Author: Linda Ma

Chinese authorities have inadvertently unveiled Xiaomi’s upcoming electric vehicle, the SU7, through a certification process, showcasing its interior and exterior design. Recently, a prototype of the Xiaomi SU7 was spotted testing on a Chinese highway, covered in heavy camouflage. Despite the camouflage, the distinctive design of the SU7 was evident as it maneuvered on the road. In a video captured by an onlooker, the heavily camouflaged SU7 prototype was observed accelerating on the highway. When the observer attempted to get closer for a better view, the driver of the prototype accelerated further, switching lanes to avoid being closely scrutinized. The…

In a joint venture between tech giant Huawei and automotive manufacturer Seres, the Aito M9, a flagship electric SUV, made its debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show, promising a compelling combination of advanced technology, powerful performance, and attractive pricing. The Aito M9 aims to capture the interest of potential buyers with its competitive pricing strategy. During the presale period, customers can reserve the cutting-edge SUV with a down payment of RMB 5,000 (€652). Early reservations come with a substantial €1,300 discount on the estimated final purchase price, ranging between RMB 500,000 and RMB 600,000 (€65,000 to €75,000). Additionally, customers placing…

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, is gearing up for the December 15 launch of its highly anticipated mid-size electric SUV, the BYD Song L. The new addition to the Dynasty series has already generated significant buzz, amassing over 11,000 pre-orders ahead of its official release. First unveiled as the Song L EV concept at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the SUV coupe is poised to compete directly with Tesla’s Model Y and ZEEKR 001 in the electric vehicle market. Building on the success of BYD’s previous models in the Dynasty series, including the Yuan Plus (Atto 3…

Japanese automakers are scrambling to avoid being squeezed out of the market by BYD and other Chinese EVs. Honda and Nissan are the latest to slash rates in overseas markets to boost demand. It’s no secret that Japanese automakers are some of the biggest laggards as the industry transitions to EVs. Those same companies are paying for it in overseas markets. According to a new report from Asia News Network, Nissan and Honda cut prices in Thailand and slashed interest rates to 0% to attract buyers. The move is rare, especially for Honda. CEO of Honda Automobile (Thailand), Hideo Kawasaka,…

Guangzhou-based autonomous driving startup, WeRide, announced the continued operation of its robotaxi fleet in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, following a successful trial period of one month and a half. The fleet, the first of its kind in the region, currently boasts 42 stops throughout the city, allowing local residents to conveniently hail rides using their smartphones. WeRide has affirmed its commitment to enhancing the service in Ordos by progressively increasing the number of stops, aiming to cater to a growing number of passengers in the city. During the trial operations, WeRide’s autonomous vehicles completed over 1,000 trips, serving more than 2,000…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio has refuted recent speculations about the company facing the possibility of going out of business, responding to user-generated questions on Chinese social media. At the Guangzhou auto show on November 17, Nio’s co-founder and president, Qin Lihong, addressed these concerns, assuring the public that there is “absolutely no possibility” of the company going under. In his speech, Qin highlighted Nio’s significant accomplishments throughout the year, emphasizing the completion of the transition from a first-generation platform to a second-generation platform. He underscored the successful release and delivery of five new vehicle models, as well as…

Gotion GmbH, the German subsidiary of Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech, has recently inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pod Point, a leading UK-based electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider. This collaboration aims to fortify Gotion’s foothold in overseas markets, with a particular focus on the burgeoning home energy storage sector in Europe, including the UK. Pod Point, established in 2009, has evolved into one of the largest EV charging infrastructure providers in the UK, boasting an impressive track record of delivering over 211,000 charging points and installing more than 188,000 home charging piles across the country. The partnership…

Li Auto has officially launched its inaugural battery electric vehicle (BEV), the Li Mega MPV, at the ongoing Guangzhou Auto Show. The company is now open for pre-orders and aims to position the Li Mega as the top choice for families in the above 500,000 yuan price range, irrespective of energy form or body style. While specific details about the number of Li Mega versions and the exact pricing were not disclosed, Li Auto emphasized that the model would be priced under RMB 600,000 yuan ($82,820). Customers eager to secure priority delivery can pre-order the Li Mega by paying a…

Li Auto announced on Friday its plans to commence mass production and delivery of its inaugural pure electric vehicle in February. The rising Chinese automaker is placing its bets on cutting-edge fast-charging technology to address the prevalent issue of range anxiety among electric vehicle (EV) users. The company’s forthcoming MEGA multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), featuring a distinctive waterdrop-shaped front design, will boast an 800-volt charging architecture and be powered by Chinese battery giant CATL’s latest Qilin batteries. According to Li Auto, this combination will provide the MEGA with an impressive range of 500 km (310 miles) after just a 12-minute charge. Li Auto…

China’s automotive sector witnessed an unprecedented surge in new energy vehicle (NEV) sales during October, with figures surpassing the previous record set in September 2023. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), a total of 956,000 NEVs were sold last month, marking a significant 5.75% increase from September. Comparing the data to October 2022, the growth is even more pronounced, with a substantial 34% surge in sales. Notably, back in October 2022, 714,000 NEVs were sold. CAAM’s figures encompass wholesale data, including vehicles produced for both the domestic and export markets. Breaking down the NEV category, the majority…

A subsidiary of Beijing-based automaker BAIC Group, listed as BAIC ORV, has officially submitted applications to regulatory authorities seeking approval for the production of two electric vehicles (EVs) under the Xiaomi brand, according to information disclosed on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website today. The move marks Xiaomi’s strategic expansion into the highly competitive electric vehicle market, adding a new dimension to the challenges faced by China, the world’s largest auto market, characterized by overcapacity and slowing demand, resulting in a fierce price war impacting supplier margins. BAIC ORV’s proposal outlines plans to manufacture two variants of…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio has emerged victorious in a legal dispute against Cheshiji, a popular vlogger with millions of followers on the Douyin short-video platform. The final court ruling requires Cheshiji’s owner, Shanghai Yunti, to issue a public apology and pay financial damages to Nio, as announced by the EV maker’s legal department in a social media statement. The legal battle ensued after Cheshiji alleged in a June 2, 2022 video that Nio engaged in price discrimination against Chinese consumers, asserting that the ES8’s domestic pricing significantly exceeded its cost in Norway. Nio promptly filed a lawsuit in…