China July 2019

GAC Aion S: the new cool kid in China

After the (subsidy) storm  

After an end-of-incentives derived surge in June, July saw the expected hangover, with the Chinese plugin market dropping 7% YoY, and the 70,000 units of last month representing less than half of the deliveries of the previous month, with PHEVs sinking 22% YoY in July, their worst drop in over two years, while amazingly, BEVs still managed to grow, if only by 1%, despite the gloom around it (the overall market also dropped 4%).

In the midst of this adverse environment, July’s PEV share reached 4.6%, dropping the 2019 PEV market share by 0.2% share, to 6.1%, which is still well above the 2018 result (4.2%), and depending on how fast the market recovers, it could still be on target to reach my forecast of 8% for 2019.

The reason for this drop lies on the subsidy changes that happened on June, 26, when NEV subsidies were cut off completely for vehicles with less than 250 kms electric range, while those with higher range saw their subsidies halved, which made some models to peak in June.

From now on, we should see a less subsidy dependent market, with several models unable to compensate the subsidy loss, while others will continue thriving, as we are starting to this month.

This is just another factor adding up to the reasons on why China is without doubt the most fascinating and fast evolving plugin market on Earth, with several changes happening at the same time, be it foreign OEMs trying to get a piece of the NEV cake / avoid fines imposed the new quota system, local makers scaling up production with a never ending slew of ever more competitive models, or the run for survival of the several startups on the market.

As expected, this month was filled with surprises, with several models drying up their output, while others continued their career as nothing had happened.

In July, the most important surprise in the models ranking came in #3, with the SAIC-GM offspring Baojun E-Series scoring an amazing 6,328 units, while the #4 GAC Aion S and #5 BMW 530Le also shined.

Here’s last month Top 5 Best Selling models individual performance:

#1 – BAIC EU-Series: The electric sedan scored 8,937 units last month, with deliveries dropping by half regarding June, but the good thing is that orders kept coming in, and things should only improve from now on, this confirming to be the brand’s right bet for 2019. The design and specs (215 hp, 416 kms / 260 mi NEDC, US $32,500) allows it to remain a popular choice, but with the competition tightening every passing month, BAIC will have a tough job ahead of it, if it wants to keep leading the pack.

#2 – BYD Yuan / S2 EV: To counterbalance the subsidy cut, BYD launched a basic version of the Yuan EV, called the S2, with a less powerful electric motor (only 70 kW / 93 hp) and a smaller battery (41 kWh), allowing it to keep the 6,000-something monthly results. With the brand prioritizing BEVs, battery demand is increasing faster than before, so higher priced models (Tang, Song, Qin, etc) have the priority over the Yuan, making it hard for the crossover to surpass the regular 6,400 units of July. The Yuan EV has unrivalled specs (58 kWh battery, 410 kms/255 mi NEDC range, 163 hp motor), given its price (25,000 USD), while the S2 version, some 2,000 USD cheaper, will appeal to the more cash-strapped customers.

#3 – Baojun E-Series: Shanghai Auto and General Motors had high hopes for their tiny two-seater, and despite an irregular career, the last evolution of the tiny two-seater, the E200, which has been recently updated with a 250 kms NEDC range version, reached the podium for the first time since January, having registered 6,328 units last month. The updated range, thanks to a new 24 kWh battery, is a crucial tool to reach the subsidy minimum range requirement, which added to its competitive price (CNY 93,900 / USD 14,700) before subsidies, makes it an appealing model, especially considering its modern design and features, and the fact that most of its competitors lost the access to subsidies. Maybe GM could consider exporting it?

