Author: Linda Ma

Great Wall Motor’s electric vehicle brand Ora has launched the Ora 5 compact electric sport utility vehicle in China, stepping up efforts to compete in the country’s highly competitive EV market. The Ora 5 went on sale on Tuesday with a starting price of RMB 91,800 ($13,040) after limited-time discounts, positioning it among the more affordable fully electric SUVs available in China. The official list prices range from RMB 99,800 to RMB 133,800 across five variants, with an RMB 8,000 discount offered to customers who place orders by December 31. Ora was originally launched in 2018 and initially focused on…

The 50,000th unit of the Dongfeng Nissan N7 rolled off the production line on Dec. 11, marking a key milestone for the Japanese automaker’s China joint venture as it accelerates its transition toward new energy vehicles. Launched on April 27 with prices ranging from 119,900 yuan to 149,900 yuan ($16,900–$21,100), the mid-to-large-sized electric sedan reached the milestone in just eight months. The model has played a central role in reversing sales declines at Dongfeng Nissan, which has been under pressure amid intensifying competition in China’s car market. See also: Dongfeng’s Voyah Launches Passion L Hybrid Sedan to Compete in China’s…

Audi has signed a global patent licensing agreement with Chinese smartphone maker Oppo, allowing the German automaker to use Oppo’s essential 5G technologies in its vehicles, Oppo Chief Product Officer Pete Lau said. The deal grants Audi access to Oppo’s standard-essential patents related to fifth-generation mobile communications, a common arrangement in industries that rely on shared wireless standards. Financial terms were not disclosed. https://twitter.com/PeteLau/status/1999388459463737501 “Bringing together wireless innovation and automotive excellence, enhancing connectivity for a smarter driving experience,” Lau said in a post on social media announcing the agreement. Such licensing agreements do not involve joint product development or strategic…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc said it will introduce new limited-edition versions of its ET5 electric sedan and ET5 Touring wagon next Tuesday, as it looks to support sales amid broader market softness toward the end of the year. The company said via its mobile app that the limited editions, due to launch on Dec. 16, will feature an exclusive purple exterior package. Nio did not disclose pricing or further specifications but released several images of the vehicles. See also: Nio Onvo President Criticizes Large Batteries in EREVs as Resource-Intensive The move follows a series of special editions rolled…

Deepal, the new energy vehicle (NEV) division of Changan Automobile, has introduced two new battery electric variants of its updated S07 mid-size SUV, extending the model’s driving range less than three months after its latest refresh. The launch coincides with Deepal surpassing a cumulative delivery milestone of 700,000 vehicles. The new versions deliver a 630-kilometre range on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) and come equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS SE intelligent driving system as standard. They join two existing BEV variants that offer a 550-km CLTC range, in addition to three extended-range electric (EREV) versions already in the…

Voyah, the new energy vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, has officially launched the Passion L hybrid sedan — also known as the Zhuiguang L — aiming squarely at China’s premium sedan segment. The model, positioned against competitors such as the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6L and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, enters the market with a starting price of RMB 279,900 ($39,630). At 5,125 mm in length with a 3,010 mm wheelbase, the mid-to-large sedan becomes Voyah’s new flagship after the Taishan SUV. The Passion L is Voyah’s second sedan following the original Passion, and features larger dimensions than its predecessor. See also:…

Chinese technology giant Xiaomi is reportedly preparing to launch three new electric vehicle (EV) models next year to diversify its automotive portfolio across the family, high-performance, and executive luxury segments, according to a report from Sina Tech. The upcoming models are identified as the YU9 large SUV, the YU7 GT sport SUV, and the SU7 L sedan. This expansion follows the introduction of Xiaomi’s initial models, the SU7 sedan series and the YU7 SUV. See also: Xiaomi EV Tops 500,000 Deliveries as Sales Target Is Met Ahead of Schedule The YU9, internally codenamed “Kunlun,” is positioned as a flagship family…

Cadillac, the premium vehicle brand of General Motors, has filed its Vistiq electric sport utility vehicle for regulatory approval in China, signalling that the model currently sold in the United States is set to enter local production and sales in the world’s largest auto market. The Cadillac Vistiq appears in the latest batch of vehicle models released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for public consultation, a mandatory final-stage regulatory process before commercial sales are permitted. The public feedback window runs from December 6 to December 12. According to the regulatory filing, the Vistiq will be offered…

Chinese battery maker Farasis Energy said on Thursday it has landed a major overseas supply agreement to provide lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems for two electric vehicle models that GAC Aion plans to introduce in the European market. Under the deal, Farasis will equip the European versions of the Aion V and Aion UT with its SPS (Super Pouch Solution) battery technology. The company said the total contracted supply will exceed 10 gigawatt-hours, enough to support production of roughly 100,000 electric vehicles fitted with 100-kWh battery packs. “This collaboration marks a significant breakthrough for Farasis’ SPS battery products in…

China’s Changan Automobile plans to introduce vehicles from its Avatr and Nevo electric brands in Europe over the next two years and is also considering entering the continent’s light commercial vehicle market, the company’s global design chief said. Klaus Zyciora, Changan’s vice president and global head of design, said the automaker is initially focused on fully electric models but could broaden its European offering to include hybrids and plug-in hybrids under the Changan brand if market demand justifies it. “We will test the water with consumers and see how competitive our offers can be,” Zyciora told Reuters in an interview…

Li Auto said it has brought its 20,000th fast-charging unit into operation, marking a new milestone in the expansion of its self-operated charging network as the Chinese automaker seeks to strengthen sales of its battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The company said it now operates the largest supercharger fleet among Chinese automakers, with 3,650 charging stations deployed nationwide. Li Auto launched its first fast-charging stations in April 2023 ahead of its entry into the full battery-electric segment. See also: Li Auto Delivers 33,181 Vehicles in November, Down 31.92% Year on Year Li Auto’s charger portfolio includes 2C, 4C and 5C versions, differentiated…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has started large-scale commercialization of its next-generation high-capacity battery cells for energy storage systems, after shipments of its 587-ampere-hour (Ah) product reached 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh), Chinese media outlet Jiemian reported. Shipments of the 587-Ah cell are expected to rise to about 3 GWh this year, the report said. The product was launched in June as CATL’s latest iteration following its earlier 280-Ah and 314-Ah energy storage batteries. See also: CATL to Raise Wages for Production Workers From 2026, Bucking China Layoff Trend The company’s production base in Jining, in China’s Shandong province, supports a…