FAW Executive Shake-up, WEY Launches AI-Powered Luxury SUV V9X, Audi Closes Stores Across Multiple Regions

On January 28, FAW Group announced the appointment of Zhang Xiaofan as a Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President. On the same day, Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun unveiled the new flagship SUV under the WEY brand, named the V9X. Positioned as an AI-powered luxury six-seater SUV, the V9X is built on the premium "Guiyuan S" series of the "Guiyuan Platform." Meanwhile, Audi reported delivering 617,500 vehicles in China in 2025, reclaiming the top spot among luxury brands by sales volume. However, this figure represents a 5% year-over-year decline. Reports have surfaced of multiple Audi dealerships closing abruptly and fleeing across more than ten provinces and municipalities—including Henan, Guangxi, and Jiangsu—with owners complaining about invalidated maintenance packages and employees demanding unpaid wages. Additionally, Dongfeng Nissan’s new mid-to-large-sized new energy SUV, the NX8, has entered mass production at its Huadu plant and is scheduled to launch in March–April. Separately, Jinhua Lingai Electronics, an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Leapmotor, has been established with a registered capital of RMB 120 million, focusing on the manufacturing of intelligent in-vehicle devices.