Author: Linda Ma

Electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla has reportedly exhausted its inventory of the Model Y Standard Range configuration in China for the remainder of 2023. The move comes as Tesla strives to achieve its ambitious goal of delivering 1.8 million vehicles worldwide by the end of the year. China has emerged as a key market for Tesla, with consistently high demand propelling the automaker to prominent positions in sales rankings. The Model 3 and Model Y have played a pivotal role in driving EV adoption in the country, making China one of the leading adopters of electric vehicles globally. https://twitter.com/KelvinYang7/status/1733143808898949283 While…

Tesla reported robust sales in China for November, with a total of 82,432 locally manufactured vehicles sold, of which 16,928 were designated for export, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The figures highlight the company’s continued growth in the Chinese market. The breakdown of sales reveals that within China, Tesla sold 65,504 vehicles in November, representing a 4.82% increase year-on-year and an impressive surge of 128.83% from the previous month. Tesla’s Shanghai plant, a key production hub, caters to both domestic demand and global exports. However, Tesla’s export numbers from the Shanghai factory saw a significant…

Chinese automaker XPeng has extended the reach of its cutting-edge driver assistance technology, the XNGP package, to an additional 20 cities in China. This expansion follows the initial limited release in select locations and includes cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Ningbo, complementing the early adopters like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Foshan, and XPeng’s hometown. Available through over-the-air updates, the XNGP package can be utilized on specific versions of XPeng’s electric vehicles, including the G9 SUV, and P5 and P7 sedans. XPeng has positioned XNGP as a significant step toward achieving full autonomous driving capabilities, offering “full-scenario driver assistance,…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio’s Anhui unit, in collaboration with a state-owned company affiliated with the Hefei government, successfully acquired assets from NHui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC) in a joint bid valued at 4.58 billion yuan ($641.2 million), as announced on Tuesday. Under the terms of the deal, Nio will acquire fixed assets and equipment from two JAC factories for a total of 3.16 billion yuan. Simultaneously, Hefei Hengchuang Intelligent Technology, a state-owned industry park developer, will purchase the buildings and land use rights of one of the plants for 1.42 billion yuan, according to the statement released. Nio officially confirmed…

Chinese company BYD Semiconductor has achieved a significant milestone by completing the first phase of its research and manufacturing project for power devices and sensor-control devices in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. The initiative, with a total investment of RMB 10 billion ($1.4 billion), spans 417 mu (278,000 square meters) of land and aims to enhance the production capacity of key components for new energy vehicles (NEVs). The project, initiated by BYD in August 2022, progressed as planned, and the first phase was accomplished within the specified timeframe. The entire project is anticipated to be fully completed in 42 months. The comprehensive…

Chinese automaker BYD has marked a significant achievement with the production of the 200,000th unit of its compact battery electric vehicle (BEV), the Seagull. The milestone was reached just seven months after the model’s launch, underscoring its popularity in the market. BYD shared the announcement on Weibo, showcasing images of the Seagull’s assembly line. The Seagull, positioned as the most affordable model under the BYD brand, has quickly become one of the company’s top-selling models. Launched on April 26, the Seagull is available in three variants with starting prices ranging from RMB 73,800 ($10,360) to RMB 89,800. As an A0-class…

Chinese automaker Changan is charting an ambitious course for its Deepal brand, aiming to sell 450,000 electrified vehicles globally by 2024, with a specific focus on entering the European market. The international expansion is slated to kick off in Thailand, with plans for further growth in other ASEAN markets and Europe, according to Deepal CEO Deng Chenghao. Established in 2022, Deepal currently offers the mid-range sedan Deepal SL03 (known as L07 in Thailand) in various electric configurations, including battery electric (BEV), extended-range electric (EREV), and fuel cell electric (FCEV) versions in China. The mid-range SUV S07 is also part of…

Chinese automakers Nio and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group announced on Wednesday a collaborative effort in the realm of battery swapping, solidifying their partnership through a strategic agreement. Geely, known for its diverse range of brands from Volvo to Zeekr, becomes the second automaker to engage in a battery swapping alliance with Nio, following Nio’s recent collaboration with Changan Automobile. The focus of this partnership lies in the joint development of standards, technology, and vehicle models related to battery swapping. This cooperative venture, as described by both companies, will involve a “co-investment, co-construction, shared, co-operative” model. The primary objectives include establishing…

Chinese tech giant Huawei, in collaboration with local automaker Chery, has introduced its first electric vehicle (EV) under the newly established Luxeed brand. The Luxeed S7, a mid to large-size all-electric sedan, aims to heighten competition in China’s burgeoning EV sedan market. Richard Yu, the head of Huawei’s automotive business, officially launched the Luxeed S7 during an event in Shanghai. The sedan is available in four variants—Pro, Max, Max+, and Max RS—with pricing starting at RMB 249,800 ($34,920), RMB 289,800, RMB 319,800, and RMB 349,800, respectively. Notably, the official starting prices are RMB 8,200 lower than the pre-sale figures from…

