Author: Daniel Ong

Chinese automaker BYD has implemented salary increases for its research and development staff, becoming the latest major company to lift pay as China steps up efforts to rein in excessive competition and stimulate domestic consumption. Reports of the pay rises were confirmed by BYD, according to a report on Wednesday by local financial media outlet Cailian. Market speculation suggested most employees received monthly increases of between 500 yuan ($71) and 1,000 yuan, while a smaller group saw raises of 2,000 to 3,000 yuan. BYD did not comment on specific amounts, Cailian said. BYD operates two annual salary adjustment windows and…

China’s CATL said it has become the world’s first battery manufacturer to deploy humanoid robots at scale in battery pack production, replacing human workers in several high-risk and precision-critical processes. The company said a humanoid robot-enabled battery pack production line has recently begun operations at its manufacturing base in Luoyang, Henan province, marking what it described as the first large-scale application of humanoid robots in battery pack manufacturing. See also: CATL Signs 10-Year Cooperation Deal With Dongfeng’s Voyah The humanoid robot, named “Xiaomo”, is capable of executing complex tasks such as battery connector insertion, a function CATL said represents a…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle unit of Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi, is rumored to be preparing a facelifted version of its SU7 electric sedan for launch in the second quarter of next year, according to an automotive industry commentator. Automotive blogger Han Lu said in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo that the updated Xiaomi SU7 would feature multiple upgrades and carry a price increase of about RMB 20,000 ($2,840). Han is a well-known car reviewer in China with around 9 million followers on Weibo. Xiaomi EV has not commented publicly on the report. See also: Xiaomi Plans…

Foxconn said it will invest T$15.9 billion ($509.94 million) to build a new headquarters in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, underscoring its accelerating push into artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and advanced battery technologies as growth in consumer electronics slows. Construction of the mixed-use commercial, office and residential complex is set to begin in 2027 and finish in 2033. See also: Foxconn’s Bid for ZF Group EV Unit Stalls Over Debt and Valuation Gap The company said the site will serve as a hub for its southern Taiwan operations and house teams working on smart cities, software research, battery cells, EV technology and…

As more Chinese automakers promote large-capacity battery packs as a key selling point for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), Shen Fei, president of Nio’s sub-brand Onvo, has taken a contrasting stance, calling the trend inefficient as charging infrastructure continues to expand. “With charging infrastructure increasingly developed, EREVs with large battery packs represent ‘a waste of resources,’” Shen said in an interview with local media, according to a report by The Paper published on Friday. See also: Nio’s Onvo Sub-Brand Unveils Limited-Edition L90 Black Knight SUV Shen added that larger batteries not only reduce cabin space but also raise costs for both…

ArcFox, the premium new energy vehicle brand of China’s state-owned automaker BAIC Group, has released regulatory images and specifications for its upcoming extended-range electric MPV, following the model’s semi-concept debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show last month. Images published in December by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show the production-ready version of the ArcFox MPV with design elements consistent with the segment, including a large front grille, darkened headlight units and an elongated cabin profile. A prominent ArcFox badge dominates the front fascia. The vehicle is built on the BE22 platform and will be offered exclusively with…