Evaluation of the Sustainability of Buick's New Energy MPV Sales Growth and GM's Electrification Transformation

According to the latest data, Buick’s MPV family achieved sales of

in 2025, of which new energy MPVs accounted for , a significant year-on-year increase of , with cumulative new energy MPV sales exceeding in 18 months [1]. Specifically:

• GL8 Lu Shang PHEV
  : Sales exceeded
  50,000 units
  within half a year of launch (announced on November 17) [1]
• GL8 Plug-in Hybrid Version
  : Sales surged by
  152.5%
  year-on-year [3]
• Market Position
  : Buick GL8 ranked
  fifth
  in the MPV sales list from January to November 2025 [2]

• New energy MPV penetration rate jumped from
  9%
  in 2022 to
  49%
  in 2025 [2][3]
• Plug-in hybrid models accounted for
  42.8%
  of new energy MPVs, up
  35%
  year-on-year [3]
• The MPV market shows trends of “larger size, higher price, and energy transition” [2]

• Adopted a dual-line strategy of “fuel + plug-in hybrid” to accurately match market transformation needs
• Models such as GL8 Avenir PHEV and GL8 Lu Shang filled the gap of joint venture brand new energy MPVs
• Addressing the pain point of high fuel consumption of traditional MPVs, plug-in hybrid models significantly reduced usage costs

Factor	Specific Performance
Market Transformation Window Period	New energy MPV penetration rate is rising rapidly, and the market is in a period of structural change [2]
Accelerated Product Iteration	The “Xiaoyao” architecture supports rapid iteration in 12-18 months, significantly improving product response speed [2]
Brand Awareness Advantage	GL8 has deeply cultivated the MPV market for 26 years, with a solid user base and word-of-mouth accumulation [2]
Strong Policy Adaptability	The plug-in hybrid route meets both green license plate policies and users’ range anxiety needs

• Intensified Competitive Pressure
  : Among the top 10 MPV sales in 2025, independent brands accounted for six seats, with Denza D9 (84,500 units) and Voyah Dreamer (73,200 units) ranking high [2][3]
• Limited Market Space
  : The MPV market is expected to sell about 1 million units in 2025, with sluggish scale growth (only a slight 0.1% year-on-year increase) [3]
• Product Strength Competition
  : Independent brands continue to exert pressure with advantages such as intelligence and long range (Voyah Dreamer’s 350km pure electric range, Xpeng X9 extended-range version’s 452km) [2]
• Price War Pressure
  : The high-end MPV market above 400,000 yuan is highly competitive, with Denza D9 and Voyah Dreamer taking turns as monthly sales champions [3]

Buick’s new energy MPV , mainly due to:

1. Base Effect
   : The high growth rate is built on a low base; as the base expands, the growth rate will inevitably slow down
2. Market Saturation
   : The overall MPV market scale growth is stagnant, entering the stage of stock competition
3. Intensified Competition
   : Independent brands continue to increase their market share with technological and cost advantages (independent MPV sales reached 628,000 units, up 0.7% year-on-year) [2]

: Buick’s new energy MPV sales will shift from explosive growth to , with the growth rate expected to drop to the range in 2026, but still higher than the industry average.

---

• Ultium Platform
  : GM’s core global electrification technology platform [4]
• “Xiaoyao” Super Fusion Architecture
  : Launched in April 2025, supporting three technical routes (pure electric, plug-in hybrid, extended-range), shortening product iteration speed to
  12-18 months
  [2]
• “Zhenlong” Plug-in Hybrid System
  : Applied to models such as GL8 Lu Shang, equipped with Zhengli New Energy aviation-grade batteries [1]

• New New Energy Sub-brand “Zhijing”
  : Undertakes the mission of brand electrification and intelligence transformation [2]
• Product Matrix Layout
  :
  • Zhijing L7 (sedan, launched in September 2025)
  • Zhijing Shijia (MPV, premiered at Guangzhou Auto Show, starting at 439,900 yuan)
  • Zhijing SUV (planned to be launched in 2026) [2]

