The SWM brand was founded in Milan, Italy in 1971, as a motorcycle manufacturer. In 2014, SWM Automobile was acquired by Xinyuan Holdings Co., Ltd. in Chongqing, China. On July 27, 2016, the SWM brand was launched in Beijing and officially entered the passenger car market. SWM Automobile has its design center in Milan, and its manufacturing base in Chongqing. From 2016 to 2022, SWM Automobile has launched a number of SUV models. With the rise of new energy technologies, SWM Automobile has begun to transform into new energy vehicles, including hybrid and purely electric models.

The SWM brand was founded in Milan in 1971 with the launch of the Six Days off-road motorcycle. It also produces off-road, enduro and motocross motorcycles equipped with Sachs and Rotax engines.

In October 2014, Xinyuan Group acquired the Italian brand SWM and established an automotive design center in Milan, Italy.

On July 27, 2016, SWM Motors launched its new brand at Beijing 751D•PARK Fashion Design Plaza.

In September 2016, SWM Motors launched the large 7-seater SUV named SWM X7.

In 2017, SWM Motors' first pure electric SUV concept car EROE was unveiled at the Shanghai International Auto Show. In the same year, Xinyuan Automobile became the official partner of Inter Milan Football Club. At the same time, Italian star Roberto Gagliardini became the spokesperson for SWM.

In 2017, SWM launched the SWM X3 at the Shanghai Auto Show in China. It was reported that the SWM X3 would be positioned as a compact SUV.

On March 29, 2018, SWM G01, a large five-seater SUV built on the new G platform, was officially launched in Milan.