Tesla and BYD Lead New Energy Vehicle Popularity Index; Aito Tops Market Above $30,000

According to the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Brand Health Index for the first half of 2026, Tesla and BYD lead the "Index of Preference per 100 Consumers," both exceeding 50—indicating that more than half of NEV consumers hold a positive perception of these two brands. This index is derived from a comprehensive calculation based on brand awareness, familiarity, and favorability within the brand funnel model. Fangcheng Bao recorded the most significant increase in its Index of Preference per 100 Consumers, rising by 10 percentage points compared to the previous period, reflecting simultaneous growth in both brand recognition and positive preference. Newly launched brands such as Landian and Qijing posted indices below 10, correlating with their relatively low brand awareness. When segmented by price range: - In the sub-RMB 200,000 segment, BYD’s index approached 60, while XPeng, Geely Galaxy, and Leapmotor also performed well. - In the RMB 200,000–300,000 segment, Tesla, Xiaomi, and NIO ranked highest, with Xiaomi’s index rebounding by 10 percentage points—signaling a notable recovery in brand sentiment and market perception. - In the premium segment above RMB 300,000, Aito led with an index surpassing 50, making it the only brand in this price tier to exceed the 50 mark. NIO, Tesla, Li Auto, and Xiaomi followed closely behind, with Xiaomi and NIO showing particularly marked improvements.