- The NX8 is Dongfeng Nissan's first model offering EREV options, garnering 8,423 orders within 30 minutes of its launch.
- The official starting price of the NX8 is 159,900 yuan ($23,380).
Dongfeng Nissan has launched the NX8, the first model from Nissan's China joint venture to offer extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) options, stepping up its bets in the Chinese EV market.
The mid to large-size SUV Officially hit the market on Wednesday and offers both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and EREV powertrain options.
Its official suggested retail price ranges from 159,900 yuan ($23,380) to 209,900 yuan, with a limited-time promotional starting price dropping to 149,900 yuan.
Driven by this pricing strategy, the NX8 secured 8,423 orders within 30 minutes of its launch, Dongfeng Nissan announced shortly after Wednesday's event.
The BEV models began deliveries immediately upon launch on April 8, while the EREV variants will start rolling out to customers in mid-to-late May.
The NX8 measures 4,870 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,917 mm.
Premium trims of the model are equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from CATL, supporting up to 5C ultra-fast charging and offering a CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) range of up to 630 kilometers.
The new car features a Qualcomm 8295P chip and an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) provided by Chinese autonomous driving star Momenta, supporting both urban and highway navigation assistance.
The NX8 is the third N-series model Dongfeng Nissan has introduced for the Chinese market, following the N7 pure electric sedan and the N6 plug-in hybrid sedan.
The Nissan joint venture launched the N7 last year with a starting price of 119,900 yuan, and the N6 with a limited-time starting price of 91,900 yuan.
This aggressive low-price strategy represents one of the major counteroffensives by legacy joint venture automakers in China over the past few years.
The launch of the NX8 SUV highlights how traditional joint venture automakers are aiming to reclaim market share through accelerated product roll-outs and aggressive pricing in the face of the strong rise of local Chinese brands.
($1 = 6.8386 yuan)
