China new models July 2024: Deepal G318, Toyota Prado appear

It is now time to study the latest launches on the Chinese market, based on wholesales. This month we have seven new models hitting Chinese roads. Five 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. Shenlan/Deepal G318 (2,483 sales)

Shenlan, also known as Deepal, is a new energy brand by Changan launched in 2022. It is a cooperation between Changan, Huawei and CATL. The current lineup includes the SL03 sedan, S7 crossover and this new G318 off-road SUV. The name G318 comes from the 318 highway on the China-Nepal border. It’s a 5.01m long medium to large SUV with a 2.88m wheelbase. Its approach angle is 27° and its departure angle is 31°. The G318 is an extended range EV (EREV), meaning the 1.5T 150 hp petrol engine is only here to power the battery pack or electric motors. It is available in two powertrains: a RWD single electric motor with a maximum power of 248 hp and a 4WD dual electric motors with a maximum power of 424 hp. Charging from 30% to 80% takes 30 minutes and the comprehensive range is 1000 km.

Inside, the dash features a digital tile composed of a 10.25-inch instrument panel and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen. Refreshingly, not everything is controlled on the central screen, there are still physical buttons under it, notably for the A/C. The G318 is competitively priced from 175,900 to 318,000 yuan (22,200-40,150€ or US$24,700-44,600). It will compete with the likes of the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 (239,800-302,800 yuan), Tank 400 (285,800-289,800 yuan), Jetour Shanhai T2 (179,900-209,900 yuan) and Haval Raptor New Energy (165,800-192,800 yuan). Both Shenlan models have been successful so far, with the SL03 peaking at 9,094 and the S7 at 10,037. We’d want at least half of this to call the G318 a success.

Bar for success: 5,000 monthly sales

2. Geely Galaxy E5 (645 sales)

Galaxy is a brand by Geely that sells electrified vehicles. It has been an immediate success thanks to the fast paced launches of a handful of models. To the L7 SUV and E8 and L6 sedans we must now add this E5 SUV. It measures 4.615m long with a 2.75m wheelbase. It offers the mandatory hidden door handles as ell as a panoramic sunroof, as well as the popular through-type LED taillights. It is powered by a front single motor drive for 218 hp and its range is either 440 or 530 km depending on the version.

The cockpit features a large floating central screen, a head-up display and an LCD instrument panel, with no physical buttons except on the steering wheel. There is also a 16-speaker audio system. The E5 offers cut-throat pricing from 109,800 to 145,800 yuan (13,900-18,400€ or US$15,400-20,400) and will complete with such models as the BYD Yuan Plus (aka Atto 3, 119,800-163,800 yuan), Leapmotor C10 (128,800-168,800 yuan), Song Plus (129,800-189,800) and Neta X (89,800-159,800 yuan). The Galaxy L7 SUV peaked at 11,117 sales so the E5 should be met with similar success.

Bar for success: 7,500 monthly sales

3. Chery Fengyun or Fulwin T10 (283 sales)

Very close to the recently launched Chery Fulwin T9 (the PHEV variant of the Tiggo 9), the Fulwin T10 is slightly longer at 4.85m vs. 4.82m for the Tiggo 9 and 4.79m for the Fulwin T9. It is the new flagship PHEV of the brand, and is available as a five or six seater whereas the T9 has a seven-seater version. Power comes from a combination of a 1.5T engine and one or two electric motors. The single motor variant offers 221 hp while the dual motor adds a rear 235hp motor. The dual motor reaches 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. 30% to 80% recharge takes 18 minutes under fast charging. The official range is 1,400 km but Chery recently set a record for the longest distance driven by a PHEV SUV with a full fuel tank at 2,170 km.

Inside, there is a combined dual screen tile, both screens (instrument panel and infotainment) being 12.3 inch. The car offers a WiFi hotspot, 4G network, AI voice assistant and up to 14 Sony speakers. It is priced from 189,900 to 229,900 yuan (24,000-29,000€ or US$26,600-32.200), in a completely different price range from the Fulwin T9 (129,900-169,900 yuan). It competes with the BYD Tang New Energy (179,800-269,800 yuan), Exeed Exlantix ET (189,800-319,800 yuan) and Exeed Yaoguang (159,800-225,800 yuan). The significantly cheaper Fulwin T9 already reached 5,876 sales this July, but we’re going to be more modest for the T10.

