Entering the traditional peak season of “Golden March and Silver April,” China’s NEV SUV market showed a marked recovery in March compared with February. This is reflected in the fact that even the lowest-ranked model in the top 10 recorded sales exceeding 12,000 units. By comparison, the last-place model in February, BYD Yuan UP, sold only 5,235 units. At the same time, most models in the ranking posted significant month-on-month gains, with some exceeding 100%, signaling a strong recovery momentum. Which models made the top 10 in March? Let’s take a closer look. No. 1 Tesla Model Y: 39,827 units In March, the Tesla Model Y sold 39,827 units, down about 17.3% year-on-year but up roughly 57.5% month-on-month, maintaining its top position. This may be linked to Tesla’s quarterly delivery rhythm, where exports are prioritized early in the quarter before shifting focus back to the domestic market. A similar fluctuation was observed between December 2024 and February 2025. Model Y Supported by low-interest financing and brand strength, the Model Y continues to hold strong influence in China. However, Tesla appears to have no immediate plans to expand into lower price segments. In March, Tesla China responded to rumors that a lower-priced Tesla Model 3 variant would be introduced locally, stating there are “no such plans” and that the Shanghai factory will continue focusing on Model 3 and Model Y production and deliveries. This suggests Tesla has no near-term strategy targeting the low-end market, with attention likely shifting to the rollout of FSD in China in the second quarter. No. 2 Li Auto i6: 24,198 units The Li Auto i6 recorded 24,198 units in March, up about 51.1% month-on-month, rising from third place in February to second, becoming the top-selling pure electric SUV after the Model Y. Across the brand, Li Auto delivered 41,053 vehicles in March, with the i6 accounting for nearly 60% of total volume—around three times that of the extended-range Li Auto L6. Li Auto i6 The model has also been at the center of a public dispute with Dongfeng Nissan NX8. Over the past 48 hours, Li Auto CEO Li Xiang publicly accused a “Japanese brand” of orchestrating online attacks, stating he would “no longer tolerate it.” Dongfeng Nissan’s NEV brand head Wang Qian responded via an official account, expressing respect for all industry participants, including Li Auto. Such competition underscores both the i6’s market impact and the pressure it faces. The key question remains whether it can sustain this growth trajectory. No. 3 BYD Yuan UP: 21,538 units BYD Yuan UP sold 21,538 units in March, up 311.4% month-on-month and 25.3% year-on-year, climbing from 10th place in February to third. BYD introduced a RMB 5,000 ($732) trade-in subsidy, lowering the starting price to RMB 69,800 ($10,216), which helped boost sales. BYD Yuan UP Overseas, the Yuan UP DM-i became the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Italy in March, with 2,848 units sold. With 90 km pure electric range and 1,000 km combined range, it is emerging as a key export model. Looking ahead, a refreshed Yuan UP featuring BYD’s second-generation Blade battery, megawatt flash charging 2.0, and optional LiDAR could further reshape the compact SUV segment. No. 4 BYD Sealion 06: 18,237 units BYD Sealion 06 recorded 18,237 units in March, up about 190% month-on-month and climbing four positions, though still below its peak of 30,000 units at launch. Of this, the pure electric version accounted for 13,584 units, while the plug-in hybrid contributed 4,653 units, with BEVs making up over 70%. BYD Sealion 06 New variants introduced in March, featuring second-generation Blade batteries and high-voltage fast charging, likely supported BEV sales. BYD is expected to strengthen the PHEV lineup with a flash-charging variant. However, competition from the Dynasty series Song Ultra may dilute its target audience. No. 5 Deepal S05: 16,881 units The Deepal S05 posted 16,881 units in March, up 184.5% month-on-month and 136.7% year-on-year, making it the only model in the ranking with both metrics exceeding 130%. Deepal S05 Notably, this marks the model’s highest monthly sales since launch. Like the Sea Lion 06, it offers dual powertrains, with BEVs dominating (13,137 units) versus extended-range variants (932 units). According to early April data, global sales reached 17,586 units, implying 705 units were sold overseas. However, intensifying competition in the compact SUV segment—from models such as AION i60, Leapmotor C10, and BYD Song Pro—remains a key challenge. No. 6 NIO ES8: 16,255 units NIO ES8 sold 16,255 units in March, up 44.3% month-on-month and nearly 30 times higher than the same period last year. While still below its December peak, the ES8 remains the top performer in the large SUV segment. NIO ES8 In early April, the third-generation ES8 delivered its 90,000th unit, achieving this milestone in under 200 days—an uncommon feat in the three-row SUV category. NIO plans to further expand its large SUV lineup, with the upcoming ES9 and a five-seat ES8 variant expected in July. No. 7 BYD Fangchengbao Tai 7: 14,187 units The Fangchengbao Tai 7 sold 14,187 units in March, up 21.3% month-on-month. Despite growth, its ranking fell from fourth to seventh due to stronger gains by competitors. BYD Fangchengbao Tai 7 The Tai 7 now accounts for about 67.1% of Fangchengbao’s total sales, making it the brand’s core volume driver. On March 13, a flash-charging version was unveiled with a pre-sale price of RMB 220,000–250,000 ($32,201–$36,593), featuring a second-generation Blade battery and megawatt charging 2.0, with a CLTC range of 755 km. Launch is expected in April. The brand also indicated strong demand for a pure electric version, which could further boost sales. No. 8 BYD Song Pro NEV: 14,043 units BYD Song Pro NEV sold 14,043 units in March, up 51% month-on-month but down 32.6% year-on-year. After peaking in December, sales declined sharply in January before gradually recovering. BYD Song Pro NEV Without major product updates, BYD maintained low-interest financing (starting down payment RMB 39,800, $5,826) and offered up to RMB 19,599 ($2,869) in incentives to stimulate demand. No. 9 Xiaomi YU7: 13,558 units The Xiaomi YU7 recorded 13,558 units in March, down 32.8% month-on-month, making it the only model in the top 10 to decline. To maintain competitiveness, April purchase incentives continue to include features such as a zero-gravity passenger seat, powered frunk, and Nappa leather, along with a RMB 6,000 ($878) insurance subsidy. Xiaomi YU7 Market attention is increasingly focused on a lower-priced YU7 variant. A newly filed version with reduced battery capacity appeared in April regulatory listings, with unchanged core specifications, suggesting potential pricing adjustments. No. 10 Changan Nevo Q05: 12,568 units The Changan Nevo Q05 sold 12,568 units in March, up 226.2% month-on-month, marking a record high since launch. Changan Nevo Q05 Previously averaging below 5,000 units, the model gained traction through incentives of up to RMB 10,000 ($1,463), lowering the starting price to RMB 69,900 ($10,234), while featuring CATL battery cells as standard. Higher trims also include a Hesai LiDAR and a Horizon Journey J6M chip with 128 TOPS computing power, supporting highway navigation assistance. Although not a rebadged Deepal S05, aggressive pricing strategies have reduced the ownership threshold to below RMB 70,000 ($10,246), contributing significantly to its improved sales performance.