Author: Jackson Han

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL said it has made significant progress in the development of lithium-metal batteries by improving the electrolyte composition, achieving a high energy density of 500 Wh/kg and extending the battery’s service life to 483 cycles. The breakthrough, developed at CATL’s 21C Lab and published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, is considered a step toward commercialising lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles and aviation. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, lithium-metal batteries replace the graphite anode with lithium metal, resulting in reduced weight and improved energy efficiency, though commercialization has been hindered by issues such as dendrite formation and…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng suggested on Tuesday it will incorporate Huawei’s head-up display (HUD) technology in an upcoming model, signaling a rare collaboration between the two firms after previous tensions. The company posted a promotional image on Chinese social media platform Weibo showing that one of its new vehicles will use Huawei’s HUD system, which projects data such as range, navigation, vehicle speed, and driver assistance status onto the windshield. See also: Xpeng Files for Regulatory Approval of Next-Gen P7 Sedan, Eyes Mid-Year Launch in China “This industry hasn’t seen any groundbreaking changes in a long time. Change starts…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio said it will expand into seven additional European markets over the next two years, deepening its global footprint through a partnership-based distribution model. The company announced Tuesday that it will enter Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, and Romania in 2025 and 2026. “We’re working with local distributor partners to make this growth possible,” Nio said in a post on social media platform X. “At the same time, we’re introducing a multi-brand offering with both NIO and Firefly to reach even more users.” See also: Nio Delivers 23,231 Vehicles in May, Up 13%…

Chinese tech giant Huawei and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) have launched their first luxury sedan under the Maextro brand, stepping into the high-end automotive segment with a model priced to challenge established players like Mercedes-Maybach. Revealed at a launch event on Sunday evening, the Maextro S800 marks the brand’s debut vehicle and is the most premium offering under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA). The five-seat battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant starts at RMB 708,000 ($98,330), lower than its pre-sales range of RMB 1 million to RMB 1.5 million, a pricing strategy commonly used in China to surpass consumer…

Dongfeng Nissan, the joint venture between Nissan Motor and Dongfeng Motor, has recorded 17,215 firm orders for its newly launched N7 electric sedan as of May 31, just 35 days after the model debuted, the company said on Weibo. The strong demand marks a rare success for a joint-venture brand in China’s fast-evolving electric vehicle (EV) market. According to a Dongfeng Nissan executive, 96.64% of those orders—13,746 units—have locked in their vehicle configurations, suggesting high purchase intent. The N7 was officially launched on April 27 with five variants, priced between RMB 119,900 and RMB 149,900 ($16,650–$20,820), significantly undercutting many competitors…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has launched pre-sales of its new all-electric mid-size sedan, the Seal 06 EV, as part of an ongoing expansion of its Seal model lineup. The pre-sale was announced on May 31 at the 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show, also known as the Shenzhen auto show. The vehicle is expected to officially launch later in the second quarter. The Seal 06 EV is priced between RMB 120,000 and RMB 150,000 ($16,670–$20,840). The model was first unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai auto show in April and adopts the design language shared by other…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers IM Motors and Leapmotor  have rolled out major price reductions on key models, becoming the first automakers to follow market leader BYD in launching new waves of consumer discounts amid mounting pressure in China’s competitive EV market. IM Motors, the EV arm of state-owned SAIC Motor Corp, announced a limited-time price cut on its LS6 mid-to-large-size electric SUV. The model’s new starting price is RMB 194,900 ($27,180), marking a reduction of RMB 45,000, or 18.76%, from the original guide price of RMB 239,900. With the inclusion of a RMB 15,000 government-backed trade-in subsidy, the effective…

Tensions between two of China’s top automakers flared on Friday after a BYD executive pushed back strongly against comments by Great Wall Motor’s chairman, who described the country’s auto industry as “unhealthy” amid a deepening price war. The public dispute followed remarks from Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Motor, who last week likened instability in China’s auto sector to the crisis that brought down property giant Evergrande. While he stopped short of naming any companies, his comments sparked investor concerns, sending shares in automakers including BYD, Nio, and Xpeng sharply lower this week. See also: Lebanon’s EV Electra Takes…

BYD premium brand Denza is preparing to launch a new plug-in hybrid SUV, the N8L, following its inclusion in a regulatory catalog published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for public comment. The Denza N8L, which appeared in the latest MIIT catalog under model numbers QCJ6520AP6HEV1 and QCJ6520AP6HEV2, represents the final regulatory step before new vehicles are cleared for sale in the Chinese market. The public has until May 30 to submit feedback on the proposed models. Both versions of the N8L are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and will be produced at BYD’s manufacturing sites in…

HiPhi, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand under China’s Human Horizons, is preparing to restart operations following a reported majority investment from Lebanese firm EV Electra Ltd., according to Chinese media sources. Ownership of HiPhi has shifted, with Human Horizons now holding a 30.2% minority stake, while EV Electra has acquired 69.8% of the company. The move follows over a year of production suspension at HiPhi’s Yancheng factory in Jiangsu province, which began in February 2024 amid financial difficulties and failed acquisition talks. HiPhi, known for its futuristic EV models such as the HiPhi X, Z, and the Model Y…

