What moved the needle in the EV market this week?
After three and a half years in the making, Lei Jun officially unveils Xiaomi EV’s second product line
On July 9, Xiaomi EV officially pulled the cover off its second product line — the “SkyNomad.”
This “intelligent, transformable large-space SUV” — crafted over three and a half years on the new “Xiaomi Kunlun Architecture” — has finally emerged from the rumor mill.
Image source: Xiaomi EV
The SkyNomad isn’t targeting stereotypical “soccer moms and dads,” nor is it aimed solely at “business elites” or “geeks.” Lei Jun defines the target customer as “those who live with clarity and richness.”
Having won over “drivers” with the SU7/YU7’s extreme performance and tech appeal, the SkyNomad series sets its sights on broader multi-passenger travel and diverse lifestyle scenarios — offering expansive space and intelligent adaptability.
Industry sources suggest the vehicle will measure between 5.2 and 5.3 meters in length, placing it in direct competition with the large SUV camp occupied by the Li Auto L9 and AITO M9.
The SkyNomad launch isn’t just a critical step toward Xiaomi EV’s 2026 delivery goal of 550,000 units; it’s a strategic maneuver to break out of the “Mi Fan” bubble and capture the attention of mainstream families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Gasgoo Take: To shift its narrative from “fun to drive” to “practical and useful,” the SkyNomad still needs to prove its product prowess.
Li Auto’s “9 Series” flagship family gains a heavyweight: i9 set for September reveal
On July 9, Gasgoo learned that Li Auto CEO Li Xiang officially announced a heavyweight addition to the company’s “9 Series” flagship SUV family: the Li Auto i9. He confirmed that the new model will make its public debut in September.
Notably, the i9 will feature an exclusive “Home” badge on its rear and launch in a “Home” edition. It marks only the second Li Auto model to carry the “Home” designation, following the MEGA.
The previous MEGA Home family edition centered on second-row zero-gravity swivel seats, supporting 45-degree easy entry, a 90-degree camping mode, and a 180-degree parent-child facing mode — transforming the cabin into a flexible, mobile living space.
As the flagship of Li Auto’s pure-electric portfolio, the i9 further diversifies the brand’s product lineup. Li Auto now runs a dual-track strategy with the L series (range-extended) and the i series (pure electric), and the i9 adds another premium option for high-end families.
Gasgoo Take: The i9 fills a crucial gap in Li Auto’s pure-electric premium SUV lineup. Yet, with the high-end EV market already a red ocean, whether the i9 can gain traction will become clear in September.
Voyah “Everest” renamed Dreamer 9, entering the 500,000-yuan MPV segment
Gasgoo, July 8 — Voyah officially announced that its new flagship MPV, internally codenamed “Everest,” has been named the Voyah Dreamer 9. Slated for launch in the second half of the year, the vehicle is positioned in the high-end MPV segment around the 500,000-yuan price point.
The company has tagged the model with a “9-Series Smart Prestige” positioning. The number 9 signifies its top-tier flagship status, “Smart” highlights cutting-edge tech like Level 3 autonomous driving, and “Prestige” denotes cabin luxury and high-end travel — three pillars that define the vehicle’s core logic.
Image source: Voyah
According to the brand’s roadmap revealed earlier this year, the Dreamer 9 targets the 500,000-yuan smart-luxury MPV segment. It is the world’s first MPV natively built on an L3 autonomous driving architecture and debuts 12 exclusive cutting-edge technologies, with intelligent features serving as the key differentiator. R&D will focus on autonomous driving, human-machine interaction, and cabin comfort — aiming to deliver a high-emotional-value experience that sets it apart from rivals.
Gasgoo Take: Building brand premium in the 500,000-yuan class takes time. The rollout pace and real-world performance of its L3 system will be critical to gaining a foothold.
Leapmotor lands in Mexico, marking official entry into North America
Gasgoo learned that on July 6, Leapmotor announced its official entry into Mexico, kicking off its North American expansion. Its first model, the Leapmotor B10, has completed local certification and deliveries have begun. Consumers can now experience and purchase the vehicle at over 40 authorized outlets nationwide.
Before entering Mexico, the B10 underwent over a year of localization adaptation and verification at Stellantis’ local engineering and testing center. The vehicle was specifically tuned for Mexico’s diverse terrain and climate — from plateaus and deserts to rainforests — and passed all regulatory certifications. The Leapmotor C10 and C16 are set to follow, addressing more niche needs like family travel.
Leapmotor is leveraging Stellantis’ established resources in Mexico for its channel and service infrastructure. The sales network already covers over 40 authorized outlets, with plans to expand into second- and third-tier cities. After-sales support will be provided by Mopar, which brings over 85 years of industry experience.
Gasgoo Take: Leapmotor’s asset-light entry into Mexico via the Stellantis ecosystem is a textbook example of the “Chinese Tech + Global Channels” export model.
Chery Group’s H1 2026 NEV sales hit 475,238 units
Gasgoo learned that Chery Group recently released its NEV sales data for the first half of 2026. From January to June, the group sold 475,238 new energy vehicles, a 32.3% year-on-year increase. June sales alone hit 113,583 units, surging 58.7% annually. This marks the third consecutive month that Chery’s monthly NEV sales have exceeded 100,000 units, and the third straight month its wholesale volume ranked among the top three in the industry.
In the first half, new energy vehicles accounted for over 90% of Chery’s new launches, forming a comprehensive matrix spanning the 50,000 to 500,000 yuan price range. The new QQ3 has sold over 10,000 units for three straight months; the iCAR V27 leads the 200,000-yuan extended-range SUV segment in monthly sales; the Luxeed V9 secured over 18,000 firm orders within 21 days of launch; the Exeed EX7 targets the performance luxury market; and the Zongheng G700 has gained traction in overseas premium markets.
Image source: Chery Group
On the export front, Chery Group’s overseas NEV shipments jumped 164.9% in the first half. From January to May, the company sold 68,949 new energy vehicles in Europe — a staggering 458.62% increase. In Europe, one out of every two Chery vehicles sold is now a new energy model.
Gasgoo Take: Chery’s high export growth and penetration rates prove its globalization strategy is shifting from “exporting volume” to “exporting value.”
