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Nissan N7 Emerges as Surprise EV Success in China

While the revived Nissan Leaf may be getting the headlines, it’s the lesser-known N7 that’s quietly making waves in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.

In the shadow of Nissan’s more prominent EV offerings, a quieter revolution is taking place. The newly launched Nissan N7, developed in partnership with Dongfeng under their joint venture in China, is proving to be an unexpected success story—one that could signal a broader shift in the company’s EV strategy.

Since its launch, the N7 has attracted significant interest, racking up over 20,000 orders within just six weeks. Although that figure pales in comparison to Xiaomi’s staggering 289,000 YU7 pre-orders in just one hour, it still marks a respectable and encouraging performance for Nissan in a hyper-competitive market. Importantly, it demonstrates that the Japanese automaker is finally tuning into what today’s EV buyers in China are looking for: value, style, and substance.

Nissan recently celebrated the delivery of its 10,000th N7 in China—a milestone achieved just 45 days after customer handovers began on May 17. While that figure might not seem extraordinary in isolation, it’s a significant benchmark when measured against competing models. For context, Nissan managed to deliver 3,034 N7s in May alone, handily outpacing Mazda’s EZ-6, which saw only 1,821 units delivered in the same period.

So what’s behind the N7’s appeal?

At its core, the N7 aligns closely with the formula that has made many Chinese EVs successful: offer modern tech, solid practicality, and attractive styling at an affordable price. Starting at just 119,900 yuan (approximately $16,800) and topping out at 149,900 yuan (about $25,100), the N7 offers a strong value proposition for budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on quality or features.

Visually, the N7 embraces a sleek and contemporary aesthetic that fits seamlessly into the current EV design language. Inside, the cabin offers a clean, minimalist layout, centered around a large infotainment screen and a digital gauge cluster. Dual wireless chargers, a flowing dashboard design, and a two-spoke steering wheel with tactile toggle controls reinforce its modern, tech-forward character.

This balance of affordability and functionality appears to be resonating with Chinese consumers—and Nissan has taken notice. Encouraged by the early momentum, the company is preparing to expand the N7 to international markets. While official confirmation is still pending, Japan and Australia are expected to be among the first recipients. Additional markets, such as Malaysia and select European countries, are also reportedly on the radar.

As Nissan looks to recapture its relevance in the rapidly evolving EV space, the N7 could be the quiet achiever that helps rebuild its momentum. It may not have the legacy of the Leaf or the buzz of a tech giant’s debut model, but the N7 shows that smart design, strong value, and timely market execution can still go a long way—especially when executed in the world’s most competitive EV battleground.

Source: Nissan

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Nissan N7 Emerges as Surprise EV Success in China
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Chinese Carmakers Double Market Share in Europe Amid Sales Surge

The surge of Chinese car brands in Europe continues at full throttle, with a record-breaking performance in May that underscores their growing dominance in the region’s automotive market.

According to recent figures published by Automotive News, Chinese car manufacturers have significantly expanded their footprint in Europe. In May 2025, sales soared by an impressive 85 percent compared to the same month last year, reaching a total of 60,215 units. This rapid growth translated into a 5.4 percent market share on the continent—up from just three percent in May 2024 and 4.6 percent in April this year.

This expansion comes against the backdrop of modest overall growth in the European auto market, which rose by 1.3 percent year-on-year to 1,116,095 units sold.

Among the standout performers, BYD (Build Your Dreams) posted the largest absolute sales increase. The Chinese electric vehicle giant sold 13,580 units in May—more than triple its performance from the previous year—driven largely by the success of its Seal U model, which accounted for over 7,000 of those sales.

Meanwhile, Chery led in terms of percentage growth. The company recorded a staggering 900 percent increase in sales, with 7,963 vehicles sold in May, up from just 796 units in the same month last year.

MG Motor, a subsidiary of SAIC, remains the leading Chinese brand in Europe. In May, MG saw a 27 percent increase in sales, totaling 26,855 units. The MG 3 emerged as the most popular model. Over the first five months of 2025, MG sold 126,493 vehicles, followed by BYD with 54,986 units and Chery with 29,539 units.

Chinese manufacturers have also adapted quickly to shifting market dynamics. In response to the European Union’s newly imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, many brands have pivoted toward alternative powertrains. As a result, sales of plug-in hybrid models have surged by 874 percent, while full hybrids recorded a dramatic 991 percent increase. Even sales of traditional gasoline-powered cars grew by 20 percent.

The data reflects a broader trend: Chinese automakers are no longer niche players in Europe. With competitive pricing, an expanding model range, and strategic adaptation to regulatory challenges, they are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the global automotive race.

Source: Automotive News

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Chinese cars lose value faster than competitors

When buying a car, buyers pay attention to quality and price, which have the greatest influence on the decision of which car to choose, and Chinese EVs have an advantage here. However, research has shown that they also lose value faster than other Asian brands.

Given the current economic situation, it makes sense that buyers prefer safer options when it comes to used cars. That’s why brands with proven reliability tend to be the first option, and Chinese cars do not have that status. They still play a smaller role in the used car market, but as their brands increase sales, the stock of used cars will also increase.

Platform for used cars (Oto) recently published a study showing that certain Chinese cars lose up to 33 percent of their value in just two years. This is a much higher rate of decline in value than South Korean brands, whose cars record a decrease in value of less than 20 percent, while Japanese cars have a decrease of up to 12 percent in the same period.

Also, it should be remembered that an affordable car does not necessarily have a higher depreciation rate, as evidenced by the cars of the Romanian brand Dacia. Their used cars still have a fairly high price, which is currently almost impossible for Chinese brands. It will take a long time for Chinese cars to earn the status of reliable, which is not so easy to achieve. Those who have been on the market for a long time know this, because European buyers are not naive, at least when it comes to car brands.

Source: VnExpress International