Author: Linda Ma

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has stated it avoided the widespread industry practice of exporting new vehicles as used cars, distancing itself from a grey market approach now facing increasing regulatory scrutiny in overseas markets. At an industry forum in Shanghai, Tang Zhikun, general manager of Xpeng’s international business centre, addressed the practice, which involves registering newly built vehicles in China before exporting them abroad as second-hand. “We are indeed more fortunate that we were very restrained last year and did not do this,” Tang was quoted as saying by official media outlet The Paper. China’s automotive sector has reportedly…

China is expected to overtake Australia as the world’s leading producer of lithium as early as next year, consultancy Fastmarkets said on Wednesday, signaling a shift driven by Beijing’s strategic focus on critical minerals and continued state support for domestic miners. Chinese lithium output is projected to surpass Australia’s by 8,000 to 10,000 metric tons in 2025, up from third place globally in 2023. The rise is largely attributed to aggressive investment in mining lepidolite, a lithium-rich ore found in abundance in southern China, despite higher extraction costs and potential environmental impact. “China’s got a very clear strategy to develop…

Xiaomi is setting its sights on Tesla’s crown in China’s electric SUV market, with CEO Lei Jun publicly stating that the company’s upcoming YU7 model is aiming to outsell the Tesla Model Y, the country’s best-selling premium electric SUV. The announcement comes just days before the official launch of the YU7, Xiaomi’s second electric vehicle. Expectations are high following the remarkable success of the SU7, which has exceeded industry forecasts by achieving over 180,000 deliveries since its early 2024 launch. The vehicle has become a notable competitor to Tesla’s Model 3, which now faces significantly lower delivery wait times amid…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said it has sold over 1.5 million units of its Yuan family models globally, highlighting the sustained popularity of the compact EV line in both domestic and international markets. The Yuan family, part of BYD’s Dynasty series, currently includes four models: the Yuan Plus Smart Driving Edition, Yuan Plus Honor Edition, Yuan Up Smart Driving Edition, and the standard Yuan Up. BYD’s Yuan Plus is also marketed overseas under the name Atto 3 and has become the brand’s first global model. The company attributed the milestone to the affordability and smart features of the models.…

General Motors’ Buick brand launched the updated Electra E5, a pure electric SUV for the Chinese market, introducing new variants and highlighting enhanced battery safety as a key differentiator. The Electra E5 is now available in three variants priced at RMB 169,900 ($23,640), RMB 179,900, and RMB 189,900, with promotional discounts reducing the starting price to as low as RMB 149,900. Built on GM’s Ultium 2.0 platform, the mid-size SUV features a single front-mounted motor generating 180 kW of power and 330 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of…

Xiaomi is set to officially launch its second electric vehicle, the YU7 SUV, by the end of June, following a strong reception from prospective buyers since its debut in May. “We are preparing, see you at the end of the month!” Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun wrote in a post on Chinese social platform Weibo. The YU7 was first unveiled on May 22, with display units appearing in Xiaomi’s headquarters in Beijing a week later. As of June 13, the model is showcased at 317 Xiaomi EV stores across 86 cities, according to the company. Lei told investors earlier…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng is in discussions with Volkswagen and other automakers to supply its newly developed Turing AI chip, as it seeks long-term partners for its smart driving technology, the company said on Thursday. Xpeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng told the Financial Times that the company is working to integrate its Turing AI chip into Volkswagen-branded vehicles slated for release in China next year. “We are looking for long-term partners,” He said, noting that chip development is a strategic, long-term commitment aligned with Xpeng’s broader ambitions in cars, aircraft, and robotics. Following the remarks, Xpeng confirmed…

Chinese carmakers Geely and SAIC have launched new large-scale vehicle carrier ships, joining BYD in expanding their global logistics networks to support the growing demand for vehicle exports, including new energy vehicles (NEVs). The new roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels mark a shift in how Chinese automakers handle overseas deliveries, allowing more control over transport routes and timelines. Geely Holding introduced its vessel Geely JISU Fortune in May, describing it as a green, LNG-fueled RoRo ship with a 12-storey car deck that can carry 7,000 vehicles. “The 11th and 12th decks are specifically used to transport hydrogen and natural gas-fueled new energy…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has begun mass production and delivery of its latest energy storage battery cell, the company announced on Monday, signaling continued investment in the rapidly growing global storage sector. The new 587 Ah high-capacity cell—unveiled at an event in Shanghai—marks the culmination of a three-year development cycle aimed at balancing regulatory compliance, system integration, and electrochemical performance. “This cell represents a golden balance between compliance, station compatibility, and efficiency,” CATL said during the launch event. Engineered for compatibility with mainstream 20-foot container systems and 1,500 V power conversion systems (PCS), the cell reduces system complexity…

BYD maintained its lead in China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market in May, with Geely advancing to second place on the back of strong year-on-year growth, while Tesla’s market share fell compared to the same period in 2024, data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed on Tuesday. BYD recorded 293,021 NEV retail sales last month, a 9.2% rise from 268,226 units in May 2024. The company retained the top position with a 28.5% market share, down from 33.4% a year ago. The automaker’s dominance continued across both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle segments. Geely secured the second…

