Author: Linda Ma

Tesla sales of China-made vehicles declined in April, underperforming domestic competitors that posted sharp year-on-year gains, data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed on Wednesday. Tesla sold 58,459 vehicles from its Shanghai factory last month, including domestic deliveries and exports. The figure marks a 5.96% drop from the 62,167 units sold a year earlier and a 25.84% decline from the 78,828 vehicles recorded in March. See also: Tesla Expands Zero-Interest Financing for Model Y in China Amid Intensifying EV Competition In the first four months of 2025, Tesla’s China-made vehicle sales totaled 231,213, down 18.31% from 283,043 units…

In April 2025, the Chinese government introduced new mandatory safety standards for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The new regulations, known as GB 38031-2025, are designed to enhance safety by ensuring that EV batteries will not catch fire or explode during thermal runaway events. In addition, the regulation mandates that batteries must not emit harmful smoke that could pose a danger to vehicle occupants. These updated standards also introduce new testing procedures, including an underside impact test to assess battery protection in the event of a collision. This change is particularly relevant as…

Chinese mechanical engineering firm LEAD has secured a significant order from Italian battery manufacturer FAAM for the delivery of an end-of-line (EOL) system at FAAM’s new 8 GWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell factory, Teverola 2, located near Naples. The EOL production step is critical in battery cell manufacturing, where cells are filled with electrolyte, undergo their initial charge, and are subjected to final inspections. FAAM has chosen LEAD’s technology for this phase, which is designed to meet the highest standards in efficiency, safety, and quality. LEAD stated that the system will provide FAAM with a competitive advantage in the…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng  said on Tuesday it will announce its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2025 on May 21, ahead of the opening of U.S. markets. Management will host an earnings call the same day at 8:00 a.m. ET (8:00 p.m. Beijing time). The announcement follows a strong performance in the first quarter, with Xpeng reporting 94,008 vehicle deliveries — a 330.8% increase from 21,821 in the same period last year. The figure surpassed the upper end of the company’s prior guidance range of 91,000 to 93,000 units. See also: Xpeng Marks Production Milestone with…

Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO) is restructuring its regional leadership teams as part of an effort to streamline operations and integrate sales channels between its primary Nio brand and newly launched sub-brand Onvo, according to a report from local media outlet Sina Tech. The personnel reshuffle includes the departure of Gu Yue and Gong Dequan, former general managers of Nio’s Tianjin and Dalian regional offices, respectively, who left their roles for personal reasons. Their positions have since been filled by Onvo regional leaders, who will now serve dual roles across both brands. See also: Onvo L90 Unveiled: Nio’s New Flagship SUV…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Seres, a key partner of Huawei, has filed for a Hong Kong stock exchange listing as it seeks to expand its international footprint and strengthen capital operations, according to a preliminary prospectus published on Thursday. The Chongqing-based company did not disclose the size or terms of the offering in its initial filing. The listing is being sponsored by China International Capital Corporation (CICC) and China Galaxy International. See also: SERES Automobiles Opens First Showroom in the Gulf Region in Dubai Seres, formerly known as Chongqing Sokon Industrial Group, said the listing would support its globalization strategy,…

China Car Custom, a Chinese electric vehicle startup backed by smartphone maker Xiaomi (1810.HK), has officially launched its first production model, the SC01 electric sports car, with a starting price of 229,800 yuan ($31,530), the company said. The vehicle’s launch was notably subdued, with no formal event or promotional campaign. Instead, founder Feng Xiaotong announced the release through personal posts on Chinese social media platform Weibo. “No launch event, no PPT, I may prefer to do this briefing in the way we are more accustomed to in the past few years, and I hope I can get your support,” Feng…

Nio’s sub-brand Onvo introduced its flagship SUV, the L90, on the opening day of the 2025 Shanghai auto show, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker looks to broaden its product lineup and compete in the high-end family SUV segment. The L90, a three-row electric SUV, will become Onvo’s second production model and is set to launch in the third quarter of 2025. With a length of 5,145 mm, a wheelbase of 3,110 mm, and class-leading storage features, Onvo is targeting families looking for both space and performance. See also: Regulatory Filing Confirms Onvo L90 SUV With 85-kWh Battery and Six-Seat…

Xpeng reported deliveries of 35,045 vehicles in April, marking its second-highest monthly figure on record, according to data it released today. The result represents a 273% year-on-year increase and a 5.5% rise from March, as momentum continues to build behind its newer electric vehicle models. The April total marks the sixth consecutive month in which the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer has delivered more than 30,000 units. For the January–April period, Xpeng delivered 129,053 vehicles, a 313% increase from the same period last year. As of the end of April, the company’s cumulative deliveries stood at 719,432 units. See also: Xpeng…

Volkswagen unveiled three new electric concept vehicles on the eve of Auto Shanghai as part of its push to expand its product lineup in China, aiming to launch 30 new models by 2027, including 20 New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). The concepts – ID. AURA, ID. ERA and ID. EVO – were developed by the German carmaker’s joint ventures with FAW, SAIC, and Volkswagen Anhui, underscoring its intensified “In China, for China” strategy. The new models, which Volkswagen described as “representative of a new generation of smart electric vehicles,” are designed to meet the evolving technological demands of Chinese consumers. “The…

Nio is preparing to launch the third-generation version of its flagship ES8 SUV and the L80 SUV under its sub-brand Onvo in the fourth quarter of 2025, as part of a broader product strategy unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai auto show. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer is on track to introduce a new model in each quarter of the year, expanding its lineup to nine models by the end of 2025. The roadmap includes both new entries and facelifts to existing models across its Nio and Onvo brands. See also: Nio Targets 10% Sales Contribution from Firefly Brand Over Time…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has signed an agreement to deliver 200 electric sedans to the Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), as the Emirati firm accelerates efforts to transition to a fully electric fleet by 2040. The vehicles, BYD Seal models, will be deployed across the city as part of DTC’s broader sustainability goals aligned with Dubai’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. The company currently operates over 9,000 vehicles, with approximately 86 percent already categorized as environmentally friendly. See also: BYD Files Sealion 06 SUV for Regulatory Approval in China with BEV and PHEV Variants The BYD Seal is an all-electric sedan…

Yangwang, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of China’s BYD, has reached 10,000 cumulative vehicle deliveries, marking a notable achievement for a high-end domestic electric vehicle marque. The milestone delivery was made to Yu Minhong, founder of Chinese education company New Oriental, who received a U8 SUV from Yangwang’s head of sales. Launched in January 2023, Yangwang targets the premium segment with vehicles priced above RMB 1 million ($137,000). Its first model, the U8 off-road SUV, was introduced in September 2023, followed by the U9 electric supercar in February 2024, and more recently, the U7 sedan in March. The brand’s latest model, the…

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,…