Author: Linda Ma

Yangwang, the premium brand owned by BYD, has announced the upcoming launch of its first model, the U8, in its highly anticipated Premium Edition. The official release of the U8 Premium Edition is scheduled for August, with the final price to be revealed at that time, according to a recent statement by the company. Customers can expect deliveries of the Yangwang U8 Premium Edition to commence in September, ensuring that eager buyers will soon have the opportunity to experience this new luxury vehicle firsthand. The U8 model was initially made available for pre-sales on April 18 during the Shanghai auto…

Executives and analysts have emphasized that the ability to innovate is crucial for carmakers to stand out in the increasingly competitive new energy vehicle (NEV) market. During the 2023 China Auto Bluebook Forum held in Wuhan, Hubei province, You Zheng, the vice-president of State-owned Dongfeng, stated that technological innovations have become the “main battlefield” for car manufacturers as the century-old auto industry enters a new era. “We must seize the opportunities arising from electrification and smart connectivity to grow our local brands,” said You, highlighting the dramatic changes unseen in a century. He further revealed that Dongfeng has been building…

BYD, the renowned Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant, has officially made its foray into the Italian passenger car market, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into Europe. On June 13, BYD held a momentous brand and product launch event in Italy, introducing its impressive lineup of vehicles, including the BYD Atto 3, Han, Dolphin, and Seal, to local consumers. Recognizing the prominence of Italy as a key European automotive market, BYD acknowledged the country’s pivotal role in its strategic pursuit of overseas markets. In fact, BYD had previously introduced new energy commercial vehicles to Italy back in…

NIO, the renowned Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has commenced the delivery of its highly anticipated ET5 Touring model. The official launch of the vehicle took place in both China and Europe, marking a significant milestone for the company. On June 16, NIO announced that the first batch of ET5 Touring vehicles had been handed over to owners in several cities across China. The company shared images of the deliveries taking place in prominent locations such as Xiamen, Suzhou, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. However, NIO did not disclose the exact number of ET5 Touring units delivered on that day. The ET5 Touring,…

Geely Chairman, Li Shufu, emphasized the significant potential of methanol vehicles during his address at the 5th Methanol Vehicles and Fuel Application Equipment Exhibition. Speaking directly at the event, Li stated, “Methanol vehicles will bring about great business opportunities for both the auto industry and the energy industry. I am confident in the green methanol sector and the green methanol vehicle sector.” Li’s remarks underscored the profound impact that methanol vehicles can have on various sectors. Recognizing the immense prospects for growth, Geely has emerged as a major player in the methanol vehicle market, investing heavily in the development and…

Yadea Group Holdings, a manufacturer of electric two-wheeled vehicles, has announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion in establishing an e-motorcycle factory in the Philippines. The director-general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Tereso Panga, revealed that Yadea is among several electric vehicle (EV) companies eyeing the Southeast Asian nation for their manufacturing expansion. Yadea currently operates six production hubs in China and one in Vietnam, boasting an impressive annual capacity of over 12 million vehicles. While the company has not yet responded to media inquiries, Panga confirmed that Yadea has expressed its intention to submit an application to…

German automotive supplier ZF has recently initiated the construction of its groundbreaking “New Energy Vehicle eDrive Project” in Shenyang, located in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning. The production line at this facility will predominantly focus on the manufacturing of axle drives. The newly established plant will produce a range of products based on ZF’s modular electric driveline platform, encompassing both front and rear axle drives. These offerings will incorporate motors, power electronics, and reduction gears. By adopting a modular design approach, the plant will have the capability to address power requirements spanning from 100 kW to 300 kW. Additionally,…

NIO, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has officially introduced its inaugural electric station wagon, the ET5 Touring, with a focus on capturing the European market. This entry into the electric tourer segment positions NIO as a direct competitor to premium automakers such as BMW, Porsche, and others in their home territory. The ET5 Touring was first revealed during a European media shoot in Norway, providing an initial glimpse of the vehicle. As an extension of the well-received ET5 sedan, which was unveiled in 2021, NIO has expressed its intentions to expand its presence in Europe, including countries like the Netherlands,…

According to a recent research note by CITIC Securities analyst Yuan Jiancong’s team, China’s electrification transition is extending beyond passenger cars to include heavy trucks. The report indicates that by 2025, sales of electric heavy trucks in China are projected to reach 190,000 units, accounting for approximately 16 percent of the market. Moreover, the team predicts that the penetration rate of electric heavy trucks will soar to 35 percent by 2030, signifying a significant milestone in their widespread adoption. The surge in the penetration of new energy heavy trucks in China can be attributed to the nation’s stringent regulations on…

The highly anticipated 2023 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show, also known as Auto Shenzhen 2023, is set to kick off this Friday in the vibrant city of Shenzhen, China. The event will feature prominent automakers, including Tesla and emerging Chinese manufacturer NIO, who will be showcasing their latest innovations and technologies. Organized by the show’s coordinators, it has been confirmed that Tesla will be one of the main exhibitors at Auto Shenzhen 2023, marking its first participation in a Chinese auto show since the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021. The company’s absence from subsequent auto shows…

