Author: Linda Ma

Zeekr (NYSE: ZK) announced that it has delivered more than 30,000 units of its Zeekr 7X electric SUV, 75 days after its launch. The Zeekr 7X, which was introduced on September 20, is the company’s second model after the Zeekr 007 sedan. Deliveries began on September 21. The Zeekr 7X is available in three variants in China, with starting prices of RMB 229,900 ($31,570), RMB 249,900, and RMB 269,900. On November 11, Zeekr reported that deliveries of the 7X had exceeded 20,000 units within 50 days of its release. Zeekr reported delivering 27,011 vehicles in November, marking the third consecutive…

Chinese automakers are making significant strides in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, with new data showing that for the first time, half of the top ten global EV sales leaders are from China. This marks a major shift, as established automakers from the US and Europe face increasing competition from Chinese brands like BYD, Geely, and Xiaomi. In the third quarter of 2024, global EV sales reached 2.52 million units across 55 markets, with Tesla maintaining its lead by selling 432,000 vehicles, up 2% from the previous year. However, Chinese automaker BYD is rapidly closing the gap, with a…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis NV, reported record-breaking deliveries in November, surpassing its annual sales target ahead of schedule. Leapmotor delivered 40,169 vehicles in November, marking the first time its monthly deliveries exceeded 40,000 units and representing the sixth consecutive month of record growth. This figure reflects a 117.04% increase compared to 18,508 units in November last year and a 5.22% rise from October’s 38,177 units. For the January-November period, Leapmotor’s total deliveries reached 251,207 units, a 100.11% increase year-on-year, achieving the company’s full-year target earlier than anticipated. The company has set an ambitious sales…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Zeekr reported its highest-ever monthly deliveries in November, with 27,011 units sold. This marks the third consecutive month of record-breaking performance, reflecting a 106% increase from the same month last year and a 7.8% rise from October’s 25,049 units. From January to November, Zeekr delivered 194,933 vehicles, representing an 85% increase year-on-year. Since its inception in 2021, the company has achieved cumulative deliveries of 391,566 vehicles. To meet its full-year target of 230,000 units, Zeekr aims to deliver an additional 35,067 vehicles in December. Founded in March 2021, Zeekr introduced its first model, the Zeekr…

BYD, China’s top electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has requested price cuts from its suppliers for the coming year, signaling its intention to intensify the price competition in the domestic market while further expanding into Europe and other regions. According to a leaked letter circulating on social media, the company has asked a supplier for a 10% price reduction starting in January. The email, which surfaced on Weibo, highlights BYD’s strategy to drive costs down amid an ongoing price war in China. In response to the leak, BYD’s PR and branding director, Li Yunfei, clarified the company’s position in a Weibo…

Tesla has engaged more than 400 tier-1 local suppliers in China, with over 60 integrated into its global supply chain system, according to Chinese media reports. The company’s Shanghai factory, operational since late 2019, sources over 95% of its components locally, reflecting its reliance on regional suppliers for production efficiency. As Tesla’s first wholly foreign-owned auto manufacturing project in China, the Shanghai facility began producing Model 3 sedans in early 2020 and Model Y crossovers a year later. In the first three quarters of 2024, the Shanghai plant delivered 675,758 vehicles, accounting for over half of Tesla’s global deliveries during…

Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is celebrating its 10th anniversary today, marking a decade of growth as the company embarks on an ambitious multi-brand strategy. “Today, Nio turns 10,” wrote William Li, Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO, in a message shared on the Nio App. Reflecting on the company’s journey, Li emphasized the transformative period during which Nio was established, with the automotive industry undergoing profound changes. “We started with the mission of ‘Blue Sky Coming’ and aspired to become a user-centric enterprise driven by leading technology and exceptional experiences,” Li stated. He expressed gratitude to the more than…

Great Wall Motor is reportedly in advanced discussions with Huawei to integrate the tech giant’s driver assistance and smart cockpit solutions into its Tank brand, according to Chinese media outlet 36kr. The move would make Great Wall Motor the latest Chinese automaker to partner with Huawei, following BYD’s adoption of similar technology earlier this year. The first model to feature Huawei’s smart driving system will reportedly be the Tank 700 Hi4-T, a premium hybrid off-road SUV introduced in February. With a starting price of RMB 428,000 ($59,120), the model already incorporates Huawei’s HiCar cockpit system. “Great Wall Motor has prioritized…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng expects to reach breakeven by late 2025, driven by robust demand for its new models and its aggressive expansion into overseas markets, President Brian Gu told Reuters. “I think we are indeed entering the super cycle,” Gu said. “Sometime in next year, probably towards the later part or the end of next year, we will see us reaching the breakeven point. We are in a very confident position to see that becomes more likely.” If achieved, Xpeng could become the first Chinese automaker to achieve profitability primarily through EV sales, surpassing competitors BYD and…

Researchers from leading Chinese universities have pioneered a sustainable method to recycle nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries, using citric acid to extract and separate key metals with high efficiency. The innovative process, detailed in the journal Angewandte Chemie, promises to address the environmental and cost challenges associated with traditional recycling methods. The research, a collaboration between the China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Fuzhou University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, and Tsinghua University (Shenzhen), demonstrated that over 99% of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese could be reclaimed using a minimal amount of citric acid. Unlike conventional methods, which often rely on…

