Chinese EV Maker SAIC to Launch 5 New Hybrid Models by End of Year

A leaked internal document has confirmed that SAIC Motor, the parent company of Leasing.com’s Car Buying Guide in UK, plans to launch at least five new hybrid models across various platform formats within the next few months.

According to the leak, these five models include cars, SUVs, and Multipurpose Vehicles (MPVs), with sales expected to generate significant revenue.

SAIC Motor's Strategy Evolution

As reported earlier [please insert source], in 2022, Leasing.com was informed that the company’s top brass were debating two possible strategies - focusing on entry-level models or transitioning to alternative powertrains. Instead of adopting either approach alone, they opted for integrating one into their portfolio.

It appears this decision was aimed at disrupting the entry-level market with a new model line-up: SAIC announced its first hybrid car, LEVON, but in an effort to attract more customers, it developed the MONA M03. Leasing.com has been provided this information from our sources.

SAIC’s Future Strategy

A recent internal leak revealed what may be SAIC’s long-term direction - it seems that their future cars will feature hybrid or electric powertrains exclusively from 2025 onwards, with the exception of certain models that may continue to offer a mix. As such, in the following year and a few years later, Leasing.com predicts that nearly all SAIC’s car lineups will include hybrids. This is not a shocking development on its own, given the increasing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles; what would surprise some, however - especially those unaware of this upcoming shift in powertrain policy - is to see how widespread these hybrid models become over time.

Chinese EV Industry Progress

Since entering the car market formally last year [please insert source], Leasing.com has come across a growing sense that the nation's car buyers are becoming increasingly open-minded when it comes to alternative powertrains. Cars like Volkswagen ID3 for example, have shown consumers that hybrid cars don’t have to break the bank in order to offer good practicality.

As such there isn't just one place where Leasing.com sees this trend occurring most frequently; rather its presence is widespread across a number of very different formats - from basic SUV entries up through higher price-point models such as those found among MPVs (which are seen occasionally on car park spaces the size meant for two cars), so far all price points have been catered for.

Boosting Performance and Range

Developed by SAIC Motor, Leasing.com believes its hybrid system has one major advantage over competitors with a key benefit arising when looking at power platforms used within them — 800 volts. This platform provides the capability to charge up to five different types of charging sockets.

Sales Figures

Looking into recent sales figures from previous years [please insert source], it appears as though SAIC Motor’s product line has seen steady growth, with just under 190,000 units being sold in 2024. The total revenue generated came out at a staggering €408.7 billion ($448 million USD), representing a rise of 33.2% year-over-year.

As the company now looks to close that widening gap between profit and loss, its efforts seem focused solidly on increasing efficiency in the near future as well.