In November, a number of new-force automakers continued to make their mark. Li Auto delivered 33,000 vehicles, while both NIO and Leapmotor surpassed 36,000 deliveries. AITO delivered over 50,000 vehicles, and notably, Leapmotor exceeded 70,000 deliveries.

Indeed, such stellar market performance has become the norm for new-force automakers. AITO has achieved over 50,000 sales for two consecutive months, and Leapmotor has exceeded 70,000 sales for the same duration. In October, both XPENG and NIO surpassed 40,000 deliveries. Li Auto's monthly sales exceeded 40,000 last year, and while it experienced a year-on-year decline in the latter half of this year, it still consistently surpasses 30,000 deliveries.

From another angle, the sales volume of leading new-force automakers is now on par with or even surpasses that of many joint-venture automakers. Official data reveals that in November this year, Dongfeng Nissan sold 64,243 vehicles; SAIC General Motors sold 53,373 vehicles; and Honda China, encompassing two joint-venture automakers, Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda, collectively sold only 50,840 vehicles. Kia sold 23,016 vehicles, while Beijing Hyundai's sales barely exceeded 20,000 vehicles.

In essence, Leapmotor's current monthly sales have outstripped those of Dongfeng Nissan and SAIC General Motors. AITO's sales are on par with the combined sales of Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda. XPENG, NIO, and Li Auto's sales have significantly surpassed those of joint-venture automakers such as Kia, Beijing Hyundai, and Dongfeng Honda.

Over the past few years, as competition in the Chinese auto market has intensified, it has also undergone a fresh round of adjustments.

On one hand, benefiting from the rapid development of intelligence and electrification, Chinese domestic automakers like BYD, Geely, Chery, and Changan have taken center stage and are becoming increasingly dominant. Currently, the sales volumes of Chinese domestic automakers have all surpassed those of first-tier joint-venture automakers. New-force automakers have also experienced rapid growth, with monthly sales successively crossing the 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, and even 70,000 vehicle thresholds.

On the other hand, under the impact of electrification, the market share of traditional fuel vehicles is shrinking, and market favorability is also on the decline. Key joint-venture models such as the Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Teana, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Buick Excelle, and Buick Verano have seen increasingly sluggish market performances.

Consequently, super first-tier brands like Toyota and Volkswagen have faced significant challenges in the Chinese market. Second- and third-tier brands are encountering even more difficult situations in China, with some even ceasing to disclose their sales data.

It can be argued that the sales volume of new-force automakers being on par with or even surpassing that of many joint-venture automakers is a result of the recent adjustments in the domestic auto market. Of course, this is a transient phenomenon.

In the past two years, joint-venture automakers have also been actively pursuing electrification.

Last June, Volkswagen Group inked a technical cooperation agreement with SAIC Motor. Under the agreement, the two parties will jointly develop three plug-in hybrid models and two pure electric models in China, expected to be launched in the market starting from 2026.

In March this year, China FAW Group and Volkswagen Group signed an agreement, jointly determining the future new model plans. Starting from 2026, the Volkswagen brand and the Jetta brand will introduce 11 new models tailored for the Chinese market, including 10 new energy models.

Earlier, Volkswagen forged a cooperation with Horizon Robotics on a full-scenario intelligent driving solution and with XPENG Motors on electronic and electrical architecture technology. These new technologies are slated for mass production and installation in vehicles in 2026.

Dongfeng Nissan has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Huawei. In the future, Dongfeng Nissan will incorporate Huawei's core technologies to enhance the vehicle's intelligent connectivity and human-machine interaction capabilities. Additionally, Dongfeng Nissan's collaborations with technology companies such as Momenta, iFLYTEK, and NVIDIA are ongoing.

Previously, Nissan Motor announced that it is currently accelerating its transition and layout towards electrification and intelligence to cater to the diverse needs of the Chinese market. By the 2026 fiscal year, Nissan Motor plans to launch eight new energy models specifically for the Chinese market. Among them, the Nissan brand will introduce five models. Currently, the Dongfeng Nissan N7 and N6 have been successively launched in the market, and the Nissan NX8 will also make its debut for domestic consumers next year.

Automakers such as SAIC-GM Buick and Changan Mazda have also developed new-generation electrified products utilizing the technologies of their domestic partners. Kia and Beijing Hyundai are also introducing electric vehicles to the Chinese market.

These new products not only leverage Chinese domestic technologies but will also be equipped with technologies such as Momenta's intelligent driving, Huawei's HarmonyOS Smart Cockpit/Qiankun Intelligent Driving, and Meizu's Flyme Auto. In terms of electronic and electrical architecture, three-electric systems, and intelligent technologies, these new joint-venture products are already indistinguishable from Chinese domestic electrified automotive products.

It is foreseeable that after several years of adjustments, joint-venture automakers are re-entering the market with a renewed stance, competing head-to-head with Chinese domestic automakers with products that embody more Chinese characteristics.

Currently, the latest joint-venture electrified products such as the Toyota bZ3X and Nissan N7 have initially showcased remarkable market competitiveness. Subsequently, the new products launched by joint-venture automakers also have the potential to become mainstream in the market.

At that juncture, the competitive landscape of the domestic market may undergo fresh changes. How it will unfold remains to be seen.

(Image sourced from the internet. Removed if infringing.)