Author: Eric Liu

Lotus Technology, majority-owned by Geely Holding, has launched its first plug-in hybrid SUV in China, marketed locally as the Lotus For Me and globally as the Lotus Eletre X. The model entered the Chinese market with two variants, priced at 508,000 yuan ($73,500) for the Standard trim and 558,000 yuan ($80,730) for the SE version. Deliveries are set to begin on March 30, while a global launch is scheduled for June 2026. Built on Lotus’s X-Hybrid platform with a 900-volt architecture, the Eletre X combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with dual electric motors, delivering a peak output of 700 kW…

Tesla has denied reports that it plans to introduce a lower-cost version of its Model 3 sedan in China, following widespread speculation on social media. Citing the company, local outlet Caiwen reported that Tesla has no plans to launch a cheaper Model 3 variant in the Chinese market and has not established any related production lines at its Shanghai factory. Tesla said its Giga Shanghai facility remains focused on producing and delivering existing Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y vehicles, including both domestic sales and export orders. The company added that there are currently no plans to introduce additional…

Xpeng has previewed the 2026 version of its Mona M03 electric sedan, introducing its in-house developed Turing AI chip as the company pushes to expand advanced driving features into lower-priced vehicles. He Xiaopeng said the updated Xpeng Mona M03 has already arrived at stores across China, marking the start of its market rollout. The new model will be the first to feature Xpeng’s proprietary Turing AI chip, delivering up to 750 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of computing power. The chip is designed to support all-scenario assisted driving capabilities, bringing higher-level intelligent driving features to the sub-$20,000 segment. The move…

BMW is recalling nearly 180,000 vehicles in China due to a potential fire risk linked to improperly routed air conditioning wiring harnesses, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall affects a total of 179,527 vehicles, including both domestically produced and imported models. Among them, 133,849 units are locally manufactured BMW 5 Series vehicles built between December 5, 2023 and April 12, 2025. An additional 8,978 imported 5 Series cars produced between October 2023 and April 2025 are also included. The recall further covers 36,527 imported BMW 7 Series vehicles manufactured between June 2022 and April 2025, along…

Leapmotor has opened its first overseas innovation center in Munich, Germany, marking a step in its efforts to globalize design and product development as it expands internationally. The facility, located in Schwabing-Freimann in northern Munich, will oversee design iterations and the conceptual development of future models. The company said the move reflects a shift from exporting vehicles to exporting design capabilities, as it integrates international design concepts into its product strategy. Leapmotor now operates a global design network spanning Munich, Hangzhou and Shanghai, supporting its broader ambitions in overseas markets. The expansion comes amid rising export volumes, with the company…

Li Auto has reportedly suspended orders for several versions of its L-series extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), as the Chinese automaker prepares to launch updated models in the coming months. The flagship Li L9 is no longer accepting new orders, while only limited configurations remain available for the Li L7 and Li L8, according to a report by local outlet Lanjinger citing sources familiar with the matter. The move comes ahead of a broader product refresh, with the next-generation Li L9 expected to launch in the second quarter. Updated versions of other L-series models are also planned as part of the…

Geely Galaxy, the new energy vehicle brand under Geely Auto, has teased a new off-road sport utility vehicle as it prepares to enter the fast-growing rugged SUV segment. The company has not yet finalized the model’s official name and said on Tuesday that it has launched a global naming campaign for the upcoming vehicle. Geely Galaxy has released limited details about the model so far. Earlier this month, the brand shared winter testing images of the SUV, referring to it at the time as the Geely Galaxy Cruiser. The vehicle’s concept version was first unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show…

CATL is expanding support for its battery swap ecosystem as Chinese automakers GAC Aion and BAIC’s Arcfox prepare to launch new electric vehicle models compatible with the company’s Choco-SEB battery swap system. GAC Aion said on Thursday it will introduce a battery swap version of its Aion RT sedan in April. The model will feature what the company described as a 99-second ultra-fast battery replacement process. The Aion RT was originally launched in September 2025 as a family sedan available in four variants priced between 99,800 yuan ($14,460) and 123,800 yuan. Arcfox, the electric vehicle brand under BAIC, announced on…

BYD has launched what it describes as the world’s most powerful mass-produced electric vehicle supercharger, alongside the introduction of its second-generation Blade Battery, as the Chinese automaker accelerates the expansion of its charging infrastructure. The new supercharger delivers a maximum output of 1,500 kilowatts per charging gun, representing a 50% increase compared with the company’s first-generation flash charger introduced in March 2025. See also: BYD Unveils Second-Generation Blade Battery With Nine-Minute Flash Charging Each flash-charging station is equipped with two charging guns and an integrated energy storage system designed to support ultra-fast charging. BYD said the system can maintain flash-charging…

BYD has unveiled its second-generation Blade Battery, introducing what the Chinese new energy vehicle maker describes as “flash charging” technology capable of significantly reducing charging times. The new battery can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes and from 10% to 97% in nine minutes, the company said during a launch event on Thursday. See also: BYD UK Announces Pricing And Specification Updates For 2026 Seal BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu said the company deliberately designed the system to stop charging at 97% in order to improve efficiency. “Stopping the charge at 97% is a deliberate energy-saving measure,” Wang said,…

Nio is strengthening its presence in the power battery sector with plans to establish a new research and development base in Shanghai, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Jiading district government. Authorities in Anting town, located in Shanghai’s Jiading district, recently signed a cooperation agreement with the electric vehicle maker to host the new battery R&D facility. The project will focus on developing next-generation power battery technologies aimed at enhancing Nio’s battery strategy and long-term technological capabilities. See also: Nio and Bosch Sign Strategic Partnership During Merz China Visit Jiading already serves as the location of Nio’s global…

Chinese technology group Xiaomi is facing mounting scrutiny over the safety design of its first-generation SU7 electric sedan after a financial media outlet urged the company to recall around 370,000 vehicles. Yicai, a prominent Chinese financial publication, called on Xiaomi to initiate a recall to address the risk that the vehicle’s electronically controlled exterior door handles could fail in the event of a power outage. The article cited a recent forensic report related to a fatal crash in October involving a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. See also: Xiaomi EV Delivers 600,000th Vehicle Less Than Two Years After First Shipment According to…