Author: Linda Ma

BYD has announced the launch of two updated models from its Ocean series, the Song Plus Glory Edition and the Seal DM-i Glory Edition. These updates follow a trend set earlier this month, with BYD significantly reducing the starting prices of these models. Part of BYD’s Ocean series, these models join the brand’s other popular lineup, the Dynasty series, which recently saw updates to its flagship models, the Han and Tang, now also available in Glory Editions. See also: BYD Unveils Lower-Priced Han Sedans and Tang SUVs in China’s Auto Market The Song family, however, presents a unique challenge in BYD’s…

Svolt Energy’s battery plant in Thailand has commenced mass production, the battery manufacturer, spun off from Great Wall Motor, announced today. The plant has initiated bulk deliveries of products and will soon integrate them into several new energy vehicle (NEV) models in Thailand under Great Wall Motor’s Ora, Tank, and Haval brands, as well as models from Hozon New Energy Automobile, the parent company of Neta Auto. While the plant’s exact capacity was not disclosed in the release, Svolt Energy anticipates supplying more than 20,000 battery packs to local customers this year, based on demand from customers. See also: BMW to…

Zeekr has unveiled the updated Zeekr 001 shooting brake model, aiming to maintain its competitiveness in the market through upgraded specifications and reduced prices amid intense price competition. The 2024 Zeekr 001 was launched at an event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, where Zeekr is headquartered. The new model comes equipped with an 800 V electrical system, a key feature of premium models launched in recent months, such as the Zeekr 007. See also: Zeekr Celebrates Milestone with 10,000th 007 Sedan Produced in Just 56 Days Most electric vehicles introduced in recent years have utilized the mainstream 400 V platform. The higher…

China’s state-owned Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd is reportedly in discussions to acquire struggling Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Human Horizons, according to a report by financial news outlet Yicai. The news was revealed by Changan Chairman Zhu Huarong. Ding Lei, the founder of Shanghai-based Human Horizons known for its Hiphi-branded EVs, met with Zhu in Chongqing on February 27, as per Yicai, citing an unnamed source. See also: Human Horizons’ HiPhi Brand Halts Production Amid Operational Challenges Changan Auto acknowledged the meeting between Ding and Zhu in response to Reuters but refrained from commenting on the reported acquisition or merger talks.…

Huawei, renowned for its smartphones, is making significant strides in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sector. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the tech giant plans to deploy 100,000 fast charging stations across China this year in collaboration with partners, targeting locations such as shops and motorway service stations. While Huawei’s entry into the EV business was announced in 2021, focusing on automated electric cars, the move into charging infrastructure marks a new chapter. Collaborations with Chinese OEMs like Changan and Chery have already been established, showcasing Huawei’s commitment to the electric mobility sector. See also: Mercedes-Benz Expands Fast-Charging…

SAIC Motor Corp’s electric vehicle (EV) arm, IM Motors, has unveiled the 2024 L7 sedan with a significantly reduced starting price and enhanced features, amid escalating competition in China’s EV market. The refreshed flagship sedan was launched on February 24, offering four variants priced at RMB 299,900 ($41,700), RMB 349,900, RMB 389,900, and RMB 419,900, respectively. Previously, the model was available in three versions starting at RMB 338,800, RMB 368,800, and RMB 408,800. This marks a substantial decrease of RMB 38,900, or 11.5 percent, in the starting price of the updated L7. IM Motors commenced deliveries of the L7 in…

Nio has inked a technology license agreement with Forseven Limited, a subsidiary of CYVN Holdings L.L.C., aimed at leveraging Nio’s smart electric vehicle platforms for Forseven’s upcoming vehicle models. The agreement grants Forseven a non-exclusive and non-transferable worldwide license to utilize Nio’s existing and future technical information, solutions, software, and intellectual property rights related to its smart electric vehicle platforms. See also: Nio Incorporates Humanoid Robots for Enhanced Automation in EV Assembly Line This agreement enables Forseven to develop, manufacture, sell, import, and export vehicle models under the Forseven brand, with certain pre-agreed manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) thresholds. In return…

Volvo Cars’ President and CEO, Jim Rowan, underscored the significant role China plays in Volvo’s global strategy, stating that it extends beyond being the Swedish premium carmaker’s largest market. Rowan made these comments on Wednesday during his visit to Shanghai for the groundbreaking ceremony of the fourth phase of Volvo Cars Asia Pacific Headquarters, which will house a battery center and training facility. “China is far more than just an important market for Volvo’s development,” Rowan emphasized. See also: Volvo Cars to Reduce Stake in Polestar to 18%, Sells 48% Shares to Shareholders China stands as Volvo’s largest market, with over…

BYD’s premium brand Yangwang has unveiled its latest offering, the U9 electric supercar, at a launch event in Shanghai. This marks the second production vehicle from the new brand, following the U8 off-road SUV. The Yangwang U9, priced at RMB 1.68 million ($233,500), is a 2-seat model that boasts impressive specifications. It measures 4,966 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,295 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. Powered by a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with four motors, each delivering a peak power of 240 kW and a combined peak power of 960 kW, the U9…

