A 2025 study by J.D. Power China on the quality of new energy vehicles produced unexpected results, according to CarNewsChina. Aito, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla ranked in the top three, while China’s most popular brand, BYD, placed slightly below the industry average.
The survey covered 57 brands and more than 5,700 owners who had driven their vehicles for between two months and one year.
A clear leader
The standout performer was the Aito M9, developed within the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance with participation from Huawei. The model posted top results across several classes.
In the midsize and large SUV segment, the Aito M9, M8 and M7 captured the top three positions, outperforming market favorites such as the Li Auto L8 and Voyah Free.
SUVs and sedans
In the compact and midsize crossover category, BYD still secured several top-five placements. Models on the list included the Seal 05 EV, Atto 2 and Atto 3, alongside the Avatr 07 and Tesla Model Y.
Popular brand rankings
Several brands popular in Kazakhstan — including Li Auto, Zeekr and BYD — did not reach the top 10 for initial quality. Deepal, a rapidly growing sub-brand of Changan, ranked near the bottom of the study.
Overall, the results suggest that strong sales and brand recognition do not always correspond to vehicle quality during the first months of ownership.
