In this vibrant yet fiercely competitive market, which ten models stand out from the crowd in August?
In the competitive Chinese new energy SUV market, the Tesla Model Y leads sales despite a yearly decline, followed by the BYD Sealion 06 and AITO M8. Affordability is key, with various models like BYD Yuan UP appealing to budget-conscious consumers.
Unlike the new energy sedan market, which is dominated by entry-level models, Chinese consumers—who have a preference for larger vehicles—are clearly more willing to spend more on family-friendly new energy SUVs.
This trend is evident in sales rankings: Tesla Model Y, with a starting price of RMB 263,500 ($36,994), has long held the top spot in SUV sales across all energy types. Meanwhile, AITO M8, starting at RMB 359,800 ($50,534), has been climbing steadily, hovering between the 2nd and 4th positions.
At the same time, the monthly top 10 best-selling new energy SUVs in China also include affordable options such as BYD Yuan UP (starting at RMB 74,800 ($10,506)) and BYD Song Pro New Energy (starting at RMB 102,800 ($14,438)).
In this vibrant yet highly competitive market, which 10 models have stood out?
No. 1: Tesla Model Y—39,413 Units
Despite a 13.1% year-on-year decline in August sales, Tesla Model Y still claimed the overall SUV sales championship in China with 39,413 units sold.
Priced between RMB 263,500 ($36,994) and RMB 339,000 ($47,612) in the Chinese market, Model Y remains a sales benchmark in the new energy SUV segment, thanks to its 5-year interest-free financing policy, Tesla’s brand influence, and the model’s inherent product strengths. Having not undergone a major facelift since its launch in 2019, Model Y maintains strong performance in China’s new energy SUV market. This is directly reflected in sales figures: its August sales of nearly 40,000 units were nearly 14,000 units higher than BYD Sea Lion 06 (the 2nd-place model), which has a starting price of RMB 139,800 ($19,635).
No. 2: BYD Sea Lion 06—25,453 Units
Launched on July 24, BYD Sea Lion 06 (priced between RMB 139,800 ($19,635) and RMB 163,800 ($23,006)) secured the 2nd position in August’s new energy SUV sales ranking with 25,453 units sold.
Sea Lion 06 has laid a solid foundation for BYD’s product offensive in the second half of 2025 and is likely to become a top-seller among BYD’s new models this half-year. It is understood that BYD has already launched models such as the Tai 7 and Yangwang U8L in the second half of the year, while new vehicles including Denza N8L and Song Pro are also expected to hit the market before the end of the year. Among BYD’s new model lineup in the second half, Sea Lion 06 is one of the most affordable options (alongside Song Pro). For a price of RMB 150,000 ($21,068) – RMB 160,000 ($22,472), consumers can access features such as a 4.8-meter body length, 800V architecture, standard Tianxianzhi Eye C (an advanced driver-assistance feature), standard Yunnian C (BYD’s intelligent chassis system), and a 78kWh battery.
No. 3: AITO M8—21,537 Units
With a price range of RMB 359,800 ($50,534) – RMB 449,800 ($63,174), AITO M8 is the most expensive model in August’s top 10 new energy SUV sales list, yet it still ranked high at 3rd place with 21,537 units sold.
Five months since its launch, AITO M8 has passed a two-month sales ramp-up period and now maintains stable monthly sales of around 21,000 units. Hongmeng Zhixing (AITO’s sales channel) has announced that the model’s delivery volume will remain above 20,000 units in September.
From the announcement of over 150,000 orders on its launch day, it is clear that AITO M8 has a sufficient backlog of orders. However, the all-new AITO M7, launched on September 23, may divert some consumers eager for immediate delivery—even though the new M7 received over 220,000 pre-orders within 17 days of opening small deposits.
No. 4: BYD Yuan UP—19,647 Units
BYD launched the 301km CLTC range Leading Edition of Yuan UP on July 30, which directly drove a 57.8% month-on-month increase in Yuan UP’s August sales to 19,647 units.
The new variant has lowered the entry threshold for owning a Yuan UP, with a starting price of RMB 74,800 ($10,506). The overall price range of Yuan UP is RMB 74,800–119,800 ($10,506–16,826).
However, the new variant comes with some reduced features: except for the 301km Leading Edition, all other versions of Yuan UP have a CLTC range of 401km but lack features such as a dashcam, Tianxianzhi Eye C, and DiLink 100 (BYD’s intelligent infotainment system).
No. 5: Xiaomi YU7—16,548 Units
Following the success of the Xiaomi SU7 (launched in 2024), which disrupted the new energy sedan market, the Xiaomi YU7—launched on June 26 this year—has maintained strong momentum. In its first full delivery month (August), it sold 16,548 units, representing a 173.9% month-on-month growth from July, showing significant progress in production ramp-up.
