Gasgoo Munich- SAIC Motor reported its first-quarter 2026 results on April 29, posting a steady start to the year despite softer auto demand and rising input costs. The Chinese automaker said its performance reflected resilience amid a challenging market environment.Image source: SAIC MotorBetween January and March, SAIC Motor recorded wholesale vehicle sales of 973,000 units, up 3% year-on-year. Revenue reached 138.52 billion yuan, marking a 0.61% year-on-year increase, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose marginally by 0.09% from a year earlier to 3.03 billion yuan.A standout figure was operating cash flow, which surged to 31.99 billion yuan, up 699.67% compared with a year earlier, pointing to significantly improved cash management. Despite ongoing pressure on both supply and demand, the company credited structural reforms, efficiency improvements, and a stronger focus on innovation for stabilizing operations and maintaining incremental growth.SAIC Motor's self-owned brands played a central role in driving growth. Sales of SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle jumped 40.4% year-on-year in the first quarter, while IM Motors nearly doubled its sales with a 96.9% increase over the same period in 2025. SAIC MAXUS also maintained momentum, posting a 14.3% year-on-year gain.New energy vehicles continued to anchor this expansion. The MG4 achieved monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units within six months of launch. Meanwhile, the IM LS8 secured more than 8,000 units of orders within its first hour on the market, and the SAIC Z7 accumulated 12,000 units of firm orders in just 27 minutes, highlighting strong consumer demand for SAIC's latest EV offerings.Global markets also emerged as a key growth pillar. SAIC Motor sold 325,000 vehicles overseas during the quarter, representing a 48.3% year-on-year surge. Within that total, Europe sales reached 90,000 units, up 20% from the same period last year.At the Auto China 2026, which opened on April 24, SAIC Motor presented an expansive portfolio under the theme "More than cars, we understand you." The group showcased over 100 vehicles across more than 10 brands, including more than 10 global debuts.Among the highlights were the Roewe Jiayue 07 concept, the 2026 MG4, IM LS8, SAIC Z7, SAIC Volkswagen ID. ERA 9X, Audi E7X, Buick Electra L7 from SAIC-GM, the Wuling Huajing S, and the Wuling Xingguang L—signaling the company's continued push into intelligent and electrified mobility.