#4 – GAC Aion S: Just a couple of months ago I was mentioning the big potential of this recently landed model, saying it could reach a 10,000 units/month pace this year. And it sure looks like it will, because in only its third month in the market, the sleek sedan is already at 3,406 units, reaching the 4^th place in July. Another sedan inspired by the Tesla Model 3 formula, GAC has high hopes for its new dedicated EV lineup, the Aion. Right now we have the sedan Aion S, but a midsize SUV, the LX, will soon follow. But back at the Aion S, beyond the stylish (and aerodynamic - 0.245cd) looks, this new model bears some impressive specs: a 59 kWh CATL NCM 811 battery, 510 km / 318 mi NEDC range and Level 2 driving aids, but the real killer is the price: Around 180,000 CNY / $26,000. Before subsidies. Like Kanye West would say: “Now, I ain’t sayin’ it’s a Tesla-killer / But the Aion is messin’ with the Best Sellers…”

#5 – BMW 530Le: The rise and rise of BMW’s luxury sedan in China demonstrates two intersecting trends, first the never-ending increase in demand for environmentally-friendly vehicles in China, and second the need to fulfill the plugin quotas. Add the two together, and you have 2,752 units results, even without access to subsidies (then again, let’s face it, subsidies for cars at this price level don’t really make that much of a difference, the owners just use the money for some nicer alloys or optional creature comforts…), so the leader in the Luxury category should remain selling at some 2,500 units per month, which is well above its direct competitors, that are happy to reach 1,000 units in one month.

Hey?!? Remember me? The EC-Series? I'm back!...

2019 ranking

The market is dynamic as ever, with plenty to talk about, this time the main reason for changes were the subsidy derived deliveries dry up of some models, some of them being completely unexpected.

We’ll start with the most important position change, with the BYD Tang PHEV displacing its sibling, the BYD e5, from the podium, with the sedan model seeing its deliveries almost disappear with the subsidy cut. This was one of the most surprising slumps, but considering the e5 sales are directed towards price-sensitive customers, like taxi fleets, one can understand it.

The question now is, what will BYD do about it? Let’s not forget, the e5 is the workhorse that supports the brand, so that the fancier Dynasty models (Tang, Song, Qin and Yuan) can shine.

On the other hand, the most surprising good result came from the Baojun E-Series, that jumped three positions, to #7, profiting from the fact that is one of the few (the only?) small two-seater city EV that fulfills the minimum range requirements (250 kms NEDC) to keep subsidies coming in.

Because there is a steady demand in big cities for this kind of vehicles, not only from private buyers, but also by car-sharing companies, expect the E-Series to continue thriving, at least until the competitors launch updated versions of their own city EVs.

In the second half of the table, BAIC is on the up, with the small EC-Series climbing one position, to #18, while the EX-Series crossover shows up for the first time this year, in #20, making it three Beijing Auto models in the Top 20, a first this year.

Indifferent to the subsidies cut, the BMW 530Le jumped to #14, and has the Tesla Model 3 just 449 units away, so the German model could still climb further in the next couple of months.

The race for the best-selling foreign nameplate seems to be warming up now, as the current leader VW Passat PHEV lost speed, and should be pressured soon by both the Tesla Model 3 and BMW 530Le, in what could be an interesting race to follow.

The Xpeng G3 EV, from the startup Xiaopeng, slowed slightly the pace, delivering 1,515 units last month, but it was still better than WM Motors (1,093 units) and Nio (1,502), although this last one saw the recent ES6 reach 1,066 units in July, so expect Nio to recover the Best Selling Startup title soon, thanks to the ES6 production ramp up.

Talking about production ramp ups, the much hyped GAC Aion S sedan is growing fast, having reached 3,406 units last month, putting to shame the archrival Geely Geometry A, that scored only 1,076 units, dropping 37% regarding the previous month. Although the GAC sedan is still 3,000 units below the Top 20, if the model continues to grow deliveries at this pace, it shouldn’t take long for it to show up in the ranking.

How high will the GAC sedan go? Top 10? It all depends on the speed of the production ramp up, but one thing is certain: The Aion S looks to be a strong contender for a Top 5 spot in 2020.

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, BYD (23%, up 1%) is leading comfortably, thanks to the collective success of its lineup, while below it, BAIC (10%) and SAIC (8%) remain in the medal spots.

Outside the podium, Geely (6%) increased the distance to other, smaller players (Chery, JAC…), while it prepares to go after a medal position in the coming months. 

