Author: Jackson Han

Caterham, the British sports car maker, is advancing its electrification plans, announcing a collaboration with Taiwan-based Xing Mobility for an innovative battery system in its first all-electric sports car. This follows the earlier confirmation of an electric motor supplied by Yamaha for the upcoming model. The Xing Mobility battery pack employs immersion cooling technology, with cells submerged in a dielectric liquid to enhance heat dissipation. According to Caterham, this design provides a significant performance edge over conventional liquid-cooled systems. With an energy density of 200 Wh/kg, the battery aims to deliver competitive range and efficiency for the lightweight sports car.…

China’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, BYD, is set to report further gains in market share as November sales figures are released, positioning the company to surpass its annual target and outpace global automotive giants Ford and Honda in 2024 sales. BYD delivered 3.76 million vehicles in the first 11 months of 2024, including 506,804 units sold in November. With robust domestic demand and an expanding international footprint, the company is on track to exceed its 4-million-unit target for the year. Strong sales of its innovative plug-in hybrid and fully electric models have enabled BYD to capture 16.2% of the…

Tesla saw a rebound in its China-made vehicle sales in November, following a decline in October. The company sold 78,856 vehicles in November, which includes both domestic sales and exports, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). This represents a 15.49 percent increase from October’s 68,280 units, but a 4.34 percent decrease compared to 82,432 units sold in November 2023. Tesla China’s October sales marked the lowest level since April, dropping 22.69 percent from September’s 88,321 units. The company’s Shanghai factory produces the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover, which are sold locally in China…

Baidu’s autonomous vehicle service, Apollo Go, has received approval to conduct robotaxi trials in Hong Kong, marking a significant expansion outside mainland China. The Hong Kong Transport Department issued the first pilot license for an autonomous vehicle on December 8, 2024, allowing Apollo Go to operate 10 robotaxis on North Lantau Island. Although the statement did not directly name Baidu, the license was granted to Baidu Apollo International Ltd., the operator of the Apollo Go platform. The license, valid until December 8, 2029, permits the operation of one autonomous private vehicle at a time on designated roads. During the trial…

BYD has launched its new car carrier, the BYD Changzhou, marking an important step in expanding its transportation capabilities for the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs). The vessel, which is BYD’s second ro-ro ship, began operations after its delivery, as announced by Wang Junbao, general manager of BYD Corporate Division, on Weibo. The BYD Changzhou, which departed from the ports of Lianyungang and Taicang in Jiangsu province, is on its way to Europe, carrying nearly 5,000 BYD NEVs. Wang highlighted the environmental benefits of the vessel, stating that it would contribute to cooling the planet by 1°C, though no…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) and BYD maintained their positions as the world’s largest EV battery manufacturers during the January-October 2024 period, as global electric vehicle battery installations surged by 25% year-on-year to 686.7 GWh, according to data released by South Korean market research firm SNE Research. CATL, the industry leader, reported a remarkable 28.3% increase in battery installations, reaching 252.8 GWh during the period. This solidified its dominance with a 36.8% global market share, up from 35.9% in the same period last year. The Chinese battery giant remains the only supplier to hold more than 30% of the…

Tesla has ramped up its marketing efforts in China as it aims to capitalize on the year-end car-buying season. Vice President of External Affairs, Grace Tao, has made multiple public statements highlighting the safety features of Tesla vehicles, with an assertive tone that reflects the company’s focus on building consumer confidence in its products. In a recent Weibo post, Tao emphasized that the Model 3 had received the highest 5-star ratings for both the China Electric Vehicle Fire Safety Index and the automotive fire safety certification. She pointed out that Tesla has never issued a global recall due to fire…

Nio is set to launch its Banyan 3.1.0 system in January 2025, introducing new smart driving features powered by an end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI) large model architecture. According to a report by local media outlet AutoPix, the upcoming system will mark a significant step forward for the Chinese automaker, which currently offers eight models in China—ranging from the ES8 to the ET5 Touring—all based on the NT 2.0 technology platform. The Banyan 3.1.0 system follows the earlier launch of Banyan 3.0.0, which focused on enhancing the smart cockpit, smart chassis, and incorporating AI technologies. “Nio’s smart driving team is expediting…

Polestar has expanded the Polestar 3 lineup with the introduction of a new entry-level Long Range Single Motor variant, which is now being produced at the company’s Charleston, South Carolina facility. Starting at $67,500 before the $1,400 destination fee, this new version offers a more affordable option compared to the dual-motor all-wheel drive model, which is priced $5,900 higher. The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor offers an impressive EPA-estimated range of up to 350 miles (563 km), surpassing the dual-motor variant by 35 miles (56 km). However, the tradeoff comes with a rear-mounted motor delivering 295 hp (220 kW…

The European Commission has called for an additional €1 billion in EU funds to bolster electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing, as the sector faces mounting pressure. This proposal is part of a broader €4.6 billion allocation from the EU’s Innovation Fund aimed at supporting net-zero technologies and renewable hydrogen projects within the bloc. The call for additional funds comes as European EV manufacturers grapple with heightened competition, particularly from Asia, and slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles. These challenges have affected job stability across the region. EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra emphasized the need for investment in critical sectors, stating, “As…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) set a new monthly delivery record in November, reaching 30,895 units, driven by strong sales of its recently launched P7+ sedan and Mona M03 model. The latest figures represent a 54.16% increase from 20,041 deliveries in the same month last year and a 29.18% rise from October’s 23,917 units. It marks the first time Xpeng has surpassed the 30,000 mark and the third consecutive month of record-breaking deliveries. “The Mona M03 continued to deliver more than 10,000 units in November, while the P7+ accumulated over 7,000 deliveries just 23 days after its launch,”…

