Author: Linda Ma

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL), the leading battery supplier for Tesla, has secured a coveted spot on Time’s prestigious list of the 100 Most Influential Companies for 2023. As the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, CATL continues to revolutionize the industry with its unwavering commitment to innovation. Headquartered in Fujian, China, CATL has emerged as a prominent player in the battery supply chain, consistently pushing the boundaries of battery technology. Time Magazine highlighted CATL’s recent achievement, stating, “Based in Fujian, China, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) is the world’s largest EV-battery maker and the one to…

Changan Automobile’s new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, Deepal, recently introduced its latest SUV, the Deepal S7, which is set to rival Tesla’s Model Y. With a primary target audience in the Model 3 market, Deepal unveiled the S7 during a highly anticipated launch event yesterday evening. Surpassing expectations, the starting price for the Deepal S7 stands at RMB 149,900 ($20,878), marking a significant reduction of RMB 20,000 from the pre-sale price announced back on May 20. Notably, this price point is considerably lower than the Model Y, which starts at RMB 263,900. The Deepal S7 comes in two distinct powertrain…

Nio has achieved a significant milestone in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Today, the company announced the successful operation of five new battery swap stations across China, bringing the total count to an impressive 1,500. Out of these, 410 strategically dot the country’s highways, enabling Nio owners to conveniently access this iconic replenishment facility. According to data released by Nio, these battery swap stations have provided over 24 million services to date, averaging an astonishing 50,000 services daily. This means that, on average, a vehicle departs from a Nio battery swap station with a fully charged battery every 1.8 seconds.…

BYD has made its entry into the UAE passenger car market as part of its strategic expansion in the Middle East. Following successful ventures in Israel and Jordan, BYD launched its revolutionary model, the Atto 3, in partnership with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company on June 21. The Atto 3, also known as the Yuan Plus in China, is the first global model introduced by BYD. This move signifies a significant milestone in the UAE’s commitment to sustainable mobility and aligns with the country’s Net-Zero 2050 strategic goals, according to a press release from BYD. One of the standout features of…

Fang Cheng Bao, the newly unveiled sub-brand of BYD, is gearing up for the release of its inaugural model, and recently shared captivating images of the vehicle undergoing snow testing on Weibo. While the exact location of the snow-covered scenes was not disclosed by the brand, auto enthusiasts speculate that the testing took place in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, renowned as China’s snow and ice capital. Officially introduced on June 9, Fang Cheng Bao marks the fifth addition to BYD’s brand lineup, joining the ranks of Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, and Yangwang series. The purpose of this sub-brand is to meet the…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) start-up Xpeng is targeting the Hong Kong market with plans to introduce a right-hand drive model in late 2024. Brian Gu, the vice-chairman and president of Xpeng, expressed confidence that their offering would stand out among the established competitors, such as Tesla, thanks to its advanced technologies and unique design. This move signifies the first foray into Hong Kong by one of China’s major EV manufacturers with a right-hand drive model. While Xpeng takes this stride, its domestic rivals Nio and Li Auto, based in Shanghai and Beijing respectively, have yet to announce their intentions to…

BYD, a electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has successfully delivered the initial batch of 100 units of the Yuan Plus, its first global EV model, in Mexico. This significant milestone was achieved through collaborative efforts between BYD and three prominent dealers: Continental, Dalton, and Liverpool, which operate stores in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The Yuan Plus, featuring BYD’s innovative e-Platform 3.0, was initially introduced in China on February 19, 2022, as the world’s first A-class SUV to incorporate this advanced technology. In several other international markets, the model is known as the Atto 3; however, for the Mexican market, BYD has…

NIO yesterday announced a significant investment of approximately $1.1 billion from Abu Dhabi government fund CYVN Holdings . The infusion of funds aims to fortify NIO’s balance sheet and propel its business expansion. William Li, the founder, chairman, and CEO of NIO, shared further insights into the partnership through an article published on the NIO mobile app. Li emphasized that the swift transition from discussions to a formal agreement within a mere three weeks underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to technology innovation and the transition towards clean energy. The remarkable speed of decision-making and execution displayed by CYVN Holdings resonates with NIO’s…

Leapmotor, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, has announced a strategic partnership with German technology giant ZF Group to collaborate on developing a smart chassis for passenger cars. According to Leapmotor’s press release, the partnership aims to create intelligent and personalized smart chassis products that enhance the driving experience by providing greater comfort and safety for consumers. ZF Group, in line with its localization strategy, intends to strengthen its presence in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market and foster the advancement of EVs towards the next generation of mobility. To achieve this, the German company plans to collaborate with more…

Market research firm Canalys released a report today projecting that China’s total vehicle exports will reach 4.4 million units in 2023, with new energy vehicles (NEVs) accounting for more than 30% of the total. This growth in China’s auto exports has been steadily increasing since 2020, surpassing Germany last year to become the world’s second-largest exporter. Notably, China overtook Japan in the first quarter of this year to claim the title of the world’s largest auto exporter, driven mainly by the surge in NEV exports. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), China’s vehicle exports in April experienced a…

Electric-vehicle (EV) startup Fisker is making significant strides in its expansion plans, as the company prepares to open its inaugural delivery center in Shanghai, China’s prominent financial hub, later this year. Fisker’s China board member, Daniel Foa, revealed this exciting development in an interview with Chinese media outlet Yicai on Tuesday. Furthermore, Fisker is gearing up to introduce its highly anticipated mass-produced SUV model, the Fisker Ocean, to the market. According to Yicai’s report, deliveries of the Ocean SUV are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024. Fisker executives recently visited Shanghai with the intention of exploring collaborative…

BYD has officially launched its 2023 Song Plus line of SUVs, following a 10-day pre-sale period. These upgraded models, known as the Champion Editions, consist of the plug-in hybrid Song Plus DM-i and the all-electric Song Plus EV. The Song Plus DM-i is now available in four versions, with prices starting at RMB 159,800 ($22,320) and ranging up to RMB 189,800. Compared to the previous pre-sale, all versions of the Song Plus DM-i are now priced RMB 10,000 lower. The earlier Song Plus DM-i offered seven versions, with prices ranging from RMB 154,800 to RMB 218,800. Notably, the previous lower-priced…

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,…