China June 2019

"All hail the new leader!" - Says the EU-Series

Subsidy cuts shake the ranking  

After a slow May, with just 2% growth, June saw the Chinese plugin market return to full charge, registering some 147,000 registrations, up 72% YoY (BEVs grew faster still, at +97%), and because the mainstream market is falling (-8%), June’s PEV share reached a record 8.5%, pulling the PEV market share to 6.3%, frankly above the 2018 result (4.2%), and on target to reach my forecast of 8%  for 2019.

At this pace, some months of the second half of the year could reach 10% or more. And that’s when things get (even more) interesting…

BUT. Starting in June, 26, NEV subsidies were cut off completely for vehicles with less than 250 kms electric range, while those with higher range saw their subsidies halved, which made some smaller range models to peak in June, so from now on, certain low end models should see their registrations dry up, and the question will be if the market will see its growth being affected by it.

To be continued…  

Back to the present days, China is without doubt the most fascinating and fast evolving plugin market on Earth, with several seismic changes happening at the same time, it’s not only the Tesla Model 3 making waves, it’s also foreign brands scaling up plugin production to meet the 2019 quotas, it’s the local startups trying to hit relevant volumes in order to survive, all while the local big players race between each other to see who gets to launch more models and ramp up their production faster.

This month was filled with surprises, with BAIC, Changan and Tesla shining, allowing the Californian brand (3% share) to come closer to the foreign leader, Volkswagen, with 4% (-1%), both ahead of BMW (2%).

In June, the most important surprises in the models ranking came in #2, with the sedan Changan Eado EV scoring a record 7,340 units, while in #4 we have the Tesla Model 3, with an estimated 6,500 units.

Here’s June Top 5 Best Selling models individual performance:

 

#1 – BAIC EU-Series: The electric sedan scored a record 17,916 units last month, reaching the #15 spot in the overall ranking, confirming to be the brand’s right bet for the year, and while Beijing Auto has managed better results in the past (20,648 units with the small EC-Series, in October ’18), the EU-Series sedan is a larger (and pricier) proposal, meaning more revenue and profit for the maker. The design and specs (215 hp, 416 kms / 260 mi NEDC, US $32,500) allows it to remain a popular choice, but with appealing electric sedans landing every month, BAIC will have to keep a close eye on the ever-expanding competition, if it wants to keep leading the pack.

 

#2 – Changan Eado EV: “Chan-who?!?!” – you’d be forgiven for not knowing about this brand, as they have been performing under the radar in the NEV market most of the time, but after Geely, they are the largest Chinese automotive brand, so it was surprising they hadn’t been more active regarding EVs, but it seems they have finally awaken to the current market disruption and performed their best month ever in June, with the Eado EV sedan scoring a record 7,340 units. Playing in the heart of the Chinese plugin market (Model 3-sized sedan, $30,000-ish price, 430 kms / 269 mi NEDC range), the Lexus-inspired model doesn’t profit from a powerful motor (only 136 hp), compared to the 200-plus hp of the BYD and BAIC models, but Changan hopes to profit from the strong name recognition (the Eado is its best-selling model) to win a large customer base.

 

#3 – BYD Yuan EV: The brand Baby Crossover seems to be stuck at 6,000-something monthly results, which would be something to praise in almost any other automaker, but we are talking of BYD here…With the brand now prioritizing BEVs, battery demand is increasing even faster than before, so higher priced models (Tang, Song, Qin, etc) are getting ahead of the Yuan, hence the rather disappointing 6,566 units of June. With unrivalled specs (58 kWh battery, 410 kms/255 mi NEDC range, 163 hp motor), and price (25,000 USD), this is was the year strongest candidate for the Best Seller title, up until now.

#4 – Tesla Model 3: The poster-child for electric mobility has landed in China and despite some pretty respectable numbers, somehow it has failed to live up to the expectations of some of the most enthusiastic Tesla fans, that expected the sports sedan to take over the market, like it did elsewhere. Still, the Tesla sedan is making its own disruptive path, with the estimated 6,500 units of June, representing the best score ever for a foreign model in China, allowing it to reach the 4th spot in June. At this point, the Tesla nameplate is far from the domination held in North America or Europe, but it seems to be the only foreigner with the potential to run at the same pace of the local Best Sellers. It’s like LeBron James, undisputed king in the Eastern Conference, but when on the Western Conference…It’s a different ball game. 

