Author: Daniel Chen

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…

Maextro, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC), has rolled out its 10,000th Maextro S800 sedan, less than seven months after the model was launched, the company said on Monday. The milestone highlights growing market acceptance of a domestically developed Chinese luxury sedan, a segment long dominated by German automakers. Maextro is the highest-end brand under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) business. See also: Huawei-JAC’s Maextro Plans Expanded Luxury Line-Up in China in 2026 Maextro officially launched its first model, the S800, on May 30. The large sedan is offered in both battery…

China reported a fresh monthly sales record for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in November, led by battery-electric models and a sharp rise in exports, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Wholesale sales of NEVs, which include battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles, reached 1.823 million units in November, up 6.3% from October and 20.6% year-on-year, CAAM data showed. Battery-electric vehicles accounted for the bulk of the increase, with sales exceeding one million units for a third consecutive month. See also: China Plans Revised Incentive Framework for 2026, Signalling Slower Support for NEV…

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales growth slowed sharply in November, marking the weakest expansion since February 2024, as demand in China showed signs of levelling off and policy changes in the United States weighed heavily on North American sales, according to data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Worldwide EV registrations, which Benchmark uses as a proxy for sales, rose 6% year-on-year to just under 2 million units in November. Growth in China, the largest EV market globally, slowed to 3% year-on-year to more than 1.3 million vehicles, its weakest pace since February 2024, reflecting softer demand as state support tapered toward…

Deepal, the new energy vehicle (NEV) marque under Changan Automobile, announced on December 9 that its cumulative vehicle deliveries have reached 700,000 units. The achievement coincides with a major production milestone for its parent company, Changan, which has now manufactured 30 million vehicles since its founding, solidifying its position among China’s largest auto groups. Deepal’s sales growth has been accelerated by an aggressive expansion of its product portfolio, which has grown to seven models since the debut of the SL03 in 2022. The lineup now includes a mix of pure-electric (BEV) and range-extended (EREV) models, covering multiple segments. The brand…