Author: Linda Ma

BYD and FAW have achieved a significant breakthrough in the electric mobility sector by producing their inaugural battery pack at their state-of-the-art factory in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in northeast China. The new plant, a joint venture named FAW FinDreams New Energy Technology, represents a major collaboration between the two giants in the automobile industry. However, full-scale production is set to commence in September 2023. The construction of this ambitious production facility began in February 2022, with an ambitious goal to reach an impressive annual capacity of 45 GWh. The factory aims to specialize in the manufacturing of…

Toyota Motor, Japan’s largest automaker, is facing challenges in China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) market. According to a recent report from Reuters, the company’s joint venture with China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has been forced to lay off workers and provide them with compensation. The move comes as Toyota struggles to keep up with the intense competition in China’s auto market, which is undergoing a significant shift towards EVs. The joint venture’s factory, which employs approximately 19,000 workers, produces various models, including Toyota’s first EV, the bZ4X, as well as the Camry and Levin models. Unfortunately, Toyota’s entry into…

The Chinese government has recently released a comprehensive policy paper aimed at bolstering car sales in the country, with a particular focus on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) like electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The policy outlines a range of measures, not only centered on financial incentives but also emphasizing the development of supporting infrastructure. The strategy paper, which is a joint effort signed by 13 ministries, including the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Finance, lays out a clear direction for the automotive sector. See also: China’s New Energy…

Lotus has begun delivering its all-electric Eletre Hyper-SUV to customers in China, featuring optional digital rearview mirrors. This pioneering move makes Lotus the first brand in China to offer this feature, aiming to enhance safety and driving efficiency. On July 21, Lotus commenced the delivery of the Eletre electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with digital rearview mirrors at its manufacturing facility in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China. Introduced on October 26, 2022, the Eletre Hyper-SUV comes in two versions in China – Eletre S+ and Eletre R+, starting at RMB 828,000 ($115,200) and RMB 1.028 million, respectively. See also: Lotus Begins…

In a recent development, FAW-Toyota, the joint venture between Toyota and BYD in China, has announced a recall plan for its electric sedan, the bZ3, due to a rear door handle defect. This recall affects more than 12,000 units of the bZ3 model that were produced this year, highlighting the automaker’s commitment to ensuring customer safety. The bZ3 electric sedan, part of Toyota’s Beyond Zero (bZ) lineup aimed at recapturing market share in the region, was unveiled in October last year. Developed through BYD Toyota EV Technology, the vehicle combines BYD’s Blade batteries, motor, and electric control system with Toyota’s…

As the Chinese electric car market continues to flourish, Avatr, the subsidiary brand formed through a partnership between Changan, Huawei, and CATL, has recently made headlines with the announcement of its second model. The eagerly anticipated electric sedan, known as the Avatr 12, has successfully passed regulatory processes, signaling its imminent entry into the market later this year. According to information from the registration application submitted to the Chinese authorities, the Avatr 12 stands out as a five-meter-long electric sedan. Customers will have the option to choose between a single-engine version, boasting an impressive 230 kW of power, or a…

Audi, the renowned automobile manufacturer, has joined forces with China’s state-owned automaker, SAIC Motor, to embark on an electrifying journey within the Chinese market. The momentous agreement, confirmed on July 20, is set to revolutionize the EV landscape and expedite the electrification of their respective portfolios in China’s rapidly growing electric vehicle market. While the specific details of the partnership remain undisclosed, it is reported that Audi has expressed keen interest in utilizing SAIC’s premium EV brand, IM Motors’ platform. This highly adaptable EV architecture supports both rear- and all-wheel drive and is already being utilized by SAIC’s IM Motors…

Xiaomi, the renowned Chinese consumer electronics giant known for its diverse range of products including smartphones, electric scooters, and household appliances, is pushing ahead with its venture into the production of all-electric passenger vehicles. An exclusive photo leaked on FixMyGuide has unveiled a tantalizing glimpse of Xiaomi’s upcoming electric vehicle (EV), rumored to be named the MS11, suggesting that it will offer a driving range surpassing industry standards. According to sources, the anticipated EV from Xiaomi appears to boast a robust 101-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, rated at an impressive 726.7 volts and 139 amp-hours. Weighing in at 1,415 pounds (642…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric startup, is determined to bounce back from a challenging start to 2023. Despite a 40% decline in sales during the first half of the year, the company remains optimistic about its prospects. Xpeng’s president, Brian Gu, recently revealed their new G6 crossover, a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y, and expressed confidence that it would significantly boost monthly sales figures in the coming quarters. Gu, speaking to the media, projected that the introduction of the G6 would elevate the brand’s monthly sales to 15,000 units in the third quarter, nearly double the figures for May and…

Shanghai-based Nio, often referred to as China’s Tesla, is demanding equitable treatment in the US market, similar to the access enjoyed by Tesla in China. The founder and CEO of Nio, William Li, argues that political tensions should not hinder the entry of car manufacturers into foreign markets. In an interview with the Financial Times, Li called upon the US government to provide Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) with fair opportunities in the American market. Li emphasized the need for openness in global business, urging an end to the politicization of commercial affairs. He questioned the obstacles faced by Chinese companies…

