Six years ago, SAIC Maxus made its debut at the Hannover Motor Show with the New EV80, filling a gap in the industry as Europe’s first truly factory-produced light electric van. Two years ago, SAIC Maxus reappeared with the Star EV, marking the first and leading Chinese brand electric pickup truck in Europe. This year, representing “Made in China” for the third time, SAIC Maxus arrives with the mid-size pure electric pickup truck eTerron 9, embarking on a new journey to lead the global market in Chinese new energy pickups.
[SAIC Maxus eTerron 9, a Mid-Size Technological Electric 4WD Pickup Truck]
On September 16, 2024, one of the world’s largest and most influential professional motor shows, the Hannover Motor Show, opened as scheduled. SAIC Maxus unveiled the eTerron 9, a mid-size technological electric 4WD pickup truck based on the Star GST platform, becoming the world’s first mid-size Chinese brand pure electric pickup truck exported overseas, adding a new milestone for “Chinese Cars” going high-end. Empowered by “Chinese technology” in new energy pickups, the eTerron 9 boasts ultra-long range achievements in both Chinese and European markets, allowing users to say goodbye to range anxiety. With a 5.8-second “ceiling-level” 0-100 km/h acceleration performance and an intelligent 4WD system adaptable to over 400 driving scenarios, it creates more possibilities for outdoor activities. With these advantages, the eTerron 9 not only sets a new benchmark for the global pickup industry but also offers a “unique” all-scenario travel experience for global pickup enthusiasts.
[SAIC Maxus eTerron 9’s Global Debut at the Hannover Motor Show]
“Chinese Pickup” Sets a New Benchmark for the European and Global Pickup Market
Due to high market entry barriers and consumer expectations in Europe, many international pure electric pickup brands have been kept out. Leveraging its industry-leading strength and strong safety ratings, SAIC Maxus was the first among many international brands to “plant its flag” in Europe as early as 2022. The Star EV became the first Chinese brand pure electric pickup truck to enter the European market and also Europe’s first mass-produced pure electric pickup. SAIC Maxus continued to deepen its presence and has now introduced the mid-size technological electric 4WD pickup truck eTerron 9, continuously leading the European pure electric pickup market to new heights. Today, SAIC Maxus remains the “only” Chinese brand successfully entering this segment in Europe.
[SAIC Maxus Star EV in Europe]
While focusing on Europe, SAIC Maxus pickup products are also making global strides, laying out a comprehensive plan to provide “full-size, full-power, all-scenario pickup products” to global users. To date, SAIC Maxus has sold over 180,000 pickups overseas, with more than 90% of sales in developed markets such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas, gradually becoming the “global preferred Chinese pickup.” With global quality, standards, and sales in 73 countries and regions, SAIC Maxus has become a “global pickup expert.” At the press conference, SAIC Maxus Deputy General Manager Xie Jiayue stated, “Next year, we will continue to expand our product lineup, adding 10 new models, each maintaining our brand’s renowned standards of excellence in performance, comfort, and durability. MAXUS is committed to serving European customers and aims to become a leading global provider of electric light commercial vehicles and pickups.”
[SAIC Maxus Booth at the Hannover Motor Show]
Adhering to the principle that “product strength is competitiveness,” the eTerron 9 has ample confidence to battle globally.
Meeting the most stringent global standards and creating globally leading high-quality products is SAIC Maxus’s confidence and foundation for competing in developed pickup markets. Last year, when the eTerron 9 was only a concept car in China, it garnered global anticipation from pickup enthusiasts. This year, as this “dream car” entered reality, it eagerly showcased its capabilities—enduring extreme conditions in Turpan, Heihe, Inner Mongolia, and the polar cold of Norway, and undergoing rigorous testing in Germany. These “devil-level” challenges and tests have become the “touchstone” and “passport” for the eTerron 9’s successful entry into high-end developed markets.
[SAIC Maxus eTerron 9 Drawing Crowd Attention]
As a high-end pure electric pickup truck that represents “Made in China” and has passed Europe’s stringent certifications, the eTerron 9 introduces several “firsts” and “unique” features. It is Europe’s first 4×4 pickup truck built on a dedicated electric platform, with a 605 km 4WD range, setting new records in both Chinese and European markets. It is also the only model in its class equipped with air suspension, reducing body roll and pitch while improving handling stability. The air suspension automatically adjusts the vehicle height based on terrain to meet various needs such as reducing drag, facilitating loading, and enhancing off-road capability. Additionally, the intelligent 4WD system adapts to over 400 driving scenarios. With dual permanent magnet synchronous motors delivering a combined peak power of 325 kW, it offers “class-leading” 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.8 seconds. Furthermore, it is a pickup truck with an opening rear panel, connecting the cargo bed and the passenger cabin, greatly enhancing its utility and playability in outdoor settings. Upholding the “five-star Maxus” safety gene, SAIC Maxus has been building its products to meet global five-star safety standards since 2017. The eTerron 9 is built to Euro NCAP standards, ensuring “the safest and most reliable pickup” for users worldwide.
