Author: Linda Ma

Chery plans to open a passenger car research and development center in Bedfordshire, England, as the Chinese automaker expands its local operations and seeks to develop vehicles more closely adapted to the UK market. The facility is scheduled to open in late autumn 2026. Initial work will focus on vehicle calibration for UK driving conditions, with research expected to expand into autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. Chery Establishes UK Engineering Base Bedfordshire is an established automotive engineering and motorsport hub with several vehicle research and development facilities. https://evmagz.com/chery-to-invest-us75-million-in-kg-mobility-to-expand-global-partnership/ Chery plans to recruit local employees over time and develop high-skilled positions…

Leapmotor has launched the A05, a compact battery-electric hatchback, in Hangzhou with prices ranging from 63,900 yuan ($9,410) to 90,900 yuan. The model is the second vehicle based on the company’s A platform and is positioned for urban driving in China’s sub-100,000-yuan segment. The launch event was originally scheduled for Aug. 10 but was postponed by one day after Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in Zhejiang province. Two Battery Options Provide Up to 510 km Range The A05 is available with 39.8 kWh and 53 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs. https://evmagz.com/leapmotor-begins-local-ev-assembly-in-indonesia/ The smaller battery provides a CLTC-rated range of up…

BYD has filed an updated version of its Seal 07 sedan for regulatory approval in China, with the new model growing in size and gaining more powerful drivetrain options across battery-electric and plug-in hybrid configurations. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) included three Seal 07 entries in its latest vehicle catalog released on Friday. The filings cover two battery-electric variants and one plug-in hybrid version. Larger Dimensions Expand Seal 07 Footprint The five-seat sedan measures 5,080 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,495 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,960 mm. That represents a substantial increase over the…

Li Auto has introduced a lower-priced rear-wheel-drive version of its all-electric Li i8 sport utility vehicle (SUV), expanding the model lineup as the company seeks to improve demand following a slower-than-expected market reception. The new Li i8 Rear-Drive Long Range starts at 309,800 yuan ($45,630), making it 30,000 yuan less expensive than the previously launched all-wheel-drive high-performance model, which remains priced at 339,800 yuan. New Entry-Level Model Targets Broader Market The latest addition gives buyers a more affordable entry point into Li Auto’s first fully electric SUV while retaining most of the flagship model’s premium features. Unlike the dual-motor version,…

Geely Auto sold 250,161 vehicles in July, with record overseas deliveries helping offset continued weakness in its domestic market. The Chinese automaker’s July sales increased 5.23% from a year earlier and rose 3.89% from June, marking the company’s highest July sales on record. Overseas Sales Reach New High Geely Auto exported 106,663 vehicles in July, up 202.40% year on year and 3.68% from June. The result marked the second consecutive month that the company’s overseas deliveries exceeded 100,000 vehicles and established a new monthly export record. During the first seven months of 2026, cumulative exports reached 580,891 vehicles, representing an…

Changan Automobile’s electric vehicle brand Deepal has opened pre-sales for the updated S05 sport utility vehicle in China, introducing upgraded intelligent driving technology and new hardware to one of the company’s core battery-electric models. The revamped Deepal S05 is available with pre-sale prices ranging from 119,900 yuan (approximately US$17,660) to 151,900 yuan. During the promotional period, customers who place a 1,000-yuan deposit can receive purchase incentives valued at 2,000 yuan. Updated S05 Adds LiDAR and New Computing Platform The updated lineup comprises five variants with pre-sale prices of 119,900 yuan, 129,900 yuan, 139,900 yuan, 141,900 yuan and 151,900 yuan. Higher-specification…

Zeekr has introduced a five-seat version of its flagship 9X luxury hybrid SUV in China, lowering the entry price of the model as the premium electric vehicle brand looks to broaden its customer base amid intensifying competition in the high-end SUV segment. The new variant is now on sale with a limited-time starting price of 451,900 yuan ($66,530), below the 465,900 yuan launch price of the six-seat version introduced in September 2025. Lower Entry Price Expands 9X Lineup The five-seat Zeekr 9X is offered in three variants: Ultra, Hyper, and Obsidian Black. https://evmagz.com/zeekr-expands-7-gt-launch-to-16-european-markets/ The models are priced at 471,900 yuan,…

BYD has previewed its upcoming Da Han flagship sedan, revealing that the battery-electric version will offer a claimed driving range of 1,008 kilometers as the automaker expands its premium Dynasty lineup. The Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer said the new Dynasty 9-series sedan will make its public debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in August. https://evmagz.com/byd-reveals-additional-exterior-details-of-upcoming-qin-max-sedan/ Flagship Sedan Targets Premium Segment BYD announced the upcoming launch during an event in Xinjiang marking the delivery of the 10,000th Da Tang EV, the company’s flagship sport utility vehicle under the Dynasty brand. Lu Tian, general manager of sales for BYD’s Dynasty lineup,…

GWM has officially launched the new-generation Tank 300 SUV in China, introducing a comprehensive update to one of the flagship models in its premium off-road vehicle lineup. The new Tank 300 is offered in five variants featuring gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Prices start at 199,800 yuan (US$29,499) for the gasoline model and 234,800 yuan for the diesel version. The long-wheelbase Tank 300L Hi4-T plug-in hybrid starts at 249,800 yuan, while the Tank 300L Hi4-Z is priced at 259,800 yuan. Both hybrid models were launched at prices 10,000 yuan below their pre-sale prices announced earlier this month. https://evmagz.com/gwm-launches-updated-tank-400-suv-with-hybrid-and-ice-options/ Expanded…

