According to the latest data from China Automotive Terminal, in the large three-row SUV market for May 2026, pure electric (BEV) models sold 27,884 units; plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales were 26,500 units, extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) sales were 22,730 units, and internal combustion engine (ICE) sales were 16,685 units. The figures indicate that pure electric large three-row SUV monthly sales continue to firmly hold the top spot among all powertrain types, having now surpassed EREV sales for nine consecutive months since overtaking them last September.
Sales of EREV and ICE vehicles are on a sustained downward trajectory. Within the large SUV segment, ICE sales have fallen to last place for the first time, with volume halving from 40,818 units in the same period last year to 16,685 units, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline this year.
With the successive market launches of pure electric large five-seat SUVs like the Ledao L80, the leading trend of pure electric vehicles in the large three-row segment is rapidly extending to the large five-seat market. In May, within the large five-seat market, pure electric model sales increased by 213% month-over-month, surpassing the sales of ICE large five-seat SUVs and showing a trend of rapid volume growth within the year. The large five-seat SUV market is approaching an inflection point for a surge in pure electric sales.
It is understood that the five-seat version of the NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) ES8 will open for pre-orders on June 28. In May, the large five-seat pure electric SUV, the Ledao L80, entered the top four in large SUV sales rankings within just half a month of its launch and delivery.
A McKinsey survey reveals that 60% of current EREV/PHEV vehicle owners are considering switching to a pure electric vehicle for their next purchase. According to overall industry data from the China Passenger Car Association, retail sales of ICE, PHEV, and EREV vehicles all saw significant year-on-year declines in May. EREV wholesale sales plummeted by 24.9% year-on-year, the largest single-month drop in nearly five years, making pure electric the only powertrain form to achieve positive growth.
The strong surge in pure electric large three-row SUVs is significantly led by key models. The NIO Inc. ES9 delivered 3,108 units within four days of its launch, with the 10,000th unit scheduled for delivery this month. The NIO ES8 has reached a milestone of 120,000 cumulative deliveries, achieving monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units for seven consecutive months and securing the dual titles of sales champion in both the "Large SUV" and "Vehicles Over 400,000 RMB" categories for six consecutive months.
Pure electric vehicles have become the first priority for consumers, and the structural evolution of the market trend is now irreversible.
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