Recently, a weekly sales ranking for full-size hybrid SUVs has attracted considerable attention. The four models on the list are all flagship models bearing the "9" designation from their respective brands. As more new models enter the market, competition in this high-end segment is becoming increasingly fierce.
Veterans Hold the Fort, Newcomers Break Through
Overall, the established players continue to firmly maintain their market positions, making it difficult for newcomers to overtake them.
The Aito M9 retained the top spot with weekly sales of 2,700 units. Since April last year, the Aito M9 has consistently been the leader in the large SUV market.
The success of the Aito M9 stems from multiple advantages. Among them, Huawei's backing is crucial—its technological strength and brand influence give consumers greater confidence in the Aito M9.
From the user's perspective, Aito has precisely grasped the consumption migration trends of the new middle class. The M9's product positioning is precise, targeting high-end new energy market users who pursue a sense of technology and luxury, perfectly aligning with current consumers' intrinsic demands for intelligence and high quality.
The Li Auto L9 secured second place with weekly sales of 1,600 units. As the leading model of the "9" series, the L9 launched in 2022 is positioned as a "family smart flagship SUV." With its six-seat configuration, full-scenario smart cabin, and range-extender technology, the L9 has become Li Auto's sales mainstay. It has repeatedly achieved monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units, and the market has highly praised the L9's "family car" positioning.
The Lynk & Co 900, having just launched, reached 1,300 units in sales, ranking third. Its market buzz had already shown signs: during the pre-sale period from March 25 to April 23, orders exceeded 40,000 units, and just one hour after the official price was announced, firm orders surpassed 10,000 units.
Building on the high safety and excellent handling genes inherited from the Lynk & Co 09 (SPA architecture), the Lynk & Co 900 reinforced the comfort and convenience attributes of the "fridge, TV, and big sofa."
The Lynk & Co 900's "big sofa" has achieved a significant upgrade. The second-row seats can flexibly rotate 180 degrees or 90 degrees, and combined with a door opening angle of nearly 90° and electric pop-up footrests, convenience has been greatly enhanced. The third-row seats are fully equipped, completely shaking off the reputation of being a "useless gimmick."
The "split tailgate" design is truly a stroke of genius. Its upper and lower split tailgate cleverly solves the problem of opening and closing in tight spaces. In specific usage scenarios such as road trips and camping, it can transform into a viewing platform and work surface, bringing users unique emotional value. It should be noted that such a configuration previously appeared mostly on million-yuan luxury cars like the BMW X5 and Range Rover, while the Lynk & Co 900 offers it at just the 300,000-yuan level, demonstrating great sincerity.
Firm order data shows that nearly 80% of Lynk & Co 900 orders are concentrated in the Ultra version (1.5T/2.0T).
The Denza N9 ranked fourth with weekly sales of 600 units, a performance that surprised many observers—its April sales had reached as high as 5,018 units, ranking second in the segment. Whether this is a short-term market fluctuation or the beginning of sustained challenges remains difficult to determine.
The Denza brand has indeed encountered many setbacks on its journey to crack the high-end market (such as the N7 and Z9 models falling short of market expectations). However, it is undeniable that the N9, as the flagship model, has demonstrated differentiated competitiveness: the "e-Three-Body" technology platform enables rear-wheel steering with an ultra-small turning radius of 4.65 meters; the "God's Eye" advanced driver assistance system supports mapless urban navigation; and the "Yunian-A" dual-chamber air suspension balances handling and comfort. A solid technical reputation may provide strong support for future sales.
From an industry perspective, the large hybrid SUV segment is currently still dominated by range-extender models (such as the Li Auto L9 and Aito M9), but the plug-in hybrid Lynk & Co 900 has risen rapidly with impressive pre-sale orders exceeding 40,000, fully demonstrating that the plug-in hybrid technology route still has room for growth. The Denza N9, as a plug-in hybrid flagship with strong product capabilities, is expected to gain a larger market share in this segment.
Prices Drop, Battle Escalates
Overall, these four "9" flagship models exhibit intriguing commonalities.
First, in terms of powertrain, these "9" models primarily promote plug-in hybrid and range-extender technologies to avoid pure electric range anxiety issues. In terms of pricing, they collectively push into luxury territory, all breaking through the 300,000-yuan threshold, targeting the core market of traditional luxury brands.
In the technology realm, intelligence (covering advanced driver assistance and smart cabins), scenario-based design (manifested as multifunctional spaces), and safety (including ultra-rigid bodies and active/passive safety) have become the key cornerstones of flagship model competition. This phenomenon not only confirms the trend of the new energy market upgrading toward high-end and family-oriented development, but also reveals the direction of concentrated technological efforts at present.
While the top four battle it out in the 350,000-500,000 yuan range, the flames are spreading downward, with new "9" players entering the fray with differentiated strategies.
The Deepal S09, with a pricing strategy starting at 239,900 yuan (204,900 yuan after subsidies), precisely targets the mainstream market where core competitors such as the BYD Tang L, Li Auto L6, Aito M7, and Wey Blue Mountain compete, aiming to attract consumers with limited budgets but a desire for experiences beyond their class.
The debut of the Geely Galaxy M9 was highly topical. Its naming strategy, highly similar to the Aito M9, has been seen in the industry as "leveraging momentum to break out." Although the official price has not yet been announced, external estimates suggest its price will likely not exceed the guide price of its "big brother" Lynk & Co 900, and may fall in the 200,000-300,000 yuan range.
Another highly anticipated new car, the Onvo L90, has clearly positioned itself as a "large family space flagship SUV," with plans for an official launch in the third quarter of this year. Among the "9" vehicle lineup, as an emerging force in the pure electric sector, its core ace is NIO's battery swap system. Whether it can effectively solve the range anxiety commonly experienced by large pure electric SUV users will undoubtedly be the key to successfully opening up the market.
Final Thoughts:
The "9" models have already become the most prominent symbol of Chinese brands competing in the high-end large SUV market. The Aito M9, with Huawei's empowerment, seized the early advantage; the Li Auto L9 firmly solidified its base of family users; the Lynk & Co 900 stormed into the battle with unique design and high cost-effectiveness; and the Denza N9 urgently needs to demonstrate its sustained competitiveness. Meanwhile, the Deepal S09 and Geely Galaxy M9 are pushing prices downward, and pure electric newcomers like the Onvo L90 are joining in, continuously expanding the boundaries of this competition. Price wars and technology wars are intertwined, and the competitive landscape is becoming increasingly fierce, gradually reaching a white-hot stage.
This "9" melee is far from over. Can the veterans successfully defend their turf? Can the newcomers catch up from behind? Can the pure electric contenders grab a share? The market landscape is still undergoing dramatic evolution.
The only certainty is that for consumers, this "War of the 9s" among high-end SUVs means unprecedented choice and intense competition. Who will ultimately have the last laugh in this flagship battle—only time and the market can provide the answer.