Xiaomi has disclosed additional specifications for its upcoming Sky Nomad lineup, revealing that its first extended-range sport utility vehicles (SUVs) will offer a maximum CLTC all-electric driving range of 505 kilometers and battery capacities of up to 76 kWh. The company said the Sky Nomad series is designed to maximize electric driving for everyday use while employing a gasoline-powered range extender to reduce charging concerns during long-distance travel. The specifications position some Sky Nomad variants close to mainstream battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in terms of pure-electric driving capability, allowing many users to complete daily commuting without activating the range extender.…

BYD has filed a next-generation version of its Seagull battery-electric vehicle with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), completing a key regulatory step ahead of the model’s launch in the domestic market. The filing, published in the ministry’s latest catalog of new vehicle models on July 10, includes two battery-electric variants of the Seagull. Larger Dimensions and More Powerful Motor According to the filing, both versions measure 4,205 millimeters in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,570 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. Both are configured with five seats. Compared with the current Seagull, the…

BYD’s premium brand Denza has unveiled the all-electric Denza Z at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, marking the European debut of the brand’s first two-door electric supercar. According to Denza, the model is the first Chinese-developed electric supercar to enter the European market. The Denza Z will be offered in three variants. The Coupe is priced at £142,900, while the Spider convertible starts at £159,900. A track-focused Racing version will be available from £172,900. Pre-orders in the United Kingdom are scheduled to begin in October, with first customer deliveries expected before the end of 2026. In…

Xpeng has opened pre-sales for the Mona L03, the first sport utility vehicle in its Mona lineup, ahead of the model’s official launch in China on July 16 as the company expands its product portfolio and targets younger buyers. At a launch event in Beijing, Xpeng announced six variants of the Mona L03 with pre-sale prices ranging from 143,800 yuan (approximately US$21,200) to 165,800 yuan. The company describes the vehicle as a smart and stylish SUV designed for first-time car buyers and younger consumers. Following its China launch, the Mona L03 is scheduled to make its global debut in Europe.…

Mirattery, the battery asset management company supporting Nio Inc.’s battery-as-a-service (BaaS) business, has launched two green asset-backed securitization products with a combined issuance value of more than 2 billion yuan, expanding its financing activities for battery services and clean technology. The company said its Phase 2 Green Technology Innovation Asset-Backed Special Plan was established on June 30 on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with a total issuance of 971 million yuan (approximately $143 million). On the same day, Mirattery also completed the issuance of its third Green Asset-Backed Medium-Term Notes (ABN) of 2026, valued at 1.05 billion yuan. Financing Costs Reach…

Li Auto has officially entered the Macau market with the opening of its first retail center in the city, marking a new milestone in the Chinese electric vehicle maker’s international expansion strategy. The company partnered with Guangdong Hongyue Automobile Sales Group to establish the retail outlet. Guangdong Hongyue also serves as the exclusive general distributor for Nio in Macau. The expansion represents Li Auto’s first entry into the Hong Kong and Macau market, with the company positioning Macau as a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region. First Retail Center Opens The new retail center allows customers in Macau to experience…

Nio founder, chairman and chief executive officer William Li expects new energy vehicles (NEVs) to account for more than 90% of new vehicle sales in China by 2030, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) representing more than 90% of the country’s NEV market. Li shared the outlook during the 2026 Nio Partner Day on Friday, according to a Weibo post by Nio Vice President of Brand and Communications Ma Lin. Confidence in Full Electrification According to Ma, Li’s forecast is based on several factors that have accelerated China’s transition toward electrification over the past two years. These include rapid changes in…

BYD is reportedly preparing a major restructuring of its research and development operations, shifting from a technology-centered organization to a more brand-focused structure as China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer seeks to sustain growth in an increasingly competitive market. According to local media outlet Jipian Lab, BYD plans to reorganize its Engineering Academy into five independent research institutes aligned with its major automotive brands: Dynasty, Ocean, Fang Cheng Bao, Denza, and Yangwang. Brand Research Institutes Gain Greater Authority Under the proposed restructuring, the five brand-specific research institutes would be elevated to a level similar to that of the Engineering Academy. The…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand owned by Geely Auto, has surpassed 800,000 cumulative vehicle deliveries, highlighting the rapid growth of the Chinese automaker in the increasingly competitive premium mobility market. The company announced the milestone on Tuesday, noting that its vehicles are now available in more than 50 countries and regions worldwide. Deliveries continue to surge Zeekr delivered a record 34,377 vehicles in May, bringing cumulative deliveries to 786,090 units as of the end of the month. Based on the latest milestone announcement, the company has delivered more than 13,910 additional vehicles in June, pushing total deliveries beyond the…

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has cautioned that mass adoption of all-solid-state batteries in electric vehicles remains several years away, with the technology unlikely to reach widespread commercial deployment before 2030. Speaking in an interview with Caijing, CATL founder and CEO Robin Zeng said significant technological and manufacturing challenges still need to be overcome before solid-state batteries can be produced at scale for mainstream vehicles. According to Zeng, the first commercial applications are likely to be confined to premium vehicle platforms priced above 250,000 yuan (approximately €32,000), reflecting the high costs associated with the emerging technology. Commercialization Still in Early Stages…

China’s Guangdong province has unveiled a major infrastructure strategy aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption, with plans to build more than 3 million charging facilities by the end of 2027 to support a rapidly growing fleet of new energy vehicles (NEVs). The action plan, jointly issued by eight provincial government departments including the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, seeks to expand charging access across urban centers, highways and rural areas while promoting next-generation charging technologies. Charging Network Expansion Targets 8 Million NEVs Under the plan, Guangdong aims to establish a charging network capable of supporting more than 8 million…