Exeed is one of the premium brands of the Chery group
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Exeed is one of the premium brands of the Chery group
- Exeed is a premium brand belonging to the Chery Group, the third-largest Chinese carmaker after BYD and Geely . Exeed was created from scratch in 2017, but the first model bearing the Exeed logo only appeared in 2019. This premium brand, which doesn't exclusively market electrified models (unlike Zeekr, Avatr, or Denza), primarily specializes in high-end SUVs but also offers a sedan with a very modern style.
- But, competition is fierce in the Chinese market, and there are many models from local brands aiming to position themselves in the premium category. As a result, in the first 11 months of 2025, Exeed produced only 93,086 cars in China, a decrease compared to 2024, suggesting a volume of just over 100,000 units for the entire year—less than its competitors Zeekr, Avatr, or Denza, which have opted to offer a fully electrified range of vehicles.
- The current range consists of six different models: Exeed Sterra ES (E-segment sedan, REEV, 4.95 m long, 12,941 units over 11 months 2025), Exeed Sterra ET (E-segment SUV, REEV, 4.95 m long, 12,836 units), Exeed LX (C-segment SUV, Thermal, 4.53 m long, 6,788 units), Exeed RX (D-segment SUV, Thermal/PHEV, 4.78 m long, 39,125 units) also called Omoda 9 for export, Exeed TX (D-segment SUV, Thermal, 4.66 m long or 4.78 m long as you choose, 11,863 units), Exeed VX (E-segment SUV, Thermal/PHEV, 4.97 m long, 9,533 units).
- Exeed brand has progressed steadily between 2019 and 2024. Its production volume in China increased from 16,233 units in 2019 to 18,252 in 2020, 35,434 in 2021, 56,104 in 2022, 126,763 in 2023 and 136,217 in 2024.
Denza is the premium electric brand of the BYD group
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Denza is the premium electric brand of the BYD group
- Denza is a luxury electric car brand owned by BYD, China's leading carmaker, since 2024. Denza was established in 2010 as a 50/50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler AG (now Mercedes Group). Initially, Denza marketed electric vehicles derived from Mercedes models. In 2021, Mercedes sold 40% of its stake to BYD before selling the remaining 10% to BYD in 2024.
- Denza began exporting its cars from that point onward, initially to Southeast Asia, then to Europe and the Middle East. In the first 11 months of 2025, the Denza brand produced 132,476 cars in China, suggesting a projected volume of 145,000 units for the entire year. Denza exported only about 30 cars to Europe in 2025, plus 550 to Russia.
- Today, the Denza range itself consists of six different models: Denza D9 (E-segment MPV, BEV/PHEV, 5.25 m long, 91,697 units over 11 months to 2025), Denza Z9 (E-segment sedan, BEV/PHEV, 5.24 m long, 2,273 units), Denza Z9 GT (E-segment shooting brake, BEV/PHEV, 5.18 m long, 4,424 units), Denza N7 (D-segment SUV, BEV, 4.86 m long, 1,741 units), Denza N8 (E-segment SUV, PHEV, 5.20 m long, 6,525 units) and Denza N9 (E-segment SUV, PHEV, 5.26 m long, 25,816 units).
- Denza brand has been steadily progressing since 2022. Its production volume in China has increased from 9,978 units in 2022 to 127,840 in 2023, 126,035 in 2024, and therefore probably around 145,000 in 2025. But this figure remains very low compared to the BYD brand, which will produce more than 4 million cars in 2025, of which 52% will be BEVs and 48% PHEVs.
Zeekr is the premium electric brand of the Geely group
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Zeekr is the premium electric brand of the Geely group
- In our Auto-Analyses, we presented a quick study of several Chinese carmakers with their range of cars currently marketed in China, such as BYD, MG, Polestar, Leapmotor, and Xpeng. Here is a continuation of the quick study of several other Chinese brands.
- Let's start with Zeekr (pronounced Zeeker), a subsidiary of the Geely Group, the second-largest Chinese carmaker after BYD. The Zeekr brand was created in 2021 as a brand specializing in luxury or premium electric vehicles. In the first 11 months of 2025, Geely produced 193,164 Zeekr vehicles in China, of which 4,000 were exported to 30 European countries (EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway) and 3,000 to Russia.