Bar for success: 3,000 monthly sales

4. Honda e:NS2 (209 sales)

After the e:NP2 produced by GAC Honda in May, here comes its twin produced by Honda’s other joint venture with Dongfeng, the e:NS2. The two vehicles bear slightly different front and rear designs. Both models are powered by a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor for 201 hp with a CATL 68.8 kWh ternary lithium battery. Range is 545 km. They are based on the front-wheel drive e:N Architecture electric platform. Strangely, the e:NS2 is significantly more expensive than the e:NP2 at 189,800 to 209,800 yuan (24,000-26,500€ or US$26,600-29,400) vs. a unique price of 159,800 yuan. Competitors include the Shenlan S07 (149,900-212,900 yuan). The e:NP2 hasn’t been met with success at a best of 435 sales reached last June, so minimal hopes for this dearer e:NS2.

Bar for success: 2,000 monthly sales

5. Wuling Starlight S (181 sales)

After the Starlight sedan launched in November 2023, we now have the Starlight S, its crossover equivalent. A compact SUV, the Starlight S is 4.74m long with a 2.80m wheelbase. Its design features 7-shaped headlights but it misses on hidden handles, preferring traditional ones. The Starlight S is offered as a PHEV and EV. The PHEV is powered by a 105 hp 1.5 engine and a 201 hp electric motor, while the EV has a 150 kW electric motor and lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The PHEV has a 1,100 km comprehensive range while the EV variant’s is 510 km.

The interior a 15.6-inch floating infotainment screen and a 8.8-inch instrument panel. In line with the brand’s bargain basement pricing, the Starlight S is available from 102,800 to 132,800 yuan (13,000-16,800€ or US$14,400-18,600). It will compete with the likes of the Geely Galaxy E5 (109,800-145,800 yuan), the BYD Song Plus New Energy (129,800-189,800 yuan) and BYD Song Pro New Energy (109,800-139,800 yuan). The Starlight has hit a sales best of 10,103 units but is significantly less expensive (79,800-109,800 yuan) so our target is lower for the Starlight S.

Bar for success: 6,000 monthly sales

6. Toyota Prado (32 sales)

This is the new generation Prado that is starting to hit global dealerships. The Prado was until now imported in China, it is now produced with the Japanese manufacturer’s joint venture with FAW in Chengdu. For China, there is a retro version with rounded headlights available. The dash is the same as the global one. The Prado is powered by 2.4T engine and an electric motor, with a combined 330 hp. Price is 459,800-549,800 yuan (58,100-69,400€ or US$64,400-77,100) and competitors include the Ford Bronco (299,800-439,800 yuan), Tank 700 (428,000-700,000 yuan) and BMW X5 (615,000-800,000 yuan). The imported Prado reached a high of 4,798 sales in January 2019, we want slightly less to call the locally-made one a success.

Bar for success: 4,000 monthly sales

7. Baojun Yunhai  (3 sales)

Once the star of the Chinese market, Baojun, a brand by the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint-venture, has fallen below the 50th place in the manufacturer ranking. It has however bottomed out with sales up 54.9% over the first 7 months of 2024. This is thanks to new launches such as the Cloud hatch and Yep Plus crossover. The Yunhai is a compact SUV at 4.54m long (EV) or 4.59m long (PHEV) and with a 2.75m wheelbase. It is available in both EV and PHEV variants, with slightly different front designs. The one pictured above is the PHEV. The EV version is powered by a 201 hp electric motor while the PHEV adds a 105 hp 1.5L engine. The EV has 500 km and 600 km range depending on the battery pack.

Inside, the cockpit is minimalistic with an 8.8-inch instrument panel and a 15.6-inch floating infotainment screen. Add to this two wireless charging panels and two cupholders on the centre console. There are 8 speakers for the audio system. Price has not been confirmed yet, but competitors include the Wuling Starlight S (102,800-132,800 yuan), Geely Galaxy E5 (109,800-145,800 yuan) and BYD Yuan Plus (119,800-163,800 yuan). Given the level of other Baojun models, we are not expecting much from the Yunhai.

Bar for success: 2,500 monthly sales