Nine Automakers Launch 7-Year Low-Interest Auto Financing Amid Intensifying EV Market Competition

[Financial Battle Intensifies] At the start of 2026, Tesla率先 rolled out a 5-year zero-interest offer for the Model Y L and a 7-year low-interest financing plan for the Model 3, Model Y, and Model Y L, quickly triggering a ripple effect across the industry.

Key Trend: Nine Automakers Rapidly Follow with 7-Year Low-Interest Plans

Li Auto, XPeng, Xiaomi, Geely, Dongfeng Yipai, and seven other brands swiftly entered the fray before the Lunar New Year, shifting competition in the auto market from price wars to deep strategic maneuvering around financial policies.

Critical Data: Significant Differences in the True Value of "Low Interest"

Taking Tesla as an example, with a 34% down payment, customers can enjoy an annual interest rate of 0.98%—on a RMB 100,000 loan over 7 years, total interest amounts to only approximately RMB 3,500. Other brands, while also advertising "7-year low-interest" deals, vary widely in actual interest rates and down payment requirements.

Strategic Rationale: Capturing Early-Year Traffic and Securing Full-Year Sales Targets

Automakers are leveraging low-barrier financing options to convert hesitant buyers, igniting pre-Lunar New Year consumer enthusiasm early—and reflecting how intense market competition has become the new normal in the 2026 automotive landscape.