Huawei-Backed Maextro S800 Outsold BMW and Mercedes Combined in China’s Luxury Sedan Market

The Maextro S800, a luxury sedan from the joint venture between Huawei and JAC, has surged to the top of China’s full-size executive car segment, selling 2,625 units in January 2026. This remarkable performance saw the S800 outsell its primary competitors-the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class-combined, signaling a significant shift in the premium automotive landscape.

A New Benchmark in Tech-Laden Luxury

Positioned as a “flagship of the new era,” the Maextro S800 carries a price tag ranging from 708,000 to 1,018,000 yuan (approximately $98,000 to $141,000). Despite its premium positioning, demand is accelerating, with deliveries jumping by 104% in December of the previous year. The vehicle’s appeal is strongest in China’s wealthiest megacities, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. The S800 leverages Huawei’s advanced technology, featuring the HarmonyOS-powered smart cockpit and the sophisticated ADS 3.0 autonomous driving system. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version boasts a total output of 385 kW (516 hp), enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds. The pure electric variant is equipped with a 100 kWh battery co-developed with CATL, offering a CLTC range of up to 816 km (507 miles).

Disrupting the Established Order

The Maextro S800’s success underscores a growing preference among Chinese consumers for domestically produced, technology-forward luxury vehicles over traditional German stalwarts. The S800 is not just competing on price but on innovation, offering features like an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.193 Cd and an 800-volt architecture that allows for rapid charging. This tech-centric approach is challenging the long-held dominance of brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which have historically led the luxury segment. Richard Yu, chairman of Huawei’s Intelligent Automotive Solutions, has stated that the vehicle is designed to be more luxurious and comfortable than even the Maybach and Rolls-Royce Phantom.

An Expanding Luxury Ecosystem

JAC Group is committed to capitalizing on this momentum. Chairman Xiang Xingchu confirmed that the company is focused on maintaining the highest build quality for the S800 and is already planning to expand the Maextro lineup. “Based on the Zunjie S800, we are also accelerating the R&D of the second and third products of the Zunjie brand,” Xiang stated, referring to the high-end brand name. Future plans include the launch of a luxury MPV and an SUV under the same brand, aiming to capture a broader share of the premium market. This strategy aligns with a broader trend of collaboration, with JAC and Huawei recently signing a new agreement to deepen their strategic partnership on intelligent vehicle solutions.