Dongfeng and Huawei's first jointly developed model, the Yijing X9, went on sale in Guangzhou on September 24 with a limited-time starting price of 279,800 yuan (about $39,400) — 20,000 yuan below its pre-sale price. The six-seat SUV is positioned in China's fiercely competitive 300,000-yuan family SUV segment, according to Chinese outlet Diandongbang.
The Yijing X9 comes in four trims spanning roughly 280,000 to 360,000 yuan (about $39,400 to $50,700). All versions are equipped with Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance system, with three of the four trims featuring a four-laser perception setup. The entry model does not sacrifice hardware despite the lower price, the report said.
Huawei tech throughout
The SUV is the first vehicle from the Dongfeng-Huawei 'full-stack native co-creation' program, a deeper partnership than typical technology procurement deals. Dongfeng contributes its 57 years of vehicle manufacturing experience, while Huawei brings its IPD development process, IPMS management system and full-stack intelligent vehicle solutions. The two companies have formed a 5,000-person joint team with investment in the hundreds of billions of yuan, according to Diandongbang.
Inside, the Yijing X9 debuts the HarmonySpace 6 cockpit with dual 17.2-inch screens. The cabin features a MOLA AI assistant, a HAMOMO companion robot, and an AMS in-cabin sensing system that can detect children crying or dangerous movements. The car also offers a 1.9-meter bed mode with second-row zero-gravity seats and third-row seats that recline 43 degrees.
The range-extender (EREV) powertrain uses an 800V high-voltage platform with CATL batteries, delivering a CLTC pure-electric range of 465 km — roughly 372-395 km under the more conservative WLTP cycle (est.). Combined range reaches 1,570 km. The car rides on a full-aluminum chassis with 91% aluminum and high-strength steel, featuring double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension, adaptive dual-chamber air suspension, and rear-wheel steering with a 5.3-meter turning radius.
Safety and pricing strategy
Yijing introduced what it calls the industry's first 'all-timeframe' safety architecture, integrating intelligent driving, active, passive, battery, rescue and health safety. The body uses 92.4% high-strength steel and aluminum, with 2,400 MPa ultra-high-strength steel in the B-pillar. The company claims the X9 passed a 105 km/h frontal offset collision test and a 20-ton container roof crush test.
The aggressive pricing reflects Yijing's read on the market. The 300,000-yuan family SUV segment is crowded, and consumers are highly price-sensitive. By pushing the entry price below 280,000 yuan while keeping intelligent driving standard across all trims, Yijing aims to lower the barrier to purchase. However, the limited-time price includes a super trade-in benefit, and buyers should carefully check the terms, Diandongbang noted.
Orders have been strong since pre-sales opened on August 18, the report said. Yijing plans to have stores in 90 cities and service coverage in 150 cities by October, with 400 experience touchpoints. The charging ecosystem integrates Dongfeng and Huawei resources, giving access to 2.8 million charging piles through the vehicle's infotainment system.
The X9 faces stiff competition from established players in the 300,000-yuan family SUV segment. As a new brand, Yijing must prove itself on brand recognition, dealer density and service quality. The first batch of owner experiences will determine whether the X9 can sustain its early momentum, according to Diandongbang.