Priced between RMB 253,500 ($35,604) and RMB 329,900 ($46,334), the YU7 was the second-best-selling model in China’s RMB 250,000 ($35,112)-level new energy SUV market in August, only behind Tesla Model Y.
Given that the Xiaomi SU7 previously challenged Tesla Model 3’s sales dominance, many expect the Xiaomi YU7—with further production expansion—to narrow the gap with, or even surpass, Model Y’s market position in China. Additionally, recent rumors suggest that Xiaomi may launch an extended-range model equipped with an 80kWh battery, which could be fitted to its full-size SUV. Xiaomi’s offensive in the automotive market has only just begun.
No. 6: Leapmotor C10—13,384 Units
Leapmotor’s C-series continues to maintain strong sales performance: in August, the Leapmotor C10 sold 13,384 units, marking its highest retail sales since launch. This helped Leapmotor achieve a new delivery record of 57,066 units in August.
Priced between RMB 122,800 ($17,247) and RMB 168,800 ($23,708), the C10 is Leapmotor’s first global model. Shipments to Europe began on July 30, 2024. From January to April this year, Leapmotor exported 13,632 vehicles, making it a top exporter among China’s new energy vehicle startups.
Leapmotor shows no signs of slowing down: Zhu Jiangming, CEO of Leapmotor, stated today that the company sold over 8,000 vehicles last weekend (September 20–21), with sales of the C10 and B01 exceeding 1,000 units on Sunday alone.
No. 7: BYD Song PLUS New Energy—13,098 Units
Priced between RMB 135,800 ($19,073) and RMB 175,800 ($24,691), BYD Song PLUS New Energy sold 13,098 units in August—a significant decline from its peak monthly sales of nearly 50,000 units.
Facing intense competition in the domestic market from rivals such as Kaiyuan Q07 and Leapmotor C10, Song PLUS has begun seeking growth opportunities overseas. Marketed as the “Seal U” abroad, it sold 32,802 units in overseas markets in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of over 3,700%. According to media reports, this performance made Song PLUS the best-selling Chinese-brand new energy vehicle in the European market in the first half.
No. 8: BYD Song Pro DM-i—12,681 Units
Lu Tian, General Manager of BYD Dynasty Network Sales Division, stated that the Song Pro DM-i—with 12,681 units sold in August—continues to retain its title as the best-selling A-class new energy SUV.
Although its ranking dropped 2 places from July, this new energy SUV (priced between RMB 102,800 ($14,438) and RMB 142,800 ($20,056) still secured a spot in the monthly top 10 sales list.
Song Pro is expected to stage a comeback in October or November: the new model was listed in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s database in July. It will feature an exterior design closer to the Song L, adopt the 5th-generation DM hybrid technology, and is expected to see an upgrade in battery capacity.
No. 9: BYD Yuan PLUS—11,984 Units
Every compact SUV launched in China inevitably lists BYD Yuan PLUS as a benchmark for comparison.
Priced between RMB 115,800 ($16,264) and RMB 147,800 ($20,758), Yuan PLUS competes with segment rivals such as Kaiyuan Q05, Leapmotor B10, and SAIC Volkswagen ID.3, maintaining solid performance in this market. However, since 2025, its monthly sales have failed to exceed 20,000 units except in March.
As one of BYD’s early overseas models, Yuan PLUS has been launched in markets including Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Due to transportation costs and tariffs, its overseas prices are significantly higher—even nearly triple the Chinese market price in some European regions (e.g., if the Chinese price is RMB 115,800 ($16,264), the European price could reach around RMB 347,400 ($48,792)).
No. 10: Li Auto L6—11,217 Units
Li Auto L6, a volume-driven model of Li Auto, has also experienced a sales decline since 2025.
After maintaining stable monthly sales of over 20,000 units (and peaking at nearly 18,000 units) starting from June 2024, the L6’s sales in 2025 have dropped to a stable range of over 10,000 units (with a peak of nearly 19,000 units). This decline is mainly attributed to the launch of numerous competing models and consumer hesitation caused by the upcoming Li Auto i6.
Just today, Li Xiang, CEO of Li Auto, announced that there will be no “Li Auto i7” model. Meanwhile, industry insiders have reported that the Li Auto i9 will also be absent from Li Auto’s all-electric product lineup; the i8 and i6 are expected to become the main options for Li Auto’s all-electric large 6-seater and large 5-seater segments. For Li Auto—whose all-electric products are still in a phase of steady development—the Li Auto i6, set to launch on September 26, will become a key volume driver in its all-electric product matrix.
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