BYD is set to launch updated versions of its Han sedan and Tang SUV, the flagship models of its Dynasty lineup, in just three days, intensifying the price war in the mid-to-high-end electric vehicle (EV) market. The unveiling event for the Glory Edition models of the Han and Tang will kick off at 3 pm Beijing time on February 28, as announced by BYD today on Weibo. According to BYD’s poster, the models will feature new white, purple, and blue exterior options, hinting that they will be priced lower than their gasoline counterparts. See also: BYD Unveils Updated Dolphin Electric Hatchback…

Tesla has initiated a recall of thousands of vehicles in China due to a software issue affecting the reverse camera, which may fail to display images correctly, according to an announcement by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The recall affects 1,071 imported Model S and Model X electric vehicles with production dates ranging from January 27, 2023, to January 7, 2024, as well as 7,629 locally produced Model 3s with production dates from September 12, 2023, to January 12, 2024. See also: Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Sees Third Price Increase This Month The announcement states that some…

Xpeng has announced dealer partnerships in five additional countries, marking a significant expansion of its international presence beyond Europe and Israel. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker will bring its vehicles to consumers in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Jordan, and Lebanon through branded showrooms and customer support. The partnerships in the five countries are as follows: UAE: Ali&Sons Egypt: RAYA Azerbaijan: SR Group Jordan: T Gargour and Fils Lebanon: Gargour Asia SAL Xpeng will start deliveries of its P7 sedan and G9 SUV in Jordan and Lebanon in the second quarter, and in Egypt in the third quarter.…

China has exported 5,000 units of the E10X small electric car, equipped with sodium-ion batteries, to Central and South America. This marks the first shipment of electric cars with sodium-ion batteries from China and signifies a new era in electric vehicle technology. The news was reported by Car News China, which referenced a ceremony at JAC’s Smart Factory in China to commemorate the first export batch of Yiwei electric cars for Central and South America. Yiwei, founded in 2023, is a successor to the joint venture brand Sehol from JAC and Volkswagen Anhui. The brand announced at the beginning of…

Haomo.AI Technology, a Chinese autonomous driving startup backed by Great Wall Motor, has successfully secured a new round of funding, marking the first significant investment in the autonomous driving sector after China’s Lunar New Year holiday. The funding round, totaling more than RMB 100 million ($14 million), comes at a time when the autonomous driving industry is facing a capital winter, with few large fundings in recent years. Chengdu Wufa Private Equity Fund Management, a fund supported by the government of Chengdu in southwest China’s Sichuan province, led the Series B1 funding round for Haomo, according to a statement released…

Li Xiang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Li Auto, has urged China’s policymakers to establish a mechanism to facilitate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) among car companies. This call comes in the wake of the production halt of Human Horizons’ HiPhi brand, prompting discussions about the stability of the automotive market. “It’s time for the country to establish and guide a system for mergers and acquisitions of auto companies, including qualification-related issues,” Li wrote on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform. See also: Human Horizons’ HiPhi Brand Halts Production Amid Operational Challenges The call for M&A reform comes as auto blogger…

General Motors’ Buick brand has announced a significant price reduction for its all-electric SUV, the Electra E4, in China, marking the latest move in the intensifying auto price war gripping the market. According to information released by GM’s joint venture in China, SAIC-GM, the updated Electra E4 will now start at RMB 159,900, reflecting a substantial decrease of 15.8 percent from its previous starting price of RMB 189,900. See also: Buick Teases All-Electric SUV Design Amid Electrification Plans, Hinting at Kia EV9 Competition The Electra E4, which made its debut in China in June 2023, initially offered four variants with starting…

During the Chinese New Year holiday, Tesla drivers in China collectively traveled over 700 million kilometers (435 million miles), as reported by Tesla China on local social media. This significant distance, equivalent to circling the Earth 18,346 times or making seven round trips between the Earth and Mars, was achieved between February 10th and 17th. The all-electric nature of Tesla’s vehicles meant that these miles were emissions-free, leading to a reduction of approximately 160,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which is comparable to planting approximately 9.39 million trees, as reported by CNEV Post. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Showcased in Japan, Hinting at…

China’s auto market is entering the Lunar Year of the Dragon with a renewed wave of price wars, signaling an intense battle for market share in 2024. Cui Dongshu, the secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), predicts that the price war in China’s passenger car market will remain fierce throughout the year, driven by several factors. One key factor is the rapid growth of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market. In 2023, NEV sales in China reached 8.88 million units, surpassing the total passenger car sales in 2009. This exponential growth has made 2024 a crucial year for…

BYD, China’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, has announced its commitment to enhancing research and development (R&D) efforts to drive technological innovation and productivity. In a recent exchange announcement, the company unveiled a comprehensive action plan aimed at elevating corporate quality and delivering greater returns to shareholders. The company’s R&D team, comprising over 90,000 engineers, has been instrumental in securing more than 48,000 global patents, with over 30,000 already granted. This robust R&D framework underscores BYD’s dedication to advancing automotive technology, particularly in key areas such as batteries, motors, and electronic controls. See also: BYD’s Wang Chuanfu Forecasts Half of…

Nio has released a new video demonstrating the capabilities of its executive flagship sedan, the ET9, equipped with the innovative SkyRide chassis system. The video, released as China returns to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, shows the ET9 undergoing winter testing in snowy conditions. According to Nio’s WeChat account, the ET9 was taken out into the snow and ice at the start of the new year for winter testing. The video showcases the ET9’s ability to adjust its body height and shake off thick snow, demonstrating technological advancements not commonly seen in the automotive industry. See also: Nio Expands…