in June. Galaxy is a new sub-brand by Geely unveiled last February. It is dedicated to premium long-range hybrid and pure electric vehicles. There are two model lines: L for PHEVs and E for EVs. The first model of the E series, the E8, will appear in Q4. The L6 looks like every other Tesla Model 3 killer launched by Chinese manufacturers over the past few years, up to the retractable door handles. It is 4.78m long and has a 2.75m wheelbase.

The interior features a 10.25-inch instrument panel and a 13.2-inch portrait central infotainment screen, all powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. The car runs on a Galaxy N OS operating system that enables AI voice recognition and interaction. As its name indicates, the L6 is a PHEV with a 120 KW 1.5T engine and a 107 KW front electric motor. 0-100 km/h is done in 6.5 seconds. The cruising range is up to 1,370 km. The L6 is priced from a very reasonable 115,800 to 149,800 yuan (15,000-19,400€ or US$15,800-20,500) and will compete with the likes of the BYD Qin Plus (99,800-179,800 yuan), Deepal SL03 (145,900-669,900 yuan) and BYD Destroyer 05 (101,800-157,800 yuan). The L6 received 20,000 pre-orders in less than a month and will be a success.

Bar for success: 6,500 monthly units

3. Hiphi Y (1,556 sales)

HiPhi is a premium brand of electric cars created by Human Horizons and launched in August 2019. Its range includes three models, the X, Y and Z (see further down). HiPhi will launch in Europe in 2024 and the planned markets are Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Norway and the UK. The Y was premiered at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023. It’s a BEV 4.94m long mid-size SUV with a 2.95m wheelbase. Its design is a little more conventional than its fellow HiPhi models but still oozes modernity. Its front layout features the now mandatory slim headlights back with chunky light panels in the number. All new models seem to have this design these days. One of its main features is the wing door opening, a particularity of HiPhi models.

Inside, the Y has three huge screens all over the dash, 12.3-inch for the LCD instrument cluster, 17-inch OLED for infotainment that looks like it’s even bigger than Tesla’s, and a 15-inch HD one for the passenger. It also includes a 9.2-inch streaming media rear-view mirror. The Y is priced from 339,000 to 459,000 yuan (43,800-59,300€ or US$46,300-62,700). It is set to compete with such models as the Tesla Model Y (263,900-349,900 yuan), NIO ES6 (338,000-554,000 yuan) and Zeekr 001 (300,000-403,000 yuan). In terms of sales prospects, it’s difficult to predict as weirdly this is HiPhi’s first appearance in the wholesales charts. However we’d want double the launch figure to see HiPhi survive in the long term.

Bar for success: 3,000 monthly sales

4. Denza N8 (1,097 sales)

Denza is an EV cooperation between BYD (90%) and Mercedes (10%). It used to be a joint-venture between the two manufacturers that was left dormant for years. Denza is one of BYD’s three standalone premium brand alongside YangWang and Fang Cheng Bao. Since BYD took control, things have started to move with the launch of the D9 MPV in October 2022. It’s an instant blockbuster peaking at 11,146 wholesales last July. Only one month after the N7, the Denza N8 launches on the Chinese market and is supposed to replace the defunct Denza X. It’s a a five- to seven-seater large crossover SUV whose design is rather conventional in the current climate. It is almost identical to the X it replaces and is actually a restyled version of the BYD Tang (which was also the case for the X).

The N8 comes in PHEV or BEV (which will launch later). It is a 4wd with front and rear electric motors for a combined 482 hp. Its ICE engine is a 139hp 1.5L. Pure electric range is 216 km and combined range 1,030 km. The N8 is powered by BYD’s 45.8 kWh blade battery pack. It is priced between 319,800 and 326,800 yuan (41,300-42,200€ or US$43,700-44,700). No Denza model has been successful to date apart from the D9 SUV. Its SUVs failed. So all will depend on whether the N8 can ride on the success of the D9. We had a 8,000 monthly unit bar for success for the N7 but we’ll be more conservative for the N8.

Bar for success: 5,000 monthly sales

5. Wuling Xingyun/Nebula (792 sales)

Wuling ventures into a different design direction with the Xingyun, Nebula in English. It shares components with the Baojun RM-5 and is the third model in the silver logo series which includes the Wuling Star. Originally the series indicated the models were bound for export but we haven’t seen it happen. The design of the vehicle is actually refreshingly innovative compared to the wealth of new models hitting Chinese dealerships month after month. It looks jovial and rounded and is, therefore destined for young buyers (obviously!). The car is rich in rounded shapes, from the two sets of headlamps to the overall appearance of the car.

