The 29th Chengdu International Auto Show moved into its second day on August 22, and this edition focuses on what is genuinely new rather than re-reporting the previous day's launch wave. In full detail today: Xiaomi's first range-extender SUVs (the Pengcheng N90 Max and N70 Max), XPeng's "physical AI" push with the IRON humanoid robot and HT Aero eVTOL, and the strongest overseas sales data of the week from Geely and BYD. Vehicles we already covered in detail on August 20–21 — Stelato G9, BYD Da Han EV, the third-generation Tang, VW ID.ERA 5S, Deepal G318, and Luxeed RX — appear below as one-line follow-ups instead of full rewrites.
1. Xiaomi Pengcheng N90 Max and N70 Max: Xiaomi's first range-extender SUVs
Xiaomi's Pengcheng sub-brand brought its first two range-extender SUVs to the Chengdu show, just weeks after opening pre-orders in July. The N90 Max is positioned as a full-size seven-seat flagship EREV SUV, while the N70 Max targets the younger-family five-seat segment. Pre-sale prices are RMB 299,900 (approximately $42,100 USD) for the N90 Max and RMB 259,900 (approximately $36,500 USD) for the N70 Max.
Kunlun platform
Both are built on Xiaomi's new Kunlun platform, dedicated to range-extender models. The platform centres on a flat floor, square packaging, and ultra-long sliding rails. A high-integration coaxial e-drive reduces floor thickness by 145 mm, and a flat battery pack cuts another 180 mm, with a 60 L fuel tank placed between the battery and e-drive. The result is a flat floor of nearly 3 metres in length, only 2.95° of rake, and a total thickness of 298 mm, eliminating the centre tunnel that plagues most EREV SUVs.
Space and seating
The N90 Max measures 5,285 mm long with a 3,080 mm wheelbase and supports up to six sliding rails; its longest rail reaches 1,938 mm. Second-row seat travel is up to 900 mm, and when fully rearward the legroom reaches 1,550 mm (comparable to an MPV). With the second row fully forward, cargo volume expands to 1,831 L. The N70 Max measures 4,960 × 1,950 mm with a 2,950 mm wheelbase.
Powertrain and efficiency
The N90 Max carries a 76 kWh NMC battery delivering 464 km of CLTC electric range and a combined range of 1,705 km. The 1.5-litre range extender has a thermal efficiency of 42%, fuel consumption of 6.26 L/100 km when the battery is depleted, and noise below 1 dB when it cuts in. It accepts 92, 95, and 98 octane petrol. A 15-minute fast-charge adds up to 285 km of CLTC range.
Safety
The body uses a cage-style steel-aluminium hybrid structure with 90.4% high-strength steel and aluminium, 16 critical points at 2,200 MPa, an internal roll-cage from A- to C-pillar, and 12 airbags including 4-point far-side airbags. The Longjia battery system has 16 layers of thermal protection; the door handles have triple-redundancy mechanical release and a 750 mm wading depth. As of June 30, Xiaomi had logged more than 4.28 million km of real-road testing on 566 Pengcheng prototypes.
Overseas note: The Pengcheng N90 Max and N70 Max are China-market launches. No overseas variant has been announced. China-only for now; export timing, battery sourcing, and ADAS feature set may differ if and when an overseas version is introduced.
Sources: NetEase (163.com) — Xiaomi at Chengdu show, Aug 21, 2026: https://www.163.com/dy/article/L4V3OCLO053469LG.html · Chongqing Daily, Aug 21, 2026: https://cqrb.cn/zhiqiyinqing/2026-08-21/2756812_pc.html
2. XPeng G9L super-EREV, X9, and MONA M03: new kits, IRON robot, and a "land aircraft carrier" eVTOL
XPeng used the Chengdu show to debut new trim kits for three core models — the G9L, the X9, and the MONA M03 — and to expand its "physical AI" line-up with the IRON humanoid robot and the HT Aero "land aircraft carrier" split-body eVTOL flying car.
G9L: super-EREV takes 82% of pre-orders
The G9L is XPeng's new large SUV, and the super-EREV version accounts for more than 82% of pre-orders in southwest China, a record for any XPeng model. Display vehicles have arrived at 220 stores nationwide. The super-EREV pairs a large battery with a range-extender for long combined range and daily electric driving.
X9 and MONA M03 kits
The X9 flagship MPV and the MONA M03 sedan also receive new exterior and interior kits at Chengdu, sharpening their positioning within XPeng's lineup.
IRON and the land aircraft carrier
XPeng's next-generation IRON humanoid robot was shown alongside the HT Aero "land aircraft carrier," a split-body design that combines a road-going vehicle with a detachable passenger eVTOL module.
Overseas note: XPeng currently sells the G9, P7, and other models in select European markets through dealer partnerships. The G9L super-EREV is a China-market launch for now; the X9 and MONA M03 kits shown are also for the China market. Overseas launch timing, battery sourcing, and ADAS feature set may differ if and when these variants are exported.
