China Automobile Dealers Association Expert Refutes 2026 Model Count: 165 All-New, 500-Plus With Variants

Li Yanwei, an expert at the China Automobile Dealers Association, refuted the claim, explaining that the 500-plus figure is a combined tally of models plus their various configurations and derivative versions.

Earlier broad-caliber statistics put the number of new models at 550 from January to May and more than 600 in the first half of 2026, triggering discussion across the industry. BYD Executive Vice President He Zhiqi has also publicly noted that a new model typically requires investment of more than RMB 1 billion and a development cycle of more than two years, yet its market buzz often lasts less than three months.