China has long established itself as a global leader in the production of affordable cars, but now it is actively conquering the premium segment as well. The latest sales data for the Maextro S800 model clearly demonstrates how serious a competitor Chinese luxury cars have become for European brands.
Leadership in the expensive car market
In April 2026, 1,142 units of the Maextro S800 were sold in China. This made it the most popular model in the country among cars costing over 700,000 yuan (about $102,900). For comparison, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sold 736 units, the Porsche Panamera — 616, and the regular Mercedes-Benz S-Class — 521. The BMW 7-Series together with its electric version i7 took fifth place with 436 sedans sold.
Sales table for April 2026
Below are the data on the most popular luxury models costing over $100,000 in China for April 2026:
| Model | April 2026 |
| Maextro S800 | 1,142 |
| Mercedes-Maybach S-Class | 736 |
| Porsche Panamera | 616 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 521 |
| BMW 7-Series & i7 | 436 |
| Audi A8 | 260 |
| Nio ET9 | 136 |
| Yangwang U7 | 75 |
| Porsche Taycan | 18 |
Success in the first four months
The Maextro S800’s position at the top of the market is even more compelling when looking at the period from January to April. During this time, an impressive 5,465 units were sold. This significantly outperforms the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (3,012), BMW 7-Series and i7 (2,976), and the regular Mercedes S-Class (2,596).
Chinese buyers choose their own
Other Chinese brands are also successfully represented in the premium segment. The Nio ET9 takes seventh place with 438 cars sold, and the YangWang U7 SUV follows with 412 units. Chinese buyers, having a worthy local alternative, are increasingly abandoning brands that have defined this segment for decades.
Technical specifications and prices
Sales of the Maextro S800 have remained consistently high since launch. In September, 1,896 cars were sold, in October — 1,970, and in December the figure rose to 4,223 units. The model is created in a partnership between Huawei and JAC and is part of the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), which also includes the brands Aito, Luxeed, Stelato, and SAIC.
Prices for the S800 range from 708,000 yuan ($104,000) to 1,018,000 yuan ($149,500). Both fully electric versions and versions with a range extender are available. The electric car is equipped with a 97 kWh battery and two electric motors with a total power of 523 hp, providing a range of up to 669 km. The range extender versions have 65 kWh batteries: one with two motors producing 523 hp, and another with three motors producing 852 hp.
Sales table for January-April 2026
Data on the most popular luxury models costing over $100,000 in China for the period from January to April 2026:
| Model | January-April |
| Maextro S800 | 5,465 |
| Mercedes-Maybach S-Class | 3,012 |
| BMW 7 Series (including BMW i7) | 2,976 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 2,596 |
| Porsche Panamera | 1,362 |
| Audi A8 | 1,309 |
| Nio ET9 | 438 |
| Yangwang U7 | 412 |
| Porsche Taycan | 90 |
This data indicates a radical shift in the preferences of Chinese luxury car buyers. The success of the Maextro S800, which significantly outperforms traditional German giants, demonstrates that Chinese brands are capable not only of producing competitive technology but also of creating prestigious products that meet the demands of the most discerning clients. This is not just a temporary surge, but rather the beginning of a new era, where status and technology are no longer the exclusive prerogative of European manufacturers. Further growth in sales of Chinese luxury models will likely force Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche to reconsider their strategies in one of the most important automotive markets in the world.