In a pivotal shift for China's booming EV market, large six-seat SUVs like Geely Galaxy M9, NIO ES8, and Tengshi N9 are eroding traditional MPV dominance in 2025, with SUV sales exploding over 40% while MPVs falter. Meanwhile, global ripples from Toyota's Trump-friendly moves and Chery's Vietnam factory plans underscore Chinese EVs' aggressive expansion amid trade tensions. This week's news also spotlights supplier woes, ADAS deals, and chip breakthroughs, signaling a maturing Chinese EV ecosystem ready to challenge worldwide.
Big Six-Seat SUVs Steal MPV Thunder in China
China's family vehicle segment is undergoing a seismic change. Once the unchallenged kings of spacious multi-passenger travel, MPVs saw cumulative sales of 936,000 units through November 2025, up just 1.7% year-over-year—but plunging over 4% in the second half, losing market share.
Enter large six-seat SUVs, delivering MPV-like comfort with SUV versatility:
- Sales Boom: 368,000 units sold Jan-Jul 2025, +40% YoY; full-year projections exceed 1 million for the first time.
- Key Hits: Geely Galaxy M9, NIO ES8, Tengshi N9 span 100,000-500,000 RMB, fixing seven-seat SUVs' cramped third rows with true six-seat layouts, central walkways, and flat floors.
- Consumer Shift: Buyers crave fashion-forward designs, better ground clearance, and driving fun over MPV's 'business van' image—famously quipped as "cry in six-seat SUVs, not laugh in MPVs."
| Segment | 2025 Sales (Jan-Nov) | YoY Growth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPV | 936,000 units | +1.7% | Down 4% H2; Weipai Gaoshan leads at 10k+/mo |
| 6-Seat SUV | ~1M projected | +40%+ | Red-hot rivalry ahead |
Leaders like Toyota Sienna, Buick GL8 struggle as newcomers like Weipai Gaoshan and Tengshi D9 face stiffer competition.
2026 Battle Royale: MPVs Strike Back
MPVs aren't yielding. 2026 brings firepower:
- Hongmeng Zhixing Aito V9: Huawei smart cockpit and ADAS.
- XPeng X9 Pure EV: Tech-savvy for youth.
- Buick Zijing Shijia EV, Mercedes VLE: Luxury push.
SUVs counter with Zeekr 8X, IM LS8, Zunchong D19, SAIC VW ID.ERA 9X—intensifying 'multi-person mobility' wars on space, smarts, and price.
Global Footprint: Chery Eyes Vietnam Dominance
Chery ups Southeast Asia ante with a 2026 Vietnam factory—its largest in ASEAN:
- Investment: Up to $800M, 200,000 annual capacity by 2030.
- Brands: Omoda & Jaecoo debut 16 models (ICE, PHEV, EV), targeting 10,000+ sales/year.
- Strategy: Local left-hand-drive production for Vietnam and beyond, leveraging European success.
This localizes Chinese EV exports, dodging tariffs in fast-growing markets.
Broader Industry Ripples
- Toyota's MAGA Pivot: Importing US-made Camry, Highlander, Tundra to Japan from 2026—first in 20 years—to soothe Trump-era trade gripes. $140B North America battery plant, $100B hybrid expansion signal localization amid EV shifts.
- Harman ZF ADAS Buy: Samsung's $1.77B grab of ZF's tech boosts Chinese suppliers eyeing global ADAS integration.
- Shanghai Chip Push: Lingang's Micro-LED auto light chip base (3B RMB invest) targets 1.2M chips/year by 2027, breaking foreign monopolies.
Why This Matters: Global Implications for Chinese EVs
These moves cement China's EV prowess: domestic SUV/MPV innovation drives 1M+ sales milestones, while Chery's ASEAN factories counter Toyota/Honda localization plays. Trade wars favor nimble Chinese firms blending EVs, PHEVs, and ADAS. Suppliers gain from chip autonomy, but Mercedes' alleged payment delays highlight cash flow risks.
Looking Ahead
2026 pits MPV veterans vs SUV disruptors, with Chinese brands like NIO, XPeng, Geely, and Chery exporting smarter, cheaper EVs globally. Expect fiercer pricing, 1,000km+ ranges, and L4 autonomy. Consumers win with versatile family haulers; investors eye Chery's Vietnam as the next EV export hotspot. The Chinese EV revolution is borderless.