Chinese battery giant CATL has unveiled a new lineup of batteries under its Tectrans brand, designed specifically for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Announced on November 25, the new series includes supercharging, long-life, long-range, and durable versions, further broadening the Tectrans product range initially launched in July. The Tectrans batteries address critical issues in heavy commercial vehicle electrification, including limited range, prolonged charging times, and battery lifespan degradation. CATL claims its supercharging-enabled batteries feature a peak 4 C charging rate, enabling 70% charge in just 15 minutes. With a capacity of 600 kWh and a range of up to 500 kilometers, these…

Volkswagen, Northvolt’s largest shareholder, has significantly written down the value of its 21% stake in the Swedish battery cell manufacturer following the company’s recent bankruptcy protection filing in the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The writedowns reflect Northvolt’s repeated struggles to meet production targets and a weaker-than-anticipated surge in electric vehicle demand in Europe. These adjustments at Volkswagen have occurred throughout 2024, though the company has not disclosed the current valuation of its stake. At the end of 2023, Volkswagen valued its holding at €693 million ($726 million), marking a nearly 25% decline from the previous…

SAIC Motor, one of China’s leading automakers, has announced plans to begin mass production of its second-generation solid-state battery (SSB) in 2026. The company revealed that the battery will feature an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, placing it among the highest-performing solutions in the market. This move aligns SAIC with other major Chinese firms such as Chery, GAC, CATL, BYD, and GWM, all competing to bring advanced solid-state batteries to the automotive sector. In April 2024, SAIC-backed IM Motors introduced the IM L6 electric car, equipped with a semi-solid-state Lightyear battery. The battery, boasting a 900V high-voltage system and a…

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is providing a RMB 10,000 ($1,380) discount on two variants of its Model Y in China until December 31, as speculation grows about a potential update to the popular crossover. The discount applies to the entry-level rear-wheel-drive and long-range all-wheel-drive versions but excludes the higher-priced all-wheel-drive Performance model. The offer covers customized, stock, and showroom vehicles, but not test drive or official used cars. Customers must finalize their purchase and take delivery by December 31 to benefit from the discount. This promotion comes as Tesla extends its 5-year, 0% interest financing program for all Model 3 and…

Volkswagen announced that its highly anticipated ID.2, the brand’s most affordable electric vehicle, remains on schedule to debut in late 2025. The compact EV, priced below $27,000 (€25,000), is expected to redefine the German automaker’s electric lineup, providing a new benchmark in affordability and design. Unveiled as the ID.2all concept earlier this year, the model emphasizes advanced technology and design inspired by Volkswagen’s iconic past, such as the Golf and Beetle. The company’s design chief, Andreas Mindt, has promised a production model that builds on the concept’s appeal, blending modern aesthetics with heritage elements. Mindt hinted that features like “Classic”…

China’s electric vehicle (EV) leader, BYD, is continuing its aggressive international expansion, with plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Cambodia. The facility will be strategically located alongside newly opened plants from Ford and Toyota, further solidifying Southeast Asia as a critical region for EV production. BYD’s remarkable growth shows no signs of slowing down. In October, the company surpassed a milestone by selling over 500,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in a single month, marking its fifth consecutive record-setting sales month. This achievement highlights BYD’s growing dominance in the EV market, as it continues to look beyond China’s increasingly…

Chery has announced the construction of the world’s first GWh-level all-solid-state battery production line in Wuhu, Anhui Province. Equipment for the facility was delivered to the site on November 18, marking a major step in the development of the project within the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, as reported by Anhui Daily. The production line is part of a larger project covering 150 mu (100,000 square meters) and is a collaboration between Anhui Anwa New Energy Co., Ltd. and the Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone. Anhui Anwa, founded in 2020 and controlled by Chery Holdings, also includes investors…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng dismissed concerns that U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports could disrupt its development of self-designed artificial intelligence chips. Vice President Charles Zhang assured on a post-earnings call that the mass production of Xpeng’s Turing system-on-chip (SOC) is “progressing well” with no reported impact from recent U.S. curbs. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently directed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to halt shipments of advanced AI chips to Chinese firms, raising fears of potential repercussions. However, Zhang noted that Xpeng’s autonomous driving chip development remains unaffected. The Turing AI chip, unveiled on Nov. 6, supports…

BYD is reportedly advancing its efforts to develop an in-house smart driving chip, following similar moves by competitors like Nio and Xpeng. The chip is expected to feature a computing power of 80 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second) and is planned for integration into BYD models priced between RMB 80,000 ($11,060) and RMB 300,000. The development is led by BYD Semiconductor with technical support from select suppliers, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. This initiative aligns with BYD’s broader strategy to enhance vehicle intelligence across its lineup, including the introduction of intelligent driving systems in more affordable…