The Nebula is a compact SUV at 4.61m long with a 2.70m wheelbase. Inside, despite its low price the Nebula features the obligatory 10.25-inch touch screen and some funky vertical air vents. The multimedia system is powered by Wuling’s own Ling OS operating system. The Nebula is a HEV powered by a 2.0L engine combined with a 100 KW electric motor. Combined, they provide 174 hp and the maximum speed is at a low 135 km/h. Priced from 89,800 to 105,800 yuan (11,600-13,700€ or US$12,300-14,500), the Nebula is in the same range as the Wuling Star (68,800-109,800 yuan) and will compete with the likes of the Dongfeng Haohan (89,900-136,900 yuan), Haval H6 (98,900-157,000 yuan) and Geely Icon (109,900-129,900 yuan). Judging by the success of the Bingo BEV, the Nebula should do well in China.

Bar for success: 8,000 monthly sales

6. Livan 7 (774 sales)

Livan is a brand by Geely launched in 2022. It is a dedicated EV brand and the 7 is its new flagship. It is a compact coupe SUV at 4.69m long and 2.775m wheelbase. It sports a dual colour scheme with a black roof. The claim to fame of the Livan 7 is to be the first model in the world under 200,000 yuan (25,800€ or US$27,300) to offer a lidar (Light Detection and Ranging). In fact the tech equipment of the Livan 7 is phenomenal for its price. It features level 2+ advanced driving assistance system and includes, as mentioned, one lidar, but also five 4D millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars and satellite-assisted positioning. And this is where things go crazy: this positioning is delivered by the Geely Future Mobility Constellation, which will consist of 72 satellites (and later 240) in orbit by 2025. No less! Computing is enabled by Geely’s self-developed Dragon Eagle-1 chip, a China first.

The cockpit is a little confusing at first with what looks like carpeting. It features a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, a 9.2-inch instrument panel as well as a 50-inch Augmented Reality Head Up Display, and driver fatigue monitoring via a front A-pillar camera. The Livan 7 is rear-wheel drive and powered by a 120 kW or 180 kW motor. Range is 450 km or 605 km and the car supports battery swap (done in 60 seconds). All these nice things for only 117,700 to 173,700 yuan (15,200-22,450€ or US$16,100-23,800) which is quite unbelievable. The Livan 7 will compete with such models as the BYD Yuan Plus (135,800-167,800 yuan), Aion Y (119,800-202,600 yuan) and Leapmotor C11 (149,800-209,800 yuan). The Livan brand is largely unproved at the moment, so we will be conservative regarding its bar for success.

Bar for success: 5,000 monthly sales

7. JAC QX PHEV (746 sales)

Once (re)launching all its new models under the Sehol brand, JAC seems to want to return to its own branding with this QX PHEV which is simply a PHEV variant of the Sehol QX. This is the brand’s first PHEV. We have the traditional split headlights with an elaborate motif in the front grille not dissimilar to what Peugeot is doing at the moment. At the back we have the mandatory through taillights. The QX is a compact SUV at 4.605m long and 2.72m wheelbase. The PHEV consists of a 1.5L engine, two electric motors and a ternary lithium battery pack. Pure electric range is 120 km while comprehensive range is 1,300 km.

The cockpit is minimalistic and features two connected 12.3-inch screens, one for the instrument panel and one for infotainment. The QX PHEV is priced from 129,900 to 149,900 yuan (16,800-19,400€ or US$17,800-20,500) and will compete with the BYD Song Pro (129,800-165,800 yuan), COS Z6 (155,800-175,800) and Venucia Grand V (118,900-149,900 yuan). Before ending wholesales at the end of last year, the Sehol QX peaked at 3,791 units in December 2021. It’s difficult to see the QX PHEV go above that benchmark.

Bar for success: 3,000 monthly sales

8. HiPhi Z (154 sales)

There is a second HiPhi model hitting the Chinese wholesales charts this month. This is one of the, if not the most spectacular Chinese vehicles around. It is worth noting the Z launched in August 2022 but is only making its debut in the ranking. It coincides with the launch of a more affordable version called HiPhi Z City Version. The Z is a full-size EV sedan with a wild exterior and interior design and rear suicide doors. It is 5.04 m long and has a 3.15 m wheelbase.

