Author: Linda Ma

Xiaomi has followed Toyota in disassembling Tesla vehicles to study their engineering, using the findings to develop its YU7 electric SUV, a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y and Model X. The Chinese technology company reportedly purchased several 2026 Model Y units for analysis ahead of the YU7’s market launch. Xiaomi founder Lei Jun said the teardown highlighted the Model Y’s “outstanding” engineering, though the company aimed to surpass it in key performance areas. The YU7 will feature an 800-volt powertrain, faster charging capabilities and what Xiaomi described as the largest battery pack in its class, while being priced below…

China will require exporters of pure electric vehicles (EVs) to obtain licenses from next year, tightening oversight of overseas shipments of the fast-growing segment. In a joint statement on Thursday, four government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, said that from Jan. 1, 2026, pure electric passenger cars will fall under an export license management regime. Applications, conditions and approvals will be handled under rules first outlined in a 2012 policy document. China Customs will continue to use the existing commodity catalog for inspections, according to the notice. Authorities did not provide further details, though analysts said the measures could…

Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta is pursuing a new funding round at a valuation of more than $5 billion, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The company is working with financial advisors to assess investor interest, with an initial target of several hundred million dollars. The size of the round could increase depending on market dynamics, the report said. The financing could strengthen Momenta’s capital base ahead of a potential initial public offering. The company confidentially filed for a U.S. listing last year, though Bloomberg noted progress would depend on broader market conditions. Separately, Reuters reported that Momenta…

BYD has added three new variants to its second-generation Qin Plus sedan and lowered prices on several existing models, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness in the crowded Chinese market. The automaker introduced one new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and two battery electric vehicle (BEV) options, priced at RMB 79,800, RMB 89,800 and RMB 99,800, respectively. At the same time, BYD discontinued three trims and cut prices by RMB 10,000 on three remaining versions, bringing the entry-level Qin Plus price down to RMB 69,800. The new PHEV variant offers a 128-kilometer range, while the two BEV versions provide ranges of…

Leapmotor has produced its one-millionth vehicle, the company announced on its Weibo account, marking a significant milestone since its founding in 2015. The milestone was reached just 343 days after the company celebrated its 500,000th vehicle. The company began mass production in June 2019, reaching 100,000 vehicles in June 2022 and 500,000 vehicles in October 2024. Leapmotor initially focused on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) but expanded into extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in 2023. Its current lineup in China includes the T03, B10, B01, C01, C10, C11, and C16, with select models offered in both BEV and EREV variants. Leapmotor has…

Chinese automaker BYD has responded to Euro NCAP’s 2024 ‘Not Recommended’ rating of the Atto 3’s Assisted Driving system, upgrading existing vehicles via software and introducing a new system for the 2025 model year. The updated system is now rated as ‘Good,’ while older models achieve a ‘Moderate’ score after the over-the-air update. Euro NCAP had initially flagged the 2022 Atto 3 for serious shortcomings in its Intelligent Cruise Control, BYD’s Level 2 driver-assistance system. The assessment found the system failed to respond appropriately to other vehicles or motorcycles and did not adequately intervene when drivers were unresponsive, resulting in…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto has released official photos and specifications for its new i6 SUV, marking the second model in the i-series after the larger Li i8. Drawing design cues from the Li Auto Mega MPV, the i6 features a short hood, expansive windshield, and sloping roofline for a modern, aerodynamic profile. Built on a new 800V platform, the i6 measures 4,950 mm in length, 1,935 mm in width, 1,655 mm in height, with a 3,000 mm wheelbase. The SUV is available in two configurations: a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model producing 250 kW with a top speed of 180…

Shangjie, the new automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and SAIC Motor, launched its first model, the H5 SUV, on Tuesday, positioning it as the most affordable vehicle under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). The Shangjie H5 debuted with a starting price of RMB 159,800 ($22,470), a cut of RMB 10,000 from the pre-sale figure announced last month. HIMA said the model secured more than 10,000 firm orders within the first hour of launch, with deliveries scheduled to begin at the end of September. Available in both battery electric (BEV) and extended-range electric (EREV) versions, the midsize SUV will…

Nio said its ET5 Touring wagon has unexpectedly become the company’s top-selling model, surpassing the ES6 SUV for several consecutive months, prompting a reassessment of consumer demand trends. “The ET5 Touring becoming Nio’s top-selling model in recent months was actually somewhat unexpected for us,” Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of Nio, told reporters during a roundtable in Hangzhou on Sunday. “This has also made us reflect that we may need a more thorough and fundamental understanding of user needs.” The ET5 Touring delivered 4,315 units in August, ahead of the ES6’s 2,877 units, according to data from CnEVPost. This was…

Li Auto released interior images of its new Li i6 pure-electric SUV on Sunday, as the company readies the model for its official launch next week. The five-seat SUV features Li Auto’s signature cabin design with dual connected screens in the front, a 21.4-inch rear entertainment display, and an electric queen seat. Other amenities include a dual-temperature refrigerator, panoramic glass roof and privacy shades, the company said. “The Li i6 offers a new form of five-seat SUV,” the automaker added. The Li i6 will be Li Auto’s third battery electric vehicle and second pure-electric SUV, following the Li i8 and…

China’s cumulative new energy vehicle (NEV) sales have exceeded 40 million units, the State Council Information Office said on Thursday, underscoring the country’s decade-long lead in the global electric vehicle market. China has been the world’s largest producer and seller of NEVs for 10 consecutive years, a spokesperson said, adding that the sector’s expansion supports global carbon reduction goals. Sales have surged tenfold in the past five years, rising from 1.3 million in 2020 to nearly 13 million in 2024. Eight government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, last week set a 2025 target of 32.3 million…

Chinese automaker Changan has launched its Deepal S07 electric SUV in the UK, with prices starting at £39,990, marking the brand’s official entry into the European market. The vehicle offers up to 295 miles (475 km) of range under the WLTP testing cycle. The Deepal S07 is powered by a 160kW rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 320 Nm of torque. Its 79.97kWh battery, believed to use NCM cells from CALB, supports DC charging, with Changan stating it can recharge from 30% to 80% in 35 minutes. In China, the model is also sold with a smaller 69kWh battery from…