• Geely Galaxy began pre-sales of the M9 in China on August 23, with a starting price of just RMB 193,800 ($27,130).
• The M9's price is half that of Li Auto's Li L9 EREV, yet it offers comparable dimensions.

Geely Auto (HKG: 0175) sub-brand Geely Galaxy will launch its new M9 model in two weeks, with its aggressive pricing poised to significantly influence China's large hybrid SUV market.

Geely Galaxy announced today that the M9 will be officially launched on September 17 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang -- the city of Geely's headquarters.

"AI makes life better!" Geely Galaxy wrote on Weibo, highlighting the model's AI capabilities.

The six-seat SUV made its global debut in Milan, Italy, on May 22. Built on the Geely Electric Architecture (GEA), it utilizes the next-generation Leishen EM Super Hybrid system.

Geely Galaxy began pre-sales of the model in China on August 23, offering six variants starting at RMB 193,800 ($27,130), RMB 202,800, RMB 208,800, RMB 217,800, RMB 236,800, and RMB 258,800.

Shortly after the pre-sales begun, Geely Galaxy announced that the M9 received over 40,000 pre-orders within the first 24 hours.

The M9's pricing is half that of Li Auto's (NASDAQ: LI) Li L9 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) at RMB 409,800, yet it offers comparable dimensions.

The large SUV measures 5,205 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,030 mm.

By comparison, the six-seat Li L9 measures 5,218 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,015 mm.

As is common practice in China's auto market, a new model's official launch price is typically lower than its pre-sales price. This suggests the Geely Galaxy M9's official starting price may fall below RMB 190,000.

The M9's cabin features Agent OS, which Geely Galaxy said is the industry's first AI-driven automotive cockpit.

The vehicle offers 18.4-kWh and 41.46-kWh battery pack options, with CLTC ranges of 100 km and 230 km, or WLTC ranges of 85 km and 185 km.

With a full tank and fully charged battery, the M9 achieves a combined range of up to 1,500 kilometers, which Geely Galaxy said is more fuel-efficient than traditional sedans.

It comes in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The most powerful variant delivers a peak power of 640 kW (859 horsepower) and peak torque of 1,165 Nm, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.5 seconds.

Geely Galaxy has experienced robust growth in recent months, selling a record 110,666 units in August -- a 172.59 percent year-on-year increase and a 16.44 percent rise from July, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

Buoyed by Geely Galaxy's performance, Geely Auto recorded August sales of 250,167 units -- its second-highest monthly total ever, trailing only January's 266,737 units.

($1 = RMB 7.1422)