The European Union is introducing new regulations aimed at ensuring that Chinese companies invest and share technological expertise in Europe. This move is part of the EU’s broader strategy to protect domestic industries while advancing clean energy goals. Elisabetta Cornago, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform think-tank, explained that the European Commission is actively exploring multiple strategies to strengthen its trade defenses, particularly against the potential redirection of Chinese trade flows into Europe. Cornago cautioned that this tougher approach on Chinese components could backfire on the EU’s decarbonization efforts. She stated, “You are temporarily putting a trade…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng delivered robust third-quarter financial results, with revenue and gross margin exceeding analyst estimates, driven by higher vehicle deliveries and strategic cost reductions. Revenue and Delivery Milestones Xpeng posted third-quarter revenue of RMB 10.1 billion ($1.44 billion), surpassing market expectations of RMB 9.9 billion. This figure represents an 18.4% increase year-on-year and a 24.5% rise from the second quarter, making it the second-highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history. Vehicle sales contributed RMB 8.8 billion, reflecting a 12.1% growth from the same period in 2023 and a 29.0% increase sequentially, bolstered by strong delivery volumes. The…

The highly anticipated Denza N9 SUV made its debut on November 15 at the Guangzhou Auto Show, showcasing its cutting-edge features and advanced specifications. This flagship vehicle from Denza, part of BYD’s luxury electric vehicle lineup, is available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric versions. While the PHEV variant had been previously previewed via a MIIT listing, the all-electric version’s details were revealed at the event, boasting an impressive 710 kW of total power. Design and Platform The Denza N9 is built on the Denza e3 (Yi san fang) platform, a versatile foundation that supports advanced features such as…

CMC North America has unveiled its new 65L electric tracked aerial lift, designed for both indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks. This innovative unit provides operators with the ability to lift two workers and 500 lbs. of material to a maximum working height of 65 feet, a previously unattainable reach for equipment of this size. The 65L is capable of lifting a maximum load of 507 lbs. to heights of 65 feet, with a lateral reach of up to 34 feet. Its two-man basket offers 90 degrees of rotation, while the turret can rotate 180 degrees, allowing for unparalleled maneuverability in…

Nissan introduced its latest electric vehicle, the N7 sedan, at the Guangzhou Auto Show this week, marking a significant step in the company’s strategy to reclaim ground in China’s competitive electric vehicle (EV) market. This new model represents the first of Nissan’s next-generation EVs built specifically for China under its renewed approach to the region, following declining sales in recent years. The N7 is built on Dongfeng Nissan’s newly developed EV platform and is designed to be a mainstream family sedan for the Chinese market. At 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,487 mm tall, the N7 is slightly…

Zeekr has commenced deliveries of its Zeekr X compact SUV in Hong Kong. The milestone follows the model’s local debut in July, with the first 100 units delivered to customers. Additionally, the company announced that deliveries of the Zeekr 009 MPV in the region are set to begin soon. To support its growing customer base, Zeekr has launched an after-sales service center in Tsuen Wan, marking its third store in Hong Kong after Taikoo Shing and Wan Chai. The company plans to open another store in Kowloon before the year’s end, further enhancing its presence in the city. The Zeekr…

Leapmotor presented its B10 compact SUV at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, marking its domestic debut after an international unveiling at the Paris Auto Show in October. The B10, built on Leapmotor’s Leap 3.5 platform, is set to officially launch in the first quarter of 2025, the company announced. The B10 is the first model in Leapmotor’s B-series, a new product line that will include SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks, with three models planned for release over the next year. Designed with a focus on advanced technology, the B10 features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip for its cockpit and a LiDAR-based…

BYD’s YangWang U9 electric supercar has made headlines with its Nürburgring lap time of 7:17.900 and a top speed of 391.94 km/h (243.54 mph), marking it as the fastest Chinese production car to date. However, while these figures are notable, they do not place the U9 at the forefront of high-performance electric vehicles (EVs), and closer inspection reveals certain limitations. The 7:17.900 lap time is impressive for an electric vehicle but falls behind other high-performance EVs. For example, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra prototype completed the Nürburgring in a blistering 6:46.874, while the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and the Rimac Nevera…

Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Ehang (NASDAQ: EH) has successfully completed the world’s first flight test of a solid-state battery-powered eVTOL aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation battery technology for air mobility. The Ehang EH216-S, which is powered by solid-state batteries, achieved an uninterrupted flight lasting 48 minutes and 10 seconds, according to a company announcement. This achievement is the first-ever autonomous manned flight of an eVTOL aircraft utilizing solid-state battery technology, Ehang said. Solid-state batteries, which use lithium metal as the anode and oxide ceramic as the electrolyte, offer significant advantages over…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car division of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, has secured a landmark order for its modular flying car, the Land Aircraft Carrier, at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China. The company announced it has received pre-orders for 2008 units from 12 customers across various sectors, including transportation, tourism, real estate, and technology. This order represents the largest in the flying car industry to date, according to Xpeng Aeroht. The airshow, taking place in Zhuhai, Guangdong province from November 12 to November 17, also saw the company’s modular flying car take to…