Chengdu Auto Show highlights rise of Chinese electric off-road SUVs

The 2026 Chengdu International Auto Show highlights a significant shift in the Chinese automotive market, characterized by the rise of domestic brands and the mainstreaming of off-road electric vehicles. A major trend is the evolution of hard-core off-road SUVs into versatile vehicles suitable for both daily commuting and outdoor adventure. This shift is supported by advancements in plug-in hybrid and pure electric technologies, which address range anxiety and performance needs.

Key brand activities include BYD showcasing the new Dahán EV, with a pre-sale price starting at 249,900 yuan, and the third-generation Tang. Zeekr reported that its 9X model led sales in the over 500,000 yuan segment from January to July 2026. Additionally, the Xiangjie G9, a luxury hard-core SUV featuring Huawei's technology, has seen high market interest. Other notable developments include the Yijing X9, which secured over 16,000 orders within 12 hours of its pre-sale.

In terms of safety and regulation, Xiaomi Auto has announced a recall of several hundred thousand 2024 SU7 series electric vehicles due to emergency mechanical handles being difficult to identify and operate in certain conditions. The company plans to resolve this through warning labels and over-the-air (OTA) software updates.