China new models February 2025: BYD Seal 05 and Aion UT appear

Aion UT

Let’s now examine the latest launches on the Chinese market, based on wholesales. This month is unusually quiet with only three new models hitting Chinese roads, all of them Chinese. To fully understand the scope of the Chinese market, make sure you consult our Exclusive Guide to all 189 active Chinese Brands.

1. BYD Seal 05 (770 sales)

Yet another new launch by market leader BYD, it seems this is a monthly occurrence… The Seal 05 PHEV is the third model under the Seal nameplate after the, well, Seal and the Seal 06. Under this new vehicle actually hides a rebadged version of the BYD Destroyer 05. It is a 4.78m long sedan with a 2.72m wheelbase. It features BYD’s latest design language, with a front face characteristic of the Ocean series, a through-type taillight (which seems to feature in every new Chinese vehicle these days) and a subtle ducktail spoiler. Under the hood, the Seal 05 DM-i is equipped with BYD’s fifth-generation DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine producing 99 hp with a 161 hp permanent magnet synchronous motor. Electric range is 43 or 90 km.

The main attraction of the Seal 05 is its comprehensive range of up to 2,000 km. Inside, the sedan offers the usual rotatable floating central control screen, a rectangular full LCD instrument panel and a crystal gear lever on the centre console. The Seal 05 is competitively priced from 79,800 to 103,800 yuan (10,100-13,200€ or US$11,000-14,300) compared to 79,800 to 136,800 yuan for the Destroyer 05. It will compete with the likes of the Geely Galaxy L6 (79,800-149,800 yuan). The BYD range is already overcrowded so it will be hard for the Seal 05 to impose itself.

Bar for success: 6,000 monthly sales

2. GAC Trumpchi S7 (666 sales)

It’s been a while (back to September 2023) since GAC Trumpchi launched a model. Here is the S7 PHEV, a 4.90m long SUV targeting “elite families”, with a 2.88m wheelbase. A standout feature is its 2,62m headlight strip and AI mood headlights containing 2,248 lamp beads.  Inside, the S7 boasts a 27-inch high-definition head up display, a 9-inch full LCD instrument panel, a 15.6-inch central control screen, and a 17.3-inch second-row ceiling screen (see below). The PHEV system combines a 158hp 1.5T engine with a 228hp electric motor, offering both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options (the latter adding a 107hp electric motor). The S7 achieves a top speed of 185 km/h and a 0–100 km/h acceleration in 5.8 seconds.

Equipped with a 36.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, the S7 provides a comprehensive range of up to 1,150 km and supports fast charging from 30% to 80% in 17 minutes. Priced from 209,800 to 249,800 yuan (26,600-31.700€ or US$29,000-34,500), the S7 will compete with the likes of the  Li Auto L6 (249,800-279,800 yuan) and Changan Qiyuan Q07. GAC is not in great shape at the moment, with sales off -25.7% so far in 2025. The S7 needs to perform, and looking at its equivalent MPV, the E8, it can (the E8 reached 9,244 sales in December but has fallen sharply since).

Bar for success: 5,000 monthly sales

3. Aion UT (348 sales)

The Aion UT is a compact 4.27m long electric hatchback with CLTC ranges of 330 km and 420 km. The wheelbase stands at 2.75m. The UT features a modern floating roof design, distinctive D-shaped headlights, and C-shaped taillights. It is powered by a 134 hp front electric motor, paired with battery options ranging from 34.9 kWh to 44.3 kWh depending on the trim. Fast charging allows the battery to replenish from 30% to 80% in 24 minutes. Inside, we have a 14.6-inch central infotainment screen and an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel. The top-tier trim includes Level 2 advanced driving assistance. A 440-litre cargo space and panoramic sunroof enhance practicality and comfort.

The UT is priced from 69,800 to 101,800 yuan (8,900-12,900€ or US$9,600-14,100). This makes it by far the cheapest Aion model on offer, sliding below the Y SUV (109,800-189,800 yuan). Another interesting thing about the positioning of the UT is it competes squarely with this month’s overall market leader the Geely Xingyuan (68,800-97,800 yuan). Other models it will face off include the BYD Dolphin (99,800-129,800 yuan), Seagull (69,800-85,800 yuan) and Yuan UP (96,800-119,800 yuan). Given the UT’s price point, Aion can harbour more ambitious sales targets with this model, and the brand is no stranger to stratospheric sales levels, with the S sedan achieving a record 26,392 sales in March 2023. This makes the UT the most promising model among this month’s launches.

Bar for success: 10,000 monthly sales