Author: Jackson Han

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…

Chinese electric vehicle maker XPeng has revealed official images of its all-new P7, a mid-size coupe featuring a radically updated design and sporty styling. The vehicle is expected to launch in the second half of 2025. The new P7, styled by French designer Rafik Ferrag, departs from its predecessor with a sharper, more dynamic appearance. A full-width LED light strip and split headlights dominate the front, combined with a black trim that seamlessly extends into the windshield and A-pillars, giving the vehicle a bold and aggressive profile. The closed front fascia and angular detailing suggest strong concept car influences. See…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has launched updated versions of its ES6 and EC6 sport utility vehicles in China, keeping prices unchanged while introducing key technological enhancements and incentives for early buyers. The facelifted ES6 and EC6, each available in a single variant, are priced at RMB 338,000 ($46,910) and RMB 358,000 respectively, inclusive of a standard battery pack. Both models support battery swapping and are available through Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) program, allowing buyers to purchase the vehicle without a battery and lease it separately. Under the BaaS scheme, the ES6 and EC6 start at RMB 268,000…

BYD has officially entered the Romanian passenger car market as part of its continued expansion across Europe, the company announced on Monday. The automaker introduced four models at its launch event on May 8 in Bucharest, including the Sealion 07 EV, renamed locally as the Sealion 7; the all-electric sedan Seal; the hybrid SUV Song Plus DM-i, rebranded as the Seal U DM-i; and the compact electric SUV Yuan UP, now known as the Atto 2 in Romania. See also: BYD Leads Imported EV Sales in Debut Month in South Korea https://twitter.com/BYDGlobal/status/1921882460469760504 “Each new market in Europe is crucial for…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD plans to have its new factory in Brazil fully operational by December 2026, following delays linked to a labor investigation, according to Bahia state labor secretary Augusto Vasconcelos. Production will begin later this year using semi-finished kits imported from China, Vasconcelos said in a video posted on social media Monday. “A new schedule is being established so that by December 2026 the factory will be fully functional with the expectation of generating 10,000 jobs,” he added. See also: BYD Leads Imported EV Sales in Debut Month in South Korea The announcement comes as Bahia Governor…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Avatr is under scrutiny after an independent wind tunnel test contradicted its claim about the drag coefficient (Cd) of its Avatr 12 sedan. While the automaker advertises a Cd of 0.208, a prominent Chinese auto blogger, Zurich Bei Le Ye, recorded a result of 0.281 in his own testing — a discrepancy of over 30 percent. Ye, who owns an Avatr 12 and has over one million followers on Chinese social media platforms, conducted the test at the Tianjin China Automotive Technology and Research Centre (CATARC), a well-established facility operating since 1985. See also: Avatr 12…

BYD, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has entered the passenger car market in Benin, marking a significant step in its ongoing expansion across Africa. The company introduced its two electric vehicle (EV) models—the Yuan Plus SUV and the Seagull compact hatchback—at a brand launch event held in Cotonou on April 24, 2025. The launch, conducted in partnership with local distributor CFAO Group, also saw the unveiling of a new after-sales service center and showroom in the city, reinforcing BYD’s commitment to building a comprehensive infrastructure to support its vehicles in the region. This move into Benin further solidifies…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has launched the maiden voyage of its largest car carrier, the BYD Shenzhen, boosting the company’s global export capacity for new energy vehicles (NEVs). The BYD Shenzhen set sail from Taicang, Jiangsu province, on April 27 carrying over 7,000 NEVs destined for Brazil. With a capacity of 9,200 standard vehicle spaces and a total deck area equivalent to 20 soccer fields, it is the largest car carrier of its kind in the world, according to the company. See also: BYD Commissions Massive Shenzhen Car Carrier with 9,200-Vehicle Capacity to Boost Global NEV Deliveries The vessel…