Author: Linda Ma

Xpeng has rolled out a significant over-the-air (OTA) update, XOS 5.2.0 Beta, aimed at enhancing its XNGP smart driving system across its range of vehicles. The update introduces several user enhancements, with a spotlight on advancing the capabilities of XNGP beyond those offered by competitors like Huawei ADS 2.0, particularly in critical driving scenarios. Key improvements include enhanced functionality in 426 different driving situations, such as navigating roundabouts without the need for pre-mapping, optimizing U-turn maneuvers, and improving handling on narrow roads. A notable enhancement is the system’s ability to manage roundabouts seamlessly, now capable of lane changes within roundabouts…

Xpeng has unveiled its latest offering, the Mona M03, showcasing a blend of cutting-edge design and advanced technology aimed at the electric vehicle (EV) market. Positioned as a compact pure electric car under the Xpeng brand’s new Mona series, the Mona M03 promises impressive features and specifications. Design and Features The Mona M03 stands out with its compact dimensions, measuring 4780 mm in length, 1896 mm in width, and 1445 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2815 mm. It features a spacious trunk offering 621 liters of storage, comparable to that of a mid-size SUV. The car’s exterior design…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD commemorated a dual milestone today with the inauguration of its Thailand plant and the rollout of its 8 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), underscoring its growing influence in the global automotive market. BYD, which entered the Thai market in 2022, now commands a substantial 41 percent share of the local NEV market, according to Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD. He made the announcement during a ceremony celebrating the achievements. “Since January 2023, BYD has consistently led NEV sales in Thailand for 18 consecutive months, achieving strong recognition in the country,” Wang stated. Wang…

Chinese tech giant Huawei has announced the transfer of trademarks and patents associated with the Aito brand to its car-making partner Seres Group, signaling Huawei’s firm stance on not entering the automotive manufacturing sector. According to a recent stock exchange announcement by Seres, a subsidiary plans to acquire Huawei’s Aito-related assets, including 919 registered or pending trademarks and 44 design patents, for RMB 2.5 billion yuan ($340 million). “The transaction reinforces the ongoing partnership between Seres and Huawei while consolidating our commitment to the Aito brand,” the announcement stated, affirming that the deal will not impact their joint business activities.…

As the European Commission prepares to finalize provisional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, automakers brace for potential disruptions that could hinder their expansion in Europe. The tariffs, expected to range up to 37.6%, aim to prevent an influx of subsidized Chinese EVs into the European market despite ongoing negotiations and efforts to reach a compromise. “The Chinese EV brands’ entry into Europe will face obstacles,” remarked Lei Xing, founder of consultancy AutoXing. “It’s akin to slowing down from 80 km/h to 60 km/h, but the momentum remains.” Major Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD and SAIC’s MG Motors…

Xiaomi EV, the automotive arm of tech giant Xiaomi, is ramping up production capacity to meet robust demand for its SU7 model, reassuring customers with accelerated delivery timelines and plans for further expansion. In a recent communication posted on Weibo, Xiaomi EV informed prospective buyers and order holders of ongoing efforts to enhance production capabilities, particularly for the popular Xiaomi SU7. “The delivery ramp-up of Xiaomi SU7 is progressing well, with the commencement of double-shift production in June and over 10,000 units delivered in a single month,” stated Xiaomi EV. See also: Xiaomi EV Exceeds June Delivery Target with Over 10,000…

Aito, a Chinese automotive brand established in 2021 through the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) with support from Huawei and Seres, has integrated diecasting technology into its production process. This adoption, initially deployed for the Aito M9 model, aims to significantly enhance manufacturing efficiency. Seres, utilizing a Wencan IDRA9800T 10,000-ton class super diecasting unit since its installation in February, now manufactures one-piece diecast rear body units for the Aito M9, potentially for the chassis, although specific details have not been confirmed. This approach reduces part count by approximately 80 and solder joints by about 1,440, while increasing torsional rigidity by…

Huawei has slashed the official selling price of its ADS (Advanced Driving System) premium feature package by nearly 17%, a move expected to influence pricing dynamics in the smart driving sector where the company holds a strong position. The standard price for Huawei’s ADS one-time purchase option from July 1 to December 31 is now RMB 30,000 ($4,130), down from the previous RMB 36,000, the company announced recently. Monthly and annual subscription rates for the software remain unchanged at RMB 720 and RMB 7,200 respectively, according to a statement from Huawei’s intelligent vehicle solutions business unit. See also: Toyota Plans Advanced…

EHang Holdings Ltd, a Chinese air taxi company, recently showcased its EH216-S pilotless electric flying vehicle by conducting demonstration flights with passengers onboard. The flights were part of a tourism initiative known as Low-Altitude Tourism in Wencheng, according to a statement from EHang. EHang delivered 27 of its electric aerial vehicles (EAVs) to the Wencheng County Transportation Development Group in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, under a larger deal to supply 300 pilotless flying vehicles to the tourism development group. The group made a 50% deposit as part of the pre-delivery payment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnPkCYlNf1E During the demonstrations, EHang operated multiple passenger flights for…

