Author: Linda Ma

BYD has introduced the Song Ultra DM-i sport utility vehicle in China, expanding its plug-in hybrid lineup with a new model featuring up to 310 kilometres of electric-only driving range and the company’s latest intelligent vehicle technologies. The Song Ultra DM-i was unveiled during BYD’s intelligent technology strategy event on Thursday and is offered in five variants priced between 129,900 yuan ($19,160) and 159,900 yuan. The launch marks the arrival of a plug-in hybrid SUV capable of delivering up to 310 kilometres of pure-electric range in the 130,000-yuan price segment, a notable milestone in China’s increasingly competitive new energy vehicle…

Li Auto reported a sharp deterioration in profitability during the first quarter of 2026, posting a net loss of 2.3 billion yuan ($330 million) as lower vehicle margins and slowing sales growth weighed on results. The Chinese automaker released its unaudited first-quarter earnings on Thursday, reporting a reversal from the 647 million yuan net profit recorded in the same period a year earlier. Revenue declined 11.4% year-on-year to 23 billion yuan, reflecting increasing competitive pressure in China’s electric vehicle market and a shift in product mix. Despite the weaker financial performance, Li Auto delivered 95,142 vehicles during the quarter, exceeding…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio reported higher vehicle deliveries and revenue for the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, although results declined from the previous quarter amid seasonal weakness in China’s automotive market. Nio delivered 83,465 vehicles during the January-to-March period, representing a 98.3% increase from the first quarter of 2025. However, deliveries fell 33.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The total included 58,543 vehicles under the Nio brand, along with 13,339 units from its Onvo brand and 11,583 units from Firefly. The company attributed part of the sequential slowdown to seasonal…

BYD has filed a new patent related to solid-state battery technology, expanding its research efforts in next-generation battery systems amid intensifying competition among Chinese battery manufacturers, according to a report by Sina. The patent filing, identified as CN121983643A and published by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration, covers a “composite solid electrolyte membrane and its preparation method, solid-state battery, battery pack and electrical device.” According to the filing, the patented structure combines multiple inorganic solid electrolyte particles with a polymer electrolyte fibre network coating designed to improve ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. The document describes the electrolyte layer as containing both…

Xiaomi has officially launched the high-performance Xiaomi YU7 GT, marking the company’s expansion into the premium electric vehicle segment. The YU7 GT starts at 389,900 yuan ($57,290), while a higher-specification version is priced at 429,900 yuan. The launch comes alongside Xiaomi’s newly introduced lower-cost standard YU7 variant, which starts at 233,500 yuan and is aimed at competing with Tesla’s Tesla Model Y in China. The YU7 GT is larger than the standard YU7 model, measuring 5,015 millimeters in length, 2,007 millimeters in width and 1,597 millimeters in height, while maintaining the same 3,000-millimeter wheelbase. The vehicle is powered by Xiaomi’s…

BYD has officially launched the flash charging edition of the Denza N9 luxury SUV in China as the company expands adoption of its latest fast-charging platform across its vehicle lineup. The large plug-in hybrid SUV starts at 409,800 yuan ($60,260), below the 450,000 yuan starting pre-sales price announced last month. The Denza N9 flash charging edition is offered in three trim levels priced at 409,800 yuan, 439,800 yuan and 469,800 yuan respectively. The vehicle’s main upgrade is the integration of BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and the company’s newest flash charging technology across all variants. The plug-in hybrid model uses a…

Leapmotor, the Chinese electric vehicle maker backed by Stellantis, confirmed plans to launch a second vehicle brand as it seeks to expand beyond its current lineup of affordable electric cars. Speaking during an earnings call on Friday, Leapmotor Vice President Li Tengfei said products under the new brand could debut as early as the end of this year. “Products from the new brand are expected to debut as early as the end of this year,” Li said during the call. He added that the new models are likely to be officially launched in the middle or second half of next…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand of Geely Auto, launched updated versions of its 007 sedan and 007 GT wagon on Friday, introducing upgraded specifications at lower prices as it seeks to sustain sales momentum in China. The refreshed Zeekr 007 and 007 GT share the same trim structure and pricing, with a limited-time starting price of 193,900 yuan ($28,400), compared with an official suggested retail price of 203,900 yuan. That compares with previous starting prices of 209,900 yuan for the 007 sedan and 202,900 yuan for the 007 GT. Zeekr said both updated models now use a 900-volt electrical…

Geely Auto’s sub-brand Geely Galaxy opened pre-sales for its M7 plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle on Thursday, as the automaker seeks to strengthen its position in China’s competitive mass-market segment. The mid-size SUV is offered in three variants with pre-sale prices starting at 139,800 yuan ($20,450), rising to 146,800 yuan and 156,800 yuan for higher trims. The M7 measures 4,770 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width and 1,685 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,785 mm. Geely said the vehicle is powered by a 1.5-liter Leishen EM hybrid engine delivering 82 kilowatts of maximum power and thermal efficiency…

BYD has launched the 2026 versions of its Seal 06 DM-i wagon and Seal 06 GT, introducing updated battery and charging technologies as part of its product expansion in China. The company said the hybrid Seal 06 DM-i wagon starts at 111,900 yuan ($16,230), while the battery-electric Seal 06 GT is priced from 128,900 yuan. Both models are equipped with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and flash charging technology. According to the company, the system allows the battery to charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes, and from 10% to 97% in approximately nine minutes. Charging times may increase slightly…

Zhu Jiangming, founder and chief executive of Leapmotor, has increased his stake in the company through a new share purchase, according to a filing with the Hong Kong stock exchange, as management continues to raise its holdings. Zhu and his concert party, Fu Liquan, acquired a combined 5,080,200 H shares on the open market at an average price of HK$45.10 ($5.75) per share, the filing showed. The transaction totaled about HK$230 million and marks the fifth instance of stake increases by the company’s leadership over the past two years. Following the latest purchase, the shareholder group led by Zhu holds…

BYD’s premium brand Denza has opened pre-sales for the updated D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in China, introducing new battery technology and expanded powertrain options. The second-generation Denza D9 is priced between 389,800 yuan ($56,400) and 489,800 yuan, with both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) versions offered at the same price levels. Show vehicles are expected to arrive in dealerships in April, with deliveries to follow. The updated model features BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology. According to the company, the system enables charging from 10% to 70% in five minutes and up to 97% in nine minutes, while…