Chinese electric car manufacturers have moved beyond the minor leagues. They are no longer limited to cheap city cars or copying Western models. Now they are going straight for the most exclusive market segments, without hesitation and without asking permission.
A prime example is the Maextro S800, a luxury electric car jointly developed by Huawei and JAC, which many are already calling a Chinese electric Rolls-Royce. And the most striking thing is that it's not a prototype or a futuristic design exercise: it's already being sold and registered.
A large, luxurious car that isn't afraid of anything. The Maextro S800 is a true executive sedan. It measures 5.48 meters long, a figure very similar to that of the great icons of European luxury. Its interior is clearly inspired by Rolls-Royce style: high-end materials, enormous space for rear passengers, and a feeling of comfort designed for traveling, not for speeding.
It is offered in two versions: a 100% electric model with a range of nearly 700 kilometers, and an extended-range electric variant, designed for those still wary of charging.
All this comes at a price ranging from 85,000 to 120,000 euros—a high figure, yes, but much lower than that of any Rolls-Royce or even many Mercedes-Maybachs.
It has been a commercial success from the very beginning. The Maextro S800 has already surpassed 1,000 registrations per month, and the manufacturers plan to reach a production of 2,000 to 3,000 units per month. In the ultra-luxury segment, these numbers are anything but insignificant.
Furthermore, Huawei will contribute its Level 3 autonomous driving technology, a step many Western manufacturers are still hesitant to take commercially.
This model makes it clear that China not only wants to dominate the electric car market in terms of volume, but also in brand image, technology, and luxury. This poses a very serious problem for Western brands.
With a car like this on the Chinese market, it's legitimate to wonder how many Mercedes-Maybach S-Class models, or others of this type, will be sold there from now on. Probably very few.
And this question isn't just anecdotal: it reflects a profound shift in the balance of power within the automotive industry.
The more one analyzes the evolution of electric cars in China and Europe, the more unsettling the apparent complacency of many Western manufacturers becomes. While Chinese brands are attacking every niche, from budget cars to ultra-luxury vehicles, the reactions in the West seem slow and defensive.
One can't help but wonder if traditional manufacturers know something the rest of us don't… or if they're simply reacting too late out of sheer stupidity, and will pay a heavy price for it.
The Maextro S800 isn't an isolated case. It's a clear sign that China is no longer competing solely on price, but on ambition, technology, and market positioning.
Time will tell, but the warning has been issued.
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