- The current range consists of seven different models: Zeekr 001 (E-segment SUV, BEV, 4.97 m long, 36,072 units over 11 months to 2025), Zeekr 007 (E-segment sedan, BEV, 4.86 m long, 43,424 units), Zeekr 009 (E-segment MPV, BEV, 5.21 m long, 20,564 units), Zeekr X (C-segment SUV, BEV, 4.45 m long, 7,976 units), Zeekr 7X (D-segment SUV, BEV, 4.82 m long, 69,664 units), Zeekr 9X (E-segment SUV, PHEV, 5.24 m long, 15,217 units), Zeekr MIX (C-segment MPV, BEV, 4.69 m long, 247 units).
- Zeekr brand has been steadily growing since 2021. Its production volume in China increased from 6,190 units in 2021 to 72,062 in 2022, 123,077 in 2023, and 225,292 in 2024. However, the 2025 volume appears to be slightly down based on figures from the first 11 months. It is estimated at approximately 210,000 units.
Avatr is the premium electric brand of the Changan group
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Avatr is the premium electric brand of the Changan group
- Avatr (pronounced Avatar), a subsidiary of the Changan Group, the fourth-largest Chinese carmaker after BYD, Geely, and Chery, was created in 2021 as a brand specializing in luxury or premium electric vehicles. For the first 11 months of 2025, Changan produced 107,875 Avatr vehicles in China, with no units exported to 30 European countries (EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway), but 1,000 units exported to Russia.
- In 2018, Changan sought to create, in partnership with NIO, a company dedicated to developing luxury and technologically advanced electric vehicles. To this end, a joint venture named Changan-NIO was established, with equal shares (50/50). However, this partnership ultimately failed, as NIO withdrew from the alliance in 2020. Changan then partnered with battery carmaker CATL, and in 2021, the Changan-NIO company was renamed Avatr Technology and began car production in 2022. From 2024, it was able to benefit from Huawei 's help in the field of infotainment.
- The current range consists of four different models : Avatr 06 (D segment sedan, BEV/REEV, 4.85 m long, 37,863 units over 11 months 2025), Avatr 07 (D segment SUV, BEV/REEV, 4.82 m long, 46,676 units), Avatr 11 (D segment SUV, BEV/REEV, 4.88 m long, 5,973 units) and Avatr 12 (E segment sedan, BEV/REEV, 5.02 m long, 17,363 units).
- Avatr brand has been steadily growing since 2022. Its production volume in China increased from 757 units in 2022 to 26,407 in 2023, and 64,303 in 2024. The 2025 volume is projected to increase significantly based on figures from the first 11 months and is estimated at approximately 120,000 units.
Inovev forecasts 50,000 Mercedes GLB units per year in Europe
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Inovev forecasts 50,000 Mercedes GLB units per year in Europe
- Mercedes has unveiled the second generation of its C-segment SUV, the GLB, now available in mild-hybrid and battery electric versions (formerly known as the EQB). Unlike the previous generation, the new GLB will be produced entirely in Kecskemét, Hungary, for both its combustion engine and electric versions. This represents a kind of relocation of production, as the previous Mercedes GLB was production in Mexico and exported to Europe. In the first 11 months of 2025, 20,000 GLB and 30,000 EQB were sold in Europe, with the electric version outselling the combustion engine version.
- The new Mercedes GLB, which measures 4.73 m long (+10 cm compared to the old GLB) and 1.86 m wide (+3 cm compared to the old GLB), is based on the same MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform as the recent CLA.
- The GLB's mild-hybrid (MHEV) engine is derived from the CLA. It's a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, available in 136 hp, 163 hp, or 190 hp versions, paired with a small 30 hp electric motor (48V system). A diesel engine is not offered on this model.
- The electric version also comes from the CLA. It consists of an electric motor developing either 272 hp or 354 hp, coupled with an 85 kWh NMC battery or a 58 kWh LFP battery in the entry-level version (800 V system) allowing a range of over 600 km according to the WLTP cycle.
- Inovev is forecasting 50,000 units per year of the new Mercedes GLB in Europe, with 40% being internal combustion engine versions and 60% electric versions. The model will also be produced in China and Mexico to meet local demand.
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