Source: NetEase (163.com) — XPeng at Chengdu show, Aug 21, 2026: https://so.html5.qq.com/page/real/search_news?docid=70000021_8926a88f66791752
3. Geely raises 2026 overseas target toward 1M; BYD overtakes legacy marques in Australia and Brazil
On the global stage, Chinese NEV makers posted two of the strongest data points of the week.
Geely: H1 exports 474,200, +158% YoY; full-year target lifted from 640k to 920k
Geely Auto reported interim results on August 17: H1 2026 revenue of RMB 173.6 billion, +15% YoY, with core net profit of RMB 9.68 billion, +46%. H1 overseas sales reached 474,200 units, +158% YoY, and the company lifted its 2026 overseas target from 640,000 to 920,000 units, with a stated ambition to become the third Chinese automaker to exceed one million overseas sales in a single year. NEV exports alone reached 277,200 units in H1 (+585% YoY), or 58.5% of all exports.
The capacity plan is asset-light and partnership-driven. The Volvo European plant will produce Geely premium models from 2028; the Proton plant in Malaysia is being expanded from 200,000 to 500,000 units as the Southeast Asia hub; and Geely paid €2.21 billion for a 34% stake in Ford's Spanish subsidiary, sharing the 500,000-unit Valencia plant (operations from H1 2027, first car in 2028, producing Geely Galaxy and Lynk & Co models). Geely already has 12 overseas plants operational, with capacity above 650,000 units, projected to exceed 840,000 by year-end.
BYD in Australia: 19,000 units in June, within 243 of Toyota
BYD sold about 19,000 vehicles in Australia in June, just 243 units behind the long-time market leader Toyota, four years after entering the market. YTD sales have surpassed 60,000, with an 8.5% market share that has put BYD ahead of Ford, Mazda, and Hyundai. Sales are up 124% YoY; Geely is up 495%; Chery is up 77%. In contrast, every major Japanese brand except Honda is down, with Toyota −21%, Mazda −17%, Subaru and Mitsubishi both −25%.
China brands in Brazil: BYD 4th, half of all imports Chinese
In Brazil, the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers reports that of the 280,000+ vehicles imported in H1 2026, nearly half were Chinese. BYD is now the fourth-largest passenger-car brand in Brazil; Chery, GWM, and Geely are all in the top 15. After Brazil raised EV import tariffs back to 35% in July, Chinese brands have accelerated local production: BYD and GWM opened Brazilian plants in 2025; Changan started production in 2026; Geely partnered with Renault on a local NEV project; and GAC has announced a Brazilian plant. GWM will open a second Brazilian factory.
Applies to: Global readers, with regional notes for Australia and Brazil. The Geely Spain investment affects future European-market supply; the Australia and Brazil data points are specific to those markets and do not reflect EU or US sales, which face separate tariff and regulatory regimes.
Sources: People's Daily (via 10jqka), Aug 20, 2026: https://news.10jqka.com.cn/20260820/c679110226.shtml · Toutiao (ZAKER Auto), Aug 18, 2026: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7675317480360821299/ · Tencent News (Jiqizhixin), Aug 17, 2026: https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20260817A04Q5K00 · Tencent News, Aug 18, 2026: https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20260818A08KNS00
4. Show-floor follow-ups: what we already covered on Aug 20–21
These launches were reported in detail in our previous editions. One-line updates only, so returning readers get the delta, not the repeat:
- Stelato G9 — Huawei's hardcore luxury SUV launched August 20 from RMB 429,800 (~$60,400); no new developments today. (Covered in detail in our Aug 21 edition.)
- BYD Da Han EV — Pre-sales opened August 21 from RMB 249,900 (~$35,100), up to 1,008 km CLTC; no new pricing or specs since. (Covered in our Aug 21 edition.)
- BYD third-generation Tang — Global debut August 21, Q4 launch, 850 km CLTC; no new details today. (Covered in our Aug 21 edition.)
- VW ID.ERA 5S — "Super-VW" PHEV launched from RMB 89,900 (~$12,600) with city NOA; no new developments. (Covered in our Aug 21 edition.)
- Deepal new G318 — Huawei Qiankun-equipped boxy SUV launched from RMB 196,800 (~$27,600); no new developments. (Covered in our Aug 21 edition.)
- Luxeed RX — Huawei's first letter-named coupe-SUV opened pre-sales August 20 from RMB 299,800 (~$42,100); no new developments. (Covered in our Aug 20 edition.)
Image credits:
- 1. Xiaomi Pengcheng N90 Max / N70 Max at the Xiaomi booth: Xiaomi official / SKYNOMAD, via NetEase (163.com).
- 2. XPeng G9L: XPeng official image, via QQ News / Tencent.
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