Author: Andrew Wang

Alibaba-backed Ant Group has appointed Xpeng chairman and chief executive officer He Xiaopeng as an independent director following a reshuffle of its board, according to information published by the company. The changes were disclosed on June 22 and also include the appointments of Bai Chongen, dean of Tsinghua University’s School of Economics and Management, and Tsang Shun-fu, former chief executive officer of Deloitte China. Board Maintains Nine-Member Structure Following the appointments, Ant Group’s board remains composed of nine members, with independent directors accounting for more than half of the seats. Existing independent directors Laura Cha, former chairman of Hong Kong…

Nio has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its research and development center in the United Kingdom, highlighting a decade of engineering collaboration as the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer continues to expand its global footprint. The company marked the milestone with an event on June 18 in Witney, Oxfordshire, where it also officially opened a new engineering facility designed to strengthen its research and vehicle development capabilities. Representatives from government bodies, industry partners, and media organizations attended the ceremony, which Nio described as an important step in the evolution of its international engineering network. UK Center Plays Key Role in Global…

Executives from Chinese electric vehicle makers Li Auto and Nio have publicly disagreed over the future prospects of extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), reflecting intensifying competition between rival technology approaches in China’s rapidly evolving new energy vehicle (NEV) market. The debate emerged after Li Auto founder, chairman and chief executive Li Xiang defended the role of extended-range vehicles, while executives from Nio pointed to rising battery-electric vehicle (BEV) adoption as evidence that fully electric models are becoming the dominant force in the market. Li Auto Defends Extended-Range Vehicles In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo on June 17, Li…

Chinese battery manufacturer Farasis Energy has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with German energy technology company WLF Energy, marking a new step in its efforts to expand internationally and strengthen its position in the rapidly growing energy storage sector. The partnership will focus on the joint development of next-generation battery technologies and energy storage products targeting utility-scale, commercial and industrial, as well as distributed energy storage applications. Joint development of advanced energy storage solutions Under the agreement, Farasis Energy and WLF Energy will collaborate on a long-term technology and product roadmap designed to accelerate innovation in battery storage and energy…

Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) has launched two new battery-electric variants of the Aito M6, significantly lowering the entry price of the popular mid-to-large-size SUV. The new models are priced between 229,800 yuan ($34,010) and 249,800 yuan, expanding the vehicle’s appeal to a broader range of customers in China’s highly competitive electric vehicle market. Lower-priced BEV variants join the lineup The launch marks a substantial reduction in the starting price for the Aito M6’s battery-electric range. Previously, the lowest-priced BEV version available started at 279,800 yuan. With the introduction of the new variants, customers can now access the Aito…

Smart has officially launched the #6 EHD sedan in China, marking the brand’s largest model to date and its first vehicle equipped with EHD (Electric Hybrid Drive) technology. The new model, introduced on Thursday, represents a significant expansion for the premium electric mobility brand jointly owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely. With a focus on long-range efficiency, advanced driver assistance technology and a larger vehicle footprint, the Smart #6 EHD targets China’s increasingly competitive new energy vehicle market. Three Variants Offered The Smart #6 EHD is available in three trim levels: 1675 Pro, 1810 Max and 1810 Ultra. Limited-time promotional pricing…

BYD is preparing to launch a new flagship luxury sedan in China, with regulatory filings revealing key specifications of the upcoming Great Han, a premium limousine that will be available in both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid variants. Documents published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show that the new model will offer up to 570 kW of power and a driving range of up to 1,008 kilometres under the CLTC testing standard. The Great Han, also referred to as the Dahan in some Chinese media reports, is expected to enter the Chinese market later this year as…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has opened its first retail location in Greece, marking another step in the company’s evolving European expansion strategy. The new showroom, known as Nio House Athens, officially opened on June 11 and welcomed visitors from June 12. The facility was developed in partnership with Motodynamics Group, Nio’s exclusive distributor for Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. Located in the northern Athens district of Kifissia, the site serves as Nio’s first physical presence in Greece and reflects the company’s increasing reliance on local distribution partners as it seeks to expand across Europe while reducing operating costs. Premium EV…

China’s automotive market reached a historic milestone in May 2026 as internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles disappeared entirely from the country’s top 10 best-selling passenger car models for the first time. The ranking was composed exclusively of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), a category that in China includes battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). The development underscores the rapid pace of electrification in the world’s largest automotive market, where electric and electrified vehicles have steadily increased their share of sales over recent years. Top Five Positions Claimed by Pure EVs Not only did NEVs…

Tesla recorded a strong rebound in China during May, with domestic retail sales rising sharply and exports from its Shanghai Gigafactory remaining robust, helping the electric vehicle maker reverse a two-month streak of year-on-year sales declines. According to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla’s domestic retail sales in China reached 47,281 vehicles in May, representing a 22.53% increase from the same month last year. The performance marked a significant recovery from April, with retail deliveries surging 82.16% month-on-month as the company benefited from stronger consumer demand and new financing initiatives. Domestic Market Share Improves Tesla’s recovery…

China has introduced a new set of technical regulations for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), establishing stricter performance requirements and testing procedures as the segment continues to grow rapidly in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The revised industry standard, QC/T 1086-2026, will take effect in November 2026 and replace the previous QC/T 1086-2017 standard that has been in place since 2017. The updated framework reflects the increasing importance of EREVs in China and introduces more detailed and measurable requirements for range-extender systems used in electric vehicles. Shift Toward More Binding Technical Requirements One of the most notable changes is the…

Chinese robotics startup PaXini Tech is considering an initial public offering in Hong Kong, according to a Bloomberg report, as investor interest in robotics and embodied artificial intelligence continues to grow. The Shenzhen-based company, which is backed by electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and e-commerce group JD.com, is reportedly working with banks on a potential listing and could file an application with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the coming months. Valuation Exceeds RMB 10 Billion The reported IPO plans come after PaXini raised more than RMB 1 billion ($148 million) in a funding round completed in March 2026. The financing…