Made-in-China electric vehicles: Top 10 bestsellers

MADE-IN-CHINA EVS: Electric vehicle (EV) sales are accelerating, thanks to design, cost, features and tech that are quite compelling. In 2022, 14.28 per cent of vehicles sold globally were EVs – up from 1.4 per cent five years earlier. In 2023, global EV sales grew by another 31 per cent (it jumped 60 per cent in 2022), such that fully electric or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 9.5 million out of the 13.6 million EVs sold around the world. With strong government support for the industry, China rules the roost in EVs. It hires top car designers, researchers and manufacturing talent. It now accounts for the lion’s share of global battery production and supply chain. Our list of the top Made-in-China EVs:

#1 – BYD: The top EV maker in China and the world is BYD. It is dominant in EV battery production for itself and, among others, Tesla. It is Tesla’s only real challenger. It is also the world's biggest seller of EVs and plug-in hybrids. Led by billionaire CEO Wang Chuanfu, BYD has already dislodged Tesla, beating the US EV leader for a second consecutive year. It sold about 3.02 million vehicles in 2023, according to Reuters. Wired recently reported that BYD could eclipse Tesla in tech too. Photo shows the BYD seal.

#2 – SAIC-GM-Wuling: Maker of the popular Wuling Bingo EV, SAIC-GM-Wuling is China’s second-biggest EV maker. It is one of around 300 companies involved in the EV space. Moves are afoot to further consolidate the industry.

#3 – TESLA CHINA: During the fourth quarter of 2023, Tesla's wholesale shipments amounted to 248,686, which is 9% more than a year ago and the best quarter ever, InsideEVs reported. In 2023, the total wholesale sales almost reached 950,000 units, which is 33 per cent more than a year ago and the best year ever. According to government data, the overall wholesale shipments of Tesla Made-in-China Model 3/Model Y cars in December 2023 amounted to 94,139 units, up 69 per cent than a year ago and the best monthly result in 2023.

#4 – GEELY: China’s automakers are leveraging their knowhow, production facilities and skilled labour force to scale up EV production rapidly. This capacity to achieve economies of scale further solidifies China's dominance in the EV sector. China has now become the world's largest EV manufacturing and sales market.

#5 – AION: China’s GAC Motor announced Aion, its compact SUV, for both home and overseas markets. It's one of China's best-sellers, having sold nearly 500,000 unit 2023. The vehicle offers an impressive NEDC range of 400 kilometers, paired with an electric motor producing a maximum power of 135 kW (181 hp) and a peak torque of 225 N⋅m, which allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds.

#6 – CHANGAN: The Changan Automobile's Lumin small EVs is aimed the the younger crowd. Changan, which sold around 470,000 EVs in 2023, has three other sub-brands under its umbrella, including Qiyuan, Deepal and Avatr. In November, Nio announced it would partner with Changan to develop battery-swapping electric vehicles. The partnership will also see Nio and state-owned Changan on building and sharing battery-swapping stations and standardising batteries, Nio told Reuters.

#7 – LI AUTO. Li Auto’s vehicles — all SUVs — come with a fuel tank for charging the battery. That helps ease consumers’ concerns about driving range. Li Auto, which sold 450,000 units last year, also plans to begin delivering its first battery-only model in February 2024, the MEGA multi-purpose vehicle. Li Auto has also already started taking pre-orders in China for its MEGA MPV at an estimated price of under 600,000 yuan ($84,533.24). Its Li L9 is a 6-seat, full-size flagship smart SUV designed for families. With an impressive range of 1,315 km and a WLTC range of 1,100 km. It boasts a self-developed autonomous driving system, Li AD Max, and top safety measures. The innovative 5-screen, 3D interactive cockpit enhances the driving and entertainment experience. Starting price: around $65,000.

#8 – GREATWALL MOTORS: GWM's localisation efforts culminated in the launch of the locally-made ORA03 in Thailand, the first BEV produced by a Chinese company overseas, solidifying GWM's commitment to ecological globalization. The push for convenient charging is helping boost consumer confidence toward EV adoption.

#9 – NIO: A prominent Chinese EV brand, NIO eads in battery-swapping technology with over 1,100 stations. Investing significantly, NIO aims for 3,000 stations in China, having already swapped 12 million batteries. In a groundbreaking test in August 2022, the NIO ES8 covered 1,000 kilometers in just nine hours, setting a record for the best EV time. The efficient performance included only three battery swaps, highlighting the pivotal role of battery swapping in NIO's strategic approach.

#10 – LEAP MOTOR: In 2023, Leap Motor achieved a remarkable milestone, delivering 144,155 units. It also Introduced the first global model C10 at the IAA Mobility Show, unveiling the cutting-edge "Four-Leaf Clover" electronic architecture. Leap Motor’s C01REEV are at home in icy terrains even in the coldest winter days. In October 2023, Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, is purchasing a 21% stake in Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Leapmotor for $1.6 billion.