In China's rapidly evolving automotive landscape, traditional fuel sedans like the Nissan Sylphy cling to relevance with over 20,000 monthly sales in 2025, while luxury PHEVs such as the Aito M9 (from Huawei and Seres) shatter records with 260,000 cumulative deliveries in just two years. As EV penetration nears 60%, Sylphy's stronghold in cities like Foshan and Dongguan highlights persistent demand for affordable reliability, contrasting sharply with M9's dominance in the 500,000 RMB luxury segment. Ideal CEO Li Xiang's insights on smart cockpits further underscore the tech-driven future, urging a rethink of vehicle interaction paradigms.
Nissan Sylphy: The Resilient Fuel Sedan in an EV Era
Launched in China in 2006, the Nissan Sylphy (轩逸) has amassed over 5 million cumulative sales by 2025, once accounting for one-third of Dongfeng Nissan's total volume. Its peak came in 2020 with 540,000 units sold annually, but sales slid to 340,000 in 2024 amid the EV boom, with entry prices dropping from 139,800 RMB in 2006 to 71,300 RMB for 2026 models.
Despite this, Sylphy maintains monthly sales exceeding 20,000, ranking in China's top five sedans. Key to its endurance:
- Regional Strongholds: Pearl River Delta cities lead—Foshan tops with 730 units, followed by Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen occupying 25% of the national top 20 cities.
- Provincial Dominance: Guangdong province surges ahead with 4,058 units, 1.66 times Shandong's volume, fueled by net-about-car demand for its low fuel consumption and durability.
- Broader Appeal: Northern cities like Tangshan and Weifang value reliability; mid-tier markets like Changsha and Ganzhou seek space and L2 ProPILOT driver assists in higher trims.
| Top Provinces | Monthly Sales (Units) | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong | 4,058 | Net-about cars, family space |
| Shandong | ~2,450 (est.) | Reliability, affordability |
| Hebei | >1,000 | Industrial user value |
| Hunan | >1,000 | Practicality + smart features |
Sylphy's 'classic + new' strategy covers 70,000-140,000 RMB, blending budget classics for tier-3/4 cities with tech-upgraded models for younger buyers.
Aito M9: Redefining Luxury PHEV Benchmarks
Celebrating its second anniversary on December 26, 2025, the Aito M9 has delivered over 260,000 units, claiming 70% of China's 500,000+ RMB NEV market share. It leads in preservation value (top PHEV/EREV per China Automobile Dealers Association, November 2025) and user satisfaction (J.D. Power, CQA indexes).
Highlights include:
- Tech Leadership: HarmonyOS cockpit with multi-screen interaction, laser projection, and Huawei ADS 4.0 (36 sensors for all-scenario driving).
- Safety Fortress: 9,800-ton die-casting, 29 high-strength steel zones (up to 2,000 MPa), earning C-NCAP 5-star+, C-IASI 'ultra 4G' ratings.
- Versatility: 3,110mm wheelbase offers four layouts (尊四座 luxury seats, zero-gravity options); satellite comms proven in real rescues.
M9's appeal spans celebrities (Huang Bo, Hu Bing) to execs (36Kr CEO Feng Dagan), earning awards like CCTV's top intelligent SUV.
Ideal's Li Xiang on the Smart Cockpit Revolution
Ideal CEO Li Xiang critiques current car systems as ' glorified phones,' predicting a shift to 'nine electrics' (three for drive, interaction, control). Drawing from Apple's success—multi-touch paradigms, high-frequency prioritization, ad restraint—he champions voice control for 90%+ functions, claiming Ideal's AI surpasses Apple Intelligence.
This vision bridges Sylphy's basic L2 aids and M9's advanced ADS 4.0, signaling China's cockpit wars will prioritize seamless, ad-free AI.
Why This Matters: Global Implications for EV Markets
China's dual tracks—Sylphy's 340,000-unit fuel holdout vs. M9's luxury PHEV surge—reveal a transitional market where affordability sustains ICE icons amid 60% NEV penetration. Globally, this foreshadows hybrids/PHEVs bridging to full EVs, challenging Tesla and legacy brands. Sylphy faces Geely's rising threats; M9 proves Chinese firms can define 500k+ luxury, exporting 'tech + safety' to Europe/USA.
Looking Ahead: Hybrid Futures and Tech Upgrades
Sylphy must accelerate electrification and intelligence to fend off BYD, Geely. M9 eyes deeper OTA updates, while Ideal's 'voice-first' ethos could standardize across NIO, XPeng, Zeekr. By 2026, expect PHEVs like M9 to hit 30%+ luxury share, pulling global OEMs toward China's smart cockpit blueprint.