• Buick’s MPV new energy penetration rate exceeds
  50%
  , significantly leading the average level of joint venture brands
• The “Xiaoyao” architecture realizes modular development, and cost and efficiency advantages are gradually emerging
• Zhijing Shijia is equipped with “Xiaoyao Smart Driving” high-level assisted driving, and its intelligence level has been significantly improved

• Overall Market Share Pressure
  : SAIC-GM sold 73,058 units in December 2024, although it grew for six consecutive months, the annual cumulative sales were 673,007 units, facing great competitive pressure [5]
• Lagging Pure Electric Layout
  : The pure electric version of Zhijing Shijia is expected to be released only in the first half of 2026, lagging behind the pace of independent brands
• Brand Awareness Transformation
  : It still takes time to shift from a fuel vehicle strong brand to a new energy brand image

• Disadvantages
  : Intelligence level, three-electric technology accumulation, supply chain cost control
• Advantages
  : Brand awareness, manufacturing technology, global experience, understanding of consumer behavior [2]

• Leading Points
  : Early layout of plug-in hybrid routes, faster GL8 new energy transformation speed than competitors such as Toyota Sienna
• Catching-up Points
  : The launch rhythm of pure electric products still needs to be accelerated

Evaluation Dimension	Score	Key Basis
Technical Reserve	★★★☆☆	Ultium platform + Xiaoyao architecture, but pure electric technology landing is slower than the rhythm of the Chinese market
Product Strategy	★★★★☆	Plug-in hybrid route accurately fits the transitional needs of the Chinese market, and the new energy MPV transformation effect is significant
Market Response	★★★☆☆	Product iteration speed increased to 12-18 months, but still needs to be further accelerated
Brand Transformation	★★★☆☆	“Zhijing” sub-brand released, but the brand awareness shift from fuel to new energy still takes time
Competitive Positioning	★★★☆☆	Leading in the joint venture camp, but still in a defensive position against the technical advantages of independent brands

---

• Short-term (2026)
  : Growth rate drops to 20-30%, entering the stable growth stage
• Mid-term (2027-2028)
  : With the launch of new products such as the pure electric version of Zhijing Shijia, it is expected to return to a growth rate of over 30%
• Long-term
  : Maintain the leading position among joint venture brands in the MPV segment, but it is difficult to shake the top position of independent brands such as Denza D9 and Voyah Dreamer

• Rhythm Control
  : Need to balance global strategy and differentiated needs of the Chinese market, accelerate localized R&D and decision-making efficiency
• Technological Breakthrough
  : Narrow the gap with independent brands in intelligence and three-electric technology
• Brand Reshaping
  : Accelerate the brand image transformation from “fuel vehicle强者” to “new energy innovator”
• Supply Chain Optimization
  : Deepen cooperation with Chinese local suppliers to reduce costs

• Buick’s MPV new energy transformation effect is significant, proving that GM’s electrification strategy in the Chinese market is feasible
• The modularity and rapid iteration capability of the “Xiaoyao” architecture lay a foundation for subsequent product line expansion
• The plug-in hybrid route accurately fits the transitional needs of the Chinese market

• Overall market share is under pressure; SAIC-GM’s sales show signs of recovery but still face fierce competition
• Lagging pure electric product layout may miss market opportunities
• Long-term competitive pressure brought by the rapid iteration of independent brands’ technology

: GM’s electrification transformation in the Chinese market has seen , but it still needs of continuous investment and product verification to achieve strategic success. Buick’s new energy MPV’s high growth rate , but the transformation direction is correct, laying a good foundation for subsequent development.

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[1] Sina Finance - Buick MPV family sales exceeded 120,000 units in 2025, new energy increased by 152% year-on-year (https://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/t/2026-01-01/doc-inheumpv3144487.shtml)

[2] Guancha.cn - 2025 independent brands topped the high-end MPV list, how do Buick and others respond? (https://user.guancha.cn/main/content?id=1574632)

[3] Huxiu - Two new forces enter, MPV market is changing (https://www.huxiu.com/article/4822410.html)

[4] Jinling AI Data - Product layout information based on Ultium platform and “Xiaoyao” architecture

[5] Gasgoo - China’s auto industry production and sales data (https://auto.gasgoo.com/newsflash/flashnews/11)