The Affordable Electric Vehicle That Subtly Surpassed All Foreign Competitors in China | Carscoops

      The wind-resistant electric sedan had nearly three times the number of buyers in June compared to BMW's electric i3 sedan.

      Nissan’s N7 surpassed the Buick GL8 and Toyota Platinum 3X in China’s sales for June.

      This electric sedan was the top-selling new-energy vehicle from a non-Chinese manufacturer.

      While Nissan, Buick, and Toyota were in close competition, other foreign brands lagged significantly behind in sales.

      Initially, we were not very impressed with the Nissan N7, describing it as a direct imitation of the Xpeng P7. However, Chinese consumers seemed unconcerned with its design; they showed their support through their purchases, making the N7 the leading foreign car model last month.

      The N7 sedan achieved 6,189 sales in June amidst intense competition, with the top three models closely matched and the rest far behind. The Buick GL8 New Energy minivan came in just behind the N7 with 6,082 sales, while the more affordable Toyota Platinum 3X, known as the bZ3X, attracted 6,030 buyers.

      Tight Competition at the Top

      In fourth place was Volkswagen’s ID.3 with 3,950 sales according to data from China’s Autohome, and there was a significant drop to the fifth position held by the Smart #1, which had 2,324 buyers. BMW’s i3, an electric sedan similar in design to the N7, was much less popular, with only 2,270 sales in June.

      Despite carrying Nissan branding, the N7 is actually produced through a partnership between the struggling Japanese automotive company and China's Dongfeng, sharing components with the Dongfeng eπ 007. Priced at an attractive 129,900 yuan (approximately $17,800), the base N7 510 Pro comes equipped with a 58 kWh LFP battery that claims a range of 317 miles (510 km) based on the Chinese CLTC cycle.

      CHINA’S FOREIGN BRAND BEST SELLERS

      Conversely, the N7 625 Max features a more extensive list of standard equipment and a 73 kWh battery that claims a 388-mile (625 km) range, though these figures should be viewed cautiously as they adhere to China’s testing standards.

      The available power output varies by trim, with buyers having the option of either 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) or 268 hp (272 PS / 200 kW), and prices and performance vary accordingly. The demographics for the N7 tend to be younger and family-oriented: 68 percent of buyers are men, 74 percent are married, and 60 percent are under 35, according to Nissan's released figures.

      Currently, the N7 is exclusive to the Chinese market, but Nissan has already confirmed its interest in exploring international markets. A global launch could be considered under a different name, possibly bringing back the old Primera badge. However, it is unlikely to appear on American roads in the near future.