Nio, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a milestone as its cumulative battery swap services exceed 25 million. Within the last three months alone, Nio provided this revolutionary service 5 million times, reaching a total of 25,001,979 battery swaps to date. The company currently operates an extensive network of 1,553 battery swap stations across China, with 424 strategically positioned along major highways. The inauguration of Nio’s first battery swap station in Shenzhen on May 20, 2018, initially faced skepticism from car owners. However, over the past few years, the convenience and practicality of the service have won over a wide…

The Nio ET5 and Nio EL7, two all-electric vehicles, have made history by becoming the first cars to achieve a perfect five-star rating in the updated Euro NCAP safety testing procedures. Euro NCAP introduced new testing protocols for 2023, which encompass cutting-edge features such as child presence detection, vehicle submergence, and advanced technologies designed to detect and respond to vulnerable road users like motorcyclists. Both the Nio models were subjected to a rigorous examination of their safety capabilities, undergoing various scenarios that included car-to-motorcycle interactions, car-to-car crossings, car-to-car head-on collisions, dooring incidents, and driver-state monitoring tests. Remarkably, the ET5 and…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) startup Byton, known for unveiling its first production-ready vehicle in 2019, has recently filed for bankruptcy in China, as reported by Pandaily. This development has dashed hopes for the company’s flagship vehicle, the M-Byte SUV, to ever enter series production. Byton’s troubles initially emerged in 2019, coinciding with the debut of the all-electric SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. The company faced setbacks such as failed funding from the Chinese auto group FAW, changes in management, and the discontinuation of investment by Foxconn a few months later. Additionally, the investment arm of the Nanjing…

In a significant move towards the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, the Office of the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone has announced the commercial launch of driverless taxis in the capital city. Under the new policy decision made on Friday, eligible companies will be permitted to operate autonomous taxis without safety supervisors on board and charge passengers for their rides. This expansion of driverless taxi services marks a notable milestone in the commercialization of intelligent transportation. Beijing had previously introduced self-driving taxis on a trial basis in March, following a series of road tests conducted with safety supervisors present.…

According to data released by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), China’s ownership of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has reached 16.2 million by the end of June 2023, comprising 4.9% of the total 328 million vehicles. This marks an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the end of 2022. Previous data from the beginning of the year indicated that China had 13.1 million NEVs at the close of 2022, accounting for 4.1% of the 319 million total vehicle fleet. The latest figures reveal that China possesses 12.594 million pure electric vehicles, or battery electric vehicles (BEVs), representing 77.8% of…

SVOLT, the Chinese battery cell manufacturer that originated from Great Wall Motors, has commenced the establishment of a plant in Thailand dedicated to the assembly of battery modules and packs for electric and hybrid vehicles. The completion of the facility is scheduled for later this year. As per the information obtained from CN EV Post, the plan encompasses the installation of two production lines: one for the production of battery modules and another for the assembly of battery packs. The plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 60,000 units. While SVOLT will continue to supply batteries to its…

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing sales, Tesla is set to deploy its highly anticipated Optimus robot, known as Tesla Bot, within its stores. However, the innovative plan does not involve using robots to cater to customers directly—at least not yet. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Tesla has been conducting experiments with Optimus humanoid robot display units in its stores across China. These trials follow the automaker’s observation that the Tesla Bot garnered significant attention at expos and conferences, demonstrating its potential as a marketing tool. By integrating Optimus into its stores, Tesla aims to leverage…

BYD’s latest sub-brand, Fang Cheng Bao, is gaining momentum as it unveils the official name of its inaugural model. The brand, which was introduced on June 9 as the fifth addition to BYD’s brand matrix, following the Dynasty series, Ocean series, Denza, and Yangwang, has christened its first vehicle as the Leopard 5 (“豹5” in Chinese), according to an announcement made today on Weibo. Fang Cheng Bao, a name that translates to “Formula” and “Leopard,” embodies BYD’s commitment to a transformative ascent and exploration of the digital landscape. This new brand is set to make its mark with a hardcore…

SAIC Motor, the Chinese state-owned automaker, is intensifying its focus on electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe after experiencing strong sales this year. The company has revealed its plans to establish a new EV manufacturing facility overseas to cater to the growing demand in the market. Known as Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC Motor), the company is currently a global Fortune 100 entity and one of the four major Chinese state-owned automakers transitioning to EVs. Its EV initiatives span across China, other parts of Asia, and now Europe. SAIC Motor operates numerous joint ventures with global automakers, such as SAIC-Volkswagen, which…

In a recent development, China has decided to extend tax incentives for new energy vehicles (NEVs) for an additional four years. This move, according to Fitch Ratings, the international credit rating agency, is expected to invigorate the electrification momentum in the country. Fitch’s analysts, led by Jing Yang, highlighted in a research note dated June 28 that the extension of tax breaks for electric vehicle (EV) purchases will likely facilitate a steady growth trajectory for the sector. Furthermore, the continued coverage of subsidies for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) reinforces Fitch’s belief that these vehicles will play a vital role…