Author: Linda Ma

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,…

SAIC Motor Corp, in partnership with QingTao Energy Development, a solid-state battery startup it backs, has revealed plans to establish a joint venture aimed at manufacturing advanced solid-state batteries. The collaboration was announced by SAIC on the previous evening, outlining a strategic venture with a registered capital of RMB 1 billion ($137 million). QingTao Energy will contribute RMB 510 million for a 51 percent stake, while SAIC will invest RMB 490 million for a 49 percent stake. This investment structure mirrors a common practice among battery manufacturers and automobile companies. Notably, China’s leading power battery manufacturer, CATL, often holds a…

Chinese electric car manufacturer Seres has formalized a strategic collaboration with Bosch China. The partnership encompasses a multifaceted approach, spanning vehicle safety systems, driver assistance technologies, powertrain electrification, and more. According to details outlined in the agreement, Seres Auto and Bosch China will jointly explore fresh avenues in material applications and the supply of components within the realms of vehicle safety, automation functionalities, driver assistance systems, powertrain solutions, and electrification. Additional focus will also be directed towards technology and service provisions for the post-sales market, as reported by the Gasgoo portal. Although the specifics regarding powertrain solutions remain unspecified, the…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Nio faced a decline in its second-quarter performance for 2023, with a total delivery of 23,520 electric cars. This marks a 6.1% decrease compared to the same period last year, and a more significant drop of 24.2% from the preceding quarter. The company’s sales figures followed suit, reflecting the downward trend. However, prospects for a turnaround appear promising in the upcoming third quarter. In the April-June period, Nio recorded sales amounting to approximately 8.8 billion yuan (1.1 billion euros), reflecting a 14.8% dip from the second quarter of 2022, and a notable 17.8% decrease from the preceding…

Neta Auto, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) subsidiary of Hozon Auto, has successfully concluded its latest round of funding. The company confirmed that it raised a significant amount of RMB 7 billion (approximately $960 million) through a Crossover funding round. While specific details about the investors and terms of the funding were not disclosed, this funding marks a notable development for the company’s financial prospects. The Crossover funding round stands apart from the more conventional Series A, B, and C rounds. It often serves as a prelude to a potential public offering and involves investment from individuals and entities…

Chinese automobile manufacturer Changan has taken the automotive world by storm with the introduction of its new electric and hybrid car brand, Qiyuan. In a bid to solidify its position in the ever-expanding electric vehicle (EV) market, Changan has set an ambitious target of achieving annual sales of 1.5 million Qiyuan vehicles by 2030. The company also aims to roll out an impressive ten product offerings under the Qiyuan brand by 2025. This significant unveiling occurred over the weekend, marking Changan’s strategic push into the EV sector. The Qiyuan lineup comprises three distinct series: ‘A’, ‘Q’, and ‘E0’, with a…

Buick, a prominent name in the automotive industry, has recently unveiled a noteworthy addition to its successful electric vehicle lineup in China – the Velite 6 compact wagon. This enhanced variant boasts several improvements, including an upgraded powertrain, a simplified range structure, and competitive pricing. While retaining the availability of the existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) editions of the Velite 6, the new iteration stands out with its innovative lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. Boasting a capacity of 50.3 kilowatt-hours, this battery equips the vehicle with an impressive range of up to 267 miles (430…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle manufacturer, achieved a significant milestone as the first consignment of Zeekr 001 shooting brake models embarked on its journey to the Netherlands. This marked the company’s inaugural step into international markets, signifying Zeekr’s strategic expansion into the European automotive sector. In a collaborative effort with Zeekr’s China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre (CEVT) design team, the European version of the Zeekr 001 has been meticulously tailored to meet the stringent five-star crash requirements mandated in Europe. This underscores Zeekr’s commitment to prioritizing safety and adhering to local regulations, while also adapting design elements and features to cater…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) experienced a notable 14.36 percent surge in early Hong Kong trading, reaching HK$74.45 and marking its highest level since August 7. The surge, the most significant one-day gain since July 27, comes hot on the heels of Xpeng’s announcement of its acquisition of the EV business of Didi Global, a prominent Chinese ride-hailing giant. In a strategic move, Xpeng unveiled its agreement to purchase the assets pertaining to Didi’s smart car development business. The acquisition will encompass various aspects including research and development, design, and engineering of novel smart electric…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup Xpeng Motors has unveiled its strategic move to acquire Didi Global’s smart electric vehicle development business in a substantial deal worth HK$5.84 billion (US$744 million). The acquisition will see Xpeng issue approximately 3.25% of its shares to Didi at HK$64.03 per share, thus forging a strong partnership and making Didi a significant shareholder in the company. The collaboration between Xpeng and Didi is set to pave the way for the introduction of a new EV brand named “MONA” in 2024. This innovative venture, currently in its developmental phase, aims to cater to a wide range…

BYD, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, has thrown its hat into the competitive electric SUV market with the grand unveiling of the Song L at the Chengdu Auto Show. The debut of this mid-size electric SUV has captured attention for its captivating design and a host of features that set it apart from the crowd. Amidst a sea of “me-too” electric SUVs flooding the market, the Song L emerges as a standout contender. Catering to a diverse range of preferences, this EV offers an array of options that can leave potential buyers feeling spoilt for choice. Performance…

Buick has taken the automotive world by surprise with the official introduction of its cutting-edge electric sedan, the Velite 6. Unveiled on Friday through the automaker’s Weibo page, the Velite 6 boasts remarkable attributes including an exceptional driving range and an unexpectedly affordable starting price. The Velite 6 is available in two distinct editions: the Comfort edition and the Premium edition, priced at 112,800 yuan ($15,500) and 115,800 yuan ($15,900) respectively. Underneath its sleek design, both variants are propelled by a single 130 kW (174 hp) front electric motor, delivering a maximum torque of 265 Nm. This power is harnessed…

In a decisive move that resonates with the swift evolution of the automotive landscape, Volvo has set its sights on the expansive Chinese market with a groundbreaking announcement. The renowned Swedish automaker has unveiled plans to introduce an all-electric MPV that not only redefines opulence in electric vehicles but also underscores its commitment to sustainable driving and cutting-edge technology. Amid the current fervor surrounding automotive innovation, Volvo has taken center stage by offering a sneak peek into its latest creation. With a full revelation slated for November 12, automotive enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers are on the edge of their seats,…