Author: Linda Ma

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng has unveiled plans to penetrate the Australian market in its latest internationalization drive. Partnering with Australian distributor TrueEV, Xpeng aims to introduce its EV lineup to local consumers through branded showrooms and tailored customer support. TrueEV will serve as the exclusive importer, distributor, and retailer of Xpeng vehicles in Australia, with the Xpeng G6 SUV slated to debut in the country by the fourth quarter of 2024. The G6, developed for global markets, is built on Xpeng’s Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0, laying the groundwork for forthcoming models. Alex Tang, Xpeng’s General Manager…

When Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi announced its foray into the electric vehicle (EV) market in 2021, skeptics doubted the company’s ability to deliver. However, in a surprising turn of events, deliveries of Xiaomi’s first EV, the SU7 sedan, have already begun in 2024, with the company reporting over 75,000 orders. To meet this demand, Xiaomi has set up a cutting-edge factory in Yizhuang, Beijing. A newly released video showcases the factory’s impressive capability to produce an SU7 every 76 seconds, highlighting the company’s heavy reliance on automation in the manufacturing process. The production process begins in the hypercasting area, where…

Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Ehang (NASDAQ: EH) has successfully conducted its first passenger-carrying flight in the United Arab Emirates. The event took place in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone for Ehang as it introduces its EH216-S unmanned aerial vehicle (UAM) to the Middle East market. The EH216-S, which has received a Production Certificate in China, boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 650 kilograms and is powered by battery for flight. It can reach a maximum flight speed of 130 kilometers per hour with a maximum endurance of 25 minutes. Ehang has also secured the Type…

Chinese automakers Nio and BYD are reportedly in talks for a battery supply collaboration, signaling a strategic move in the competitive electric vehicle (EV) market. Nio is eyeing BYD batteries for its new affordable EV brand, aiming to rival Tesla in the lower-priced segment. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Nio’s new EV brand, named Onvo in English and Ledao in Chinese, is geared to directly compete with Tesla. The brand’s first model, the Onvo L60, is set to challenge Tesla’s Model Y. Initially, Nio had planned to manufacture its own batteries but abandoned this plan in December 2023.…

Chinese premium electric vehicle manufacturer Nio is set to unveil a new model under the mass-market brand Onvo by the end of this month. Additionally, the company plans to introduce a smaller EV for the European market priced at less than $30,000 by next year. Nio has established Onvo to introduce a new electric vehicle, dubbed the L60, which CEO William Li has positioned to rival the Tesla Model Y, the world’s best-selling EV. Nicolas Vincelot, general manager for France, revealed these plans during a France-China business forum in Paris, stating that the new brand is designed to be less…

Avatr, the Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer backed by Changan, Huawei, and CATL, is poised to unveil a new model, adding to its lineup alongside the existing 11 SUVs and 12 gran coupe flagships. The new electrified SUV, rumored to be called the Avatr 15, was showcased in camouflaged prototypes, hinting at its design and features. The teaser images reveal a striking design with familiar styling cues from its predecessors. The split headlights, reminiscent of the Avatr 11, and the sleek taillights akin to the Avatr 12, suggest a blend of evolutionary design elements. Some prototypes feature mirror-replacing cameras,…

Chinese domestic auto brands experienced substantial growth in overseas sales during the first quarter of the year, indicating a strong performance in the world’s largest car market. According to Cui Dongshu, the secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, local auto brands collectively sold 470,000 units overseas, marking a significant 40% increase from the same period last year. In total, including both local and foreign brands, China exported 1.32 million vehicles in the first quarter, reflecting a robust 23% growth year-on-year. This means that local brands accounted for 35.6% of China’s total auto exports during the period. Among the top…

Chinese automaker Chery has introduced two new models for export, showcasing its commitment to global markets. The electric saloon, Chery Exeed Exlantix ES, and the plug-in hybrid SUV, Omoda 7, were revealed, heralding a new chapter in Chery’s international expansion. The Exeed Exlantix ES, known as the Sterra ES in China, features distinct design elements for the export version, including a revamped front with new headlight design and sportier hubcaps. The model is based on the E0X platform, shared with its sister model, the Luxeed S7, developed in partnership with Huawei. The platform supports both 800 and 400-volt system architectures,…

CATL, the Chinese battery manufacturer, has announced ambitious plans to enter the fast-charging station business, with the goal of building “the world’s largest fast-charging network” in China. The company aims to achieve this by constructing 10,000 super-fast charging stations in 100 Chinese cities by the end of next year, marking a significant expansion into the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sector. To realize this vision, CATL has partnered with Star Charge, a leading Chinese charging network operator, to collaborate on research and development, co-branding of high-performance charging stations, and the development of a comprehensive charging network. The partnership aims to…

Nio has commenced deliveries of its 2024 ET7 electric sedan, which went on sale on April 25, coinciding with the first day of the Beijing auto show. Nio announced today on Weibo that deliveries of the 2024 ET7 Executive Edition to the first customers began on April 30. The company also stated that during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the ET7 will be available for test drives. The Labor Day holiday in China is scheduled for May 1-5 this year, with May 11 designated as an extra workday, albeit a Saturday. The 2024 ET7, launched with a starting price identical…

