Author: Daniel Chen

BYD has confirmed the Ti7 as its first seven-seat vehicle for the UK market, introducing a large plug-in hybrid SUV positioned as the company’s flagship model for British customers. The three-row SUV measures 5,146 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width and 1,865 mm in height, making it the largest vehicle currently planned for BYD’s UK lineup. The Ti7 uses BYD’s Dual Mode Performance (DM-p) plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors driving all four wheels. BYD said the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds while delivering an electric-only…

China’s FAW Group-owned brand Hongqi is in discussions with Stellantis regarding possible vehicle production at one of Stellantis’ plants in Spain, according to a Reuters report citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. The outcome of the discussions remains unclear. Reuters said it spoke with five sources, but none of the companies involved confirmed the talks. Hongqi, FAW, and Leapmotor did not respond to requests for comment, while Stellantis declined to comment. Leapmotor is also reported to be involved in the discussions in a potential intermediary capacity. Both Stellantis and FAW are shareholders in Leapmotor, with Stellantis holding the largest…

CATL has appointed Chen Jinghe as a senior adviser for its mining business, as the company seeks to reinforce its access to critical raw materials for battery production, according to multiple media reports. Chen, 69, who stepped down from his role at Zijin Mining at the start of the year, will support CATL in expanding its mineral supply chain operations, Chinese financial outlet Yicai reported. A trained geologist, Chen led Zijin Mining for more than three decades, transforming it from a domestic gold producer into one of the world’s largest diversified mining groups with a market value exceeding $120 billion,…

BYD is aiming to increase its overseas vehicle sales to 1.5 million units by 2026, as the company accelerates its global expansion to support growth beyond its domestic market. The target was discussed during a recent analyst briefing, where management expressed confidence in reaching the export figure, according to a report by Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter. The updated goal is around 15% higher than the company’s previously announced overseas sales target. Earlier this year, BYD said it expected exports to reach 1.3 million vehicles in 2026, representing year-on-year growth of approximately 24%. However, a November 2025 research…

Skoda Auto will exit the Chinese market by mid-2026, highlighting the mounting challenges faced by foreign carmakers in the world’s largest automotive market. The brand, owned by Volkswagen Group, will gradually wind down its presence while continuing to sell vehicles through a regional partner until its planned withdrawal, according to a company statement cited by Reuters. After-sales services will remain available for existing customers. China had previously been Skoda’s largest global market, with annual deliveries exceeding 300,000 vehicles between 2016 and 2018. However, sales have declined sharply in recent years, falling to around 15,000 units in 2025 as competition intensified…

Great Wall Motor (GWM) reported sales of 72,594 vehicles in February, down 6.79% from a year earlier and 19.62% from January, as the Chinese New Year holiday disrupted production and domestic demand. The company said the Spring Festival period, which ran from Feb. 15 to Feb. 23 this year, led to temporary shutdowns across the industry. Last year’s holiday occurred mainly in January, creating a higher comparison base for February figures. Despite the decline in overall sales, GWM’s overseas business showed strong growth. Exports reached 42,675 units in February, up 37.36% year on year and 5.95% from January, accounting for…

The AION V electric SUV from GAC AION has secured dual five-star safety ratings from both European and Australasian crash assessment bodies, alongside a series of industry awards across key international markets, the company said. The AION V achieved the highest possible safety ratings from Euro NCAP and ANCAP, following tests covering adult occupant protection, child safety, vulnerable road users and advanced driver assistance systems. Five stars represent the top tier under both evaluation programmes. See also: GAC AION And DiDi Deliver First Batch Of R2 Robotaxis, Clear Road Testing In Guangzhou In Australia, the electric SUV was named a…

Volkswagen’s Jetta brand has established a new company in Chengdu, southwest China, as it seeks greater autonomy and faster decision-making to compete in the country’s increasingly competitive automotive market, FAW-Volkswagen said. The new entity, FAW Volkswagen Jetta Automotive Technology Co Ltd, officially began operations this week and has been granted enhanced market-oriented research and development capabilities, along with greater authority over product and business decisions, according to a statement from FAW-Volkswagen. See also: EU Reviews Possible Tariff Exemption for Volkswagen China-Built EVs, Commission Says The Chengdu-based company will lead the development of smart electric vehicles tailored to local Chinese market…

Chinese new energy vehicle maker Leapmotor showcased its compact electric SUV, the A10, at the Brussels Auto Show 2026, marking the model’s European debut following its global premiere in China late last year. The A10, known as the B03X in markets outside China, is Leapmotor’s first global model built on its newly developed A platform. The compact SUV measures 4,270 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,635 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,605 mm, placing it squarely in the competitive compact SUV segment. “Every product we deliver embodies a consistent commitment — to provide exceptional, affordable…

Luxeed, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery Automobile, has taken the final regulatory step toward launching its first multi-purpose vehicle after filing the V9 with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), according to a catalog released this week. The Luxeed V9 appears in MIIT’s latest list of vehicle models pending market approval, which is open for public comment from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15. Inclusion in the catalog typically clears the way for a model to be sold in China. The filing shows three variants of the V9, all classified as extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).…

