Author: Linda Ma

Avatr has officially launched the Avatr 06, its second all-electric sedan, at a starting price of RMB 209,900 ($28,750), following a pre-sale phase last month. The new model is available in five variants—two extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and three battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—with pricing that undercuts earlier estimates. With a length of 4,855 mm and a wheelbase of 2,940 mm, the Avatr 06 is larger than Tesla’s Model 3 in key dimensions, positioning it as a spacious five-seater sedan. It becomes the third model in Avatr’s portfolio to offer both EREV and BEV variants, after the Avatr 07 SUV and…

Leapmotor and Stellantis NV will begin localized production of electric vehicles in Malaysia this year, marking the next phase of the Chinese EV maker’s global expansion strategy. The announcement comes months after production for Leapmotor models commenced in Europe through the companies’ existing partnership. Stellantis, Europe’s second-largest carmaker by volume, revealed plans to assemble Leapmotor vehicles at its Gurun plant in Kedah, Malaysia. The project will start with an initial investment of €5 million ($5.7 million), with the first localized model, the Leapmotor C10 SUV, expected to roll off the line by the end of 2025. See also: Leapmotor Launches…

Yangwang, the premium sub-brand of BYD, has previewed a new model expected to build upon its existing U8 SUV, as part of its continued push into China’s luxury vehicle segment. The upcoming U8L was teased in a pair of images on the brand’s official Weibo account, ahead of its planned debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. While technical specifications were not disclosed, Yangwang hinted that the new model will be larger than the U8, suggesting a long-wheelbase version in line with typical naming conventions in the Chinese auto market. The “L” suffix often denotes a more spacious variant designed…

Hesai Group said its AT128 lidar sensor will be used in the first production-ready Level 4 (L4) Robotaxi jointly developed by Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion, with mass production slated for 2025 and deployment expected to begin the following year. The autonomous vehicle was unveiled at the 2025 GAC Tech Day, showcasing advances in sensor technology and full-stack autonomous integration. The Robotaxi features four AT128 sensors, which form the core of its 360-degree perception system. The AT128 offers a high-resolution 1200×128 scan pattern and captures up to 1.53 million data points per second. It supports a detection range of…

Li Auto has filed its upcoming battery electric SUV, the Li i8, with Chinese authorities, marking a key regulatory step toward market entry. The filing was disclosed in a public catalog released Wednesday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), with the public consultation period open from April 17 to 23. The Li i8 is the company’s first all-electric SUV, following its introduction of the Li Mega MPV earlier this year. The model is expected to launch in July and is featured in four entries in the MIIT catalog, each describing a six-seat, dual-motor configuration. Production will take…

Chinese authorities have banned automakers from using terms such as “smart driving” and “autonomous driving” in advertising to describe driver-assistance features, tightening scrutiny over advanced driving technologies following a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi electric vehicle earlier this year. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) outlined the new advertising restrictions during a closed-door meeting with around 60 automakers, according to a transcript seen by Reuters and confirmed by one of the attendees. The ministry also reminded automakers of regulatory requirements published in February regarding the use of over-the-air (OTA) software updates to modify driving-related systems. See also: China…

China will tighten safety regulations on electric vehicle (EV) batteries, with new technical standards set to take effect from July 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Monday, as the country seeks to address fire and explosion risks in its rapidly expanding new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. The updated rules will impose more rigorous mandatory testing on EV and plug-in hybrid batteries to prevent thermal runaway — a chemical chain reaction widely cited as the leading cause of battery-related fires. Automakers will be required to ensure batteries do not catch fire or explode during specific testing scenarios,…

Lexus, the luxury arm of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp, has acquired a major plot of land in Shanghai for RMB 1.353 billion ($185 million), paving the way for construction of its first wholly-owned electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in China, according to the Shanghai Public Resources Trading Center. The site, located in the Jinshan district of southwestern Shanghai, spans approximately 1.13 million square meters and is designated for new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing, lithium-ion battery production, and other related battery technologies. The rights to use the land extend for 50 years, under terms set by the local Planning and Natural…

Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) reported a 32.85% rise in first-quarter net income, supported by improved gross margins and steady revenue growth, despite a quarter-on-quarter decline in both metrics. Net profit for the January-March period reached RMB 13.96 billion ($1.9 billion), exceeding analyst expectations. While earnings rose sharply from the same period a year earlier, they fell 5.30% from the fourth quarter of 2024. Revenue stood at RMB 84.7 billion, up 6.18% year-on-year, but 17.74% lower than the previous quarter. See also: CATL in Talks to Acquire Controlling Stake in Nio Power Gross margin improved to…

Shanghai has broadened the scope of its car trade-in subsidies, allowing residents to use vehicles registered outside the city to qualify for incentives. The move is part of a wider strategy to boost automotive consumption and promote the transition to cleaner energy vehicles. The updated policy enables individual buyers to receive up to RMB 15,000 ($2,060) when purchasing a new electric vehicle priced at RMB 100,000 or more, provided they trade in an old vehicle registered elsewhere. See also: Shanghai and Hefei Introduce Battery Swap Station Subsidies, Benefiting Nio A subsidy of RMB 13,000 is available for those opting for…

Chinese authorities are delaying approvals for BYD and Geely to proceed with vehicle manufacturing plans in Latin America due to rising concerns over global trade tensions and potential technology transfer, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The projects, which include BYD’s potential electric vehicle (EV) plant in Mexico and Geely’s collaboration with Renault to produce low-emission vehicles in Brazil, have encountered slower-than-expected progress in regulatory reviews, the sources said. See also: China, EU Discuss Strengthening Trade Ties Amid U.S. Tariff Moves Chinese state planners reportedly warned automakers that such overseas investments could carry risks of technology leakage, particularly…

Retail sales of passenger new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China rebounded in March, reversing declines from the previous two months and pushing the segment’s retail penetration rate above 50% once again. Total NEV retail sales reached 991,000 units during the month, representing a 38% increase compared with the same period last year and a 45% rise from February, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 646,000 of those sales, marking a 50.6% year-on-year increase and a 51.2% jump from the previous month. BEVs contributed 65.2% of all NEV retail sales in…