BYD Linghui M9 MPV. Credit: BYD
- Linghui M9 was launched in China with a starting price of 188,800 yuan ($27,750).
- The model is based on the BYD Xia MPV, targeting both business travel and family markets.
BYD’s (HKEX: 1211) fleet-focused sub-brand Linghui announced on Monday that its Linghui M9 business MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) has officially gone on sale, with a starting price of 188,800 yuan ($27,750).
The model is the third vehicle launched by the Linghui brand and its first MPV product.
The Linghui M9 is based on the BYD Xia MPV, measuring 5,200 millimeters in length, 1,970 millimeters in width and 1,805 millimeters in height, with a wheelbase of 3,045 millimeters.
The Linghui M9 is equipped with a 1.5T engine delivering a maximum power output of 115 kilowatts, a top speed of 190 kilometers per hour, and power sliding side doors.
The vehicle has a battery capacity of 36.628 kilowatt-hours and a battery range of 160 kilometers.
The Linghui M9 utilizes BYD’s fifth-generation DM hybrid technology; with a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, the model has a combined range of 1,105 kilometers.
Linghui is a new automotive brand created by BYD for the mobility market, officially unveiled in February this year, targeting both the business travel and family vehicle segments.
The move aims to prevent BYD’s main brands’ models from being widely used for taxi and ride-hailing purposes, with BYD hoping to keep its core brand image from being diluted.
BYD has an extensive product line in the affordable vehicle market, and thanks to their strong operating economics, these models have become a top choice for many ride-hailing operators.
By establishing Linghui as a standalone sub-brand, BYD is seeking to consolidate its corporate fleet business. Before the Linghui M9, the brand had successively launched two all-electric sedans, the e7 and the e9.
The first model, the Linghui e7, was rolled out in April this year with a starting price of 95,800 yuan. Based on the BYD Sealion 06 platform, it primarily targets the ride-hailing market.
The flagship sedan, the Linghui e9, went on sale on May 9 with a starting price of 150,800 yuan. Based on the BYD Han sedan, it is positioned as a C-class all-electric sedan.
The Linghui e9 is equipped with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and its latest flash charging technology, which can replenish the battery from 10% to 70% within five minutes.
The Linghui brand said its vehicles will integrate a number of BYD’s core technologies. These include the God’s Eye driver-assistance system and the DiSus intelligent body control system.
The launch of the Linghui M9 marks a further expansion of the brand’s product lineup. With the addition of an MPV, Linghui is gradually covering a broader range of mobility needs.
BYD’s sub-brand entities will draw on group resources as needed, with R&D, production and procurement costs settled independently.
($1 = 6.8024 yuan)