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi’s venture into the electric vehicle (EV) market with its SU7 model is off to an impressive start, with 7,058 units delivered in April alone. Since its launch on April 3, the company has seen substantial interest, with 88,063 locked-in orders recorded by April 30. A notable aspect of this interest is the diverse customer base. Xiaomi EV reported that 28 percent of the locked-in order holders are female, 29 percent have previously owned BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi models, and 52.5 percent are Apple users. To meet this demand, Xiaomi is ramping up production. The company is…

Li Auto has announced that cumulative orders for its Li L6 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) have exceeded 20,000 units, just 12 days after the vehicle’s launch. The company also revealed that over 2,000 units of the Li L6 have been delivered in the past six days, with delivery centers set to remain open during the upcoming Labor Day holiday in China (May 1-5, 2024). To meet the high demand, Li Auto stated that it will ramp up production capacity to ensure that more customers receive their Li L6 as early as possible. The Li L6, which officially launched on April…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker BYD has reported a significant drop in net profit for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter, as vehicle sales declined during the traditionally slow season. According to BYD’s financial report released today, the company recorded revenue of RMB 124.94 billion ($17.25 billion) in the first quarter, marking a 3.97 percent year-on-year increase but a 30.6 percent decrease from the fourth quarter of 2023. BYD’s net profit for the first quarter was RMB 4.57 billion, showing a 10.62 percent year-on-year increase but a substantial 47.33 percent drop from the fourth quarter…

China’s state-run newspaper, the People’s Daily, has pushed back against claims of overcapacity in the country’s new energy products, asserting that increased exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products reflect market demand and China’s comparative advantages in the industry. According to the People’s Daily, China’s new energy industry has provided high-quality production capacity that has enriched global supply, eased global inflationary pressures, and promoted the global green and low-carbon transition. The article argues that such high-quality production capacity is not surplus but rather insufficient on a global scale, with the world needing more of it. The article calls…

Xiaomi EV has reached a significant milestone as its 10,000th mass-produced SU7 rolled off the production line, just 32 days after the model’s launch. Announcing the achievement on Weibo, Xiaomi EV expressed its commitment to expanding production capacity, with a target of delivering 100,000 units by the end of 2024. “We believe that one day, there will be Xiaomi cars riding on every road around the world!” the company shared on the platform. The SU7, officially launched on March 28, offers three versions—standard, Pro, and Max—with starting prices ranging from RMB 215,900 ($29,800) to RMB 299,900. Xiaomi also introduced a…

Tesla has reportedly partnered with Chinese internet giant Baidu for mapping and navigation services, a move aimed at overcoming obstacles for the release of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China. The partnership is seen as a strategic step for Tesla to enhance its presence in the Chinese market, which is becoming increasingly competitive. The partnership news emerged during Elon Musk’s unannounced trip to Beijing, where he met with several government officials, including Premier Li Qiang and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Chairman Ron Hongbin. Musk was accompanied by key Tesla executives, including Tom Zhu, SVP,…

Stelato, the new brand collaboration between tech giant Huawei and BAIC BluePark, the electric vehicle (EV) arm of Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has debuted its inaugural model, the Stelato S9. This executive sedan marks Huawei’s significant entry into the EV market and was unveiled at the 2024 Beijing auto show, which commenced today. The Stelato S9 boasts a spacious cabin with 3,460 mm of usable space, rivaling luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and Audi A8L. Equipped with digital rear mirrors and 21-inch multi-spoke wheels, the Stelato S9 represents another flagship model supported by Huawei, following the…

Chinese automakers are bucking the trend of undercutting international markets with low-priced electric vehicles (EVs). Instead, a recent report reveals they are significantly hiking prices on exported models to maximize profits abroad, led by the strategy of industry giant BYD. Facing intense competition in their home market and squeezed profits due to a domestic EV price war fueled by government subsidies, BYD and other Chinese automakers are finding new opportunities overseas. The strategy is clear: sell vehicles at nearly three times the price compared to the domestic market, yet still undercut Western competitors. According to Reuters’ report, BYD’s export prices…

CATL has unveiled its latest innovation, the Shenxing Plus LFP battery, at Auto China in Beijing, designed to provide electric vehicles (EVs) with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometres. This new battery, built with durable lithium iron phosphate cells, is also touted for its quick charging capabilities. The original Shenxing battery was introduced by CATL just last August with a projected range of 700 kilometres. However, the company has now achieved a significant breakthrough, with the Shenxing Plus offering a range of over 1,000 kilometres. CATL attributes this advancement to continuous technological progress. Gao Huan, Chief Technology Officer of CATL’s electric…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer XPeng is evaluating the possibility of investing in plants or suppliers abroad, citing an ongoing European investigation into Chinese-made EVs and regulatory alterations that could lead to higher tariffs. The European Commission initiated an investigation in October to determine whether Chinese-made EVs benefit unfairly from state subsidies, a move that China has criticized as protectionist. Brian Gu, co-president of XPeng, stated at the Beijing autoshow that the company currently exports small quantities of its EVs. However, the changing regulatory landscape in the European Union may prompt a reevaluation of its strategy. Gu emphasized that XPeng…