Author: Linda Ma

The Hongqi Tiangong 05, the production model inspired by the Hongqi E009 concept car, represents a significant leap in the brand’s pursuit of innovation in the electric vehicle market. Built on the Tiangong pure electric platform, designed to support multiple vehicle types such as sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and crossovers, the Tiangong 05 offers a fusion of sophisticated design and advanced technology. See also: China’s Hongqi Unveils Tiangong 08 Electric SUV with Up to 730 km Range On the exterior, the Tiangong 05 stands out with its sharp, slender headlights complemented by distinct light units and a trapezoidal lower grille. The…

Nio exceeded 100,000 battery swaps in a single day for the second time, with 103,919 services recorded on January 23, as Chinese New Year travel preparations drove demand. The milestone highlights the growing importance of battery swapping during high-traffic periods, the company said in a Weibo post. Over 80% of the energy supplied to Nio vehicles on highways during the travel rush came from its battery swap network. Nio’s services have proven crucial in alleviating strain on traditional charging facilities during busy travel seasons, such as the Chinese New Year holiday, which this year runs from January 28 to February…

Fang Cheng Bao, a sub-brand of Chinese automaker BYD, announced the recall of 6,843 Bao 5 plug-in hybrid vehicles due to safety concerns. The affected units were manufactured between October 16, 2023, and February 1, 2024, according to a notice published on China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website. See also: BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao Unveils New SUV Model and Concepts The recall addresses improperly locked electrical connector bolts in the integrated dual-motor controller of certain vehicles, which could loosen over time. This defect may cause arcing and, in extreme cases, lead to smoke or fire, posing a serious…

Xiaomi has issued its first vehicle recall, targeting 30,931 SU7 Standard Edition electric cars following reports of accidents linked to its parking assistance feature. The affected vehicles were manufactured between February 6, 2024, and November 26, 2024. The recall, effective immediately, involves a free over-the-air (OTA) software update to address the issue, as per a statement on the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website. See also: Xiaomi’s SU7 Outpaces Tesla’s Model 3 in December Deliveries in China’s Sedan Market The recall was prompted by user complaints about a timing synchronization anomaly in the parking assistance system, which hindered the…

BMW  has joined a growing list of Chinese automakers in filing a challenge at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) against the EU’s tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs). The filing, available on the court’s website, comes after the EU imposed new tariffs on China-made EVs in late October, following an anti-subsidy investigation. See also: 2024 Sees Strong Growth in Global EV Market, With China Leading the Way The tariff for BMW, which produces the electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman in China, has been set at 20.7%. According to court documents, the German automaker submitted its…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers BYD, Geely, and SAIC have filed legal challenges against the European Union’s recently imposed import tariffs at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), court filings revealed on Thursday. The tariffs, introduced in late October following an EU anti-subsidy investigation, added substantial duties to the standard 10% car import tax. BYD faces a 17.0% tariff, Geely 18.8%, and SAIC 35.3%. Legal filings indicate the companies lodged their complaints at the General Court—the CJEU’s lower chamber—on Tuesday, narrowly meeting the filing deadline. See also: Europe’s EV Battery Ambitions Falter as China Steps in to Fill…

Chinese automaker BYD announced that its luxury Denza Z9 GT achieved a milestone, delivering 10,000 units just four months after its launch on September 20, 2024. The company claims the Z9 GT is the “fastest new energy luxury car” to surpass this mark, with an average sale price of 380,000 yuan ($52,000). Offered in both fully electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions, the Denza Z9 GT targets premium buyers, positioning itself to compete with luxury brands like Porsche and BMW. The EV variant is available in Pro and Max trims, starting at 354,800 yuan ($48,500) and 384,800 yuan ($52,600),…

CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, revealed plans to announce a new joint venture for an EV battery plant in Europe with a local automaker. The announcement was made by Vice Chairman Pan Jian during the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday. “We expect to announce new joint venture factory projects with other OEMs in Europe this year,” Pan said, according to Interface News. While the details of the new plant, including its location and partners, remain undisclosed, the announcement underscores CATL’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the European market. See also: CATL Unveils…

Chinese self-driving technology developer Inceptio Technologies, also known as Yingche Technology Shanghai, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States, according to a report by Bloomberg on Monday. The company aims to raise between $100 million and $200 million if the IPO proceeds as planned this year. Inceptio specializes in autonomous driving solutions for heavy-duty trucks, a growing sector as global logistics and transportation industries embrace automation. The company has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding its IPO plans. Should the listing materialize, Inceptio would join fellow Chinese autonomous vehicle developers WeRide and Pony.ai in…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpengis set to significantly increase its office space and workforce as it continues its expansion. The company plans to open a new headquarters building in Guangzhou in August, with office space tripling to over 500,000 square meters, according to a video shared by Xpeng on Saturday. Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng announced the development at an employee meeting, stating that the building would include modern amenities such as a dining area accommodating 5,000 people and four underground garage levels with double-decker parking spaces. Xpeng’s auto-parking technology team has been tasked with ensuring vehicles can autonomously…

