Author: Linda Ma

NIO, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) market, has unveiled an App Store tailored for the smart cockpits of its vehicles. This new feature is poised to elevate the in-car experience by offering a range of popular apps optimized specifically for the vehicle’s central screen. The eagerly awaited App Store for NIO’s vehicle cockpits is set to launch in the coming days. It will debut with a collection of over 40 apps that have already been meticulously adapted, and these will be available for users starting from September 22, as announced by the electric vehicle company during the NIO…

In the wake of the European Commission’s recent launch of an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), William Li, the head of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO, has voiced his hope that governments worldwide adopt an open attitude rather than resorting to isolationist measures. Li’s comments came during a media roundtable following the unveiling of NIO’s inaugural smartphone. Highlighting the lessons to be gleaned from China’s burgeoning new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, Li stressed the importance of fostering an environment that encourages competition for the betterment of consumers and global sustainable development. See also: UBS Analysts Impressed by BYD’s Seal…

BYD, the prominent Chinese automaker, has introduced the new U8 Premium Edition SUV in China, showcasing a blend of cutting-edge technology and luxury features. The U8 Premium Edition, built on a body-on-frame platform, exhibits a distinctive exterior design reminiscent of the iconic Defender, complemented by striking 20- or 22-inch wheels. The vehicle’s appearance boasts a ‘floating’ roof, flush-mounted door handles, and an octagonal spare tire cover. Inside, the U8 Premium Edition offers an array of tech-savvy amenities. The driver and front passenger are treated to expansive 23.6-inch displays, accompanied by a 12.8-inch infotainment system with a portrait orientation. Furthermore, the…

In a surprising move, NIO, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has officially unveiled its inaugural smartphone during its 2023 Innovation Day presentation in China. This unexpected foray into the smartphone market comes as NIO continues to make waves in the EV industry, demonstrating a trend of innovative automakers branching out into new tech territories. The journey to this moment began in March 2022 when NIO’s Chairman and CEO, William Li, confirmed the company’s plans to develop a smartphone, positioning it as a direct competitor to industry giant Apple. By the summer of 2022, more details had emerged, revealing design concepts…

Baidu and Geely’s EV brand, Jiyue, has started pre-selling its first model, the Jiyue 01, ahead of its October launch. The Jiyue 01 pre-sale kicks off at RMB 259,900 ($35,630) with perks for early buyers. Production has commenced at Geely’s plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. This mid-size all-electric SUV, built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), mirrors the ambitions of Baidu’s automotive venture. The Jiyue 01 is an all-electric mid-size SUV, boasting dimensions of 4,853 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and 1,611 mm in height, with a wheelbase measuring 3,000 mm. It is constructed on Geely’s Sustainable Experience…

NIO, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, revealed today its intention to issue $1 billion in convertible senior notes, as per a recent Bloomberg report. According to an insider source cited in the report, NIO aims to set the coupon rate for these notes at a maximum of 4.75 percent. NIO’s plan involves the issuance of $500 million in convertible senior notes maturing in 2029, alongside an equivalent amount of notes maturing in 2030, according to their official announcement. Furthermore, initial purchasers will have the option to acquire an additional $75 million of each type of note within 30 days from…

Zeekr, the distinguished electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary under Geely Holding Group, has commenced the delivery of its latest Zeekr X electric SUVs to the European market. Just a month after initiating shipments of the Zeekr 001, Zeekr’s first offering to the European audience, the Zeekr X has officially rolled off the assembly line at Zeekr’s factory and is now en route to European shores. This European version of the Zeekr X boasts an impressive array of features tailored to the discerning European driver. It comes equipped with comprehensive map navigation support covering 32 European countries and offers communication capabilities with…

FAW Group, one of China’s leading automotive manufacturers, has announced a strategic collaboration with Mobileye, a renowned autonomous driving solutions company. The partnership, inked on September 13 in Changchun, Jilin, where FAW is headquartered, aims to integrate Mobileye’s cutting-edge technology into FAW’s vehicle lineup, with production slated to commence next year. Under this collaboration, FAW and Mobileye plan to develop new vehicle models leveraging Mobileye’s SuperVision and Chauffeur platforms, according to statements from the autonomous driving technology firm. Specifically, FAW intends to incorporate Mobileye’s SuperVision driver-assistance feature into select models within its prestigious Hongqi brand. See also: Mobileye Boosts Autonomous…

NIO unveiled its latest electric vehicle, the EC6, marking the completion of the transition from the older NT 1.0 platform to the advanced NT 2.0 platform. The new EC6, tailored to cater to a more personalized niche, comes with a starting price of RMB 358,000 ($49,200), slightly higher than the RMB 338,000 starting price of the recently launched ES6. What set this launch apart was NIO’s unique presentation format, where the model was introduced in a manner akin to a NIO staff member presenting it to a family customer. The company’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, took a backseat…

Chinese automaker Xpeng has unveiled its latest offering, the X9 minivan, through filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The X9, painted in a sleek silver hue, boasts a distinctive design reminiscent of a blend between the Tesla Cybertruck and a Honda Odyssey. The disclosed information sheds light on the X9’s powertrain options. The base model will feature a single motor producing 315 horsepower (235 kW/320 PS) that propels the vehicle to a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). This variant will be equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery, although its capacity remains undisclosed, and will…

