Yijing Launches X9 to Enter the RMB 500,000-Class Six-Seater SUV Market, a Premium New Energy Brand Co-Created by Dongfeng and Huawei

At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the YiJing brand officially unveiled its debut model, the X9—a flagship six-seater SUV priced above RMB 500,000. Co-created by Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Huawei’s Intelligent Automotive Solution Business Unit (IAS BU), the brand aims to enter the fiercely competitive premium family-oriented new energy SUV segment. Zeng Qinglin, General Manager of YiJing Auto, stated that demand from family users for spaciousness and premium features continues to rise, leaving room for growth in the RMB 500,000-range large six-seater SUV market. He noted that existing products often suffer from imbalances—either excelling in intelligence but lacking mechanical performance, or offering solid hardware yet falling short in smart user experience. The YiJing X9 seeks to achieve a balanced integration across multiple dimensions, including safety, space, comfort, and intelligence. Measuring 5.3 meters in length, the X9 combines Dongfeng’s expertise in chassis tuning, manufacturing, and safety systems with Huawei’s strengths in intelligent technologies. According to YiJing, the two companies have been deeply collaborating since the early stages of product definition, development, and platform integration. Wang Junjun, Chairman of YiJing Auto, described the brand as a “Huawei-affiliated tech geek,” inheriting Huawei’s intelligent branding while highlighting Dongfeng’s traditional engineering prowess. Key members of YiJing’s management team previously worked at Voyah, bringing extensive experience in operating premium new energy vehicle brands. On the production front, Dongfeng has initiated a technical upgrade project at its Chengdu New Energy Vehicle Base, adapting existing facilities from the Shenlong Automobile Chengdu plant. The facility is registered for an annual capacity of 240,000 units, scalable up to 360,000 units. In terms of sales channels, YiJing is building an independent retail network, currently covering 79 key cities nationwide. Over 60% of its dealers rank among China’s top 100 automotive retailers, and approximately 80% of its stores have been upgraded from former BBA (Benz, BMW, Audi) and other premium luxury brand outlets. Competition in the large SUV segment is intensifying. In Q1 2026, sales in this细分 market reached 110,000 units, surging 169% year-over-year. Between mid-March and the Beijing Auto Show, at least ten competing models—including Zeekr 8X, IM LS8, ID. ERA 9X, NIO ES9, and XPeng GX—have either launched or begun pre-marketing campaigns. The YiJing X9 will directly compete against established rivals like the Aito M9, which has already proven strong consumer willingness to pay and currently leads sales in the over-RMB-500,000 SUV category. YiJing emphasized that while it shares origins with Aito (“same roots, same source”), it maintains clear differentiation and will not engage in simplistic benchmarking. Ultimately, the brand’s success hinges on whether the X9 can establish perceptible distinctions in an increasingly homogenized market.