Author: Linda Ma

Xiaomi has introduced the prototype for a hypercar version of its recently launched SU7 electric vehicle (EV). The announcement was made during the annual speech by Founder Lei Jun on Friday. The new model, named the SU7 Ultra, is designed for high performance and aims to compete on Germany’s Nürburgring race track. The SU7 Ultra is a modified variant of the SU7, featuring a top speed of over 350 km/h (217 mph), acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 1.97 seconds (0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds), and 1,548 horsepower. https://twitter.com/Xiaomi/status/1814298201429512358 The hypercar boasts a fully carbon fiber body, weighing approximately 4,188 pounds.…

The U.S. Commerce Department is set to unveil proposed rules next month concerning connected vehicles, including measures that could restrict software originating from adversarial nations such as China, a senior official announced on Tuesday. “We’re looking at a few components and some software – not the whole car – but it would be some of the key driver components of the vehicle that manage the software and manage the data around that car that would have to be made in an allied country,” said Alan Estevez, under secretary for industry and security at the Commerce Department, speaking at a forum…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD announced plans on Thursday to significantly expand its dealership network in Vietnam, aiming to challenge local competitor VinFast. BYD will open thirteen dealerships on Saturday, with a goal to increase this number to about 100 by 2026. The initial offering in Vietnam includes the compact crossover Atto 3, which will be part of a three-model lineup. This will expand to six models from October, according to Vo Minh Luc, chief operations officer for BYD Vietnam. “BYD is in talks with a number of localities in Vietnam to optimize the plant plan,” Luc said in an…

Germany is set to abstain from Monday’s vote by European Union member states on imposing provisional tariffs on China-made electric vehicles, sources told Reuters on Friday. This marks the first test of support for Brussels’ landmark trade case. Provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EVs imported from China do not require member states’ approval. However, final tariffs could be blocked if a qualified majority of the EU’s 27 members oppose them. An abstention at this stage effectively backs the European Commission as it negotiates with Beijing over the EU’s largest trade case to date. “Germany will abstain in the…

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei have unveiled a groundbreaking lithium-metal battery design that could revolutionize energy storage capabilities for electric vehicles and beyond. Traditionally, electric vehicle batteries offer energy densities ranging from 200 to 250 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), limiting their efficiency and overall weight savings. In contrast, home energy storage systems achieve approximately half of this density. The new battery prototype, boasting an impressive energy density of 505.9 Wh/kg, marks a significant leap forward in battery technology. This advancement could potentially reduce vehicle weight by up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds),…

Chinese automaker Hongqi, renowned as the favored car brand of former state leader Chairman Mao Zedong, is gearing up to introduce its electric EH7 and EHS7 models in several European markets later this year, signaling a robust push into the competitive European automotive landscape despite recent EU tariffs. Hongqi announced on Thursday its plans to debut the EH7 and EHS7 models in countries including Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, leveraging established dealer networks in these regions. “We are excited to introduce the EH7 and EHS7, designed to withstand colder climates with quick charging capabilities even in sub-zero…

SAIC Motor Corp’s MG brand has unveiled a glimpse of its upcoming electric sports car, the MG Cyber GTS, following the debut of the MG Cyberster last November. Shao Jingfeng, design president of SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters, announced on Weibo today that the MG Cyber GTS concept will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 in the UK, scheduled from July 11-14. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, established in 1993, is renowned as one of the world’s premier motorsports festivals, traditionally held in Goodwood, England, during June and July each year. This year’s event promises a…

BYD ambitious drive into global markets could reach a pivotal moment in 2026, according to analysts at JPMorgan, who predict the Chinese automaker will deliver 6 million vehicles that year. The forecast, outlined in a July 9 research note by analyst Nick Lai’s team, suggests BYD’s global deliveries in 2026 could include approximately 1.5 million units outside its home market, with the remainder in China. This expansion would see BYD’s share of the global light-vehicle market rise from 3 percent in 2023 to 7 percent in 2026, while maintaining a robust 22 percent share of the new energy vehicle (NEV)…

Nio has revealed detailed specifications of its debut model under the sub-brand Onvo (known as Ledao in China), the L60, following recent disclosures in a regulatory document. According to information from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the standard-range variant of the Onvo L60 will be equipped with a 60.6 kWh battery pack, offering a CLTC range between 501 and 555 kilometers. This update comes after Nio initially launched the Onvo sub-brand on May 15, commencing pre-sales of the L60 at RMB 219,900 ($30,220), excluding battery costs. Initially withholding battery specifics during the launch, Nio previously indicated CLTC…

Xpeng has officially named its highly anticipated new model, previously codenamed F57, as the Xpeng P7+. The announcement follows the viral circulation of an exclusive rendering on Chinese social media platforms, generating significant buzz over the past few days. In a recent Weibo post, He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng Motors, disclosed key details about the upcoming vehicle. “The new Xpeng P7+ is set to exceed 5 meters in length and promises enhanced technology,” he stated, affirming its place as a focal point of recent discussions. The P7+ will surpass the dimensions of its predecessor, the P7i, currently available…

Zeekr has officially named its upcoming SUV model, previously codenamed CX1e, as the Zeekr 7X, marking its entry into the family SUV segment. The announcement was made today across the company’s social media platforms, accompanied by preliminary specifications. Based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the Zeekr 7X embodies Zeekr’s commitment to sustainable mobility and marks its debut in the mainstream family SUV market. The vehicle adopts Zeekr’s distinctive Hidden Energy design language and measures 4,825 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,656 mm in height, featuring a wheelbase of 2,925 mm. Comparatively, the dimensions of the Zeekr…

China’s lithium carbonate market continues to grapple with oversupply issues, pushing prices to a new low for the year, market research firm TrendForce reported on July 8. The price of lithium carbonate in China dropped from over RMB 100,000 per ton last month to approximately RMB 90,000, reflecting ongoing oversupply challenges that are difficult to resolve in the short term, according to the report. As raw material costs decline, the cost of battery production is also decreasing, driving down prices of power battery cells, TrendForce noted. In June, battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs) saw a decrease of about 1%…