 

#5 – Chery eQ: One of the pioneering EV brands, Chery had won China’s Best Selling EV title three times in a row (2011, ’12, ’13), and the automaker regained relevance with the small eQ EV, having registered 4,965 units last month, its best result in 2019, allowing it to collect another Top 5 position. But the increased competition (JAC iEV E-Series, BYD e1…), and the end of the subsidies (it has less than 250 kms range), should create difficulties in the nameplate career. Let’s wait for the next episodes, to see if it confirms.

Xpeng G3: A smaller shade of Tesla..

2019 ranking

The market is dynamic as ever, this time helped by the subsidy derived pull forward of low range EVs, with plenty of stuff to talk about.

We’ll start with the most important position change, with the BAIC EU-Series displacing the BYD Yuan EV from the leadership, a first for the Beijing Auto sedan, ending at the same time a 5 month spell of the BYD nameplate in the leadership, that in turn had interrupted a 16 month lead of the BAIC EC-Series.

Speaking of BAIC’s small EV, after a fall into the abyss in 2019, in June the hatchback returned to a half decent performance, with 4,744 units, allowing it to return to the Top 20, in #19, but the question now is: Was this a pull forward move, in order to profit on the incentives, or is this a sustained surge?

The other new face in the ranking is the #20 Dongfeng Fensheng E70 EV, another electric sedan in this Top 20, that registered 3,525 units last month, a new monthly record for a Dongfeng nameplate.

But the Climbers of the Month were the Changan Eado EV, Tesla Model 3 and BYD Qin EV, with all these models jumping 5 (five) positions in the ranking, the Eado EV went up to #11, thanks to 7,340 units, a new high score for any Changan model, while the Tesla Model 3 jumped to #13, just one position below the current Best Selling foreigner, the VW Passat PHEV, while the BYD sedan is now #15, thanks to 3,016 units, a new personal best for the nameplate, allowing it to be just 414 units behind its PHEV sibling, the Qin PHEV.

When the BEV version of the Qin surpasses its PHEV relative (next month?), it will be a small, but significant sign of the current BEV trend (full electrics had 84% of registrations in June, against 80% YTD)

The SAIC Baojun E-Series came back from the dead to score 4,556 units, its best result since June, which is no surprise, considering this will be another model that will lose any kind of subsidy, from this moment on.

The Xpeng G3 EV, from the startup Xiaopeng, is now #17, thanks to 2,237 units, surpassing once again the other local startups, Weltmeister (1,902 units) and Nio (1,340), although this last one is keeping the best-selling full-size SUV title, with its #23 ES8 SUV, all while its smaller (and cheaper) SUV sibling, the ES6, landed this month (413 sales), so expect Nio to recover the Best Selling Startup title soon, thanks to the ES6 production ramp up.

Talking about production ramp ups, the much hyped GAC Aion S sedan went up to 2,016 units in only its second month on the market, already surpassing its nemesis, the Geely Geometry A, that scored 1,743 units in its 3^rd month.

But the hottest newcomer is the JAC iEVS4 EV, a compact crossover that had Volkswagen’s helping hand in the development stage, which registered 3,156 units in only its 3^rd month on the market. Will we see it soon in the Top 20?

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, BYD (22%) is leading comfortably, thanks to the success of its lineup (there’s 3 BYD’s on the Top 4 spots, and 5 in the Top 15), while below it, BAIC (10%, up 2%) has surpassed SAIC (8%, -1%) thus recovering the 2^nd spot, while Geely (6%) is looking to profit in the coming months from the current model launch fever, so that it can finally race for a podium position.

China May 2019

Xpeng G3: A rising star?

Foreign brands shine in cooling market  

After a strong start of the year, May saw the Chinese plugin market hit the brakes, to some 104,000 registrations, up only 2% YoY, but because the mainstream market is falling significantly (-17%!), the May PEV share reached an amazing 6.6%, pulling the PEV market share to 5.6%, frankly above the 2018 result (4.2%).

