Shanghai (ZXZC)- HOZON Auto, the startup owning NEV brand NETA, saw its monthly delivery volume hit a record high of 6,613 units in August, representing a 449% year-on-year hike and a 10% month-on-month upward movement, the company announced on Wednesday.

Notably, HOZON Auto for the first time outsold NIO, who announced 5,580 vehicles for its Aug. deliveries.

Based on deliveries performance, the so-called first-tier Chinese NEV startups usually referred to NIO, Li Auto, and XPeng. However, affected by the coronavirus-led supply chain constraints, NIO's Aug. deliveries tumbled 25.9% from the previous month to 5,880 units, 131 units fewer than that of HOZON Auto, which was conventionally regarded as a member of “second-tier” group. Meanwhile, another “second-tier” startup Leapmotor said its deliveries reached 4,488 units last month, representing a robust 720% year-on-year growth.

For the first eight months of 2021, HOZON Auto's cumulative deliveries amounted to 33,728 units, rocketing 367% compared to the same period in 2020.

NETA U Pro; photo credit: HOZON Auto

HOZON Auto currently has three production models for sale, namely, the NETA N01, the NETA V, and the NETA U Pro, covering segments of small-sized and compact SUVs. In the first-half of the year, the startup joined hands with the cybersecurity giant Qihoo 360 to co-build smart car models priced around 100,000 yuan ($15,460). The partnership is conducive to improving the startup’s brand image and is expected to drive NETA brand’s sales.