Luxury electric vehicle subsidiary Lotus Technology, under the umbrella of sports car brand Lotus, announced on Tuesday the successful acquisition of $870 million in financing. This financial boost precedes the finalization of its merger with blank-check company L Catterton Asia Acquisition (LCAA). According to a statement from Lotus Technology, the financing was secured based on a valuation of $5.5 billion. As part of the merger deal with LCAA, investors will receive public shares, resulting in Lotus Technology having a free float exceeding 19%, excluding current LCAA shareholders. The substantial funds obtained will be allocated towards advancing the development of next-generation…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr has reported a remarkable reception for its debut mainstream electric sedan, the Zeekr 007, during its pre-sales phase. The company disclosed that within nine days of initiating pre-sales, they received over 25,000 pre-orders for the model. Unveiled at the Guangzhou auto show on November 17, the Zeekr 007 entered pre-sales with an initial price tag of RMB 229,900. However, a limited-time discount prompted a reduction in the pre-sale starting price to RMB 224,900, further fueling consumer interest. See also: What We Know So Far About Zeekr 007 Electric Sedan Specifications Customers reserving the Zeekr 007…

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), Nio’s innovative battery swapping concept has gained significant traction in China and beyond. Originally pioneered by Nio and embraced by battery giant CATL, this groundbreaking approach to quick and efficient charging has made its way to Europe, with Nio’s Power Swap Stations becoming a familiar sight. As of October 26, Nio boasts a network of 2,000 Power Swap Stations in China, complemented by 27 stations strategically positioned across Europe. With ambitious plans for expansion in the coming months, Nio aims to redefine the EV charging experience. The fundamental premise is elegantly…

Chinese authorities have inadvertently unveiled Xiaomi’s upcoming electric vehicle, the SU7, through a certification process, showcasing its interior and exterior design. Recently, a prototype of the Xiaomi SU7 was spotted testing on a Chinese highway, covered in heavy camouflage. Despite the camouflage, the distinctive design of the SU7 was evident as it maneuvered on the road. In a video captured by an onlooker, the heavily camouflaged SU7 prototype was observed accelerating on the highway. When the observer attempted to get closer for a better view, the driver of the prototype accelerated further, switching lanes to avoid being closely scrutinized. The…

In a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and automotive manufacturer Seres, the Aito M9, a flagship electric SUV, made its debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show, promising a compelling combination of advanced technology, powerful performance, and attractive pricing. The Aito M9 aims to capture the interest of potential buyers with its competitive pricing strategy. During the presale period, customers can reserve the cutting-edge SUV with a down payment of RMB 5,000 (€652). Early reservations come with a substantial €1,300 discount on the estimated final purchase price, ranging between RMB 500,000 and RMB 600,000 (€65,000 to €75,000). Additionally, customers placing…

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, is gearing up for the December 15 launch of its highly anticipated mid-size electric SUV, the BYD Song L. The new addition to the Dynasty series has already generated significant buzz, amassing over 11,000 pre-orders ahead of its official release. First unveiled as the Song L EV concept at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the SUV coupe is poised to compete directly with Tesla’s Model Y and ZEEKR 001 in the electric vehicle market. Building on the success of BYD’s previous models in the Dynasty series, including the Yuan Plus (Atto 3…

Japanese automakers are scrambling to avoid being squeezed out of the market by BYD and other Chinese EVs. Honda and Nissan are the latest to slash rates in overseas markets to boost demand. It’s no secret that Japanese automakers are some of the biggest laggards as the industry transitions to EVs. Those same companies are paying for it in overseas markets. According to a new report from Asia News Network, Nissan and Honda cut prices in Thailand and slashed interest rates to 0% to attract buyers. The move is rare, especially for Honda. CEO of Honda Automobile (Thailand), Hideo Kawasaka,…

Guangzhou-based autonomous driving startup, WeRide, announced the continued operation of its robotaxi fleet in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, following a successful trial period of one month and a half. The fleet, the first of its kind in the region, currently boasts 42 stops throughout the city, allowing local residents to conveniently hail rides using their smartphones. WeRide has affirmed its commitment to enhancing the service in Ordos by progressively increasing the number of stops, aiming to cater to a growing number of passengers in the city. During the trial operations, WeRide’s autonomous vehicles completed over 1,000 trips, serving more than 2,000…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio has refuted recent speculations about the company facing the possibility of going out of business, responding to user-generated questions on Chinese social media. At the Guangzhou auto show on November 17, Nio’s co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, addressed these concerns, assuring the public that there is “absolutely no possibility” of the company going under. In his speech, Qin highlighted Nio’s significant accomplishments throughout the year, emphasizing the completion of the transition from a first-generation platform to a second-generation platform. He underscored the successful release and delivery of five new vehicle models, as well as…

Gotion GmbH, the German subsidiary of Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech, has recently inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pod Point, a leading UK-based electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider. This collaboration aims to fortify Gotion’s foothold in overseas markets, with a particular focus on the burgeoning home energy storage sector in Europe, including the UK. Pod Point, established in 2009, has evolved into one of the largest EV charging infrastructure providers in the UK, boasting an impressive track record of delivering over 211,000 charging points and installing more than 188,000 home charging piles across the country. The partnership…

Li Auto has officially launched its inaugural battery electric vehicle (BEV), the Li Mega MPV, at the ongoing Guangzhou Auto Show. The company is now open for pre-orders and aims to position the Li Mega as the top choice for families in the above 500,000 yuan price range, irrespective of energy form or body style. While specific details about the number of Li Mega versions and the exact pricing were not disclosed, Li Auto emphasized that the model would be priced under RMB 600,000 yuan ($82,820). Customers eager to secure priority delivery can pre-order the Li Mega by paying a…