Geely's Xingyuan electric hatchback has surged to become China's best-selling EV, outselling rivals like Tesla's Model Y and BYD's Seagull. Launched in October 2024, the affordable model has sold over half a million units in just 14 months. Its combination of value, features, and performance is driving its rapid success in the world's largest EV market.
Geely Auto, part of the Geely Group that also owns Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr, introduced the Xingyuan small electric hatchback in China last October. In a remarkably short time, it has become one of the country's top-selling electric vehicles. During the first half of the year, it dethroned the BYD Seagull and Tesla Model Y with over 200,000 units sold. From January to November, sales reached nearly 430,000 units, surpassing any other EV in China.
The Xingyuan's appeal lies in its strong value proposition. Priced from about $9,700 (68,800 yuan) to $12,340 for the top version, it matches the affordability of the Seagull while offering superior features. Built on Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture-Entry (SEA-E) platform, it provides two CATL lithium-iron-phosphate battery options: a 30 kWh pack for 310 kilometers (192 miles) of range and a 40 kWh pack for 410 kilometers (254 miles) under China's CLTC testing cycle. Real-world range may be lower, but China's extensive charging infrastructure—over 16 million connectors, with two chargers per five cars—mitigates range anxiety for EV owners.
Standing out from competitors, the Xingyuan features rear-wheel drive and independent rear suspension, providing a more refined ride than the front-wheel-drive Seagull's torsion-beam setup. It includes the Flyme Auto smart cockpit with a 14.1-inch infotainment display and an 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster. Cargo space is generous at 375 liters in the boot plus a 70-liter frunk, exceeding even the Volkswagen Golf.
Some compromises exist, such as the lack of rear wipers, automatic wipers, or automatic air conditioning. However, these do not detract from its overall package, as evidenced by sales. In the first three quarters of the year, it ranked as the world's third best-selling EV behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, per AutoVista24. If momentum holds, it could claim China's top spot and challenge for second globally amid a projected U.S. EV sales slowdown.
