The battle for EV dominance is shifting towards Asia. Here are the Chinese brands to watch out for

Under BYD’s main brands are the Ocean and Dynasty series of hybrids and EVs. The Ocean lineup includes the BYD Seagull, Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal EVs, along with the hybrid Seal 5 DM-i and Sealion 6 DM-i. The Seal, in particular, is a high-performance fully electric sports sedan that is positioned to directly compete with Tesla’s Model 3.

BYD’s Dynasty series—named after historic Chinese dynasties— includes models like the Tang SUV, Han sedan, and Song L electric crossover, all featuring bold, dragon-inspired designs. As of late 2024, the Ocean and Dynasty ranges accounted for the bulk of BYD’s total sales.

Under BYD is also the Denza brand of EVs for the premium segment and the Yangwang brand for the ultra-premium electric SUV and sports car segment. 

Founded in 1997, Geely Auto became China’s first privately owned carmaker and gained global attention with its 2010 acquisition of Volvo. Today, Geely commands a growing portfolio of NEV brands, such as Polestar, Zeekr, Smart, Radar, and Lynk & Co. The newly launched Geely EX5, a compact electric SUV, signals its intent to compete in the highly sought-after crossover segment.

The Zeekr brand targets younger, style-conscious buyers with sleek models like the Zeekr X SUV and Zeekr 001. Being a purely EV marquee, Zeekr’s cars have futuristic Swedish designs, advanced technology, and record-breaking performance. The Zeekr 001 holds the records for fastest drift and fastest slalom by an EV. 

Likewise, Polestar, with its Scandinavian roots and Volvo lineage, continues to impress with the Polestar 1 hybrid sports car, Polestar 2 compact luxury liftback EV, and Polestar 3 luxury crossover EV. 

As one of China’s largest state-owned automakers, SAIC Motor has modernised its lineup with the revival of MG Motor, the storied British marque it acquired in 2007. The storied 101-year old British marquee, also known as Morris Garages, now includes hybrid and electric models. Known for its accessible pricing and solid engineering, MG’s EV offerings include the bestselling MG4 hatchback, the MG ZS crossover, and the stylish MG Marvel R SUV. The newly launched MG 3 Hybrid+ adds a value-driven option to its expanding hybrid range.

In the premium category, SAIC’s IM Motors brand—a joint venture with Alibaba and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech—is leading the charge with futuristic models like the IM LS7 crossover and the full-size IM L7 luxury sedan.

Though less well-known internationally, Dongfeng Motor Group has made strides in electrification. Initially a manufacturer of military and commercial vehicles, Dongfeng now offers a growing portfolio of EVs including the M-Hero, a rugged, military-inspired luxury SUV; the Forthing Friday and Nammi SUVs; and the ultra-compact Nano mini EV.

With a joint venture in place with Nissan, Dongfeng continues to expand its capabilities and reach, offering some of the most affordable EVs in Asia.

Founded in 1997, Chery Auto made a splash with the Chery QQ microcar in the early 2000s and remains one of the most successful Chinese brands abroad. Under its umbrella are several NEV-focused marques: Jetour, Omoda, and Jaecoo.

Jetour’s notable models include the Ice Cream mini EV, the Dashing Lightning i-DM, and the X70 Lightning i-DM hybrid SUVs. The Omoda E5 crossover is aimed at urban drivers, while the Jaecoo EJ6, a boxy AWD SUV reminiscent of the Land Rover Defender, positions itself in the adventure-luxury segment. The upcoming Jaecoo J7 hybrid is expected to further strengthen the brand’s standing.

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