BYD has introduced steep discounts across several of its electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle lines in China, with some models reduced by as much as 34%, a move that analysts say could rekindle a price war in the world’s largest EV market. The discounts, which apply to both the Ocean and Dynasty series, will remain in effect until the end of June and come as the automaker attempts to reduce dealer stockpiles. The Ocean Seagull, one of BYD’s budget offerings, is now priced at RMB 55,800 ($7,750), down 20% from RMB 69,800. Meanwhile, the Ocean Dolphin has been cut by…

Great Wall Motor’s premium Wey brand unveiled the facelifted Lanshan hybrid SUV on Tuesday, maintaining the same starting price as the previous model while introducing upgraded features and performance. The refreshed Lanshan is available in three variants — Max, Ultra, and Ultra Black Knight — with starting prices of RMB 299,800 ($41,520), RMB 326,800, and RMB 326,800 respectively. The mid-to-large-size six-seat SUV measures 5,156 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width, and 1,805 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. It is powered by GWM’s Hi4 performance edition four-wheel-drive system, featuring a 1.5-liter engine producing 125 kW of…

Xpeng Chairman He Xiaopeng revealed the electric vehicle maker’s product roadmap for 2025, with plans to present three new models this year, including an electric crossover, a new-generation sedan, and the company’s first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) SUV. Xpeng is set to unveil three new vehicles in 2025 as part of its latest product roadmap, according to Chairman He Xiaopeng. The automaker plans to present an electric crossover, a new-generation electric sedan, and its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) SUV over the course of the year. The rollout will begin with the debut of the Xpeng G7 crossover in June.…

Honda Motor Co said on Monday it will cut back its investment in electric vehicles as global demand slows, shifting focus to hybrid cars and expanding its motorcycle business to bolster profitability. The company now plans to invest 7 trillion yen ($45 billion) in electrification and software by 2030, down from a previously announced 10 trillion yen. The automaker said battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are unlikely to make up 30% of its global sales by 2030, a target it had set earlier. Instead, Honda will prioritize development of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), citing strong consumer demand for transitional technologies. “Mostly next-generation…

Li Auto  has commenced mass production of the Li Mega Home, the premium variant of its Li Mega electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), with deliveries scheduled to begin on May 23. The company announced on Monday that the Li Mega Home variant had officially rolled off the assembly line at its Beijing facility. The model, unveiled as a special edition during the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, marks a further push into the high-end battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment for the automaker. Originally launched on March 1, 2024, the Li Mega became the company’s first fully electric vehicle. It was initially offered…

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) saw its shares rise more than 13% in early trading during its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, as the company looks to support its overseas growth through increased access to international capital. Shares opened at HK$298.4, up 13.46% from the offer price of HK$263, giving CATL a market capitalization of approximately HK$1.35 trillion. The listing is expected to raise about $4.6 billion, priced at the top of the proposed range. “This listing signifies our deeper integration into the global capital markets and marks a new milestone in…

Hesai, the world’s largest supplier of LiDAR sensors, has confidentially filed for a listing in Hong Kong, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The Shanghai-based company is reportedly working with banks to plan a potential offering later this year. Discussions are ongoing and details such as the size and timing of the listing have not yet been finalized, the sources said. See also: Hesai Unveils Scalable ‘Infinity Eye’ Lidar Suite for L2–L4 Autonomous Driving Applications The move comes after Hong Kong regulators introduced new rules on May 6 that allow technology and biotech companies to submit…

Tesla is set to resume shipments of parts from China to the United States for the production of its upcoming Cybercab and Semi models, following a temporary halt linked to escalating trade tensions between the two nations, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with the matter. The move comes after Washington and Beijing reached a truce on tariffs earlier this week, agreeing to roll back most of the additional duties and countermeasures. The easing of trade restrictions has allowed Tesla to restart plans for cross-border shipments, with parts expected to begin moving by the end of May. See…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Voyah, a premium brand under Dongfeng Motor, has officially entered the United Arab Emirates, marking its latest step in a broader Middle East expansion. The company launched its brand in the UAE at an event in Abu Dhabi, where it also opened a flagship store and began offering two models—the Voyah Free SUV and the Voyah Dream MPV, it said in a statement. The Voyah Free is priced at the equivalent of RMB 364,000 ($50,650) in the UAE, while the Dream MPV will cost around RMB 550,000. Both models are sold at lower prices in China,…

Subaru said it is re-evaluating its electric vehicle (EV) investment plans amid a rapidly changing market environment, slowing global sales, and the prospect of multi-billion-dollar costs from newly proposed U.S. auto tariffs. The Japanese automaker joins a growing list of domestic peers, including Nissan, Honda, and Toyota, that have recently adjusted their EV strategies. Subaru’s announcement came as it released its fiscal year results, showing a 4.1% decline in global sales to 936,000 units, including a similar drop in North American deliveries. “We are re-evaluating our plans, including the timing of investments,” said CEO Atsushi Osaki. He pointed to “today’s…