China NEV Roundup — Oct 16: Denza D9 2027 and BYD Qin L DM-i Launch, MIIT Issues 35th Tax-Exempt Catalog

China's new-energy vehicle market stayed busy on October 16, with two high-volume plug-in hybrids hitting the market, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) publishing its 35th purchase-tax exemption catalog, and Beijing and Brussels confirming a framework on hybrid/EV trade. Here is what moved today across BEV, PHEV and EREV.

Denza D9 2027 model-year goes on sale as a DM-i plug-in hybrid

BYD's premium MPV brand Denza put the 2027 Denza D9 on sale on October 16. The refreshed DM-i variant uses BYD's fifth-generation DM plug-in hybrid system, with a 200 km CLTC pure-electric range and a 1,100 km combined range. The second-row zero-gravity seats are upgraded for the new model year.

The D9 remains one of the best-selling MPVs in China and a key export model for Denza in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. BYD did not disclose a starting price in the launch materials reviewed for this roundup.

Source: 新能源车网 新车日历 — https://www.xinnengyuan100.com/new-cars

BYD Qin L DM-i new model launches at ¥99,800

BYD launched the updated Qin L DM-i on October 16. The compact plug-in sedan is rated at a 2.9 L/100 km fuel consumption in charge-depleted mode and a combined range beyond 2,000 km. The starting price is ¥99,800 (approx. $13,900 USD).

The Qin nameplate is a volume driver for BYD's Dynasty network, and the DM-i series is central to the brand's PHEV lineup that competes on fuel economy rather than pure electric range.

Source: 新能源车网 新车日历 — https://www.xinnengyuan100.com/new-cars

MIIT publishes 35th purchase-tax exemption catalog with Li Auto i6, BYD Seagull 2, Fangchengbao Tai 9

On October 16, MIIT released the 35th catalog of new-energy vehicles exempt from the vehicle purchase tax, plus the 90th catalog of vehicles enjoying the fuel-efficient / NEV boat-tax reduction. Several closely watched models appeared:

• Li Auto i6 (BEV): 96.0 kWh battery, 780/770 km and 720/710 km variants (CLTC); official on-sale event set for October 28.
• BYD Seagull 2nd gen (BEV): 320 km CLTC, 30.105 kWh; confirmed on sale October 20.
• Fangchengbao Tai 9 (EREV): 310 km electric range, 66.48 kWh pack, 1.5T range extender; expected Q4 2026, blind orders open.
• Wey Lanshan (PHEV): 270 km / 220 km electric range variants.
• Wey Gaoshan 9 (PHEV): 205 km electric range.
• Geely Galaxy M8 (PHEV): flagship large six/seven-seat, 231 km electric range, due within 2026.
• Ora 5 (PHEV): the brand's first plug-in hybrid model, due Q4 2026.
• BMW i3 long-wheelbase (BEV): next-gen platform, China-built LWB version expected 2027.

The catalog is the formal gate for purchase-tax exemption in China and is watched closely as a forward indicator of what will reach showrooms in the following weeks.

Sources: 腾讯新闻 — https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20261016A09OLU00 ; 网通社 — https://auto.news18a.com/news/storys_305515.html

China and EU confirm consensus on hybrid/EV trade; plug-in exports to face a softer landing

People's Daily reported on October 16 on the China–EU consensus reached under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, covering hybrid and electric vehicle trade. The arrangement is built on three principles — respect for facts, non-discrimination, and compliance — and is designed to replace hard tariff escalation with a managed, predictable framework.

The data point drawing attention: in 2025, China's hybrid-vehicle exports to the EU accounted for roughly one-third of its total auto exports to the bloc, and this year's domestic plug-in exports to Europe are projected at nearly 800,000 units, with a likely pullback next year as local-content rules bite. CAAM and several automakers — BYD, Geely, Chery, Leapmotor — welcomed the outcome.

The same report underscores how Chinese makers are shifting from pure export to local production: BYD's Szeged, Hungary plant is targeted to start mass output in Q4 2026 (with a CATL-supplied battery base), Chery's Ebro joint venture reuses a former Nissan plant in Spain, Leapmotor builds the B10 at Stellantis' Zaragoza plant, and SAIC plans a ~120,000-unit/yr plant in Galicia.

