Author: Linda Ma

Amidst reports of the United States preparing retaliatory tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, a recent analysis suggests that Korean exports of electric and hybrid vehicles could rise by 10 percent if global tariffs on Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles increase by 20 percent. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) released a report indicating that if the U.S., the European Union (EU), Japan, Korea, and other nations raise tariffs on Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles by 20 percent, China’s exports could plummet by at least 50 percent. Specifically, imports of Chinese vehicles to the United States could drop by 62.9 percent,…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle (EV) unit, Xiaomi EV, is reportedly intensifying its orders to the supply chain as it strives to increase production capacity. According to local media outlet Wallstreetcn, Xiaomi EV has requested its upstream suppliers to increase their supply of components, with orders rising by approximately 80 percent, as per unnamed supply chain sources. For a specific category of parts, Xiaomi EV’s orders have surged from around 10,000 units per month previously to 18,000 units recently, the report noted. Xiaomi officially launched its first model, the SU7, on March 28, offering three trims — standard, Pro, and Max –…

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant, is gearing up to rival Tesla by introducing an SUV similar to the Model Y, with production slated to begin as early as 2025, as reported by Bloomberg today. The development of Xiaomi’s SUV reportedly drew inspiration from Tesla’s Model Y, according to a source familiar with the matter. The idea of an SUV first surfaced in 2021 when Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, Lei Jun, announced that venturing into electric vehicles would be his final major entrepreneurial pursuit. However, the company opted to debut the SU7 sedan first, with production expected to hit around 100,000…

BYD continued its stronghold on China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market in April, outpacing competitors and securing the top spot with a 37.5 percent share, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The company’s retail sales of passenger NEVs totaled 254,131 units, marking a 31.1 percent year-on-year increase. Tesla, on the other hand, saw a decline in its ranking, with retail sales in China dropping to 31,421 units, down 21.4 percent from the previous year. This placed Tesla at No. 5 with a 4.6 percent share, a notable shift from its No. 2 position in March. BYD’s success is…

Tesla China has cleared a significant hurdle for the upcoming deliveries of its revamped Model 3 Performance in the country. Recent reports indicate that the reengineered model has been officially included in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) catalog of upcoming vehicles. The inclusion of the new Model 3 Performance in the MIIT catalog marks the final major government approval required for the car to be sold in China, according to a report by CNEV Post. Public feedback on the new variant’s inclusion will be accepted from May 12th to 17th. The Tesla Model 3 variant listed in…

The Biden administration is reportedly considering a substantial tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), with sources familiar with the matter indicating a potential hike to nearly 100%. This significant increase, up from the current 25% tariff, could effectively block Chinese EVs from entering the US market. However, there is a potential loophole involving Mexico that could allow some vehicles to still reach US consumers. The proposed tariff, as reported by the Wall Street Journal and expected to be official next week, would not only affect EVs but also batteries and solar panels from China. This move follows a review…

China saw a decline in retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in April, but the penetration of NEVs in the overall market reached a record high, outperforming the broader automotive sector. According to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), retail sales of Chinese passenger NEVs totaled 674,000 units in April, marking a 28.3 percent increase from a year ago but a 5.7 percent decrease from March. This figure is lower than the CPCA’s earlier preliminary estimate of 706,000 units and the 720,000-unit estimate from the end of last month. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 60.1…

Tesla is reportedly expanding its layoffs in China, with additional cuts beginning earlier this week following mid-April layoffs, according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter. The latest round of layoffs impacts various departments at Tesla’s Shanghai factory, including customer service staff, engineers, production line workers, and the logistics team. Last month’s layoffs at Tesla primarily affected sales representatives, according to the report. The exact number of employees affected and the impact on Tesla’s operations in China remain unclear. Affected employees in China will receive compensation equivalent to one month’s salary for each year of service, plus three months’…

Nio marked a significant milestone as the 500,000th production vehicle rolled off the assembly line at its F2 plant at NeoPark in Hefei, Anhui province. The milestone vehicle, an ES8, was celebrated with a ceremony attended by officials from Anhui. Since 2019, Nio has maintained its position as the leader in the premium battery electric vehicle (BEV) market in China for vehicles priced higher than RMB 300,000 yuan ($41,500), according to the company. Founded in November 2014, Nio introduced its first production vehicle, the ES8, on December 16, 2017, at Nio Day 2017. The ES8’s initial production vehicle rolled off…

BYD contemplating the establishment of a second assembly plant in Europe by 2025, revealed European managing director Michael Shu at the FT’s Future of the Car conference. The move comes as part of BYD’s strategic vision to penetrate the European market further. Shu indicated that BYD intends to introduce a cost-effective electric vehicle (EV) based on its Chinese Seagull model to the European market. The European variant of the Seagull, which currently sells for under $10,000 in China, is expected to be priced below 20,000 euros ($21,550) in Europe. This competitive pricing aims to address the significant price disparity between…

Beijing Momenta Technology Co., a Chinese self-driving developer, has reportedly filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. However, the fate of Momenta’s IPO in the US remains uncertain amidst escalating tensions between the two nations. The news of Momenta’s potential IPO in the United States comes as Tesla’s robotaxi tests in China gain support from the local government. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology appears to be openly welcomed in China, contrasting with the potential reception Momenta might face in the United States. China has been designated a “Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC)” under the Inflation Reduction…

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group) has officially joined the battery swap alliance led by Nio, marking a significant collaboration in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market. The strategic cooperation agreement, signed on May 8 in Guangzhou, aims to advance charging and battery swap technologies, enhance vehicle R&D, and streamline operations for a more user-friendly experience. William Li, founder, chairman, and CEO of Nio, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “The cooperation will amplify the two companies’ respective strengths in technology and operations, and push forward the unification of battery standards and operational and management systems, so as to make…

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,…