Author: Linda Ma

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…

Li Auto announced on Friday its plans to commence mass production and delivery of its inaugural pure electric vehicle in February. The rising Chinese automaker is placing its bets on cutting-edge fast-charging technology to address the prevalent issue of range anxiety among electric vehicle (EV) users. The company’s forthcoming MEGA multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), featuring a distinctive waterdrop-shaped front design, will boast an 800-volt charging architecture and be powered by Chinese battery giant CATL’s latest Qilin batteries. According to Li Auto, this combination will provide the MEGA with an impressive range of 500 km (310 miles) after just a 12-minute charge. Li Auto…

China’s automotive sector witnessed an unprecedented surge in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales during October, with figures surpassing the previous record set in September 2023. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), a total of 956,000 NEVs were sold last month, marking a significant 5.75% increase from September. Comparing the data to October 2022, the growth is even more pronounced, with a substantial 34% surge in sales. Notably, back in October 2022, 714,000 NEVs were sold. CAAM’s figures encompass wholesale data, including vehicles produced for both the domestic and export markets. Breaking down the NEV category, the majority…

A subsidiary of Beijing-based automaker BAIC Group, listed as BAIC ORV, has officially submitted applications to regulatory authorities seeking approval for the production of two electric vehicles (EVs) under the Xiaomi brand, according to information disclosed on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website today. The move marks Xiaomi’s strategic expansion into the highly competitive electric vehicle market, adding a new dimension to the challenges faced by China, the world’s largest auto market, characterized by overcapacity and slowing demand, resulting in a fierce price war impacting supplier margins. BAIC ORV’s proposal outlines plans to manufacture two variants of…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio has emerged victorious in a legal dispute against Cheshiji, a popular vlogger with millions of followers on the Douyin short-video platform. The final court ruling requires Cheshiji’s owner, Shanghai Yunti, to issue a public apology and pay financial damages to Nio, as announced by the EV maker’s legal department in a social media statement. The legal battle ensued after Cheshiji alleged in a June 2, 2022 video that Nio engaged in price discrimination against Chinese consumers, asserting that the ES8’s domestic pricing significantly exceeded its cost in Norway. Nio promptly filed a lawsuit in…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD is gearing up to introduce a new model at the upcoming Guangzhou auto show, set to commence on Friday. The latest addition to BYD’s lineup, the Sea Lion 07, part of its Ocean Series, will make its global debut on November 17, according to an announcement on one of BYD’s WeChat accounts. Details about the Sea Lion 07 remain limited, but BYD shared several design sketches of the all-electric SUV, emphasizing its debut on the company’s e-Platform 3.0. The platform was crafted by Wolfgang Josef Egger, BYD’s global design director, known for his…

Nio has officially appointed Professor Wen Yonggang as an independent director on its Board of Directors, a move set to take effect from November 13, 2023. Professor Wen, currently serving as the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, is poised to offer distinctive insights to Nio’s board, given his outstanding academic background and specialization in cloud computing and computational sustainability. William Bin Li, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Nio, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Professor Wen to the Board of NIO.…

Chinese automaker Geely’s premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holding Limited, has officially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in New York, making it the fourth Chinese car manufacturer to seek a listing in the United States. The filing, disclosed in a prospectus on the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, outlines Zeekr’s intention to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ZK. Formally established in March 2021, Zeekr delivered 6,007 vehicles in its debut year, followed by a substantial increase to 71,941 deliveries in 2022. As of October 2023, the company has…

In preparation for the imminent pre-sale launch of its inaugural mainstream electric sedan, the Zeekr 007, Zeekr, Geely Auto’s premium electric vehicle subsidiary, unveiled exterior images showcasing the distinct design of the eagerly anticipated model. Built upon Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) and crafted by the esteemed design team led by world-renowned designer Stefan Sielaff, the Zeekr 007 stands as a luxury B-segment sedan, boasting a height of 1,450 mm and a wheelbase spanning 2,928 mm. A notable feature of the Zeekr 007 is its innovative Zeekr Stargate one-piece smart light curtains, enhancing both the headlights and taillights. Noteworthy is…