IM Motors, the electric vehicle unit of SAIC Motor, is preparing to launch its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system, with a formal unveiling scheduled for August 1. The move signals the brand’s entry into the hybrid EV segment, following a broader trend among Chinese automakers adapting to evolving consumer preferences.
The company’s new extended-range powertrain, described as a “super extended-range” system, is designed to deliver significantly longer driving distances through high-capacity batteries. The upgraded IM LS6 and an all-new six-seat SUV, the IM LS9, will be the first models equipped with the technology. These vehicles are expected to enter the market in the third and fourth quarters of 2025.
IM Motors’ expansion into hybrid territory aligns with the industry’s ongoing shift from exclusively battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to models that include plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants. Several EV makers in China have already rolled out EREV models, citing increased demand for longer range and flexibility during the transition to full electrification.
Currently, IM Motors’ lineup includes four BEVs: the IM L6 and L7 sedans, and the IM LS6 and LS7 SUVs. The LS6, launched in October 2023 and updated in September 2024, is a mid-to-large SUV with a starting price of RMB 232,900 ($32,450). The upcoming LS9 model, recently listed in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) product catalog, features larger dimensions and a six-seat layout, targeting higher-end market segments.
IM Motors joins peers such as Xpeng, which introduced its own EREV platform in late 2024. Among major Chinese EV makers, only Nio remains focused solely on BEVs.
By entering the EREV space, IM Motors is positioning itself to better compete in China’s fast-evolving new energy vehicle market, where consumer interest in hybrid options continues to grow.