SAIC Motor: China’s First 100-Million-Vehicle Automaker
SAIC Motor has made history by becoming the first Chinese automaker — and the first enterprise in China — to surpass 100 million cumulative vehicles produced and sold. The milestone, celebrated with a delivery ceremony in Shanghai on May 28, 2026, marks a transformative moment for China’s automotive industry as it asserts its place among the world’s elite carmaking nations.
A Historic Milestone
The 100-millionth vehicle delivered was an IM LS9 Hyper, an extended-range electric SUV from SAIC’s premium EV subsidiary IM Motors. The vehicle was handed over to Cao Xudong, CEO of autonomous driving startup Momenta, who was named SAIC’s 100-millionth customer. “It is a great honor to become the owner of SAIC’s global 100-millionth vehicle and personally witness this historic highlight moment for China’s auto industry,” Cao said at the ceremony, as reported by Xinhua News.
SAIC joins an exclusive club of global automakers that have reached the 100-million-vehicle mark — a group previously limited to companies from the United States, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. According to China.org.cn, this is the first time a Chinese company has achieved this feat.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Scale
SAIC’s journey mirrors the entire arc of China’s modern automotive industry. The company’s predecessor began producing Phoenix-brand sedans in the 1950s, with the first car hand-built by workers using hammers. In 1983, SAIC assembled its first Santana from CKD kits, beginning a joint venture partnership with Volkswagen that would transform Chinese manufacturing. By 1997, SAIC had established Shanghai GM, building a factory in just 23 months.
The company launched its independent Roewe brand in 2006 and made a strategic pivot to new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2014 — a decision that would prove pivotal. At that time, NEV sales accounted for less than 0.1% of SAIC’s total. By 2025, NEVs represented over one-third of total sales of 4.5 million vehicles, according to China Daily.
Massive R&D Investment Driving Innovation
Over the past decade, SAIC has invested more than 150 billion yuan (approximately $22 billion USD) in research and development for NEVs and intelligent connected vehicles, securing nearly 26,000 valid patents. The IM LS9 Hyper — the milestone vehicle — showcases the results of this investment, featuring a 520-line ultra-view LiDAR system, NVIDIA Thor chip, 800V high-voltage platform, and a comprehensive range exceeding 1,400 kilometers.
Industry analysts see the milestone as validation of China’s automotive transformation. “The 100-million-unit mark is not a finish line, but a springboard for China’s auto industry to scale new heights,” said Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Passenger Car Association, as quoted by China.org.cn. He added that SAIC’s evolution from a small local factory to a Fortune Global 500 enterprise reflects the rising competitiveness of China’s manufacturing sector.
Global Expansion Accelerates
SAIC’s global footprint has expanded dramatically. The company’s products and services are now available in more than 170 countries and regions, with cumulative overseas deliveries exceeding 7 million units. In the first four months of 2026, overseas sales surged 50.2%, with the MG brand selling over 120,000 vehicles in Europe alone — a 22% year-on-year increase, as reported by Ecns.cn.
SAIC operates more than 100 auto-parts production bases and over 3,000 dealerships overseas, along with three R&D centers (including one in London) and four manufacturing plants in Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. The company also runs China’s largest self-owned fleet of vehicle transport ships, comprising 41 vessels.
Reshaping the Global Landscape
“China’s first ‘100-million-level automaker’ — SAIC’s 70-plus years of effort has broken the long-established pattern of ‘century-old’ companies from the US, Japan, Germany, and South Korea, reshaping the global automotive industry landscape,” Cui Dongshu said. Jiao Qiao, IM Motors Brand & User Senior Director, noted that China’s auto industry has moved from “joint venture, technology import” to “independent innovation, technology export.”
The milestone comes amid intense domestic competition, with BYD having overtaken SAIC in domestic wholesale sales in 2024. However, SAIC staged a strong recovery in 2025, with sales rebounding 12.3% to 4.507 million vehicles, driven by independent brands which accounted for 65% of sales.
What’s Next
As China’s NEV penetration rate reaches 65.4% and its automakers expand globally, SAIC’s achievement signals a fundamental shift in the industry’s center of gravity. The company’s semi-solid-state battery technology, dubbed “MG SolidCore,” is set to debut in Europe this year, and its IM brand has already entered 33 countries and regions. The question now is whether SAIC can maintain its momentum against both domestic rivals and global incumbents in an increasingly competitive and trade-sensitive environment.