China new models June 2024: Volvo EM90 and Leapmotor C16 arrive

Volvo EM90

It is now time to study the latest launches on the Chinese market, based on wholesales. This month we have ‘only’ five new models hitting Chinese roads. 3 of them are Chinese. To fully understand the scope of the Chinese market, make sure you consult our Exclusive Guide to all 184 active Chinese Brands.

1. Dongfeng Forthing U-Tour V9: 1,035 sales

Dongfeng hasn’t wowed us with a flow of novelties these days so this Forthing U-Tour V9 is welcome. Yet as a whole, Dongfeng wholesales are up 9.8% year-on-year over H1 2024. The V9 is the brand’s new flagship MPV and was unveiled at the Munich Auto Show last September. It is 5.25m long with a 3.02m wheelbase and is offered in both ICE and PHEV variants, both powered by a 190hp 1.5T engine. The PHEV adds a 309hp electric motor. The exterior design is rather innovative, with the distinctive grille blending into the headlights. The rear features the now mandatory through tail lights.

The dash is rather spectacular, with the digital tile going from end-to-end. The V9 is priced from 199,900 to 279,900 yuan (25,200-35,300€ or US$27,500-38,600). It will compete with the likes of the GAC Trumpchi E8 (209,800-235,800 yuan), GAC Trumpchi M8 (179,800-342,800 yuan), JAC Refine RF8 PHEV (219,900-259,900 yuan) and the Buick GL8 (232,900-473,900 yuan). Forthing vehicles have not been met with much success lately, so we’ll keep out hopes low for the V9.

Bar for success: 2,000 monthly sales

2. Yipai eπ008: 1,016 sales

Yipai (东风奕派), or eπ, is a new addition to the Dongfeng family. The website is here. It was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023 and is a premium brand slotted below Voyah. Its first model, the 007 sedan, was launched last March. The 008 is a large SUV at 5m long with a 3.02m wheelbase. It falls for the fashionable through-style head and taillights. This headlight trend can also be seen at Li Auto and Hyundai. The mandatory hidden door handles also make their appearance. There are PHEV and BEV variants for the 008. The PHEV is powered by a 1.5T engine and electric motor and the BEV has a 272 hp electric motor for a 636 km range.

Here shown in a dubious orange colour, the 008’s interior is devoid of any physical buttons, and features the obligatory large digital infotainment screen. The 008 is priced at 216,600 yuan (27,300€ or US$29,800). It will compete with the likes of the Leapmotor C16 (155,800-185,800 yuan), Exeed Exlantis ET (189,800-319,800 yuan) and BYD Tang New Energy (179,800-269,800 yuan). In terms of sales prospects, for comparison the 007 has reached a maximum of 3,032 monthly sales so far, so the 008 should aim at a similar performance.

Bar for success: 3,000 monthly sales

3. Leapmotor C16: 889 sales

Leapmotor is in stellar shape right now, having crossed the 20,000 monthly sales milestone for the first time in June. The C16 is the brand’s third SUV after the C10 and C11. It is 4.91m long with a 2.82m wheelbase. The exterior design blends within the brand’s existing range and is rather conservative. The C16 is available in EREV (extended Range EV) and BEV. The EREV is powered by a 92 hp 1.5 engine and a 231 hp electric motor for a combined range of 1,095 km. The BEV has a 292 hp motor and a 67.7 kWh battery. Charging the battery from 30 to 80% takes 15 minutes.

The C16 has the neatest interior of this month’s launches by far. It features a 10.25-inch instrument panel and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, and absolutely no physical buttons. The central screen is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip. But wait, there’s more! The back passengers can enjoy a massive 15.6-inch entertainment screen set on the roof, and there’s also a third row enabling a total of 7 passengers. The C16 is very competitively priced from 155,800 to 185,800 yuan (19,600-23,400€ or US$21,500-25,600). For comparison, the C10 is available from 128,800 to 168,800 yuan and the C11 from 148,800 to 209,800 yuan, all very reasonable pricing for their size. Now backed by Stellantis, it is not clear whether the C16 will be exported to Europe. Leapmotor says 50% of pre-sales are to families with two or more children. In fact, the company announced that the  C16 received almost 12,000 pre-sale orders after only 24 hours. The C10 peaked at 5,470 sales in June and the C11 at 10,024 in August 2023, so we’d want to be in that realm to call the C16 a success.

Bar for success: 4,000 monthly sales

4. Volvo EX30: 199 sales

This is the EX30 we have in the rest of the world, as all its production is currently manufactured in China (This might change now that punitive EU tariffs on Chinese imports have been enabled). The EX30 is related to the Zeekr X and Smart #1 which are similar in size and developed from Geely’s SEA platform. It is 4.23m long with a 2.65m wheelbase, that’s only just shorter than the XC40. The interior features a vertical 12.3-inch infotainment screen. This BEV comes with two battery options: 49 kWh and 66 kWh. Range varies depending of the model, at 410, 540 and 590 km. The EX30 is priced from 200,800 to 255,800 yuan (25,300-32,200€ or US$27,700-35,200), to be compared with 200,000 to 220,000 yuan for the Zeekr X and 154,900 to 284,900 yuan for the Smart #1. The EX30 could also perhaps steal customers from the Model Y, priced at 249,900 to 354,900 yuan.

Bar for success: 2,500 monthly sales

5. Volvo EM90: 107 sales

The EM90 is Volvo’s first ever fully electric premium MPV, and is for now exclusive to China. It is in fact a rebadged Zeekr 009. It is based on Geely’s SEA platform already used by the Polestar 4, Lotus Eletre and Emeya, Smart #1, Smart #3 and every Zeekr model. The EM90 stands at a huge 5.21m long with a 3.20m wheelbase. It comfortably houses six passengers in a 2+2+2 layout. The EM90 is powered by a 272 hp electric motor and a 116 kWh battery for a 738 km range. Charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes 28 minutes under fast charging. The safety equipment is second to none as to be expected with the Swedish manufacturer. It has 30 sensors including 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic radars.

The dash features an 8-inch instrument panel 14.5-inch infotainment screen with almost no physical buttons. There is also a large screen unfolding from the ceiling for the second row passengers. The EM90 is priced at 818,000 yuan (103,100€ or US$112,700). This is significantly higher than its twin the Zeekr 009 (500,000-789,000 yuan) which is available as a 4WD unlike the EM90. Other would be competitors include the Li Mega (529,800 yuan), Denza D9 (339,800-660,000 yuan) and LEVC L380 (379,900-479,900 yuan). Given its price we don’t expect much volume from the EM90, which will more act as a flagship for the brand.

Bar for success: 1,000 monthly sales