On May 28, 2026, SAIC held a "Global 100 Millionth User Vehicle Handover Ceremony" at the North Bund in Shanghai. Over a dozen brands under its umbrella and 19 car models handed over vehicles in relay from domestic to overseas markets. SAIC has become the first automotive group in China to exceed 100 million cumulative production and sales, making history in China's automotive industry.
From "Phoenix" to "IM", the history of Chinese automotive struggle behind 100 million vehicles
The story of SAIC begins in 1955, when it was called Shanghai Internal Combustion Engine Parts Manufacturing Company. In 1958, workers hammered out the first "Phoenix" sedan, and Shanghai finally could make sedans on its own. For more than 70 years, SAIC has witnessed China's automotive industry starting from zero and becoming increasingly strong: The Santana rolled off the assembly line in 1983, opening the joint venture era; Shanghai GM was established in 1997 and completed construction and production in just 23 months, known as the "Shanghai Speed"; The independent brand Roewe was launched in 2006; In 2016, the world's first Internet car Roewe RX5 was made; In 2020, the high-end smart electric brand IM was established.
Throughout this journey, SAIC has always adhered to a concept: "Knows cars better, understands you even better". Simply put, technology must be solid, but more importantly, users must enjoy driving and using it comfortably. From Santana localization to Joint Venture 2.0 technology cooperation, from Internet cars to full-by-wire chassis, solid-state batteries, and AI large models on board, every progress is to turn high technology into tangible driving experiences. 100 million vehicles are also 100 million units of user trust.
The 100 Millionth Vehicle is IM LS9 Hyper, combining over 70 years of SAIC technology
This IM LS9 Hyper is considered the culmination of SAIC technology, representing the arrival of the "New Three Major Components" era for new energy vehicles. It is equipped with next-generation chassis technology; full-by-wire four-wheel steering is the first in its class; in terms of intelligent driving, it features a 520-line LiDAR + NVIDIA Thor chip; the three-electric system uses a full-domain 800V high-voltage platform and Stellar Super Range Extender. It also reserves upgrade capability for L3+ advanced intelligent driving in advance. In addition, it debuts the "SAIC Gold Label Hurricane Three-Motor", easily entering the 3-second club for 0-100 km/h acceleration. Even better, in cooperation with Purple Mountain Laboratories, it globally debuted "Intrinsic Security" technology, extending safety from the physical level to information and system security, which is an essential guarantee for driving in the AI era.
The 100 Millionth user is Cao Xudong, CEO of Momenta, and Momenta happens to be SAIC's core partner in the intelligent driving field. The intelligent driving technology developed by both sides has been used in multiple brands of both independent and joint ventures. "Partners become car owners", this is not just about selling cars, but also deep resonance in the intelligent automotive ecosystem.
Behind 100 million vehicles is SAIC's full-brand, global hard power
SAIC has six major sectors: whole vehicles, parts, mobility services, finance, international operations, and innovation technology, forming a complete industrial chain. In the first four months of 2026, SAIC sold a cumulative 1.302 million units, ranking first among Chinese automakers for four consecutive months. Among them, independent brands sold 910,000 units, accounting for nearly 70%; new energy vehicles sold 412,000 units; overseas sales reached 459,000 units, a year-on-year surge of 50.2%.
At the vehicle handover ceremony, SAIC's independent and joint venture brands all participated. On the independent brand side: Shangjie Z7, Huajing S, Roewe M7, MG4 Semi-Solid State Battery Edition, Wuling Xingguang 560, Maxus eDeliver5, Hongyan Heavy Truck, Yuejin Dan T1, Sunwin Pure Electric Bus, Iveco Juxing EV, etc., covering scenarios such as personal mobility, home use, commercial use, logistics, etc. Joint venture brands also showcased the achievements of "Joint Venture 2.0": Volkswagen ID. ERA 9X globally debuted the Momenta R7 Reinforced Learning World Model, delivering over 7,000 units one month after launch; AUDI E7X plans to become the first model for L3-level autonomous driving landing globally for Audi; Buick Zhijing E7 is based on the "Xiao Yao" Super Fusion Architecture, delivering over 10,000 units one month after launch.
The ceremony held Shanghai as the main venue, with the relay extending to Nanjing, Liuzhou, Taiyuan, and places like the UK, Indonesia, Singapore, etc., creating a new way for Chinese automotive brands. Behind this is SAIC's foundation of multi-year global layout: Overseas have more than 100 parts production bases, more than 3,000 dealer networks, built 3 major R&D centers such as London, and 4 manufacturing bases in Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan; Anji Logistics has 42 Ro-Ro ships, 8 international routes covering Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Currently, SAIC's products and services are distributed in over 170 countries and regions, and cumulative overseas sales have exceeded 7 million units. MG has been the European sales champion of Chinese brands for 11 consecutive years; in 2025, it sold more than 300,000 units in Europe, becoming the first Chinese brand to exceed 1 million cumulative sales in Europe and the UK. In March this year, MG held a technology day in Frankfurt, Germany, globally debuting semi-solid-state batteries and Hybrid+ hybrid technology, and the Hybrid+ family's overseas monthly sales have exceeded 20,000. In 2025, SAIC released the overseas "Glocal Strategy" (Global + Local), shifting from "Product Going Overseas" to "Value Chain Going Overseas", letting "Made in China Intelligence" go further.
100 million vehicles is the answer sheet of the past, and even more so a new starting line
100 million vehicles is a stage achievement of SAIC's 70+ years of development, and also a new starting point for the "second entrepreneurship" towards the future of intelligent electrification. In 2014, SAIC actively responded to "Developing new energy vehicles is the only way for car countries to move towards powerful countries", taking the lead in comprehensive transformation. 12 years later today, from the "leading in the pack" in intelligent electric transformation, to "ten thousand horses galloping" in independent vs joint venture, passenger vs commercial, domestic vs overseas, SAIC will continue to adhere to the concept of "Knows cars better, understands you even better", letting technological innovation truly benefit every user.
From 1955 to 2026, from the first user to the 100 millionth user, from grope start to industry leadership — SAIC will continue to accompany global users and partners on this "billion-mile journey", creating a better future for mobility together.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
