Author: Linda Ma

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…

Experts attending the Longzhong Forum on Wednesday emphasized the significance of building an integrated “vehicle-energy-infrastructure-cloud” industrial ecosystem as a pivotal direction for advancing the next phase of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. This development is expected to stimulate extensive cross-industry collaboration and contribute to China’s economic advancement. The concept of this ecosystem revolves around the integration of new energy vehicles, new energy industries, intelligent road infrastructure, and cloud computing technology. In early June, China’s State Council designated the creation of an industrial ecosystem for the integrated development of vehicle-energy-infrastructure-cloud as a national strategic priority. See also: Inceptio Aims to…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Zeekr, is on an impressive growth trajectory, reporting record-breaking deliveries in August. The company’s latest data, released today, reveals that Zeekr successfully delivered 12,303 vehicles last month, setting a new all-time high. This achievement reflects a remarkable year-on-year increase of 71.69 percent and a modest month-on-month growth of 2.19 percent. This notable milestone represents the seventh consecutive monthly increase in deliveries for Zeekr, further solidifying its position in the competitive EV market. Cumulatively, from January to August this year, Zeekr has delivered a total of 66,975 vehicles, reflecting a substantial year-on-year surge of 114.68 percent.…

BYD, China’s premier new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, revealed a remarkable achievement for the month of August. The company reported sales of 274,386 NEVs, setting a new record high. This figure represents a significant year-on-year increase of 56.87 percent and a modest month-on-month growth of 4.66 percent. This achievement marks the seventh consecutive month of sequential sales growth for BYD. For the period spanning January to August, BYD sold a total of 1,792,184 NEVs, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of 83.10 percent. This remarkable performance underscores BYD’s commitment to its transition from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to a…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer NIO continued to demonstrate robust performance in its August deliveries, despite a slight decline compared to its record-breaking July figures. According to data released by the company, NIO successfully delivered 19,329 vehicles in August, marking a notable 81.03 percent increase when compared to the same month last year. However, it saw a modest 5.54 percent dip in deliveries compared to July’s impressive record of 20,462 vehicles. Despite this decline, August’s deliveries still secured the second-highest monthly figure in the company’s history. NIO’s August deliveries comprised 12,015 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and 7,314 sedans. The company…

Li Auto, a player in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market, has reported another impressive month of deliveries, setting a new record for the company. However, the growth rate has slightly slowed down due to ongoing capacity bottlenecks. According to data released by the company today, Li Auto successfully delivered 34,914 vehicles in the month of August. This figure represents a 2.29 percent increase compared to July and a staggering 663.82 percent surge year-on-year. Li Auto’s current lineup includes the Li L7, a five-seat model, and the Li L8 and Li L9, both six-seat extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), essentially functioning as…

BYD, the renowned Chinese automaker, has officially unveiled its latest Tang family models in the Chinese market. This follows the commencement of pre-sales earlier this month at the prestigious Chengdu auto show. The new Tang lineup continues to offer both Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) versions, catering to a diverse range of consumer preferences. In the PHEV category, customers can choose between the more fuel-economy-focused DM-i version and the performance-oriented DM-p version. This strategic move allows BYD to address the varying demands of the rapidly growing Chinese electric vehicle market. See also: BYD officially enters…

Tesla has commenced pre-sales for its redesigned Model 3 in China, featuring a refreshed exterior and interior design. The updated sedan, speculated to be referred to internally as “Highland,” was unveiled on Tesla’s Chinese website, capturing attention with its fresh appearance and improved features. According to a recent announcement on Tesla’s Weibo account, the pre-sale for the revamped Model 3 officially began today, revealing a starting price of RMB 259,900 yuan ($35,850). This marks a noticeable increase from the previous starting price of RMB 231,900 for the Model 3 in China. The new price tag represents a 12 percent rise,…

Chinese startup Inceptio is projecting a significant surge in the adoption of its driver-assist technology among trucks in China, with the number of equipped vehicles expected to quadruple by mid-2024 from the current count of approximately 600. The company is also gearing up to expand its operations internationally, targeting overseas sales commencing next year. Inceptio’s advanced technology facilitates the completion of long-haul trucking journeys by a single driver, eliminating the need for a customary two-driver arrangement. This innovation has the potential to curtail hauling expenses by an estimated 5% to 7%, bolstering operational efficiency. Operating under its prevailing business model,…