Author: Shaun Williams

Aito, the vehicle brand jointly created by Huawei and Seres (HKG: 9927), is preparing to introduce a new SUV model, the Aito M6, in the second quarter of 2026, according to a report from local outlet LatePost. The publication said the upcoming model is aimed at the RMB 250,000 ($35,180) segment of the family SUV market, adding that it will be offered in both battery electric (BEV) and extended-range (EREV) versions. In the original report, LatePost noted that the M6 “will not replace the M5,” citing a source close to Seres. The M6 would become the latest addition to Aito’s…

China has completed its first large-capacity all-solid-state battery production line, marking a technical step forward for its electric-vehicle supply chain, according to state media reports. The line, developed by GAC Group, is currently producing 60 Ah+ vehicle-grade solid-state cells on a small-batch test basis as the company prepares for wider deployment later this decade. The 60 Ah+ designation refers to the capacity of each cell, with higher ampere-hour ratings generally allowing greater energy storage when assembled into a full battery pack. GAC said the solid-state cells are designed to support future electric vehicles with ranges beyond 1,000 km, compared with…

BYD will discontinue its rotating infotainment screens, a feature that helped differentiate the brand when it expanded internationally but has become increasingly incompatible with third-party software. The company confirmed the change as it prepares to integrate more app ecosystems into its vehicles. The rotating display, capable of switching between portrait and landscape orientations, has been a hallmark of several BYD models in recent years. While popular among customers, the feature has proven limiting for key applications. See also: BYD’s Racco Mini EV Could Become One of Europe’s Most Affordable Electric Cars BYD vice president Stella Li said the company’s expanding…

Waymo has secured new approval to operate fully autonomous vehicles across wider regions of California, the company confirmed in a post on Friday. The updated authorization, issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, significantly expands the areas where the Alphabet-owned robotaxi service can test and deploy its driverless vehicles. According to newly published DMV maps, Waymo can now operate across much of the East Bay and North Bay — including Napa and surrounding Wine Country regions — as well as Sacramento in Northern California. In Southern California, its permitted territory now stretches from Santa Clarita to San Diego. The…

Germany’s small electric vehicle market is being led by Hyundai’s Inster, the carmaker’s most affordable EV, after strong demand helped the model become the country’s best-selling small electric car so far in 2025. The compact EV, launched in Europe in late 2024, has also emerged as one of the region’s more popular electric models, industry data show. According to figures from JATO Dynamics, the Inster ranked as Europe’s 19th most popular EV in June, outselling several established competitors including the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota bZ4X. In Germany, the vehicle has received additional recognition after winning the Golden Steering…

Volkswagen of America said the 2025 ID. Buzz has received a 5-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), placing the electric van among eight Volkswagen vehicles awarded the agency’s highest designation for the 2025 model year. NHTSA evaluates vehicles under its New Car Assessment Program using a one-to-five-star scale that measures crash protection and rollover resistance. The agency says five stars represent the highest achievable safety performance. Volkswagen noted the rating reflects the model’s integration of both active and passive safety systems. Safety Systems and Equipment The ID. Buzz includes six airbags, Automatic Post-Collision…

Outrider announced enterprise-class support services for its autonomous yard operations, designed to maintain uptime and performance for logistics hubs using driverless technology. The services will support the commercial rollout of the Outrider System in 2026, targeting large enterprises implementing yard automation across their supply chains. The service combines autonomous operational features with technical support, enabling continuous operation. The system includes self-diagnostic monitoring, remote troubleshooting, and AI-enabled learning from support interactions. Todd Lewis, Senior Vice President at Prologis Ventures, said automation in logistics yards requires a support structure to maintain uninterrupted operations. Outrider’s autonomous system provides trailer tracking, parking optimization, automated…

Archer Aviation said on Wednesday it has entered a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) and luxury tourism developer Red Sea Global to develop and test electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the Kingdom. The collaboration will establish a structured testing environment, or “sandbox,” where Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft can conduct flights under real-world conditions. The initiative will assess aircraft performance, operational viability, regulatory compliance, passenger acceptance, and integration into the broader transport ecosystem. Red Sea Global, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, will lead the sandbox testing to explore how eVTOLs could fit into…

DiDi Autonomous Driving announced a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) on November 12, marking the company’s first major expansion step into the Middle East. As part of the agreement, DiDi has joined the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration focuses on advancing autonomous driving technologies, supporting AI talent development, and contributing to broader ecosystem growth. Both parties plan to extend cooperation across the Middle East over time. See also: Didi Reports Q2 Net Loss of $350 Million on Lawsuit Provision, Revenue Rises 10.9% The SAVI cluster—operated by the Abu Dhabi…

Germany’s Baden-Württemberg region has launched a research initiative to develop silicon-based anode materials aimed at significantly increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, the project partners said on Monday. The project, known as FACILE, brings together four regional partners including the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW). The consortium is “focusing on proven processes from paper and nonwoven production, combined with state-of-the-art industrial coating techniques from semiconductor technology and photovoltaics,” the group said. See also: Hydrohertz Debuts Multi-Zone Battery Valve to Cut EV Charging Times and Boost Range FACILE aims to boost practical anode-side energy density by…

Leapmotor reported its second consecutive quarterly profit as strong sales growth and improved operational efficiency lifted its third-quarter performance. The company posted net income of RMB 150 million in the July–September period, reversing a RMB 690 million loss a year earlier. The latest result follows a profitable second quarter, when the company recorded RMB 160 million in net income, and marks continued recovery after a brief return to losses in the first quarter amid broader industry weakness. See also: Leapmotor Hits 500,000 Sales Ahead of Schedule, Moves Up Launch of Lafa 5 EV The company delivered a record 173,852 vehicles…

Leapmotor has released the first teaser images of its upcoming A10 model, with the small SUV scheduled to make its public debut in one week. Senior vice president Cao Li shared two images of the vehicle on Weibo, showing a LiDAR sensor mounted on its roof — the first official design detail revealed for the new model. The A10 will be unveiled at the 2025 Guangzhou auto show, which runs from November 21 to 30 at the Canton Fair Complex, with the opening day reserved for media. Leapmotor confirmed earlier this month that the A10 will be the inaugural model…