Author: Linda Ma

Pony.ai has received Shenzhen’s first citywide authorization to operate fully driverless commercial robotaxis, marking a major step in large-scale autonomous mobility in the southern Chinese city. The permit, issued jointly with Shenzhen Xihu Corporation Limited, allows Pony.ai to deploy its fleet across Shenzhen’s urban districts, making it the first company authorized for citywide driverless operations in all four of China’s Tier-1 cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. See also: Pony.ai Marks 300th Robotaxi Milestone with BAIC, Targets 1,000-Vehicle Fleet by Year-End The initial rollout will cover Nanshan, Qianhai, and Baoan districts, before expanding across the city’s 17.8 million residents. The…

Geely Galaxy, a sub-brand under Geely Auto, has officially launched the Starshine 6 hybrid sedan in China, further expanding its lineup of competitively priced models. The new vehicle, available in seven variants, starts at RMB 68,800 ($9,670) after limited-time discounts, positioning it among the most affordable family hybrid sedans in the country. The discounted price represents a 13.78 percent reduction, or RMB 11,000, from the pre-sale starting price of RMB 79,800. The Starshine 6 is a mid-size hybrid sedan measuring 4,806 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width, and 1,490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,756 mm. Its…

Xpeng said it will hold its 2025 AI Day on November 5 in Guangzhou, marking the latest edition of its annual technology showcase as the Chinese electric vehicle maker deepens its push into artificial intelligence. The event, themed “Emergence,” will highlight advances in physical AI, according to an announcement shared by the company on X. Xpeng Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said the company has made notable progress in this field, emphasizing AI’s potential to reshape human interaction with intelligent machines. See also: XPeng Opens New Global Headquarters in Guangzhou, Featuring a “Mini City” Campus https://twitter.com/XPengMotors/status/1983796354700005537 “Physical AI defines the…

Beijing Hyundai, the joint venture between Hyundai Motor and BAIC Motor, has officially launched the Hyundai EO, a compact all-electric SUV, as part of its renewed push to regain market share in China’s competitive electric vehicle (EV) segment. The EO, previously known as the Hyundai Elexio, debuts with a starting price of RMB 119,800 ($16,870)—a reduction of RMB 10,200, or about 7.85%, from its pre-sale price earlier this month. It is available in three trims: Fun, Smart, and Tech, priced at RMB 119,800, RMB 129,800, and RMB 149,800 respectively. See also: Beijing Hyundai Begins Pre-Sales of EO Electric SUV in…

Huawei’s automotive business, the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), has reached a significant milestone, surpassing one million cumulative vehicle deliveries just 43 months after its first vehicle hit the market. The company announced the achievement on its social media channels, noting that the one-millionth vehicle was a Stelato S9T station wagon. HIMA said the average transaction price for its models in October was RMB 390,000 ($54,930), underscoring the brand’s growing strength in China’s premium segment, where vehicles priced above RMB 300,000 are considered high-end. See also: Huawei-Backed HIMA Brands To Nearly Double EV Lineup In 2026 The Stelato S9T, launched…

China has excluded electric vehicles (EVs) from its list of strategic industries in the country’s 15th five-year development plan (2026–2030), marking the first time in over a decade that the sector has been omitted. The move signals a major policy shift as Beijing grapples with overcapacity, fierce competition, and deflationary pressures in its once-booming new energy vehicle (NEV) industry. NEVs—which include battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles—had been designated as strategic emerging industries in the past three five-year plans, receiving billions of dollars in government subsidies that helped China build the world’s largest EV market and supply chain.…

Chery has introduced a subsidy program to offset the impact of China’s expiring purchase tax incentives for new energy vehicles (NEVs), while industry officials urge the government to slow the pace of the policy phase-out to support market stability. Under the program, Chinese customers who purchase Chery vehicles on or before November 30 will receive subsidies of up to RMB 15,000 ($2,110) if production or transport delays prevent them from qualifying for this year’s purchase tax benefits. The subsidy will be applied directly as a deduction from the final vehicle payment, the automaker said. See also: Chery Unveils 600 Wh/kg…

Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, has jumped to fifth place on the latest Hurun China Rich List with an estimated wealth of RMB 326 billion ($46 billion), up 151 percent from last year, driven by the explosive growth of Xiaomi’s electric vehicle (EV) business. Hurun said Lei’s fortune increased by RMB 196 billion, the largest gain among Chinese entrepreneurs this year, propelled by Xiaomi’s surge in EV sales and profitability in its premium smartphone lineup. In the first half of 2025, Xiaomi delivered 157,200 vehicles and reported RMB 227.2 billion in revenue, up 38 percent year-on-year. See also:…

A Li Mega electric MPV from Li Auto caught fire and was completely destroyed in Shanghai on October 23, according to Chinese automotive outlet Dianchejie. The fire reportedly began in the vehicle’s chassis, where the CATL-made battery pack is located. Li Auto said it is cooperating with local authorities to determine the cause. See also: Li Mega All-electric Van Specifications : Everything You Should Know The incident occurred in the city’s Xuhui District while the vehicle was in motion. Dianchejie reported that there was no collision prior to the fire and that the flames engulfed the vehicle within seconds. The…

Fang Cheng Bao, a sub-brand of BYD, said it has sold 200,000 vehicles since its launch last year, marking a key milestone for the young brand focused on personalized and off-road vehicles. The company shared the achievement on its official Weibo account, saying it has sold 22,588 vehicles so far in October, up from cumulative sales of 177,412 units at the end of September. The brand said its vehicles have achieved an average transaction price of RMB 238,800 ($33,530) to date. See also: Fang Cheng Bao Expands Bao SUV Lineup with New Long-Range and Five-Seat Variants BYD officially launched Fang…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp (JAC Group) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen collaboration in battery technology, supply chain stability, and international market expansion, according to a statement posted on CATL’s WeChat account. The agreement aims to enhance the performance and safety of JAC’s vehicle lineup by utilizing CATL’s power battery technologies. JAC, which produces both passenger and commercial vehicles, has been expanding its premium “Maextro” range, incorporating CATL’s Qilin and Shenxing battery systems featuring technologies such as fast charging, dual-surface cooling, and enhanced safety structures. See also: Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle…

The 2026 BYD Qin L DM-i arrives as an upgraded plug-in hybrid sedan featuring enhanced fuel efficiency, new in-car technology, and improved electric range. Positioned above the Qin Plus in BYD’s lineup, the model combines long-distance capability with family-oriented practicality. Powertrain and Performance The 2026 Qin L DM-i continues to use BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid system, pairing a 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 74 kW and 126 N·m of torque with two electric motor options — one delivering 120 kW and another producing 160 kW. This setup enables a pure-electric range of 128 km and an overall driving range of up…