At this pace, this market could reach some 7% share by the end of this year and cross the 10% share in 2020. And that’s when things start to get interesting…Maybe it’s still early to say that part of the mainstream market drop comes from the EV Osborne effect, but at this point, I wouldn’t bet against it.

One thing is certain, this is without doubt the most fascinating plugin market on Earth, with several seismic changes happening at the same time, it’s not only the Tesla Model 3 joining the party, it’s also foreign brands scaling up plugin production to meet this year quotas, it’s the local startup companies hitting relevant volumes in the race to survive, all while the local big players race between each other to see who gets to launch more models faster (right now the race is between Geely and BYD, with each launching around 1 new model…per month!), with some of them no longer being BEV conversions made on the cheap, but dedicated EVs, with world class style and specs.

This month, foreign OEMs shined, with their market share surging to a record 14%, with Volkswagen jumping to 5% share (currently, VW has 6% share in Europe), followed by Tesla (3%), BMW (2%) and Nissan (1%).

In May, the surprises came in #3, with the Roewe Ei5 EV scoring a record 5,488 units, while in #5 we have the JAC E-Series, with 4,505 units.

Here’s May Top 5 Best Selling models individual performance:

 

#1 – BAIC EU-Series: The electric sedan scored 7,079 units last month, confirming to be the brand’s main bet for this year. The revised design and improved specs (215 hp, 416 kms / 260 mi NEDC, US $32,500) allows it to remain a popular choice, but with new sedans coming from seemingly every corner of the universe, Beijing Auto’s will soon need to update again the specs, especially when a certain GAC Aion S promises 510 kms / 318 mi NEDC range, for less than $30,000...

#2 – BYD Yuan EV: The Baby Crossover continues on the road for success, with the new 58 kWh version helping to keep the fire alive, so BYD’s star product continues to be delivered at a fast pace, with 6,044 units being delivered in May. With a thousand-long waiting list, demand is no problem, depending more on BYD’s ability/willingness to make them in large volumes (The Tang and Qin Pro are more profitable…), than anything else. With unrivalled specs (58 kWh battery, 410 kms/255 mi NEDC range, 163 hp motor), and price (25,000 USD), this is the year strongest candidate for the Best Seller title.

#3 – SAIC Roewe Ei5 EV: This model was something of a shot in a dark for Shaghai Auto, as station wagons aren’t common in China, but it has paid off, as the nameplate is not only the maker bestselling model, but it had its best month ever in May, with 5,488 units. Based on the GM platform Delta II (think Chevrolet Cruze, Opel Astra, or the Buick Velite 6 sibling), the Chinese wagon profits from a quality design and unique body, compensating the middle-of-the-road specs (35 kWh battery; 301 kms / 187 mi range) and price (213,800 CNY / $33,219).

 

#4 – JAC iEV E-Series: The city EV is the new star in JAC’s lineup, having registered 4,505 units in May, mostly thanks to competitive specs (42 kWh, 310 kms / 194 mi range NEDC), considering the price (CNY 112,550 / USD 16,300). With a distinctive design (for some reason the front reminds me of a mix between a bulldog and a panda), the nameplate is continuing its brilliant work as the piano-carrier of the Hefei maker.

#5 – Chery eQ: One of the pioneering EV brands, Chery had won China’s Best Selling EV title three times in a row (2011, ’12, ’13), and the automaker regained relevance with the small eQ EV, having registered 3,818 units last month, allowing it to collect another Top 5 position. But the increased competition (JAC iEV E-Series, BYD e1…), might make a dent in the nameplate success, especially considering it has a range (200 kms / 120 mi) that falls well below what the competition (see JAC E-Series) has to offer.

GAC Aion S: The Next Big Thing in China?

2019 ranking

The market is dynamic as ever, with plenty of changes and record results, the most important position change was the Roewe Ei5 EV climbing to #6, with SAIC’s station wagon now looking to reach the #5 Geely Emgrand EV, preferably with another record score.

And in good time that the Ei5 EV is going up, because its stablemate Baojun E-Series is dropping like a rock, having scored just 546 units, losing positions to the #8 Great Wall Ora R1 EV and #9 JAC iEV E-Series, both direct competitors in the race to displace the #7 Chery eQ from the throne of Best Selling City EV.

