January 2026 has brought changes in China’s entry-level electric hatchback market – demand has declined rapidly, but long-time leader BYD has dropped out of the top three.
rapidly shrunk, but long-term leader BYD dropped out of the top three.
Following the end of a long-running purchase tax credit, demand for China’s new energy vehicles (NEVs) has plummeted and this has been immediately reflected in sales figures, with all leading models experiencing double-digit declines.
If in December the competition was fierce and the volumes were high, then in January only two models managed to exceed 10,000 sold units. Geely’s Geome Xingyuan was the leader with 29,007 units, despite a 19% month-on-month drop. SAIC Motor MG4 surprisingly climbed into second place with 10,007 units. The updated version of the MG4 is already also offered with a solid-state battery, which marks a technological breakthrough in the segment under 100,000 yuan (approx. 13,000 euros).
Meanwhile, longtime favorites lost ground. BYD slipped to fifth and sixth place with the BYD Dolphin and BYD Seagull models, falling out of the Top 3. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV also sold less than 10,000 units for the first time since its debut, while the Wuling Binguo and Binguo S maintained their positions in the middle of the ranking.
Next on the list was Arcfox T1, as well as Nio’s Firefly brand, which continues to grow and has already started deliveries abroad. The top ten was rounded off by the GAC Aion Aion UT – a budget model with a starting price below 70,000 yuan (9,100 euros).
In general, the segment in which prices vary from 60,000 to 100,000 yuan (7,800 – 13,000 euros) is experiencing not only fluctuations in demand, but also rapid technological development. LiDAR systems and new generation batteries, including semi-solid solutions, are entering cheaper models. Now market participants are waiting for February and March data to understand whether the January drop is a temporary correction after the tax policy change, or the beginning of deeper changes in the 2026 electric hatchback cycle.
TOP-10 Chinese new cars in January:
1.Geely Geome Xingyuan – 29 007 vienības
2. MG4 – 10,007 units
3. Wuling Hongguang Mini EV – 7 133 views
4. Wuling Bingo S – 6,077 units
5. BYD Dolphin – 5,699 units
6. BYD Seagull – 5,329 units
7. Arcfox T1 – 4,239 units
8. Firefly – 2,737 units
9. Wuling Binguo – 2,620 units
10. Aion UT – 2,200 units
Photo: Geely
It is strictly forbidden to use, copy or reproduce the materials published by iAuto.lv on other internet portals, mass media or otherwise deal with the materials published by iAuto.lv without receiving written permission from EON SIA.
date:2026-02-15 06:00:00