Author: Jackson Han

On October 17, the Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation convened a conference to enhance the industrialization and quality of domestic automotive-grade chips. During the event, the first list of certified automotive-grade chip review companies was unveiled, along with the introduction of version 1.0 of the automotive-grade chip certification system. Despite Chinese cars representing 67% of global new energy vehicle sales from January to August, the country remains heavily reliant on imports for automotive-grade chips, achieving only a 10% self-sufficiency rate. In 2023, over 90% of chips used in China’s automotive sector were imported, with a staggering 99% reliance on…

Changan’s Deepal Auto has unveiled the specifications for its first compact SUV, the Deepal S05. This new model is available in two powertrain options—pure electric and extended-range—and offers a total of five trims, catering to a range of consumer preferences. The design of the Deepal S05 distinguishes it from previous Deepal models, featuring a sportier appearance. Notable elements include a closed front grille and a three-segment lower air intake, which contribute to the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal and aerodynamics. The dimensions of the Deepal S05 are 4620 mm in length, 1900 mm in width, and 1600 mm in height, with a…

Tesla is set to commence limited trial production of the refreshed Model Y, dubbed “Juniper,” at its Shanghai factory on October 22, according to a report from a Chinese car blogger. This follows the rollout of the “Highland” refresh for the Model 3 last August, which introduced notable upgrades including a redesigned front-end, improved efficiency, and a quieter cabin, alongside various interior enhancements, though it notably eliminated steering column stalks. Speculation surrounding a Model Y refresh has been mounting, particularly as potential buyers may be delaying their purchases in anticipation of the update. Although Tesla previously stated that there would…

Changan Automobile’s new energy vehicle (NEV) division, Deepal, has launched its latest model, the S05 compact SUV. Unveiled on October 20 in Chongqing, the S05 is Deepal’s second new release in just three months and is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) configurations. The starting price for the model is RMB 119,900 ($16,880), with deliveries beginning immediately. To reassure customers, Deepal has committed to compensating those who experience delayed deliveries. The S05 offers a range of options, including four BEV variants and two EREV variants, reflecting the company’s strategy of catering to consumers transitioning…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has found itself in a legal battle with Bosch, the world’s largest auto parts supplier, as both sides exchange lawsuits over a failed e-motor supply agreement. The dispute centers around Rivian’s decision to shift towards in-house production of e-motors, while Bosch accuses the EV maker of breaching their contract and withholding significant reimbursements. In 2019, Rivian and Bosch signed a deal for Bosch to supply electric motors for Rivian’s flagship models, the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. However, the relationship soured, leading to a legal fight. Bosch has claimed that Rivian was secretly planning to…

BYD has officially launched the Seal 06 GT hatchback, targeting a younger demographic with its latest offering. The Seal 06 GT is a production version of the Ocean-M concept, which was unveiled at the Beijing auto show in late April, and marks the newest addition to BYD’s Ocean range. Starting at RMB 136,800 ($19,260) and going up to RMB 186,800, the Seal 06 GT is priced lower than its initial pre-sale range of RMB 150,000 to RMB 200,000, which commenced on August 30. The hatchback is built on BYD’s advanced all-electric e-Platform 3.0 Evo and represents the brand’s first GT…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Skywell has introduced its latest all-electric van, codenamed the ‘233’, at the Paris Motor Show. This large commercial van will come in two wheelbase options and two roof heights, targeting a broad range of business needs in Europe. Originally founded in 2000 as ‘Nanjing Golden Dragon’, Skywell became a major player in electric bus production before joining the Skyworth Group in 2011, one of the world’s leading consumer electronics companies. The new van represents the company’s first commercial vehicle to make its global debut in Europe, signaling the brand’s ambitious plans for international expansion. The ‘233’…

Tesla’s timeline for launching its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature in China may face further delays, according to a report from China Daily. While the company had initially projected a rollout in the first quarter of 2025, sources familiar with the situation suggest that this timeline may not be achievable. Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned during an earnings call in July that regulatory approval for FSD in markets such as China and Europe might be granted by the end of this year. However, on September 5, Tesla’s AI team indicated on social media platform X that the launch in these regions…

MAN has delivered its first fully electric heavy-duty eTruck to a customer, marking a milestone 100 years after the presentation of its first diesel truck. The eTruck will be used by the haulage company Elflein to transport batteries for the electric Porsche Macan from Dräxlmaier’s battery plant in Leipzig to the nearby Porsche factory. The eTruck model, the eTGX, is designed for long-haul transport but will be used on a shorter route of less than five kilometers between the two plants. The vehicle is equipped with six battery packs providing a total of 534 kWh (480 kWh usable) and features…

Chinese automaker BYD is taking an assertive approach to expanding its market share in Australia with the launch of its hybrid Shark 6 utility vehicle (ute). The vehicle is part of BYD’s broader strategy to establish its presence in Australia, a market known for its consumer loyalty to traditional brands in the ute segment. David Smitherman, CEO of EVDirect, BYD’s importer in Australia, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to the Australian market, stating, “We’re not here for a holiday; we’re here to aggressively grow the market share. We know this segment is a really big segment.” BYD is focusing on…

Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a significant milestone with the production of its 500,000th vehicle. The company reached this landmark just over three months after rolling out its 400,000th vehicle, reflecting rapid growth in its production capacity and market presence. Leapmotor has reported strong sales performance in recent months, with over 30,000 units sold in both August and September. The company’s 500,000th vehicle, a C16 model, which was launched in June, quickly gained popularity, receiving more than 10,000 orders in its first month. The C16 is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle…

The United Kingdom has confirmed it will not introduce tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports from China, distinguishing itself from the European Union, Canada, and the United States. According to UK Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds, there have been no formal complaints from British businesses to the country’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) regarding Chinese-made EVs. Reynolds, speaking at the UK’s International Investment Summit, emphasized the importance of keeping export markets open for British producers. “I do have the power as the Secretary of State to make that referral… We keep it under close analysis, but I think it’s important our industry…

Changan Automobile has filed for a battery-swap-enabled electric sedan, raising speculation about its alignment with Nio’s battery swap alliance, despite their existing partnership. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a new catalog of models under review for sale, including Changan’s Oshan 520 electric sedan. The Oshan 520, a budget-friendly model, features a single 105 kW motor and supports battery swapping technology. While Changan partnered with Nio in 2023 on battery swapping, the Oshan 520 will use batteries from a joint venture between CATL and SAIC, diverging from Nio’s typical battery supply chain. Public feedback on the…

Several Chinese automakers are exploring plans to establish manufacturing and assembly facilities in Europe, aiming to challenge European carmakers by offering more affordable vehicles. This push comes as demand slows in China, the world’s largest auto market, and European producers fear being priced out by lower-cost imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs). The European Union has imposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, claiming that they benefit from substantial state subsidies. These tariffs are prompting Chinese carmakers to consider setting up local factories to mitigate the impact of higher costs on their European sales. “We need to localize to remain competitive,” said…

The European Union’s ongoing negotiations with China on setting minimum import prices for electric vehicles (EVs) face significant hurdles, according to a senior EU official. The talks aim to avert the imposition of tariffs on China-built EVs following the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation, which is due to conclude at the end of October. “I won’t exclude it, but it seems very, very difficult to reach an agreement by the end of October due to the complexity of the issues,” the official stated on Monday. Cars, being multifaceted products with varying sales channels, complicate discussions compared to previous cases involving homogenous commodities.…

Tesla’s Shanghai factory has achieved a significant milestone, rolling out its 3 millionth vehicle today, less than five years after the plant began operations. The announcement was made via Tesla’s official Weibo account, highlighting the rapid production growth at its largest factory worldwide. The facility produced its first 1 million vehicles in just 32 months, while the subsequent million vehicles were completed in a remarkably swift 13 months, indicating a doubling in growth rate. Tesla noted that Giga Shanghai is the company’s most efficient manufacturing site, with an average vehicle assembly time of over 30 seconds per unit. In addition…

Denza, the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY), has made a significant entry into the Singapore auto market, enhancing its global presence. At an event held yesterday, Denza introduced the right-hand drive version of its D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), offering two variants with starting prices set at S$296,888 ($227,356) and S$341,888, respectively. The D9 marks the first model released under the refreshed Denza brand, which went on sale in China in August 2022, with deliveries commencing in October of the same year. In March 2024, Denza launched the latest iteration of the D9 MPV…

Polestar, the Sino-Swedish electric vehicle startup, is facing increasing challenges as its Polestar 3 and 4 models, along with a new active sales strategy, failed to significantly boost sales in the third quarter of 2024. The company delivered approximately 11,900 vehicles in Q3, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year declines. Total deliveries for the first nine months of 2024 reached just over 32,000 units, down from nearly 42,000 in the same period last year. Polestar acknowledged that while some markets have shown positive results under the new sales model, sales growth overall has been slower than expected. “The first…

Oilstainlab, a California-based sports car manufacturer, has revealed its first vehicle, the HF-11, a high-performance supercar that will be available in both combustion and electric versions. Priced at $2.35 million for the battery-electric model, the car’s production will be limited to 25 units, with deliveries expected in 2026. Founded in 2019 by brothers Nikita and Iliya Bridan, Oilstainlab is based in Signal Hill, California. The HF-11 is derived from the company’s earlier Half-11 concept, drawing design inspiration from 1960s Le Mans racing cars. The vehicle, which measures 4.34 meters in length and weighs just 907 kg due to its carbon…

SK on has announced the successful development of an anode for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries capable of operating at room temperature. This achievement, announced on October 9, results from a collaboration with Professor Kim Dong-won’s research team at Hanyang University, with the findings published in the respected journal “ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.” Traditionally, sulfide-based lithium metal batteries require operation at elevated temperatures to facilitate uniform lithium movement. Maintaining these high temperatures necessitates additional temperature control systems, which can increase production costs and reduce energy density. Furthermore, temperatures exceeding 65 degrees Celsius may lead to material degradation and a shortened battery…