SAIC Motor has become the first Chinese automotive group to achieve cumulative sales of 100 million vehicles, marking a historic milestone for both the company and China’s automotive industry.
The landmark achievement was celebrated during the Delivery Celebration for SAIC Motor’s 100 Millionth Customer, held at the Grand Halls in Shanghai’s North Bund. More than 10 automotive brands under the SAIC umbrella participated in a global relay delivery event spanning multiple cities in China and overseas markets, symbolizing the company’s expanding international footprint.
The milestone underscores SAIC Motor’s transformation from a domestic manufacturer into one of the world’s leading automotive groups. Founded on the roots of Shanghai’s automotive industry in the 1950s, the company has played a pivotal role in China’s automotive evolution, from producing the hand-built Phoenix sedan in 1958 to developing advanced intelligent electric vehicles today.
Over the decades, SAIC has been responsible for several industry milestones, including the launch of the Santana through joint-venture cooperation in the 1980s, the establishment of Shanghai GM in 1997, the creation of the Roewe brand in 2006, and the introduction of the world’s first internet-connected production vehicle, the Roewe RX5, in 2016. The company further strengthened its innovation credentials with the launch of premium electric vehicle brand IM Motors in 2020.
The vehicle delivered to the company’s 100 millionth customer was the IM LS9 Hyper, a flagship intelligent electric SUV that showcases SAIC Motor’s latest technological advancements. Equipped with fully steer-by-wire four-wheel steering, 520-line ultra-vision LiDAR, NVIDIA’s Thor computing platform, an 800V high-voltage architecture, and advanced range-extending technology, the vehicle is designed to support future Level 3 and higher autonomous driving capabilities.
The company described the IM LS9 Hyper as a symbol of more than 70 years of technological innovation and engineering expertise. Notably, the milestone customer is also one of SAIC’s strategic intelligent driving partners, highlighting the growing collaboration between automakers and technology companies in shaping the future of mobility.
The celebration also served as a showcase for SAIC Motor’s diverse product portfolio. Vehicles delivered during the event ranged from passenger cars and electric SUVs to commercial vehicles, buses, and logistics solutions. Joint-venture brands demonstrated the company’s “Joint Venture 2.0” strategy, featuring new intelligent vehicle platforms and advanced autonomous driving technologies.
SAIC Motor’s global expansion was a key theme of the event. Delivery ceremonies were simultaneously held in several Chinese cities and international markets, including the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Singapore. Today, the company operates in more than 170 countries and regions, with cumulative overseas sales surpassing 7 million vehicles.
Among its international success stories is the MG brand, which has remained the best-selling Chinese automotive brand in Europe for 11 consecutive years. In 2025, MG surpassed 300,000 annual sales in Europe and became the first Chinese automotive brand to achieve cumulative sales of more than one million vehicles across Europe and the United Kingdom.
Building on its global ambitions, SAIC Motor launched its “Glocal Strategy” in 2025, shifting its focus from simply exporting vehicles to establishing a globally integrated value chain that includes manufacturing, technology development, and localized operations.
As the automotive industry rapidly transitions toward electrification and intelligent mobility, SAIC Motor views the 100 million-vehicle milestone not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a new chapter. Having accelerated its electric vehicle transformation since 2014, the company plans to continue investing in advanced technologies and customer-focused innovations across all of its brands and markets.
From its first customer to its 100 millionth, SAIC Motor says it remains committed to shaping the future of mobility alongside partners and consumers around the world.