Great Wall is surely happy with its Ora’s lineup, not only the R1 was up, but the strange looking singular iQ5 EV SUV also climbed one position, to #13.

There were none other than three new faces in the Top 20, with the highest entry being the BMW 530Le, in #17, becoming the highest standing full-size model and the 3^rd foreign nameplate in the ranking, together with the #11 VW Passat PHEV and the #18 Tesla Model 3, this being the first time that 3 foreign nameplates appear on the Chinese Top 20.

The Xpeng G3 EV, from the startup Xiaopeng, also joined the Top 20, in #19, surpassing at the same time the other local startups, Weltmeister and Nio, although this last one is keeping the best-selling full-size SUV title, with its ES8 SUV in #21, and with its smaller (and cheaper) SUV ES6 landing in June, expect Nio to recover the Best Selling Startup title soon.

The final entry in the ranking is the BYD Qin Pro EV, with the midsize sedan scoring a record 2,936 units. Interestingly, the other two additions to the ranking also did it with record performances, with the Xpeng G3 doing it with 2,704 units and the 530Le with 2,878.

Despite this record performance, the Bimmer wasn’t the best selling foreigner last month, and it wasn’t the Passat PHEV (3,293) either, but the Nissan Sylphy EV, that came out of nowhere to score 3,335 units in May, if the Japanese sedan manages to keep the pace in the coming months, expect another foreign nameplate in the Top 20 soon…

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, BYD (22%, down 1%) is leading, thanks to the success of its lineup (there’s 3 BYD’s on the the Top 4 spots, and 5 in the Top 20), while below it, SAIC (9%) is ahead on the 2^nd spot race, closely followed of BAIC (8%), while Geely (6%, down 1%) lost some ground to the podium bearers.

China April 2019

VW Passat and Geely Emgrand shine in a cooling month 

Chinese VW Passat GTE PHEV

After a first quarter with surging sales, April saw the Chinese plugin market cool down a little, to some 100,000 registrations, up only 34% YoY, but because the mainstream market is still in the red, the April PEV share reached an amazing 6.2%, pulling the PEV market share to 5.4%, frankly above the 2018 result (4.2%).

At this pace, this market could reach some 7% share by the end of this year, and cross the 10% share in 2020. And that’s when things start to get interesting…

With Chinese brands still tiptoeing on EV exports, with only some token units being sent to Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America, the domestic market is more than enough to absorb the current Chinese production, while (some) foreign OEMs are starting to profit from the introduction of their existing/dedicated PEVs in China, but despite this investment, foreign brands total share is still stuck at 8% of the market.

Of this (small) cake, 3% belong to Volkswagen, 2% to Tesla, while the remaining manufacturers share the rest. 

In April, the headlining news were the Geely Emgrand EV reaching #2, with a record 5,225 units, while the BYD Yuan returned to the highest place in the podium, with 6,428 deliveries.

Here’s April Top 5 Best Selling models individual performance:

#1 – BYD Yuan EV: The company Baby Crossovercontinues on the road for success, and with a new 58 kWh version now being delivered, the small Crossover continues to be delivered at a fast pace, with 6,428 units being delivered in April. With a thousands-long waiting list, demand is no problem, depending more on BYD’s ability/willingness to make them in large volumes (The Tang is more profitable…), than anything else. With unrivalled specs (58 kWh battery, 410 kms/255 mi NEDC range, 163 hp motor), and price (25,000 USD), this is shaping up to be this year strongest candidate for the Best Seller title.

 

#2 – Geely Emgrand EV: The bread and butterelectric sedan had its best month ever in April, with 5,225 units, a good sign for all the new models coming from the ambitious Geely Group stable, like the recently landed Geometry A sedan. The best-selling Chinese brand (and Volvo owner) is milking this model strongpoints, like its quality and technology, to compensate a middle-of-the-road design and price (CNY 218,300 / $31,834)

 

#3 – BAIC EU-Series:After the record 12,983 units of March, allowing it to be that month Best Seller, BAIC’s electric sedan had the expected drop, with 4,738units being delivered last month, which was still enough to beat its BYD e5 nemesis. The revised design and improved specs (215 hp, 416 kms / 260 mi NEDC, US $32,500) allows it to remain a popular choice, so the sedan seems to be Beijing Auto’s main bet for 2019.