The European Union (EU) has initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles (EVs) from China, asserting that artificially low prices are driven by substantial state subsidies. Analysts from various Chinese teams have weighed in on the matter, predicting a relatively modest impact on the Chinese auto industry. Sinolink Securities’ automotive team suggests that while the EU’s move was anticipated, its actual ramifications may be limited. They maintain that Chinese car companies’ prospects to penetrate international markets remain intact. The investigation follows calls from the French government and the French auto industry for tariffs on Chinese cars, with rumors circulating since…

Mercedes-Benz is set to utilize battery cells from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD for its forthcoming all-electric CLA model, as per a report from Chinese media. The CLA, initially introduced as a concept at the IAA Mobility, is slated to enter the market next year. The China Automotive Battery Research Institute’s official magazine, CBEA, cited sources within Mercedes-Benz to report on the integration of BYD’s LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery cells into the electric CLA. This aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s previous statements during the concept’s unveiling, where they indicated the use of LFP chemistry cells in the entry-level variant. However,…

China has called on the European Union (EU) to initiate a constructive dialogue following the EU’s recent announcement of an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. In response to the EU’s move, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed “high concern and strong dissatisfaction” during a question-and-answer session. According to the Ministry of Commerce spokesperson, China perceives the EU’s investigative measures as an attempt to safeguard its domestic industry under the guise of fair competition. The Chinese government categorizes this action as a clear instance of protectionism, which could potentially disrupt and distort the global automotive industry and…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is gearing up for the imminent launch of its inaugural Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) model, the X9, slated for release in the fourth quarter. Today, Xpeng provided a glimpse of the eagerly anticipated X9 by sharing three images of the vehicle, shrouded in camouflage, on the social media platform Weibo. These images provide a sneak peek into the X9’s exterior design, offering a distinctive crossover aesthetic. In a conference call held on May 24, coinciding with the announcement of the company’s first-quarter financial results, Xpeng’s management disclosed their plans to introduce a seven-seat, all-electric…

BYD has officially introduced its latest offering, the Seal DM-i, into the rapidly expanding plug-in hybrid market in China. The announcement comes as part of BYD’s ongoing efforts to cater to the mid- to high-end segment of the electric vehicle market. At a recent launch event, BYD revealed that the Seal DM-i would be available at a starting price ranging from RMB 166,800 ($22,830) to RMB 236,800. Notably, this pricing strategy is RMB 10,000 lower than what was initially offered during the pre-sale phase at the Chengdu Auto Show in the preceding month. The Seal DM-i is the latest addition…

DeepRoute has unveiled its ambitious plan to expand its footprint into overseas markets, with Germany being its initial destination. This strategic move was revealed by the company’s CEO, Zhou Guang, during the ongoing Munich auto show, IAA Mobility 2023. The company’s expansion into Germany will entail the establishment of a European operations center, scheduled to open its doors in the coming year. DeepRoute plans to introduce overseas versions of its cutting-edge technology, including the Driver 3.0 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), its smart driving products D-Pro and D-Air, as well as its smart-driving light trucks. See also: Baidu’s Apollo Go…

Global electric vehicle (EV) battery consumption continues its upward trajectory, with new data from South Korean market researcher SNE Research revealing significant developments in the market’s landscape. From January to July 2023, global EV battery consumption surged to 362.9 GWh, marking a remarkable 49.2 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. CATL, the Chinese power battery giant, continued to command a substantial presence in the global EV battery market, installing 132.9 GWh of batteries during the first seven months of the year. This figure represents a robust 54.3 percent growth compared to the previous year’s 86.1…

Chinese automaker BYD made a notable impact at the IAA Munich auto show, unveiling six models and officially introducing the Seal from the Ocean range to the European market. The six models showcased at the event include the BYD Seal, Song Plus EV, Atto 3 (known as Yuan Plus in China), Dolphin, Han, and Denza D9. The BYD Seal is available in two versions in Europe, with price points starting at €44,900 ($48,210) and €50,990. This battery electric vehicle (BEV) initially became available in China on July 29, 2022, and has garnered attention as a strong competitor to the Tesla…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, Neta Auto, part of the Hozon Auto Group, has reported a noteworthy uptick in vehicle deliveries for the month of August. However, these figures, though encouraging, remain lower compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. According to recent data released by Neta Auto, the company delivered a total of 12,103 vehicles in August, marking a substantial 21 percent increase from the 10,039 units delivered in June. However, it is crucial to note that this figure represents a year-on-year decline of 24.44 percent compared to the 16,017 vehicles delivered in August of the…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the Chinese power battery manufacturer, is set to expand its production of the cutting-edge Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery in Europe. This move, announced at the IAA Munich auto show by CATL’s principal engineer Gao Pengfei, marks a significant stride in the global transition to lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based batteries supporting ultra-fast charging. While CATL is already producing the Shenxing Battery in China, the company’s plans now encompass manufacturing in Germany and Hungary as well. Gao Pengfei, however, refrained from providing specific details about the production timeline in Europe, citing ongoing negotiations regarding offtake agreements…