The cockpit is rather impressive, with a 15-inch central touch screen and ambient lighting. There are two battery packs available for the Z: one is a 90 kWh ternary pack made by CATL and offering 535 km of range and the other one is a 120 kWh ternary pack all made by CATL and pushing the range to 705 km. The Z is priced from 510,000 to 630,000 yuan (65,800-81,200€ or US$69,700-86,100) and will compete with the likes of the Zeekr 001 (300,000-403,000 yuan), NIO ET7 (428,000-506,000 yuan) and Tesla Model S (698,900-828,900 yuan). It remains a niche product with relatively low sales ambition.

Bar for success: 1,000 monthly units

9. GAC Trumpchi ES9 (55 sales)

The Trumpchi ES9 is the third GAC vehicle under the E Series after the E8 (see below) and E9. It is a PHEV powered by a 190hp 2.0T engine and a 182hp electric motor. The battery packs are ternary lithium providing 25.57 kWh and a pure electric range of 143 km. Comprehensive range is 1,215 km. Fast charging mode takes 22 minutes to go from 30% to 80%.

Inside, the 14.6-inch infotainment touch screen dominates and handles most functions as there are no buttons on the dash. It is accompanied by a 12.3-inch instrument panel screen. The ES9 is priced from 229,800 to 269,800 yuan (29,600-34,800€ or US$31,400-36,900). For comparison the GS8 goes from 186,800 to 269,800 yuan. The ES9 competes with such models as the BYD Tang New Energy (209,800-342,800 yuan), the WEY DHT-PHEV (273,800-308,800 yuan) and the Aito M7 (249,800-379,800 yuan). We are rather conservative with the ES9 sales prospects.

Bar for success: 4,000 monthly sales

10. Qiyuan A07 (30 sales)

Qiyuan (启源, translating as “origin”) is a new brand by Changan dedicated to entry level EVs. It was unveiled at the Chengdu Auto Show last August. It is the third brand launched by Changan recently alongside Avatr and Shenlan/Deepal. The brand has wild plans for the future as it aims at selling 1.5 million units by 2030. It will launch the A05 and A06 sedans and the Q05 SUV by the end of 2023 and has 10 models in store by the time 2025 comes to an end. The A07 is 4.90m long with a 2.9m wheelbase and it has pop up door handles. It shares its platform with the Deepal SL03, and is available as an EREV (extended range EV) and EV.

The EREV has a 88 hp 1.5 engine that charges the battery which powers a 218 hp electric motor, and the EV is powered by a choice of 218 and 258hp electric motors. The battery is either 58 kWh or 80 kWh. Inside there is the expected floating central touch screen but there is no instrument pane, it is replaced with a head up display. The A07 is priced from 155,900 to 176,900 yuan (20,100-22,800€ or US$21,300-24,200) and will compete with the BYD Seal (166,800-279,800 yuan), BYD Han (189,800-321,800 yuan), Deepal SL03 (145,900-699,900 yuan) and the Leapmotor C01 (145,800-208,800 yuan). The Deepal SL03 peaked at 9,094 units so we’re aiming a little lower for the A07.

Bar for success: 6,000 monthly units.

11. GAC Trumpchi E8 (10 sales)

Second GAC Trumpchi model to launch this month, the E9 is the second MPV in the brand’s E Series after the E9. It is a mid-size MPV at 4.92m long for a 2.93m wheelbase. The front design is convoluted but fits the segment’s standards with split headlights and the below lights in the shape of an L. It’s a PHEV powered by either a 133hp 1.8L or 140hp 2L engine and a 25.6kWh ternary lithium battery pack.

Inside, we have the mandatory floating touch screen located on top of a digital band extending to each side of the vehicle. The E8’s price range is unknown at this stage but will sit below the E9 which is priced from 329,800 to 389,800 yuan (42,500 to 50,300€ or US$45,100-53,300). For comparison the Trumpchi M8 goes from 179,800 to 369,800 yuan. The E9 will be aiming at the likes of the Honda Odyssey (235,800 to 439,800 yuan). Bar for success is rather low give the expected price of the vehicle.

Bar for success: 3,000 monthly sales