Author: Linda Ma

Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology, a key supplier of semi-solid-state batteries to Nio (NYSE: NIO) and an electric vehicle (EV) unit of Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC), has entered into a strategic agreement to jointly develop long-range electric cars. The agreement, signed between WeLion and Yiwei, JAC’s EV arm, on April 22, marks a significant milestone in their collaboration, as stated by the battery startup yesterday. Under the agreement, the two companies will work together on an EV model that will be powered by 4695 large cylindrical semi-solid-state battery cells, based on Yiwei’s second-generation, all-electric, DI platform, according to the…

BYD’s premium brand, Yangwang, is set to unveil the U8 Off-road Master Edition, a variant of its U8 SUV, at the upcoming Beijing auto show on April 25. The brand made the announcement on Weibo, stating that the new variant will elevate the off-road experience and feature upgraded safety enhancements. The U8 Off-road Master Edition was initially unveiled alongside another variant a year ago at the Shanghai auto show. However, only one variant had been released to the market until now, with the Off-road Master Edition being the latest addition. The 2024 Beijing auto show will run from April 25…

Zeekr has introduced its latest offering, the Zeekr 009 Grand. This premium MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) aims to redefine executive transportation with its blend of luxury, performance, and innovative features. The Zeekr 009 Grand, unveiled at an event in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, boasts a price tag starting at RMB 789,000 ($108,970), targeting business owners and CEOs seeking a superior travel experience. “The Zeekr 009 Grand will make today’s CEOs anxiety-free and more productive,” remarked Zeekr CEO Andy An during the model’s launch event. The vehicle, an enhanced four-seat variant of the original Zeekr 009, shares the same sleek design but includes…

SAIC-GM and Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio have inked a partnership deal, enabling more than 10,000 Nio charging terminals to join SAIC-GM’s Ultium charging network in China. Under this agreement, owners of SAIC-GM’s Cadillac and Buick electric vehicles can access Nio’s charging stations through their mobile apps. The app provides real-time information on the location and pricing of Nio’s charging piles via charging maps. https://twitter.com/NIOGlobal/status/1780856091003490338 Nio currently operates 2,204 charging stations in China, comprising a total of 10,056 charging piles, as reported by CnEVPost. Among these stations, 364 are situated in highway service areas. Additionally, Nio’s battery-swapping network spans 2,402…

The Mexican federal government has decided to cease offering incentives to automakers from China, a move attributed to mounting pressure from the United States. This decision has raised concerns about potential efforts to bypass tariffs. According to undisclosed sources, at a recent meeting between high-ranking Mexican officials and representatives from Chinese automaker BYD, Mexico communicated that it would no longer provide incentives and would suspend all future engagements with Chinese automakers. The development follows actions by the Office of the United States Trade Representative aimed at restricting Chinese automakers from accessing the North American free trade zone. The U.S. has…

XPeng Motors is making strides in its self-driving technology. According to XPeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng, the automaker’s self-driving ADAS navigation-guided pilot (NGP) is undergoing testing on German roads and showing “great promise,” paving the way for an XNGP rollout across Europe. XPeng’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), initially called navigation guided pilot (NGP), has evolved over the years. It was first applied to highway driving scenarios before expanding to operate on congested urban roads with City NGP. After demonstrating City NGP’s capabilities, XPeng began piloting its next self-driving phase – XNGP. Launched in March 2023, XPeng touted it…

Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, announced on Thursday that sales of the company’s first electric car, the SU7, have been 3-5 times higher than expected. The standard versions of the SU7 began delivery to buyers ahead of schedule, with Lei Jun revealing the news during a livestream on Douyin, China’s equivalent of TikTok, which attracted over 34 million viewers. The SU7, which features styling cues from Porsche, was launched late last month, entering China’s competitive EV market with a price tag under $30,000 for the base model. This pricing significantly undercuts Tesla’s Model 3, making it an attractive option for consumers.…

Denza, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BYD, has revealed the Z9 GT, a new electric model set to make waves in the EV market. The Z9 GT is a shooting brake-style saloon, measuring 5.18 meters long, 1.99 meters wide, and 1.50 or 1.48 meters high, depending on the version. Equipped with optional air suspension, the height is reduced by 20 millimeters compared to the standard chassis. The wheelbase is 3.125 meters, as indicated in Chinese documents. With its design resembling the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, especially in the side view, the Z9 GT is not just about looks—it boasts…

Less than a year after its European market debut, the Nio EL6 has been tested by Euro NCAP and awarded a five-star safety rating. This accolade places the Chinese brand’s crossover alongside its siblings, the ES8, ET7, ET5, and EL7, all of which have also achieved the prestigious five-star rating in Europe. The EL6 comes equipped with a range of standard safety features, including a camera, radar, lidar, and an autonomous emergency braking system that Euro NCAP lauds for its exceptional performance. In adult occupant crash tests, the electric SUV scored 37.5 points or 93%, while in child occupant tests,…

China’s electric vehicle (EV) market witnessed a substantial surge in March, with sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids rising by 85% compared to February. This significant increase was attributed to the typical seasonal phenomenon of a slow start to the year followed by a rebound. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), sales of new energy vehicles (NEV) in China reached approximately 883,000 units in March. This represents a 35.3% increase compared to the same period last year and an impressive 85.1% increase compared to February 2024. The strong performance in March was expected, as…

