China's passenger car market shows a distinct new pattern: SUV models have sprung up, with retail sales reaching 10.383 million units last year, officially surpassing sedan models (sales of 10.226 million units, up 0.4% year-on-year). This reversal marks a significant increase in the demand for SUVs, reflecting consumers' increased preference for multi-functional, large-space, and high-passability models, as well as their active acceptance of new energy and intelligent technologies. The sluggish growth of the sedan market highlights a profound shift in consumers' perception of car ownership, signaling that the automotive industry has entered a new era dominated by SUVs.
The reason why SUV models are becoming popular in the country
In recent years, SUV models have integrated the comfort of a sedan, the passability of an off-road vehicle and the space practicality of a station wagon, with their unique crossover attributes, which just meet the expectations of modern families for multi-functional and multi-scene travel. In addition, with the acceleration of urbanization and the rise of self-driving travel culture, SUVs' high visibility, good road adaptability and spacious interior space have become key factors to attract consumers.
At the same time, the vigorous development of the new energy vehicle market has played a significant role in boosting the growth of SUV sales. The increasingly optimized consumption environment of new energy vehicles under various domestic support, coupled with consumers' awareness of environmental protection and reduced use costs, make new energy SUV models highly favored. In particular, plug-in hybrid and pure electric SUVs, with their green energy-saving characteristics and intelligent experience, have successfully attracted a large number of first-time car buyers or trade-in consumers, further broadening the consumer group of the SUV market.
The 100,000-yuan SUV model is selling well
According to the relevant automobile market research report, the SUV models with eye-catching sales performance are mainly concentrated in the two price ranges of 10-150,000 yuan and 15-200,000 yuan. The 100,000-yuan SUV model is precisely in line with the car buying budget of most young families in China due to its affordable price and high cost performance. China's own brands play a vital role in the 100,000-yuan SUV market, and local car companies represented by BYD, Changan and Great Wall have launched a variety of highly competitive SUV products with a deep understanding of the local market demand, rapid response innovation and efficient supply chain management. For example, BYD Song Pro DM-i, Changan CS75 PLUS, Haval H6 and other models have won wide recognition from consumers with excellent power performance, high-efficiency and energy-saving technology, intelligent configuration and good market reputation, and sales continue to rise.
Top 10 SUV models in the 100,000 yuan class in China's auto market
Monthly sales 6-10: Corolla Ruifang, Tiggo 8, Qashqai, Boyue L, Jietu X70. Chery's Tiggo 8 ranked 7th, with 9,770 units sold at retail in March 2024. The 2024 Tiggo 8 Honor Edition, with a guide price of 109,900 yuan, is positioned as a 5+2-seat value-for-money flagship SUV with a long wheelbase of 2710mm.
Monthly sales 1-5: Song Pro DM-i, Changan CS75 PLUS, Fenglander, Haval H6, AION Y. The BYD Song Pro DM-i ranked No. 1, with monthly retail sales of 27,446 units, and it was also the monthly sales champion of compact SUVs in the country. The Song Pro DM-i has a dragon-shaped front face and a wide-body through-type tail, with an atmospheric exterior design that conforms to modern aesthetics. Equipped with BYD's self-developed DM-i super hybrid system, it not only reduces the user's daily car cost, but also effectively alleviates the range anxiety of pure electric vehicles. The Honor Edition series, launched in 2024, lowers the threshold for plug-in hybrid models, making them significantly price competitive in the same class market.
In the fiercely competitive 100,000-yuan SUV market, car companies from all walks of life are competing with each other, with Chinese independent brands continuing to make efforts with keen market insight and rapid product iteration capabilities, and joint venture giants such as Toyota and Nissan with strong layout with deep brand heritage and mature manufacturing technology. In the face of fierce competition and high involution in the market, if car companies want to be invincible, they must deeply focus on consumer needs and win the sincere recognition of consumers by creating high-quality products and providing high-quality services. Only in this way can we make steady progress in the ever-changing market environment and achieve a win-win situation for the brand and the market.