Author: Linda Ma

Chinese technology giant Huawei is teaming up with automotive company BAIC BJEV to unveil their first joint creation, an all-electric sedan expected to take the spotlight in the first half of 2024. Insiders from BAIC BJEV have provided details about the upcoming vehicle, describing it as a spacious medium-to-large pure electric sedan that is reportedly ready for its official debut. Huawei’s managing director, Yu Chengdong, revealed that the conglomerate has expanded its electric endeavors through collaborations with four automotive partners: Seres, Chery, BAIC BJEV, and JAC. Each collaboration has resulted in distinct offerings, including the AITO M9 with Seres, Luxeed…

Chinese automaker BYD is set to reward its dealers with a total of RMB 2 billion ($280 million) after successfully achieving its 2023 sales target, according to sources familiar with the matter as reported by local media outlet Yicai. BYD accomplished a record-breaking performance in December by selling 341,043 new energy vehicles (NEVs), contributing to a total of 3,024,417 units sold throughout 2023. The company’s initial sales target for the year was 3 million vehicles, with an ambitious strive to reach 3.6 million, as announced by BYD’s chairman and president Wang Chuanfu in March 2023. See also: BYD Hits 341,043…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Longi Green Energy Technology to incorporate the Chinese solar panel maker’s products into its battery swap stations. The partnership, established on January 3, aims to promote the use of photovoltaic power at charging and battery swap stations. Under the agreement, Nio and Longi will collaborate on the implementation of photovoltaic power at charging and battery swap stations, as well as on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) initiatives. The companies also plan to jointly establish industry standards for carbon-neutral mobility to contribute to carbon reduction goals in the transportation sector.…

BYD, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has officially claimed the title of the world’s leading seller of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), outpacing Tesla in fourth-quarter deliveries. Tesla announced deliveries of 484,507 vehicles in Q4 and a total of 1,808,581 for the full year of 2023. In contrast, BYD reported sales of 526,409 passenger BEVs in the fourth quarter, marking an 8.65 percent increase over Tesla’s fourth-quarter deliveries. Notably, BYD ceased production and sales of internal combustion engine vehicles in March 2022, redirecting its focus towards manufacturing Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) and pure electric vehicles. See also: BYD Hits…

Two compact electric vehicles have recently entered the market, marking significant strides in the electric car sector. The first model hails from Yiwei, an emerging electric car brand established in 2023 as a successor to the joint venture brand Sehol, a collaboration between JAC and Volkswagen Anhui. Notably, Yiwei’s sodium-ion batteries are sourced from Hina Battery. The second compact EV comes from Jiangling Motors Electric Vehicle (JMEV), a company predominantly owned by Renault. JMEV’s model is equipped with sodium batteries supplied by Farasis Energy. Yiwei, a new player under Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC), was founded in 2023. JAC, in turn,…

Chinese automaker Li Auto Inc  announced on Sunday its projection to debut and initiate deliveries of its inaugural fully electric car in March. Li Auto has commenced pre-order bookings in China for its MEGA multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at an approximate price below 600,000 yuan ($84,533.24). In November, the automaker disclosed that the MEGA MPV would mark the first model rolling off its Beijing plant, boasting a design capacity of 100,000 units annually. Established in 2015, Li Auto specializes in four extended-range hybrid SUVs priced above 300,000 yuan, tailored for family-oriented users. The company secured the seventh position in sales volume…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer JiYue has introduced its latest offering, the JiYue 07 electric sedan, following its recognition with the 2023 German Red Dot and iF design awards. The new fastback is set to enter the competitive market against Tesla’s Model 3, sharing the platform with Volvo’s EX90 and EX30 models. Established in 2021 as a joint venture between Baidu and Geely, JiYue underwent restructuring, with Geely, the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, and ZEEKR, taking majority ownership. Baidu contributes expertise in software, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and connectivity. The brand launched its inaugural EV, the JiYue 01,…

Nio, the Chinese electric car manufacturer, recently showcased its much-anticipated flagship sedan, the ET9, at the Nio Day 2023 event. This luxury electric vehicle is poised to compete with industry leaders like the Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and BMW i7. As the automotive world eagerly awaits its arrival in the Chinese market in the coming year, the ET9 promises a groundbreaking driving experience with its cutting-edge features, powerful 700 horsepower performance, and a noteworthy 160-mile range. The ET9 represents a departure from traditional sedan design, challenging distinctions between coupe-crossovers and sedans. With a coupe-style fastback roofline, the ET9 showcases…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio recently announced a fresh injection of funds from Abu Dhabi government fund CYVN Holdings LLC, amounting to $2.2 billion. This investment is set to bring notable changes to Nio’s shareholding structure, with CYVN Holdings becoming a major shareholder holding about 20.1% of Nio’s total issued shares. The funding deal involves CYVN Holdings subscribing for 294 million newly issued class A ordinary shares of Nio at a price of $7.50 per share. The transaction is expected to conclude by the last week of December. While the latest investment significantly impacts Nio’s shareholding, founder and CEO…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio disclosed on Monday that it has inked an agreement for a $2.2 billion investment from CYVN Holdings, an Abu Dhabi-based investment vehicle. Facing challenges to its EV sales and profitability in the midst of a competitive pricing war initiated by Tesla, Nio has strategically sought to enhance efficiency by implementing workforce reductions and deferring non-core projects. See also: Nio Announces Plans to Launch Affordable Sub-Brand in Europe by 2025 The investment deal, slated for closure in the final week of December, will result in CYVN Holdings holding a 20.1% stake in Nio’s total issued…