Li Auto announced that it delivered 28,984 vehicles in March, marking a substantial 43.12% increase from the 20,251 vehicles delivered in February. While this performance demonstrates a strong recovery, it still falls short of the 31,165 units delivered in January before the Chinese New Year holiday. Despite this, the March figures show a robust 39.19% increase from the same period last year, when the company delivered 20,823 vehicles. In the first quarter of 2024, Li Auto delivered a total of 80,400 vehicles, surpassing the upper end of its revised guidance range of 76,000 to 78,000 vehicles. This represents a significant…

Xiaomi has entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with its first model, the SU7 electric sedan, which was launched today in Beijing. Priced competitively, the SU7 undercuts Tesla’s Model 3 while offering superior features. “We are excited to introduce the Xiaomi SU7, a vehicle designed to exceed expectations and redefine the electric vehicle experience,” said Lei Jun, founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi. The SU7 comes in three variants — Standard, Pro, and Max — with prices starting at RMB 215,900 ($29,870). This places the SU7 in direct competition with Tesla’s Model 3, with the Standard version priced RMB 30,000…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng has introduced a new variant of its flagship sedan, the P7i, featuring scissor doors and a special limited-time offer. The Xpeng P7i 702 Max Wing Edition is priced at RMB 289,900 ($40,230), with customers who order before March 31 receiving a discount of RMB 40,000 ($5,550), bringing the starting price down to RMB 249,900. See also: Xpeng Reports Growth in Deliveries and Revenue for 2023, Plans Major Product Cycle Xpeng’s model naming convention includes numbers representing CLTC range and letters indicating autonomous driving capabilities. The P7i variants are available in Pro and Max versions, with…

Zeekr, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) automaker under the Geely Holding umbrella, has confirmed the launch of its fifth EV model, the Zeekr MIX. This new van-like multi-purpose vehicle is designed with families who have a traveling lifestyle in mind, adding to China’s expanding array of all-electric family-size vehicles. In recent years, Zeekr has rapidly developed and launched several successful EV models. The brand’s latest offering, the Zeekr MIX, joins a lineup that includes the recently debuted 007 model, which has become a bestseller for the automaker since deliveries began in January 2023. Zeekr has also expanded its presence in…

In a bid to revolutionize family mobility, Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has introduced its latest model, the Zeekr Mix. Inspired by the Tiangong space station, the Zeekr Mix promises to transcend conventional boundaries, offering a unique blend of futuristic design and spacious interiors. “The Zeekr Mix is not just a vehicle; it’s a lifestyle statement,” remarked a Zeekr spokesperson. “We aim to redefine mobility, offering a seamless blend of functionality and style that caters to the modern family’s needs.” https://twitter.com/GeelyGroup/status/1771058033214308840 The Zeekr Mix, a five-seater model, boasts dimensions of 4,688 mm in length,…

Li Auto unexpectedly revised its first-quarter delivery guidance downwards, leading to a new report suggesting a reduction in the company’s full-year sales target as well. According to local media outlet Xchuxing, Li Auto now anticipates selling between 560,000 and 640,000 units for the full year of 2024, down from the previous estimate of 650,000 to 800,000 units, citing the company’s meeting minutes. The high-profile carmaker announced a first-quarter vehicle delivery forecast of 76,000 to 78,000 units, a decline from the previous projection of 100,000 to 103,000 units, due to lower-than-expected order intake. “On February 1, we set a new high…

Xiaomi is gearing up for the official launch of its first electric vehicle (EV), the SU7, amidst reports of an upcoming price hike by Tesla in China. The news of Tesla’s price increase has prompted Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun to comment on the value proposition of the SU7, even with a potentially high price tag. Reports from local media outlet Cailian suggest that Tesla will raise prices in China on April 1, with the Model Y’s price expected to increase by RMB 5,000 ($700). This price hike, coupled with the expiration of some purchase entitlements at the…

Zeekr has announced that its updated Zeekr 001 has received more than 20,000 firm orders in less than a month from its launch. The firm order figure was revealed on Weibo, with Zeekr aiming to secure 30,000 firm orders for the updated Zeekr 001 within its first month after launch. A firm order typically requires a non-refundable deposit, with Zeekr’s deposit amount set at 5,000 yuan ($700). The updated Zeekr 001 was officially launched on February 27, with deliveries commencing on March 1. This model is an updated version of Zeekr’s first model, the Zeekr 001, which was released on…

Xpeng has revealed plans to introduce a new, more affordable brand, entering a highly competitive segment in the EV industry. The new brand’s models, set to launch within the next month, will be priced between 100,000 yuan and 150,000 yuan ($14,000-$21,000), significantly lower than the 200,000-300,000-yuan range typically seen among premium EV makers. Xpeng Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng announced the plans at an industry event in Beijing, stating, “We will successively introduce models under the brand, which we have not named yet, each with different levels of intelligent driving capabilities. The new brand is dedicated to creating the first…

Huawei’s managing director and chairman of its smart car solutions, Richard Yu, announced at an annual forum organized by the EV100 think tank that the company anticipates resolving production and delivery delays for its Luxeed S7 sedan starting from next month. These delays were primarily due to a shortage of semiconductors and issues related to factory relocation, as reported by local media outlet Cailianshe on Saturday. See also: Huawei Officially Launches Luxeed S7 Electric Sedan: Impressive 855 km Range, Starting at RMB 249,800 Earlier complaints from Chinese automakers Chery and Changan Auto regarding production issues with a computing unit manufactured by…