Author: Jackson Han

XPeng  and the Volkswagen Group have expanded their technical collaboration on electronic/electrical (E/E) architecture in China, extending its application from electric vehicles to internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) platforms. The agreement follows the execution of a Master Agreement on E/E Architecture Technical Collaboration on July 22, 2024. The Expanded Technical Collaboration aims to accelerate Volkswagen’s software-defined vehicle strategy, enabling faster software iteration, over-the-air updates, and shorter vehicle development cycles. See also: Xpeng in Talks to Supply In-House AI Driving Chip to Volkswagen and Other Automakers Joint R&D teams have validated that the E/E Architecture originally developed for…

Nio will showcase its all-new third-generation ES8 SUV on August 21 at Nio Day 2025, updating its first mass-produced model with new dimensions, technology, and battery capacity. The product and technology presentation will take place in Chengdu, Sichuan province, at 7:30 pm Beijing time. The new ES8, which will go on sale next month, features a 102-kWh battery pack offering a CLTC range of 635 kilometers, the same used in Nio’s executive ET9 sedan. The SUV will be available in six- and seven-seat configurations and is larger than its predecessor, measuring 5,280 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, 1,800…

Xiaomi’s new YU7 electric SUV is attracting surging demand in China, with wait times extending to well over a year, prompting the company’s chief executive to suggest buyers consider alternatives if they need a vehicle sooner, Bloomberg reported. The YU7, unveiled in June, secured about 240,000 orders within 18 hours, according to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center. That figure is close to Tesla’s 265,400 China sales in the first half of 2024. Priced from 253,500 yuan ($35,300), the entry-level model offers an 835 km (519 miles) CLTC range, compared with 593 km (368 miles) for the base Tesla…

Aito, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres Group, will launch the updated M7 sport utility vehicle (SUV) in September, introducing both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants for the first time. The new M7 will be larger than the current version, with dimensions of 5,080 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,780 mm in height, along with a 3,030 mm wheelbase. The current model measures 5,020 mm in length, 1,945 mm in width, and 1,760 mm in height, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. The model will offer both five-seat and six-seat…

Stelato, a joint automotive brand developed by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), will begin pre-sales of its S9T station wagon on Aug. 18, the company said on its Weibo account on Tuesday. The brand released new images of the S9T highlighting its interior space. Stelato previously announced the model will go on sale in September and be available in showrooms by the end of August. Stelato is one of five brands under the Huawei-backed HIMA alliance, alongside Aito from Seres Group, Luxeed from Chery, Maextro from Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC), and Shangjie from SAIC. The S9T is…

CATL’s independent aftermarket brand Ning Service has introduced a Cell-to-Pack (CTP) battery repair service, marking its first anniversary amid growing challenges in after-sales care for new energy vehicles (NEVs) as the first wave leaves warranty coverage. The move addresses the rising demand for high volumetric energy density batteries, which has accelerated adoption of CTP technology. While CTP integration improves performance, it also complicates repairs, leaving many battery packs in a “replace, don’t repair” cycle. https://twitter.com/catl_official/status/1954857215631700255 Industry data from the China Insurance Association shows the average parts-to-whole ratio for battery packs in 59 electric NEV models stands at 50.96%, meaning replacement…

More than one million vehicles in China are now equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun smart driving system, the company said on Tuesday, marking a milestone for its automotive technology business. Jin Yuzhi, CEO of Huawei’s intelligent automotive solutions unit, announced the figures on Weibo, noting that the system is currently installed in over 20 vehicle models priced from about 150,000 yuan ($20,880) to 1 million yuan. One of the most expensive is the Maextro S800, developed jointly with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC). The Qiankun platform, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) comparable to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), comes in several…

Zeekr has taken a step toward launching its flagship hybrid SUV, the Zeekr 9X, as the model appeared in China’s latest Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) approval list. The listing, open for public comment until August 15, represents the final major regulatory hurdle before sales can begin. The Zeekr 9X, the company’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), is available in four variants with model numbers MR6521DCHEV101, MR6521DCHEV106, MR6521DCHEV102, and MR6521DCHEV100. All versions feature a 1,974 ml engine producing up to 205 kW, paired with ternary lithium batteries from a joint venture between CATL and Geely. The 6-seat…

Chinese automaker Wuling said it has produced its 1.7 millionth Hongguang Mini EV, maintaining its position as the best-selling vehicle in the country’s A00-class small electric segment for 60 consecutive months. The company said one unit is sold every two minutes, with the model amassing 1,986 patents since its launch in July 2020 at the Chengdu Auto Show. Cumulative sales exceeded 554,000 units in 2022, 237,863 in 2023, and 1.4 million in 2024. The Hongguang Mini EV lineup now includes the third-generation model, a five-door variant, the Game Boy edition, the Cabrio, and the Classic edition. Wuling has also introduced…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has confirmed it has suspended production at a large lithium project in Yichun, Jiangxi province, after its mining permit expired on August 9. The company disclosed the halt on a stock market information platform, saying it is expediting the application for a permit extension and expects to resume production once approval is granted. CATL indicated the suspension is not expected to have a significant effect on its overall operations. According to media reports, the expired permit applies to the Jianxiawo mine, while production at other lithium mines in Yichun remains unaffected. Bloomberg reported the…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) has suspended production at its Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, Jiangxi province, following the expiration of a key mining license, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The halt, which began after the permit lapsed on August 9, is expected to last at least three months. CATL is reportedly in discussions with government agencies to secure a renewal but has notified affiliated refineries in Yichun of the closure. The city, often called the “Lithium Capital of Asia,” is a major hub for lithium processing in China. See also: CATL, Car Inc Partner to Expand Battery…

Solar car startup Sono Motors, which recently rebranded as SonoSolar following insolvency, is auctioning off the remaining assets from its discontinued Sion programme. The sale, organised by the insolvency administrator, includes prototypes, components and tools from what was once billed as a pioneering solar electric vehicle project. “While this marks a fresh chapter for us, another part of our story is coming to a close,” the company said in a statement. “The trustee responsible for the former Sion vehicle program has launched an auction for remaining assets, components, tools and prototypes of a pioneering solar EV project. These assets are…