BYD has officially introduced the Song L, a shooting brake SUV, at a considerably lower starting price than initially offered during the pre-sale phase. This move underscores the heightened competition within China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market. The Song L, an all-electric vehicle (BEV), is available in five versions, with starting prices ranging from RMB 189,800 ($26,700) to RMB 249,800. BYD initially presented the Song L concept at the Shanghai auto show in April, with previews of the production version beginning in August. The model falls under BYD’s Dynasty series, which also includes the Dynasty and Ocean series. See also:…

Nio is set to introduce a more affordable sub-brand, code-named Firefly, in the European market by 2025, according to a recent report from Reuters. The information was shared by Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of Nio, during a wire press conference. Both Firefly and another sub-brand, codenamed Alps, are expected to focus on family cars, with Firefly specializing in smaller models, as stated by Qin during the press conference. Nio had initially confirmed its intention to enter the lower-priced mass market with a sub-brand in August 2021, referring to the sub-brand internally as Alps in subsequent communications. See also: Nio’s…

Xpeng is intensifying its competition in the autonomous driving space by extending the availability of its Navigation Guided Pilot (XNGP) feature to 27 additional cities, bringing the total coverage to 52 cities, as announced on Weibo. Starting immediately, Xpeng is launching the public beta of the Xmart OS 4.5.0 system for eligible G9 and P7i vehicles, allowing users to experience the XNGP feature in the newly covered cities. G6 vehicles will join the beta program starting on December 18. See also: XPeng Expands Availability of Advanced Driver Assistance Technology to 20 More Cities in China XNGP, originally limited to highways…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has expedited its goals for the coverage of its Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) software, NOP+ (Navigate on Pilot Plus), revealing an optimistic outlook. Ren Shaoqing, Nio’s vice president of intelligent driving research and development, announced that the company aims to validate 250,000 kilometers of NOP+ urban pilot routes across 200 cities by the year-end. Nio expresses confidence in achieving this milestone, with Ren highlighting the completion of 400,000 kilometers of NOP+ urban pilot routes across more than 230 cities by the second quarter of 2024. This expansion signifies coverage in 96 percent of Nio…

London Electric Vehicle Company’s (LEVC) Chinese subsidiary, Geely, has recently submitted an application for regulatory approval in China for its latest electric vehicle model, the Xspace MPV L380. This vehicle, based on the Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) platform, is anticipated to cater to the Chinese market, although its potential European release remains uncertain. Officially designated as the Xspace MPV L380, the electric van boasts a length of approximately 5.30 meters and offers seating configurations for six or eight passengers. LEVC emphasizes the model’s spaciousness, likening it to the interior of an Airbus A380. The vehicle is equipped with a 200…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has officially initiated deliveries of its Zeekr 001 electric vehicle in Europe, starting with the Netherlands. The milestone follows the company’s strategic announcement in April of its intent to enter the European market. The first models introduced in Europe include the flagship Zeekr 001 shooting brake and the Zeekr X urban SUV. Zeekr initiated pre-sales of these models on June 27, with prices starting at €59,490 ($64,060) for the Zeekr 001 and €44,990 for the Zeekr X. See also: Zeekr Announces Official Launch Date for 007 Electric Sedan, Deliveries to Begin in January 2024 Sweden…

Dongfeng’s M-Hero brand unveils the M800, an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) SUV, raising eyebrows and generating questions in the ever-growing Chinese market for rugged off-roaders. With a length of 5.2 meters, powered by a 1.5-liter ICE and CATL’s ternary battery, the M800 positions itself as a robust contender in the electric vehicle landscape. M-Hero, derived from the Chinese term “Mengshi,” draws inspiration from Dongfeng’s renowned armored military vehicles. While the company still offers conventional petrol versions under its banner, M-Hero signifies Dongfeng’s global entry into the electric vehicle sector, with plans targeting markets in Europe and the Middle East. Following…

Chinese automaker BYD has recently submitted an application for the sales license of its upcoming electric sports car, the YangWang U9, marking its foray into the high-performance electric vehicle (EV) segment. The filing with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveals impressive specifications, indicating that the U9 is poised to make a significant impact in the electric automotive landscape. Launched under BYD’s YangWang brand earlier this year, the U9 follows the introduction of the YangWang U8, an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) SUV that garnered attention for its innovative features. The YangWang U9, a two-door electric supercar, has generated…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio (NYSE: NIO) is considering the addition of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to its lineup in a strategic move aimed at improving profitability and reducing production costs. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China recently released a catalog of approved vehicle models for sale in the country, which included several filings from automakers detailing alterations to vehicle specifications. According to documents scrutinized by CnEVPost, Nio has proposed changes to fourteen of its models, comprising both current and past offerings. Notably, all of these models are slated to include the LFP battery…

China has raised objections to the Biden Administration’s revisions to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), particularly the new rules imposing stricter regulations on battery materials. The IRA amendments introduce more stringent criteria for eligibility for vehicle tax credits, leading China to express concerns about perceived unfair practices. Under the updated regulations, vehicles lose eligibility for tax credits if they contain battery materials from countries designated as “Foreign Entities of Concern” (FEOC), including North Korea, Russia, Iran, and now China. By 2024, vehicles with completed batteries using components from FEOCs become ineligible, and by 2025, electric vehicles with battery minerals exceeding…