Geely has unveiled its latest innovation in electric vehicle battery technology with the introduction of the ‘Aegis Short Blade Battery’. This new generation of LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, known for their distinctive blade-like design, is set to debut in the Galaxy E5, a newly unveiled five-door electric SUV. The ‘Short Blade Battery’ represents a significant advancement in battery design, featuring a unique cell-to-pack integration that enhances energy density at the pack level. According to Geely, the battery addresses issues of high internal resistance typical in long-blade batteries by utilizing long, thin carbon nanotubes for efficient ion transfer and incorporating…

Tesla China operations have begun rehiring laid-off employees, primarily in sales and service roles, as reported by local media outlet Jiemian today. This move follows Tesla’s recent global layoffs, its largest since 2017, affecting over 14 percent of its workforce worldwide. In China, the sales and service departments bore the brunt of these layoffs, leaving some stores in malls with only a handful of staff, significantly impacting operations. According to a former Tesla sales employee cited in the report, the rehiring efforts have met with mixed responses from laid-off personnel, with some opting to pursue opportunities with other brands, including…

China is on track to produce over 10 million electric vehicles (EVs) this year, marking a significant milestone in its rapid expansion within the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology and former minister of science and technology, made this announcement today at the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions. The growth trajectory of China’s EV production has been remarkable. In 2022, NEV production surged by 102.22 percent to 6.64 million units, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) comprising 76.5 percent of this total at 5.08 million units.…

China and the European Union have agreed to initiate talks on the EU’s proposal to impose additional import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), with Beijing pushing for the barriers to be removed, according to the Global Times. The negotiations, ahead of a November deadline to finalize the levies, underscore concerns about the future trajectory of the broader trade relationship between the two economic giants. The issue extends beyond the interests of China’s carmakers, threatening the country’s $18 trillion economy. While automakers like BYD and Volkswagen’s main partner SAIC Motor can endure EU tariffs—ranging from 17.4% on BYD to 38.1%…

Denza, the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand of BYD, has taken a significant step in its international expansion by opening its first flagship showroom in Hong Kong. The brand’s new flagship store, located in the Kowloon Bay auto shopping district, was unveiled yesterday, as announced by Denza’s general manager of the sales division, Zhao Changjiang, in a Weibo post. This milestone follows the recent launch of the right-hand drive version of Denza’s D9 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) in Hong Kong on June 11, with a local price range of HK$660,000 ($84,498) to HK$750,000. The D9, which has already garnered nearly…

He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of Xpeng, recently shared his positive impressions of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software after experiencing it in the United States. He praised the software’s performance, particularly in Silicon Valley and on highways, where it achieved high scores and handled many road conditions smoothly. “I experienced FSD version V12.3.6 in California over the past couple of days and also hailed a Waymo to experience it,” Mr. He wrote on Weibo today. “Overall, the Waymo performed better in the San Francisco urban area, while FSD performed extremely well in Silicon Valley and on highways, where it could…

Nio is on track to exceed expectations for the second quarter, following a record-breaking delivery performance in May. Analysts project the company will deliver over 54,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of Q2, despite a slight decline in June compared to the previous month. According to Deutsche Bank analyst Wang Bin’s team, Nio is expected to deliver 18,200 EVs in June, reflecting a robust 68% year-on-year increase but marking a 12% decrease from May’s peak of 20,544 units. The company’s strong May figures set a new milestone, surpassing its previous record of 20,462 deliveries in July 2023. See also: Nio…

A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies has revealed that the Chinese government has invested a staggering $230.8 billion to support electric vehicle (EV) firms between 2009 and 2023. This substantial figure far surpasses the $1 billion allocated by the US government for upfront clean vehicle tax credits this year. The analysis highlights a significant increase in spending in recent years. While only $6.74 billion was spent between 2009 and 2017, this number roughly tripled during 2018-2020 and has continued to rise sharply since 2021. See also: Chinese Automakers Mull 25% Tariffs on European Imports Amid Trade…

Chinese automaker BYD has announced a strategic partnership with cybersecurity firm Karamba Security to bolster the protection of its connected vehicles. The collaboration was revealed at the Escar USA conference, where BYD disclosed its intent to deploy Karamba’s VCode software to enhance cybersecurity measures within its supply chain. VCode, a cutting-edge cybersecurity solution, specializes in automatically identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities in electronic control units (ECUs) used in vehicles. By generating a detailed Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for each ECU, VCode enables BYD to proactively detect and mitigate potential cybersecurity risks before they impact vehicle production. See also: U.S. Commerce…

NIO remains steadfast in its commitment to launching its affordable Firefly brand in the European Union (EU), despite looming additional tariffs on imported Chinese EVs. The company’s CEO, William Li, expressed confidence in Firefly’s competitiveness during an event in Hamburg, Germany, on Wednesday. Li criticized the EU’s decision to potentially increase tariffs on Chinese EV imports, calling it unjust. “The EU originally imposed a 10 percent tariff on Chinese EVs, and now an additional 21 percent has been added, raising it to 31 percent, which is definitely not right,” Li stated. See also: Nio Reorganizes Smart Driving Team to Focus on…

Zeekr has achieved a significant milestone with the 200,000th delivery of its Zeekr 001 shooting brake model, underscoring its success in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The delivery took place at the company’s plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion. Launched on April 15, 2021, the Zeekr 001 has become a key model for Zeekr, with deliveries commencing in October 2021. Despite the niche market for shooting brake models in China, the Zeekr 001 has proven to be a successful venture, delivering 76,246 units in 2023, significantly contributing to Zeekr’s overall sales. See…