China’s largest carmaker, SAIC Motor, reported continued sales growth in April. According to official data released by the group on May 5, it sold 374,000 vehicles last month, up 124.5 percent compared with last April. The carmaker has also accelerated the development of new energy vehicles (NEVs) and intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs).

Official statistics showed that its self-branded vehicles, NEVs, and exports have maintained rapid and sustainable growth over the past month.

Sales of its self-owned brands reached 203,000 units last month, up 81.9 percent year-on-year, accounting for 54.2 percent of the carmaker’s total sales. Sales of its NEVs grew by 80.6 percent year-on-year to 68,000, including NEV sales of its self-owned brands Roewe and MG, which grew 606.6 percent year-on-year to more than 26,000 units last month. SAIC Motor’s overseas sales witnessed a year-on-year growth of 130.5 percent to 90,000 units during the same period.

In the first four months of the year, SAIC Motor’s MG brand sold 70,000 vehicles in Europe, doubling year-on-year, making Europe its largest overseas regional market. The European market is projected to become SAIC Motor's first overseas market with annual sales exceeding 200,000 units.

SAIC Motor’s joint ventures fully recovered in April, posting significant year-on-year growth. SAIC Volkswagen, SAIC-GM, and SAIC GM-Wuling all posted month-on-month increases of 9 percent, 27.4 percent, and 16.4 percent, respectively.

With the launch of its multiple blockbuster NEVs, such as IM Motors' LS7, Rising Auto's F7, the Buick Electra E5 SUV, and SAIC GM-Wuling's Bingo, SAIC Motor is expected to enjoy solid growth momentum this month.

Its self-owned brands, IM and Rising Auto, showed a positive and steady upward trend last month. According to official data, IM sold 2,009 vehicles last month, maintaining steady growth, while IM Motors' LS7, its first mid-and-large-sized SUV, recorded sustained sales growth during the same period. The F7, a new model launched by SAIC Motor's Rising Auto that offers consumers a comfortable driving experience, started its deliveries in late April, with its weekly deliveries exceeding 700 units.