Author: Andrew Wang

Yangwang, BYD’s (HKEX: 1211) ultra-premium brand, says its flagship electric supercar, the U9 Xtreme, has reached a top speed of 503.17 km/h (312.66 mph) during a high-speed challenge on public roads in Abu Dhabi. Announced on Friday, the result exceeds the model’s previous certified top-speed benchmark of 496.22 km/h, recorded at Germany’s ATP proving ground. Yangwang is promoting the latest achievement as a new global speed record for production cars. https://twitter.com/BYDGlobal/status/2118620174811013147 Previous Speed and Nürburgring Records The latest run follows an earlier milestone in August 2025, when a Yangwang U9 engineering prototype reached 472.41 km/h at the ATP proving ground,…

BMW Brilliance has reportedly begun cutting approximately 1,800 jobs, representing around 10% of its workforce, as the German automaker’s main Chinese joint venture faces pressure from declining vehicle sales. According to a report by AI4Robo, citing multiple employees, the layoffs started on November 2 and include a uniform severance package based on an n+5 formula. Most of the affected employees work in production, although the reductions reportedly extend across several job categories. BMW Brilliance has not publicly confirmed the layoffs, their reported scale or the severance arrangements. Layoffs Affect Production and Office Staff The n+5 severance package reportedly combines the…

Zeekr delivered 32,483 vehicles in October, representing year-on-year growth of 51.6% but a 12.72% decline from September, ending a run of six consecutive monthly delivery records for the premium brand owned by Geely Auto. The company released its latest figures on Sunday. October marked Zeekr’s first month-on-month delivery decline since January, following eight consecutive months of growth on both an annual and monthly basis between February and September. Deliveries were below September’s record of 37,216 vehicles and August’s 36,981 units. However, October still ranked as the brand’s sixth-highest monthly delivery total. Annual Growth Continues but Slows Zeekr recorded year-on-year delivery…

Geely Auto’s E2 (EX2) has surpassed one million units in cumulative global sales, reaching the milestone in October 2026, two years after its launch on 9 October 2024. The model has expanded beyond its domestic market and is now available in more than 30 countries and regions. According to the automaker, the E2 (EX2) recorded several sales milestones during its first two years, including 10,000 units within 16 days, 200,000 units after slightly more than 200 days and 600,000 units by day 536. Cumulative sales reached 800,000 units in July 2026 before passing one million in early October. Sales Performance…

Chery expects at least 50% of the vehicles it sells outside China to be manufactured overseas by the end of 2026, rising to 60% in 2027 and 70% by 2030, as the automaker expands local production to support its international growth. Executive Vice President Zhang Guibing outlined the targets at Chery’s headquarters in Wuhu, China. The company said approximately 48% of its overseas sales vehicles had been built outside China so far in 2026. The strategy combines new production facilities, partnerships with local manufacturers and the acquisition or reuse of existing automotive plants. Several of Chery’s planned expansions involve facilities…

Xpeng has begun global shipments of the Mona L05 electric SUV ahead of its official launch in China, with the company planning to sell the model in 65 countries and regions. The Chinese electric vehicle maker announced the shipments on Weibo on Monday. It also confirmed that the Mona L05 will make its China debut on October 29, alongside a gathering for owners under the “Mona World” name. Xpeng did not disclose the number of vehicles included in the initial shipment, their destinations or delivery schedules for individual overseas markets. Global Testing and Market Expansion The Mona L05 is the…

FAW-Volkswagen’s Jetta brand has launched its first battery-electric vehicle, the M6, with prices starting at 79,800 yuan (approximately $11,880). The electric sedan marks the brand’s entry into China’s competitive entry-level electric vehicle market as it seeks to broaden its appeal amid the rapid growth of new energy vehicles. The M6 is available in three variants: the 465 Pro at 79,800 yuan, the 555 Max at 89,800 yuan and the 555 Ultra at 99,800 yuan. Pre-sales began on September 28, with prices starting at 80,800 yuan. The official launch price for the entry-level model is 1,000 yuan lower, while the top…

Volkswagen’s efforts to revive its electric vehicle business in China using technology from local partner Xpeng are facing an early sales challenge, with the jointly developed ID.UNYX 08 reportedly achieving only a small fraction of its planned monthly volume. According to Reuters, citing data from consulting firm ThinkerCar, the electric SUV averaged 267 units in monthly sales between April and August. Volkswagen had reportedly targeted monthly sales of 3,622 units for the model this year, meaning its average sales reached approximately 7.4% of that target. The figures highlight the challenges facing Volkswagen as it adapts its products and sales strategy…

CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, reported higher third-quarter earnings as revenue continued to grow rapidly, although profit growth lagged sales expansion and net profit declined from the previous quarter. Net profit attributable to shareholders reached 21.25 billion yuan ($3.16 billion) in the third quarter, up 14.54% year-on-year, according to financial results released on Tuesday. Revenue increased 58.58% from a year earlier to 165.22 billion yuan. Excluding non-recurring gains and losses, net profit attributable to shareholders rose 14.86% year-on-year to 18.86 billion yuan. Nine-Month Revenue Climbs 56% For the first nine months of the year, CATL recorded net…

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) will acquire the 50% stake in FAW Toyota currently held by a subsidiary of state-owned FAW Group, with all three parties confirming the transaction. FAW Toyota will continue operating as an independent company for now, although the companies plan to deepen cooperation between Toyota’s two existing joint ventures in China. The transaction was first reported in late September, when Reuters cited a stock exchange announcement from GAC. The deal will be financed through the issuance of new A-shares. Under the broader ownership changes, FAW is also set to become GAC’s second-largest shareholder. Toyota said FAW Toyota…

