October saw declines in NEV sedan sales, with BYD retaining the top three positions while competition intensifies.
October’s new-energy sedan market showed a broad downward trend.
In the latest Top 10 NEV sedan ranking, several models recorded notable declines.
The number of models with monthly sales above 20,000 units dropped from four in September to just one in October.
BYD continued to demonstrate strong dominance, sweeping the top three positions.
The Qin PLUS sold 35,338 units in October, followed by Qin L with 18,855 units and the Seal 06 with 17,903 units.
Models such as Xpeng MONA M03, Geely Galaxy A7 and Seal 05 DM-i posted steady gains, improving both ranking and sales compared with September.
Xiaomi SU7 registered a mild month-on-month decline versus September but remained within the Top 10, showing relative stability.
October also saw shifts in model participation: the Chery Fulwin A9L returned to the list, while Tesla Model 3 exited, adding volatility to the rankings.
Which models emerged as the winners in China’s NEV sedan market for October? Here is the breakdown.
No. 1 BYD Qin PLUS: 35,338 units
The Qin PLUS sold 35,338 units in October, down roughly 9.6% month-on-month, maintaining its lead among domestic NEV sedans.
Sales breakdown shows a PHEV-led structure: 27,674 units for the PHEV variant and 7,664 units for the EV version.
Pure-electric Qin PLUS sales have trended downward—falling from 10,335 units in May to 7,664 units in October—highlighting the PHEV’s core role.
Competition in the sub-RMB 100,000 segment is intensifying.
For example, the newly-launched Galaxy Xingyao 6, with 125 km CLTC EV range and priced from RMB 79,800 ($11,300), brings pressure to the Qin PLUS.
No. 2 BYD Qin L: 18,855 units
The Qin L posted 18,855 units in October, down 31.1% month-on-month, hitting a six-month low.
Even so, Qin L outsold its sibling Seal 06 by 952 units, ranking second.
The DM-i version delivered 10,979 units and the EV version 7,876 units, again showing PHEV-led performance but with a narrower gap than the Qin PLUS.
In October, BYD rolled out an OTA update for Qin L DM-i and Seal 06 DM-i to reduce fuel consumption, bringing NEDC fuel use to 2.69L/100km.
Following September’s product refresh, BYD aims to stimulate demand through continued OTA updates and incentive subsidies.
No. 3 BYD Seal 06: 17,903 units
BYD Seal 06 sold 17,903 units in October, down 34.8% from September, trailing Qin L by 952 units and ranking third.
By version, the DM-i delivered 9,669 units and the EV version 8,234 units, excluding Seal 06 GT and wagon variants.
Meanwhile, BYD continues expanding overseas markets.
In October, Seal 06 delivered 36 units in Spain, while the wagon variant delivered 1,254 units in Germany.
Although sales of BYD’s sedan lineup declined, competition from Geely and Xpeng intensified, yet BYD retained the Top 3 positions.
No. 4 Xpeng MONA M03: 16,309 units
The Xpeng MONA M03 saw significant improvement, selling 16,309 units in October, up around 13% month-on-month to rank fourth.
At the end of October, the MONA M03 rolled off its 200,000th unit, followed by the 200,000th delivery ceremony in November.
As a core volume-driver, MONA M03 continues to upgrade product capabilities.
In November, a facelifted MONA M03 appeared in the MIIT filing, showing minor styling tweaks, an extra 5 mm in length and upgraded 160 kW motors across all trims.
The launch schedule has not yet been announced.
No. 5 Geely Galaxy A7: 15,888 units
The Galaxy A7 continues to grow strongly.
Sales reached 15,888 units in October, up 21.9% month-on-month, with cumulative deliveries exceeding 40,000 units, becoming a major volume contributor to Geely’s Galaxy lineup.
With Horizon Journey J6E chips and CLTC fuel consumption of 2.67L/100km when depleted, the A7 targets cost-effectiveness and refinement, competing directly with BYD Qin L and Seal 06.
The sales gap with Qin L narrowed to 2,967 units.
From January to October, Galaxy-brand cumulative sales surpassed 1 million units, achieving the fastest one-million milestone among China’s NEV brands.
No. 6 BYD Seal 05 DM-i: 15,661 units
After declining in September, Seal 05 DM-i rebounded in October, selling 15,661 units, up 23%, marking its fifth consecutive month above 10,000.
BYD introduced a 128 km CLTC range model in October to meet subsidy eligibility and also enabled the fuel-saving OTA upgrade.
The value-added adjustments prompted demand recovery.
However, competition is stiff: the Galaxy Xingyao 6 launched at RMB 68,800 ($9,750), directly targeting Seal 05 DM-i. Whether BYD can sustain momentum remains uncertain.
No. 7 Xiaomi SU7: 14,992 units
The Xiaomi SU7 sold 14,992 units in October, down 23.4% month-on-month, ranking seventh.
Its long-standing competitor, the Tesla Model 3, sold only 6,518 units and dropped out of the Top 10.
Xiaomi delivered 48,654 vehicles in total in October, with YU7 contributing 33,662 units, indicating a production shift that may have affected SU7 output.
In November, SU7 delivery cycles shortened significantly: SU7 Pro/Max delivery now estimated at 6–9 weeks according to the Xiaomi Auto app.
Rumors suggest a refreshed SU7 with 800V architecture, LiDAR and second-generation Kirin battery, with prices rising by RMB 10,000 ($1,420). Xiaomi has not commented.
No. 8 Leapmotor B01: 13,697 units
The Leapmotor B01 has maintained steady growth since launch in June, selling 13,697 units in October, up around 8.2%, ranking eighth.
Supported by continuous product-line expansion, Leapmotor exceeded 70,000 units in monthly deliveries, with Series B and C as key volume drivers and the upcoming D series defining the premium tier.
The gap between B01 and competitors MONA M03 and Seal 06 has narrowed to less than 5,000 units.
Leapmotor’s strategy is clear: complete the A-B-C-D lineup. The A10 will debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November.
No. 9 Chery Fulwin A9L: 10,334 units
After a one-month absence, the Fulwin A9L returned to the Top 10 with 10,334 units, up 3.2% month-on-month.
Since launch in July, monthly sales have stayed just above 10,000. Its direct rival, BYD Han, sold 7,180 units in October and ranked outside the Top 10.
The A9L leveraged its RMB 149,900 ($21,250) starting price and 193 km CLTC EV range to build momentum.
October promotions included a RMB 10,000 ($1,420) limited-time trade-in incentive and free City NOA and zero-gravity seats.
The newly-launched Fulwin T11 continues the value-driven strategy, raising expectations for November sales.
No. 10 Geely Galaxy Xingyao 8: 10,191 units
The Galaxy Xingyao 8 remained stable, selling 10,191 units in October, up 1.7%, ranking tenth.
Like the Fulwin A9L, Xingyao 8 has sustained sales above 10,000 for five of the past six months. Even during the peak season, growth remained modest.
The 2026 purchase-tax subsidy policy is a key focus for the auto industry. BYD has already introduced longer-range models.
Currently, Xingyao 8’s EV range options are 60 km and 130 km. New longer-range variants may appear before the new policy takes effect.
Discover more from ChinaEVHome
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