[SAIC Maxus eTerron 9 in Europe]
[SAIC Maxus eTerron 9 in Hong Kong]
Thirteen years of deep cultivation has led to robust production and sales for SAIC Maxus, with global popularity across its entire lineup.
From the first model, the V80, shipped to the EU as a trailblazer for Chinese automotive entry into Europe, to the comprehensive range covering light vans, pickups, MPVs, SUVs, and camper vans, SAIC Maxus has become a comprehensive “leader” over ten years in the European market. Especially amid the global wave of new energy, SAIC Maxus’s new energy product sales in Europe now account for 58% of the brand’s total sales in the region. At the same time, its high-quality vehicles continue to capture market share from European brands. From January to July this year, SAIC Maxus delivered nearly 600 pure electric vehicles, securing a significant 5.7% market share in the light commercial vehicle segment in Germany. The fuel flagship model, the New V90, also received high customer praise, with a 31% growth rate surpassing the entire large van segment. Similarly, the new energy large VAN and medium-small VAN, represented by the New EV90, achieved high market shares in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, and Italy. The new energy medium-small VAN, represented by the New EV30, also ranked among the top two in Ireland, Austria, and Turkey. High sales are backed by high reputation, with the “New V” and “Big Brother” models winning three gold awards in the Euro NCAP commercial van safety ratings. The Big Brother V1 achieved the highest “Platinum” rating, setting a new standard for Chinese commercial van safety. As the “most popular electric vehicle brand in Europe,” SAIC Maxus has built a strong reputation.
[SAIC Maxus High-Quality Models in Europe]
[Large-Scale Orders for SAIC Maxus Logistics Vehicles]
Beyond the European market, SAIC Maxus has achieved global success across its entire range, earning the title of “the preferred Chinese car in developed countries.” From January to July, SAIC Maxus achieved top three market share in Australia’s fuel large VAN, new energy medium-small VAN, and fuel medium-small VAN markets, breaking the local dominance of “Japanese and Korean brands.” In South America, particularly Chile, with its vast new energy development potential, SAIC Maxus led the market with high shares in both new energy large VAN and new energy medium-small VAN segments, pushing the “green revolution” to new heights. In North America, Mexico, where pickup culture is highly prevalent, SAIC Maxus achieved over 10,000 units in its first year and continues to maintain a top-three market share in pickups this year, well-received by local pickup enthusiasts.
[SAIC Maxus Pickups in South America]
Turning the spotlight from overseas to domestic markets, SAIC Maxus continues to shine. Hong Kong, the birthplace of MPVs, is renowned for its competitive market. From January to November last year and continuing to August this year, the Maxus G9 has maintained the top sales position in Hong Kong’s overall MPV market, surpassing long-standing market leaders like the Alphard and Vellfire, with single model sales exceeding the total sales of Toyota MPVs. The Maxus G7, launched in Hong Kong in mid-March, has also received acclaim, with over 1,000 orders in just three months, making it the top seller in the medium MPV segment in August. The Maxus G9 and G7 have become the top choices for Hong Kong residents, celebrities, business leaders, and industry clients. Additionally, as the “domestic original factory motorhome pioneer,” SAIC Maxus has consistently held the number one market share in the motorhome market for several years and entered the developed Australian and New Zealand markets as early as 2019, becoming the “first Chinese motorhome brand to export.” Recently, SAIC Maxus achieved a new benchmark by exporting motorhomes in large quantities to Germany and showcased the latest innovations in Chinese motorhomes at the Düsseldorf International Motor Show.
[SAIC Maxus G9 in Hong Kong]
Since its establishment in 2011, SAIC Maxus has achieved a rare continuous increase in single brand sales for 12 consecutive years, with a compound annual growth rate of 68%. This year, production and sales continue to grow positively. The light van family maintains its position as the “industry leader,” with both “Big Brother” and “New V” brands achieving over 53% year-on-year growth, making them “China’s number one light van brand.” The MPV category has also risen to the top of the sales charts in Hong Kong. Motorhomes continue to sell well, establishing SAIC Maxus as the “first company to reach the 10,000-unit scale” and consolidating its position as an industry leader. SAIC Maxus’s full lineup is thriving, creating a better automotive travel experience for users worldwide.
From the new energy light van “New EV” capturing the high ground to the new energy pickup “Star EV” leading new trails, SAIC Maxus actively embraces the “zero-carbon economy,” expanding its “green map” step by step under the All3 ROADMAP new energy strategy. With the global launch of the high-end pure electric pickup truck eTerron 9 in the European market, the SAIC Maxus new energy family matrix is further improved, gradually becoming the “Chinese car brand with the richest new energy lineup” for export. In the future, SAIC Maxus will continue to forge ahead, presenting users with more refined, intelligent, and green mobile travel experiences, opening up limitless possibilities for a more joyful journey.