China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) ownership reached 31.4 million units by the end of December 2024, marking a significant milestone as the figure surpassed the 30 million mark. NEVs, which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and fuel cell vehicles, now account for 8.9 percent of the country’s total vehicle ownership, which stands at 353 million vehicles, according to data released by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The ownership of BEVs alone reached 22.09 million units, making up 70.34 percent of the total NEV ownership. In 2024, China registered 11.25 million new NEVs, reflecting a 51.49 percent…

BYD has revealed official images of its flagship Han L sedan and Tang L SUV from the Dynasty series, ahead of their scheduled debut. The design introduction event is set for January 17 at 2 p.m. Beijing time. The company released two images of each model, showcasing the exterior designs of the vehicles for the first time. This follows an earlier teaser from January 3, which provided limited visual details. Both models also appeared in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) latest catalog on January 10, where key specifications were disclosed. The Han L and Tang L models…

Tesla plans to halt part of its Shanghai production lines for approximately three weeks to optimize equipment and improve production capacity for its updated Model Y SUV. According to a Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the matter, the shutdown will affect the lines that produce the facelifted Model Y and will take place from January 22 to February 14, 2025. The disruption coincides with the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which runs from January 28 to February 4, a period during which industrial production in China often experiences slowdowns. As noted in the Bloomberg report, it is not uncommon…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng and BP pulse have signed a memorandum of understanding to open their charging networks to each other’s customers, granting access to over 30,000 charging points across China. The collaboration will also see the two companies launch pilot projects in select cities, featuring co-branded ultra-fast chargers installed in key economic hubs. These locations, designed to enhance user experience, will provide “a higher density, higher quality, safer, and more reliable charging experience,” according to Car News China. The pilot projects aim to establish charging infrastructure in core economic zones, including transportation networks, research parks, and environmental regulation…

Xiaomi has filed a single-motor variant of its YU7 SUV with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), signaling the company’s ongoing expansion into the electric vehicle (EV) market. The filing follows a dual-motor version submission last month, with both versions nearing regulatory approval. According to the MIIT’s catalog released on Thursday, the YU7 single-motor variant is powered by a 235 kW motor and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied by BYD’s FinDreams Battery. The vehicle measures 4,999 mm in length, 1,996 mm in width, and 1,608 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm and a top…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD will officially enter the South Korean passenger car market on January 16, expanding its footprint in Asia after Japan. The company will hold a brand launch event to mark its official debut in the local market, following its earlier entry into South Korea’s commercial vehicle market. BYD Korea’s website is currently counting down to the launch event, which marks a significant step for the company in diversifying its presence in South Korea. The company first entered the market in 2016, focusing on commercial vehicles, including forklifts, buses, and trucks. In November 2024, BYD…

SAIC Motor, China’s largest automaker, has signed a new agreement to strengthen its partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL), focusing on the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This expanded collaboration will cover areas such as technology development, battery aftermarket services, and international market expansion. As part of the agreement, SAIC Motor will make CATL its preferred supplier of EV batteries, with a focus on integrating CATL’s Qilin and Shenxing battery technologies into SAIC’s vehicles. The two companies will work closely to customize these batteries to meet specific requirements for SAIC’s electric vehicle lineup. Additionally, the partnership will…

Tesla reportedly secured 50,000 orders for the newly refreshed Model Y within 24 hours of its unveiling in China, according to local reports. The mid-cycle update, introduced last week, includes design changes and spec upgrades, but it has faced mixed reactions compared to the recent Model 3 refresh. The orders came swiftly after Tesla revealed the updated Model Y, which is expected to begin deliveries in March, although it hasn’t yet launched in Europe or North America. While the figure represents just over a month’s worth of orders in a single day, the high demand is attributed to anticipation for…

Chinese logistics firm Cainiao, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has launched the GT Pro, an advanced autonomous delivery vehicle designed for public road operations. The GT Pro is positioned as a significant enhancement of the GT model introduced last year, currently deployed across more than 10 provinces in China. “The GT Pro brings significant improvements in design, range, algorithm optimization, and interactive features,” Cainiao said in a statement. At 12 feet long, 7 feet high, and 4 feet wide, the GT Pro boasts compact dimensions comparable to small passenger cars like the Toyota Aygo X. Despite its size, the vehicle…

ProLogium, a Taiwanese company specializing in solid-state batteries, has introduced its fourth-generation lithium ceramic battery (LCB) system at CES. The new generation offers improvements in energy density, charging speed, and safety, marking a notable development in solid-state battery technology. The fourth-generation LCB battery delivers an energy density of 380 Wh/kg and 860-900 Wh/L, surpassing the third generation’s figures of 359 Wh/kg and 811 Wh/L. Charging time has been reduced, allowing for a 60% charge in four minutes and 80% in six minutes, compared to the previous generation’s five minutes to 60% and 8.5 minutes to 80%. These changes are expected…