Sources: 人民网 — https://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1016/c1004-40816281.html ; 中财网 — https://www.cfi.net.cn/p20261013001277.html ; 华夏时报 — https://www.chinatimes.net.cn/article/156278.html

Li Auto begins first mass-production deliveries of the i6 electric SUV

On October 16, Li Auto began concentrated first-batch deliveries of the i6 to users, initially covering core cities while expanding charging and after-sales coverage. The i6 is a BEV with a 96 kWh pack (per the MIIT catalog above) and is positioned as the brand's family-oriented electric model; the formal launch event is scheduled for October 28.

Source: 新能源车网 新车日历 — https://www.xinnengyuan100.com/new-cars

Power-battery recycling runs into an overcapacity "hunger" problem

A recent industry workshop highlighted a structural mismatch in China's power-battery recycling chain: while end-of-life volumes are rising, processing capacity has been built far ahead of supply. The China Material Recycling Association estimates about 500,000 tonnes of retired traction batteries in 2025, against more than 4 million tonnes of wet-metallurgy recycling capacity already on paper.

The backdrop is the Interim Measures for the Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of New-Energy Vehicle Traction Batteries (《新能源汽车废旧动力电池回收和综合利用管理暂行办法》), in force since April 1, 2026, which sets up a national traceability platform and clarifies producer take-back responsibility. LFP batteries — now the dominant chemistry in China — will make up a growing share of retirements, shifting the economics toward direct recycling and high-value material recovery.

Sources: 经济日报/中国经营报 via 中国经济网 — https://auto.ce.cn/auto/gundong/202610/t20261012_3254919.shtml

What's next (reader-facing launch calendar)

• BYD Seagull 2nd gen — on sale October 20 (BEV, 320 km CLTC).
• Ora 5 — Q4 2026, brand's first PHEV.
• Fangchengbao Tai 9 — Q4 2026 (EREV, 310 km electric).
• Geely Galaxy M8 — within 2026 (PHEV flagship).
• Wey Lanshan / Gaoshan 9 — Q4 2026 (PHEV).
• Li Auto i6 — formal launch event October 28 (BEV).

Image credits

• Denza D9 DM-i (IAA 2025): Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA, via Special:FilePath.
• BYD Qin L: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA, via Special:FilePath.
• Li Auto i6: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA, via Special:FilePath.
• Li Auto i6 image previously self-hosted as 2026-li-auto-i6.jpeg.

Sources

• 新能源车网 新车日历 — https://www.xinnengyuan100.com/new-cars
• 腾讯新闻 (IT之家) 工信部第35批购置税减免目录 — https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20261016A09OLU00
• 网通社 工信部第35批购置税减免目录 — https://auto.news18a.com/news/storys_305515.html
• 人民网 中欧就汽车贸易达成共识 — https://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1016/c1004-40816281.html
• 中财网 多家中国车企欧洲建厂 — https://www.cfi.net.cn/p20261013001277.html
• 华夏时报 混动配额向上安排 — https://www.chinatimes.net.cn/article/156278.html
• 中国经济网 动力电池回收陷入"吃不饱"困局 — https://auto.ce.cn/auto/gundong/202610/t20261012_3254919.shtml

中文简报

2026年10月16日中国新能源要点：

1. 腾势D9 2027款上市，搭载第五代DM插混，纯电200km、综合1100km，二排零重力座椅升级（未公布起售价）。
2. 比亚迪秦L DM-i新款上市，亏电油耗2.9L/100km，综合续航超2000km，起售价9.98万元（约1.39万美元）。
3. 工信部发布第35批购置税减免目录：理想i6（96kWh/780km，10.28上市）、比亚迪海鸥2代（10.20上市/320km）、方程豹钛9（EREV/310km/Q4）、魏牌蓝山/高山9（PHEV）、吉利银河M8（PHEV旗舰）、欧拉5（品牌首款PHEV）、宝马i3长轴距（2027）。
4. 中欧就混动/电动汽车贸易达成共识，2025年中国对欧混动出口约占对欧汽车出口三分之一，今年插混对欧出口预计近80万辆，明年或回落；中国车企加速欧洲本地化（比亚迪匈牙利Q4投产、奇瑞西班牙、零跑萨拉戈萨等）。
5. 理想i6启动首批集中交付（BEV，96kWh，10.28正式发布）。
6. 动力电池回收出现"产能过剩、货源不足"错配，2025年退役约50万吨、回收产能超400万吨；《废旧动力电池回收和综合利用暂行办法》4月1日施行。 动力类型覆盖 BEV / PHEV / EREV；海外相关 2 条以上。