Zeekr has taken a key regulatory step toward launching its new 8X plug-in hybrid SUV in China, after the model appeared in a catalog released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), clearing the way for market entry. The Zeekr 8X was included in the latest MIIT disclosure published on Thursday, with public feedback on the filing open from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15. The model will be produced at Zeekr’s manufacturing facility in Ningbo, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, and will become the company’s second hybrid vehicle following the Zeekr 9X. See also: Zeekr and Intellias Showcase…

Nio said a third-generation ES8 sport utility vehicle has become its one-millionth mass-produced car, marking a major manufacturing milestone for the Chinese electric vehicle maker as it scales up sales and infrastructure. The vehicle rolled off the production line at Nio’s F2 plant in Hefei, Anhui province, where the company held a ceremony to mark the occasion. The milestone comes shortly after Nio celebrated its 11th anniversary in November. See also: Nio Delivers 40,000th Third-Generation ES8 as Production Ramps Up https://twitter.com/NIOGlobal/status/2008415898491838650 Founder, chairman and chief executive William Li said the company is targeting sustained expansion, with annual sales growth of…

Tesla lost its position as the world’s largest battery electric vehicle (BEV) seller in 2025 after a sharp decline in fourth-quarter deliveries, allowing Chinese automaker BYD to take the top spot, according to industry data. Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles globally in the fourth quarter, below a median analyst estimate of 420,399 units disclosed by the company in late December. Deliveries were down 15.6% from a year earlier and fell 15.9% from the previous quarter, the company said. See also: Tesla Q4 Deliveries Fall 15% to 418,227, Marking Second Straight Annual Decline BYD, meanwhile, reported continued growth in BEV sales, with…

Geely Auto’s premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr delivered a record 30,267 vehicles in December, marking its highest monthly total since launch, according to data released by the company on Thursday. The figure represented an 11.32 percent increase from a year earlier and a 4.94 percent rise from November, driven largely by strong demand for the newly launched Zeekr 9X. For the full year 2025, Zeekr delivered 224,133 vehicles, up 0.9 percent year-on-year. See also: Zeekr Signs Dealer Agreements to Enter South Korean EV Market Cumulative deliveries since the brand’s inception reached 642,889 units by the end of 2025. Zeekr operates…

Voyah, the premium electric vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, said it has delivered 5,000 units of its Taishan sport utility vehicle, marking a rapid sales milestone less than a month after the model’s market debut. The company said in a post on Weibo that it reached the delivery figure just 26 days after officially beginning deliveries on December 4. The Taishan, a large hybrid SUV, was launched on November 18 with a starting price of 379,900 yuan ($54,240), making it one of the highest-priced models in Voyah’s current lineup. See also: CATL Signs 10-Year Cooperation Deal With Dongfeng’s Voyah Built…

SAIC-GM-Wuling said it will launch its first vehicle developed in collaboration with Huawei in the first half of 2026, marking a strategic push into higher-end market segments as Chinese automakers deepen ties with technology partners. The model, named Huajing S, will be positioned as a large six-seat sport utility vehicle and will integrate Huawei’s advanced smart driving and cockpit technologies. The Huajing S will be equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4 Pro driver assistance system and HarmonySpace intelligent cockpit, according to statements released by SAIC-GM-Wuling and its Baojun brand. The vehicle will be built on the automaker’s Tianyu L architecture,…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Rox Motor has unveiled a new model, the Rox Adamas, as part of its efforts to expand its product lineup and strengthen its presence in overseas markets. The Adamas, unveiled at a launch event on Tuesday, succeeds the Rox 01 and marks the company’s latest entry into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) segment. The model is positioned as a core offering in Rox Motor’s portfolio, with the automaker aiming to accelerate growth outside China. The Rox Adamas is offered in both six-seat and seven-seat configurations and retains the exterior design language of the Rox 01. The…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor said it aims to reach annual sales of four million vehicles over the next decade, outlining ambitious long-term growth plans as it marked its 10th anniversary. Speaking at the anniversary event, founder, chairman and chief executive Zhu Jiangming said the company’s goal is to “become a respected world-class smart electric vehicle manufacturer,” underscoring its intention to expand both domestically and internationally. See also: Leapmotor Expects First Annual Profit As Vehicle Sales Approach 600,000 In 2025 Leapmotor is targeting annual sales of one million vehicles by 2026, Zhu said, reiterating previously disclosed targets. The company has…

Chery Automobile’s premium brand Exeed has unveiled four new models—the ES8, ES7 GT, ET8 and ET9—expanding its ES and ET product families as part of efforts to reinvigorate sales after a challenging year. The models were presented at Exeed’s Brand Night event on Wednesday, where the company said it was entering what it described as a “3.0 era,” aiming to position itself as a global performance-luxury brand for the smart mobility age. The launches follow the debut of the ET5 midsize SUV in late November, which marked the start of Exeed’s ET series. The ES8 and ES7 GT feature shooting…

Global automotive safety supplier Autoliv has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Hefei, eastern China, launching a smart factory focused on steering wheel production as it expands its manufacturing and technology base in the country, the company said. The plant, officially opened on Dec. 16, is Autoliv’s second specialised steering wheel manufacturing site in China and its first production operation in Hefei. The company said the facility is intended to strengthen its global supply capabilities while supporting its long-term roadmap for advanced manufacturing and digitalisation. See also: Xpeng Aeroht and Autoliv Forge Partnership to Enhance Flying Car Safety Autoliv agreed…