Deepening reforms to forge a new path, striving for excellence in intelligent electric vehicles, and initiating a new journey. SAIC Motor Corporation puts users first to move toward high-quality development.

(Source: Shangguan News)

2026 is the starting year of the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan and an important window for China’s automotive industry to transition toward high-quality development. This year, the government’s work report explicitly states support for innovation in the new energy vehicle industry and efforts to improve and expand auto consumption. As a key pillar of the national economy, the automotive industry bears the vital mission of promoting industrial upgrading and activating consumption potential.

Against this industry backdrop, SAIC Motor has achieved countercyclical breakthroughs through solid strategic deployment: coordinated efforts across multiple sectors such as independent brands, new energy businesses, and overseas markets, with multiple initiatives flourishing, becoming the main engine of group growth; joint venture brands gradually emerging from earlier adjustment cycles, with a clear recovery in operational momentum, providing strong support for steady overall performance.

In response to the wave of industry intelligence and electrification, SAIC Motor is closely following cutting-edge trends in intelligent driving, smart cockpits, and intelligent chassis, accelerating the development of advanced technological identifiers, and fully transforming into a smart electric new track. This year, SAIC Motor is about to welcome its 100 millionth user, a significant milestone that vividly reflects the company’s original commitment to “building good cars for users.”

Intelligent electric new products are being launched intensively, and the product matrix is entering a period of concentrated explosion

2026 will be a pivotal year for SAIC Motor’s intelligent electric product surge. In March, SAIC held two major technology launch events, showcasing the latest achievements in intelligent electrification: IM Motors released the industry’s first super intelligent agent IM Ultra Agent; the world’s first integrated Alibaba Qianwen large model, achieving an intelligent architecture of “cockpit and driving integration, full-domain fusion” with IM Fusion Nova, fully connecting three major systems: steer-by-wire chassis, intelligent driving AI, and intelligent cockpit AI; SAIC Volkswagen launched the ID. ERA technology matrix, directly addressing three pain points of range extension, introducing the Golden Range Extender System (CLTC pure electric over 400 km, total over 1,600 km, fuel consumption 6.27L/100km), Yunyun intelligent chassis (rear-wheel steering, dual-chamber air suspension, 4.85-meter turning radius), YQ Smart Cockpit (Smart Surface magic screen, dynamic zero-gravity seats, gentle breeze air conditioning), and Yunyun intelligent assisted driving (world’s first to adopt Momenta R7 reinforcement learning world model), among nine major black technologies.

This marks SAIC’s official transition from a stage of technological reserve to a new phase of market-ready blockbuster models on a large scale.

In the passenger vehicle sector, the dual brands Roewe and MG are accelerating simultaneously. 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Roewe brand, and on April 21, the company will launch a new AI-native high-end product series, crossing from being an internet car pioneer to an AI car innovator. The new Roewe i6 targets the A+ fuel sedan market, with core advantages of “largest space in its class, strongest power in its class, and most intelligent cockpit in its class,” precisely matching mainstream family car needs. MG focuses on young consumers in the 100,000–200,000 yuan range; its first pure electric SUV, MG 4X, will see its semi-solid-state battery moved from top-tier to standard entry-level configuration. The MG 07, built on a new generation of new energy platform, aims to become “the first personalized coupe for young people under 200,000 yuan.”

On March 23, SAIC and HarmonyOS Zhixing jointly launched the Shangjie Z7 and Z7T, with pre-sale prices ranging from 229,800 to 239,800 yuan, directly entering the red ocean of 200,000-yuan-level new energy sedans. Within three hours of launch, pre-orders exceeded 18,000 units. As final prices and configuration details are announced, market performance is highly anticipated.

The joint venture segment is also gearing up. SAIC Audi will continue to improve its electric product lineup, planning to debut the Audi E7X at the Beijing Auto Show to deepen its luxury electric layout. Several major models, including SAIC Volkswagen ID. ERA 9X, SAIC GM Wuling Zhijing E7, and Cadillac Kewid, will accelerate their launch in 2026 to meet diverse user needs.

Upholding the user-centric philosophy, transforming from an automaker to a tech enterprise

A series of intelligent electric new products are being launched intensively, sending a clear signal: SAIC Group is accelerating its transformation from a traditional automaker to a technology-based enterprise defining smart electric vehicles with “smart brains, strong bodies, and powerful hearts.” Supported by core technological innovation, SAIC is rapidly building distinctive technological labels and solid market barriers. The core of all reforms is one principle: centered on the user.

Since the second half of 2025, SAIC’s “understand cars, understand you better” value proposition has been fully implemented. SAIC Maxus completed a brand and logo refresh, establishing the positioning of “a partner brand with technology and warmth,” officially entering a new era of user value for new energy commercial vehicles; SAIC GM Wuling celebrated its 40th anniversary, held a tribute to the fighters, and launched the “Fighter Special Program,” resonating with the national brand’s journey of struggle and user engagement.

On the product side, SAIC continuously optimizes configurations around user needs. MG4 features 360° full sun protection, gentle makeup mirror, and other thoughtful features; Shangjie H5 offers leading interior space and 31 storage options, precisely addressing daily driving pain points. In channels and services, the company uses new models like pop-up stores to bring services closer to consumer scenarios, offers lifetime warranty policies on key components for multiple models, and establishes efficient user feedback mechanisms to drive continuous product iteration and upgrade.

The “understand cars, understand you better” philosophy is also reflected in user services. During this year’s traditional off-season of the car market during Spring Festival, SAIC partnered with over ten brands and more than 5,000 dealerships nationwide to launch two major activities: “Revamp Your Drive Now—SAIC 2026 Spring Festival Joyful Shopping” and “Warmth Delivery—SAIC 2026 Spring Festival Heartfelt Care,” providing high-quality services and practical policies across the entire vehicle lifecycle, effectively activating market demand and injecting strong momentum into the start of the year’s performance.

Steady sales growth demonstrates the effectiveness of transformation and high-quality development

Deep integration of technological innovation and user needs has driven SAIC’s entire brand and product matrix to focus efforts and translate into impressive market results. Since 2026, SAIC’s sales have continued to rise, with a total of 597,000 vehicles sold in January–February, a 6.8% year-on-year increase, maintaining industry-leading momentum after a strong start in January.

Notably, independent brands are growing strongly, with SAIC passenger car sales up 44.8% year-on-year in January–February, and IM Motors up 69.4%. Joint venture brands are also recovering significantly, with SAIC GM Wuling’s sales up 9.4% year-on-year in the same period, reflecting ongoing optimization of the overall business structure.

The core driver of SAIC’s steady growth is its transformation from a traditional automaker to a tech-driven mobility service provider focused on user experience. By centering on users and supporting with technology, SAIC has achieved dual breakthroughs in product definition and service experience. User needs drive technological implementation, and technological innovation enhances user experience. SAIC integrates “user-centered” into its entire operational system, forming a complete business cycle from R&D to market success.

In 2026, SAIC Group will continue to lead reforms, supported by technology, with the user at the core and products as the carrier, completing a profound transformation into a tech mobility service provider. It aims to achieve comprehensive brand, technological, and market advancement, while expanding globally through full-industry-chain overseas deployment and cultivating new productive forces, setting an industry benchmark for traditional Chinese automakers’ transformation and upgrading.

Original Title: “Deepening reform to forge new prospects, leading in intelligent electric innovation, and embarking on a new journey—SAIC Group advances toward high-quality development centered on users”

Chief Editor: Li Ji Text Editor: Kan Jingya

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Source: Author: Zhou Kan