Voyah, the new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Dongfeng Motor, has secured significant credit lines worth RMB 15 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) from six local banks. This financial boost positions Voyah for future expansion and development. A signing ceremony was held by Voyah to commemorate the partnership with six prominent banks, namely the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China CITIC Bank, and China Merchants Bank. This collaboration will enable Voyah to enhance its product development and marketing efforts, leading to the launch of high-quality vehicles, as stated by the…

Chinese electric car manufacturer, Nio, has released its balance sheet for the first quarter of 2023, revealing both positive and negative trends. Despite delivering 31,041 vehicles between January and March, which marks a 20.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022, Nio experienced a decline of 22.5% in vehicle deliveries compared to the previous quarter, Q4 2022. In terms of revenue, the company generated just under 10.7 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in the first quarter, indicating a 7.7% growth from Q1 2022, but a 33.5% decrease from Q4 2022. Nio reported a net loss of approximately 4.7 billion yuan…

Zeekr, Geely’s premium electric vehicle (EV) brand, has commenced the delivery of its latest production vehicle, the Zeekr X, to customers in China. The Zeekr X was officially launched two months ago, and the company announced the successful delivery of the vehicle to owners in 25 cities across the country. Zeekr, which became an independent company in March 2021, introduced two other models prior to the Zeekr X: the Zeekr 001 hatchback and the Zeekr 009 MPV, both of which are currently available for purchase. In May, Zeekr delivered 8,678 vehicles, marking a 7.12 percent increase compared to April and…

Electric vehicle manufacturer NIO has recently announced its largest price and benefit adjustment in company history in an effort to stimulate sales. The company’s founder, chairman, and CEO, William Li, addressed the move in response to an article on the NIO App. Li mentioned that the adjustment had been under internal discussion for a considerable period, with input and suggestions taken from some of NIO’s customers. The company’s team was still finalizing the details of the adjustment as of 3 am today, indicating the thoroughness of their considerations. While NIO acknowledges that not everyone will be pleased with the changes,…

NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has implemented a series of changes in an effort to stimulate sales. Starting from June 12, the company has reduced the starting prices of its entire lineup of models by RMB 30,000 ($4,200). However, one previously complimentary service, the battery swap option, will now be offered as a paid service. Under the revised pricing structure, the entry-level model ET5 sedan will be available at a starting price of RMB 298,000. Alternatively, customers can choose to lease the battery using the BaaS (Battery as a Service) plan, reducing the initial price to RMB 228,000.…

China’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market continues to surge as sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids experienced significant growth in May. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reported that approximately 717,000 NEVs were sold during the month, marking a noteworthy increase compared to previous months. In April, 636,000 NEVs were sold, reflecting a 12.7% growth rate. May’s figures showcased an impressive 60% surge when compared to the same period in 2022, which saw sales of 421,000 NEVs. The market share of NEVs in total vehicle sales also rose from 29.5% in April to 30.1% in May. While these…

Chinese automaker BYD has recently unveiled the creation of a new sub-brand called Fang Cheng Bao, which translates to “Formula Leopard” in English. This addition marks BYD’s fifth sub-brand, joining the ranks of Denza, Yangwang, Dynasty, and Ocean series. With Fang Cheng Bao, BYD aims to blend the precision and regulations of Formula racing with the agility and untamed versatility of a leopard. The introduction of Fang Cheng Bao signifies a significant milestone for BYD, as the company seeks to cater to the increasingly personalized demands of consumers by offering a range of unique and high-quality new energy vehicle models.…

Neta Auto, the electric vehicle (EV) brand under Hozon Auto, is making its second shipment of thousands of EVs to overseas markets within a span of three months. The company announced that a total of 4,000 Neta EVs will be sent abroad, following the previous shipment of 3,600 vehicles in March, as stated in a recent WeChat post. Although Neta has not disclosed the specific countries to which the vehicles will be exported, it is likely that the focus will remain on Southeast Asia. Notably, in March, 3,600 units of the compact SUV Neta V were dispatched to Thailand. Thailand…

Great Wall Motor’s new energy vehicle (NEV) sales experienced significant growth last month as the company intensifies its efforts to transition towards electrification. According to recently released data, Great Wall Motor achieved a record-breaking sale of 23,755 NEVs in May. This represents a notable increase of 104.13 percent compared to the previous year and a 59.83 percent rise from April’s sales of 14,863 units. When considering both conventional fuel vehicles and NEVs, Great Wall Motor’s total sales in May amounted to 101,020 units. This signifies a year-on-year growth of 26.18 percent and an 8.49 percent increase from April’s sales figure…

NIO is preparing for the launch of its highly anticipated model, the ET5 Touring. The company recently announced that deliveries of the ET5 Touring will commence this month, and speculation suggests that the unveiling event will take place on June 15. A glimpse into the launch can be seen on the front page of NIO’s English-language website. The prominent image showcases an intricate detail of the model’s interior, accompanied by the text “Inspired By Life. Witness the launch of our next chapter.” While the specific model is not explicitly mentioned, the absence of a heads-up display (HUD) in the image…