Zhong Guo Jing Ying Bao·2026-01-09 20:03Core Insights - The Chinese automotive market in 2025 shows a stable total volume with a differentiated structure, indicating a new competitive norm where traditional automakers maintain dominance while new players face varied growth trajectories [3][4][5] Traditional Automakers - SAIC Group sold 4.507 million vehicles in 2025, a 12.3% increase year-on-year, with a retail volume of 4.67 million, maintaining its industry leadership [3] - Geely Automobile achieved sales of over 3.02 million vehicles in 2025, exceeding its targets and setting a 2026 goal of 3.45 million vehicles, reflecting strong growth momentum [4] - Chery Group sold 2.806 million vehicles, including 1.344 million exports, leading in Chinese passenger car exports for 23 consecutive years, with its new energy segment growing by 54.9% year-on-year [4] New Energy Vehicle Players - Leap Motor emerged as a significant player with 596,600 deliveries in 2025, marking a 103% year-on-year increase and becoming the top seller among new forces [2][4] - NIO is gradually recovering from a downturn, with a milestone of producing its one-millionth vehicle expected in early 2026, despite reporting a cumulative loss of nearly 15.7 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025 [2][5] - The competitive landscape for new energy vehicles is marked by a stark contrast, with some players struggling while others, like Lantu and Avita, show steady growth backed by traditional automakers [4][5] Strategic Shifts - The industry is shifting from product-centric competition to a focus on ecosystem collaboration and technological innovation, as companies aim to build resilient and innovative ecosystems [5][7] - SAIC Group emphasizes a dual strategy of technological innovation and ecosystem cooperation, launching over 20 competitive new products and collaborating with partners like Huawei and OPPO [6][8] - Companies are setting ambitious goals for 2026, with a focus on advanced technologies such as solid-state batteries, AI, and global expansion, indicating a move towards a more integrated and strategic approach to competition [8][9]