Shanghai recorded 1.51 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) on its roads by the end of 2024, further cementing its role as a key hub for China’s transition to cleaner transportation, according to local media citing official data. Of the total NEVs, 71 percent were pure electric vehicles, with plug-in hybrids accounting for the remaining 29 percent. Private vehicle ownership made up 78 percent of the total NEV fleet in Shanghai, rising two percentage points compared to the previous year. The city registered 278,000 new NEVs in 2024 alone, reflecting sustained consumer demand. Shanghai, which hosts Tesla’s manufacturing base in China…

Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturer Eve Energy said on Monday it plans to list on the Hong Kong Main Board, becoming the latest domestic battery maker to seek a Hong Kong listing after industry leader CATL. The company announced the plan in a Shenzhen Stock Exchange filing, stating the listing is intended to enhance its international brand image and support its global business expansion. Eve Energy’s board approved the proposal to issue H-shares and pursue the Hong Kong listing during a meeting held on June 7. The company is currently working with financial intermediaries to progress the listing process and…

A long-running dispute over emissions compliance among China’s major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers has reignited, as Geely backed Great Wall Motor’s claims against BYD, further inflaming tensions in a market already strained by aggressive price competition. The feud began in 2023 when Great Wall Motor reported BYD to regulators, alleging that its Qin Plus and Song Plus plug-in hybrids did not meet China’s emissions standards. The issue resurfaced last month after Great Wall’s chairman, Wei Jianjun, said the regulatory probe was still ongoing and warned against the damaging effects of the ongoing price war. BYD responded by calling Wei’s remarks…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) has opened pre-sales for its updated 2026 C16 SUV, adding a new five-seat configuration alongside its existing six-seat offering in a bid to broaden its market appeal. Pre-sales for the refreshed C16 began on Thursday, with pricing starting at RMB 169,800 ($23,640), up 8.95% from the previous generation’s base EREV price of RMB 155,800. The new model is available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions, with a total of six trim levels. Three EREV variants are priced at RMB 169,800, RMB 179,800, and RMB 179,800. The BEV…

China’s BYD  announced plans to build a network of ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations across Europe, as the automaker accelerates efforts to expand its footprint on the continent. The chargers, dubbed “flash chargers,” will support BYD’s latest EVs capable of gaining up to 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes. Executive Vice President Stella Li revealed the initiative during a press event in Brussels on Tuesday, saying the chargers operate on a 1,000-volt architecture—enabling recharge times that approach the speed of refueling conventional petrol cars. “This will be a game changer that will boost consumer confidence in electric driving,”…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio (NYSE: NIO) reported a deeper net loss in the first quarter of 2025 despite strong delivery growth driven by its more affordable Onvo brand, highlighting persistent profitability challenges even as the company expands its product lineup. Nio delivered 42,094 vehicles in Q1 2025, a 40.1% increase from the same period a year earlier, with Onvo accounting for 14,781 units and the core Nio brand contributing 27,313 units. However, compared with its record-setting fourth quarter of 2024, deliveries fell sharply by 42.1%. See also: Nio to Launch Flagship ES9 SUV in First Half of 2026 Quarterly…

Geely Auto has deployed its first self-operated car carrier vessel, the Jisu Fortune, marking a key step in expanding its overseas logistics capabilities as competition intensifies in China’s rapidly growing new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. The vessel, operated by Geely’s logistics subsidiary Jisu Logistics, embarked on its maiden voyage from the port of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on May 22. According to a statement from the port authority, Jisu Fortune will transport more than 5,000 vehicles to markets in Europe, including the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium. With a total length of 199.9 meters and a beam of 38 meters, Jisu…

Xpeng said it received more than 12,500 firm orders for its newly launched Mona M03 Max and Plus variants within the first hour of their release, underscoring strong demand for the budget electric sedan. The Chinese EV maker unveiled the new variants at an event on Sunday evening, where it confirmed that the Max variant accounted for 83% of the early orders. “This surpasses the performance of the Mona M03 during its initial launch last year,” Xpeng said in a statement on social media. The Mona M03 Max is priced from RMB 129,800 ($18,040) and offers two CLTC range options:…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio plans to launch its new flagship SUV, the ES9, in the first half of 2026, co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at a user event in Shenzhen, marking the first official confirmation of the model. The announcement follows the company’s rollout of the ET9 flagship sedan in late March. The ET9, priced from RMB 788,000 ($109,430), represents Nio’s highest-end offering to date and is equipped with advanced smart driving features. Qin did not provide detailed specifications of the upcoming ES9 but said the SUV would be positioned as Nio’s top-tier utility vehicle. “We are…

Chinese tech giants Huawei and Xiaomi are reigniting their long-standing rivalry, this time in the electric vehicle (EV) market, as both companies seek to establish dominance in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most competitive industries. At the opening day of the 2025 Shenzhen Auto Show, Richard Yu, Huawei’s executive director and head of its consumer business group, made indirect but pointed remarks suggesting that Xiaomi’s EVs, while commercially successful, lacked in quality and performance. “Although its products may not be that good, they’ve already sold like hotcakes,” Yu said in comments widely shared on Chinese social media. He added,…