Avatr has introduced the updated 2026 Avatr 06 sedan in China, simplifying the lineup to two variants and making Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 5 driver assistance system standard across the range. The revised model is available as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and a battery electric vehicle (BEV), with updated batteries, enhanced driver assistance technology and a revised pricing structure. The brand, backed by Changan Automobile, CATL and Huawei, has set the starting price at 219,900 yuan for the Max EREV and 229,900 yuan for the Max BEV. A limited-time cash incentive reduces these prices to 205,900 yuan and 215,900 yuan,…

The Xpeng X9 has received a five-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), according to an assessment published on October 12, 2026. The electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was evaluated across four categories: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash safety. It scored 57% for safe driving, 82% for crash avoidance, 91% for crash protection and 91% for post-crash safety. https://twitter.com/EuroNCAP/status/2110286997751214106 The assessment covers several variants of the Xpeng X9, including front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions with different battery and range configurations. Crash Protection The Xpeng X9 scored 91% in crash protection, with a frontal impact…

BYD has expanded its Dynasty lineup with the Da Han EV, a flagship electric sedan designed to deliver long driving range, high-performance electric propulsion and premium cabin technology. Positioned above the existing Han, the new model strengthens the brand’s push into China’s higher-end electric vehicle market. The five-seat sedan is available in three battery-electric variants, with prices ranging from 235,900 yuan to 275,900 yuan. Its key features include a 102.3 kWh second-generation Blade Battery, a maximum claimed CLTC range of 1,008 km and a flash-charging system capable of charging the battery from 10% to 97% in nine minutes under the…

Aito, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres, plans to enter the European market in autumn 2027, the company confirmed on October 12 at the Paris Motor Show 2026. The brand displayed four SUVs at the event: the Aito 9, Aito 8, Aito 7 and Aito 6. These models correspond to the Aito M9, M8, M7 and M6 sold in China. Aito has not yet announced which European countries it will enter first, which models will be available at launch or how the vehicles will be priced. It also has not confirmed whether all four SUVs displayed in…

China and the European Union have reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade following two days of negotiations in Beijing on October 8 and 9. European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said the understanding includes halving China’s exports of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to the EU, although the two sides have yet to disclose specific terms or implementation arrangements. China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday that the understanding followed intensive consultations and complies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Its statement did not specify the scale of any export reduction…

Xpeng delivered 41,256 vehicles in September, bringing its third-quarter deliveries to a record level as the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer met its previously issued quarterly guidance. September deliveries declined 0.78% from a year earlier but increased 5.50% from August. The monthly total was Xpeng’s highest of the year, although it remained slightly below the 41,581 vehicles delivered in September of the previous year. The September result also ended three consecutive months of year-on-year delivery growth recorded from June through August. Xpeng Sets New Quarterly Delivery Record Xpeng delivered 118,390 vehicles in the third quarter, an increase of 2.05% from the…

Leapmotor delivered a record 105,656 vehicles globally in September, up 58.51% from the same month last year and 2.45% from August. The Chinese automaker has now exceeded 100,000 monthly deliveries for three consecutive months as it continues to expand in China and overseas markets. September’s year-on-year growth was slower than the 80.72% increase recorded in August, while monthly growth accelerated from 1.84% in August. Leapmotor Reports Record Third-Quarter Deliveries Leapmotor delivered a record 310,052 vehicles in the third quarter, an increase of 78.34% year on year and 25.87% from the second quarter. Deliveries during the first nine months reached 666,539…

Xiaomi on Monday launched its Sky Nomad lineup of extended-range electric SUVs in China, expanding the automaker’s range beyond battery-electric vehicles. Prices start at 209,900 yuan ($30,960), with the lineup targeting a broader range of customers through five- and seven-seat configurations. The initial range includes the five-seat N70 Pro and N70 Max, the seven-seat N90 Max and a five-seat N90 Max Explorer edition designed for camping use. The models are priced from 209,900 yuan to 299,900 yuan, with the N70 Max and N90 Max launching below their previously announced pre-sale prices. Four Sky Nomad Variants The N70 Pro starts at…

IM Motors has introduced the next-generation LS6, expanding its electric SUV lineup with a fully by-wire chassis and a range of advanced digital technologies. The five-seat family SUV is positioned in China’s highly competitive 200,000-yuan to 300,000-yuan segment. The new LS6 is offered in three all-electric variants, combining rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with battery capacities ranging from 76 kWh to 103 kWh. Depending on the version, the SUV offers up to 782 km of CLTC driving range and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as little as 3.48 seconds. IM Motors LS6 Pricing and Variants The new LS6…

GWM’s electric vehicle brand Ora has launched the Ora 5 Sport and Ora 5 GT in China, expanding its compact model range with battery-electric, hybrid and gasoline powertrain options. The electric versions offer up to 580 km of CLTC range, while prices for the new models start at 81,800 yuan and 99,800 yuan, respectively. Ora 5 Sport and GT Expand Lineup The Ora 5 Sport is available in seven variants, with official prices ranging from 81,800 yuan to 135,800 yuan. Limited-time prices reduce the range to between 71,800 yuan and 125,800 yuan. The Ora 5 GT comes in six variants,…