 

#4 – BYD e5: BYD’s utilitarian electric sedan, a favorite among taxi-drivers, registered 4,602 units in April, resulting in another consistent result for the oak treeof the BYD lineup, that thanks to competitive specs (61 kWh, 405 kms / 253 mi range NEDC, 218 hp), considering the price (CNY 220,650 / USD 34,600). With a new, attractive design (finally!), the nameplate is continuing its brilliant work as the piano-carrierof an All-Stars-rich BYD lineup. 

 

#5 – Chery eQ: One of the pioneering EV brands, Chery had won China’s Best Selling EV title three times in a row (2011, ’12, ’13), and the automaker regained relevance with the small eQ EV, having registered 4,129 units last month, a new year best, allowing it to collect another Top 5 position. A vehicle marketed to city dwellers, for USD 24,000 before incentives, you get a funky city EV, with the 22.3kWh battery providing just enough range (200 kms / 125 miles NEDC), to cover the needs of the urban jungle (And the subsidies requirements).

Xpeng G3: The next startup EV to reach the Top 20?

2019 ranking

The market is dynamic as ever, with plenty of changes and record results, the most important position change was the BYD e5 switching places with its Tang PHEV sibling, with the sedan now in the 3^rdspot, making it a 100% BEV podium.

Both the #6 Chery eQ and the #7 Roewe Ei5 EV (4,003 deliveries, best result in 10 months), climbed one position in the ranking, due to a slow selling month of the Baojun E100, while the JAC iEV E-Series was up one spot, to #10, thanks to a year best 3,002 deliveries.

But the climber of the month was the VW Passat GTE, that jumped 6 positions, to #11, thanks to a record 3,767 units.

The other foreigner in the ranking, the Tesla Model 3, was also up, to #15, and should climb a few positions more in the coming months, maybe up until #12. It seems the race for best selling foreigner nameplate will be interesting to follow…

The Nio ES8 is back at the Top 20, in #19, keeping the best-selling full-size nameplate lead, although the Chinese SUV could have some competition soon, as the BMW 530Le scored 2,615 deliveries last month, being already #23, only 316 units behind the Nio. Interestingly, we have 2 models coming from Chinese startups in the last places of the ranking, and with XPeng accelerating the output of its G3 EV (2,200 units last month), we could have 3 Chinese startup models in the ranking soon.

Another entry in the ranking is the Roewe Ei6 PHEV, with the SAIC model returning here, at #16, thanks to 2,819 units, a new year best.

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, BYD (23%, down 1%) is leading, thanks to the success of the Yuan and e5, while below it, SAIC (9%, up 1%) is ahead on the 2^ndspot race, closely followed of BAIC (8%), and Geely (7%, up 1%). 

Pl	China	April	2019	%
1	BYD Yuan EV	6428	30874	8
2	BAIC EU-Series	4738	24081	7
3	BYD e5	4602	19129	5
4	BYD Tang PHEV	3833	18720	5
5	Geely Emgrand EV	5225	15902	4
6	Chery eQ	4129	13499	4
7	SAIC Roewe Ei5 EV	4003	12590	3
8	SAIC Baojun E100	1488	11772	3
9	Great Wall Ora R1 EV	3505	10993	3
10	JAC iEV E-Series	3002	9615	3
11	VW Passat GTE	3767	8846	2
12	JMC E200	510	7794	2
13	BYD Qin PHEV	1164	7684	2
14	Great Wall Ora iQ5 EV	1109	7617	2
15	Tesla Model 3 e)	3000	6738	2
16	SAIC Roewe Ei6 PHEV	2819	6409	2
17	Changan Eado EV	647	6054	2
18	Geely Emgrand GSE EV	177	5537	2
19	Nio ES8	1508	5321	1
20	Weltmeister EX5 EV	1377	5303	1
Others		40245	133284	36
TOTAL		97276	367762	100