Author: Jackson Han

Nio is gearing up to launch its updated ET7 sedan at the upcoming Beijing auto show, with deliveries set to begin on April 30. The company announced that reservations for the 2024 ET7 opened today, offering customers who pre-order the model before the official launch on April 25 RMB 3,000 worth of Nio Credits. According to Nio, the 2024 ET7 will feature significant upgrades, including a new interior with two large screens in the rear. Show cars of the updated ET7 are already being shipped to Nio’s showrooms in China, with test drives scheduled to be available on April 25.…

After a legal battle spanning over two years, the Munich Higher Regional Court has ruled in favor of Audi in its trademark dispute with Chinese automaker Nio over model designations. The dispute centered around Nio’s use of the model names ES6, ES7, and ES8, which Audi argued could be confused with its own S models, the S6, S7, and S8. The legal feud began in October 2021 when Nio planned to introduce its electric SUVs in Germany using the ES6, ES7, and ES8 names, which were already in use in China. Audi raised concerns about potential confusion with its S…

William Li, founder of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio, delivered a rare speech in the United States advocating for openness in the EV market, amidst increasing efforts in the U.S. to restrict China’s access to the world’s second-largest auto market. Speaking at an event at Harvard University, Li highlighted China’s rapid EV growth, attributing it to an “open and competitive” market that welcomes all products regardless of their brands or origins. He pointed to Tesla’s success in China, where the company has sold 1.36 million EVs in the past three years, noting that its presence has boosted EV penetration…

Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled a new, more affordable variant of its G6 SUV while extending discounts across the entire G6 range. The company announced the launch of the G6 580 Plus, starting at RMB 199,900 ($27,630), a reduction of RMB 10,000, or 4.76%, from the previous lowest-priced G6 580 Pro. Xpeng is offering a RMB 20,000 limited-time discount on all G6 versions, including the new variant, until April 30, effectively bringing the starting price down to RMB 179,900. While initially intended as limited-time offers, these discounts appear to have become permanent price reductions, although the…

Volkswagen has announced a significant investment of 2.5 billion euros ($2.68 billion) to further expand its production and innovation center in Hefei, Anhui province, and enhance its local research and development capabilities. As part of its “In China, for China” strategy, Volkswagen is accelerating innovation efforts, aiming to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market. The company plans to produce two Volkswagen-branded models developed in collaboration with Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer listed on the NYSE. The first model, a mid-size SUV, is scheduled to begin production in 2026. This initiative follows Volkswagen’s announcement in July 2023 of…

At a launch event in Beijing, Xiaomi unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV), the SU7 electric sedan, aiming to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the market with a compelling combination of lower prices and superior features. The SU7 is a mid-to-large-sized sedan, boasting dimensions of 4,997 mm in length, 1,963 mm in width, and 1,440/1,455 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 available in China measures 4,720 mm in length, 1,848 mm in width, 1,442 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,875 mm. Xiaomi’s SU7 lineup includes Standard and Pro versions built…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, has taken a significant step forward in its development of a modular flying car by filing a type certificate application. The application, for the flying car’s flying body, known as product code X3-F, was accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Central and Southern Region on March 21, according to a company press release. This acceptance sets the stage for the flying car’s entry into the airworthiness certification phase, during which the Chinese civil aviation regulator will scrutinize the design compliance and safety of the product and its components. A…

Chinese automaker BYD has reached a significant milestone with the production of its 7 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation. The 7 millionth vehicle is an updated version of the N7 SUV, which is set to be officially launched by BYD’s premium brand Denza on April 1, as announced in a recent Weibo post. BYD, which entered the automotive industry in 2003, sold its first NEV in 2008 and now offers a diverse range of models to consumers. In May 2021, BYD achieved a milestone by producing its one millionth NEV, the Han EV,…

Geely Automobile Holdings has announced its intention to achieve profitability in 2024 on a Hong Kong financial reporting standard basis, driven by higher sales and gross profit for its electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr. According to Geely’s earnings report, Zeekr is targeting sales of 230,000 units this year, representing a significant growth of about 94 percent compared to the 118,685 vehicles delivered in 2023. To expand its market presence, Zeekr plans to launch three new models in 2024, including the Zeekr Mix, an all-electric mid-size luxury SUV, and a top-of-the-line luxury all-electric MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). These new models will…

Fiat is making a significant pivot in response to the sluggish electric vehicle (EV) market by converting its electric 500e model back to an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, according to recent reports. The 500e, launched in the U.S. earlier this year and in Europe in 2020, has coexisted with the older, less expensive ICE-powered 500 in Europe. However, the aging ICE 500 will be discontinued in Europe this year due to non-compliance with the region’s latest safety and cybersecurity regulations, though it will continue to be sold in Africa, as reported by Auto News. Rather than invest in updating…

Xpeng has reported its business figures for 2023, showing significant growth in both deliveries and revenue. The company delivered a total of 141,601 electric cars in 2023, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the previous year. Total revenue for the year reached 30.68 billion yuan (3.98 billion euros), up 14.2% from 2022. However, Xpeng also reported increased losses, with losses rising to 10.38 billion yuan (1.35 billion euros) in 2023, a 13.5% increase from the previous year. Xpeng’s performance in the fourth quarter of 2023 was particularly strong, with 60,158 vehicles delivered, representing a 170.9% increase compared to the same…

Atlante, a player in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure market, has teamed up with Shift4, a global payment technology provider, to enhance the payment experience at Atlante’s charging stations across Southern Europe. The partnership aims to simplify the payment process, making clean mobility more accessible and consumer-friendly. “With approximately 7.8 million electric vehicles on European roads alone in 2022, EV infrastructure in Europe is lagging,” the partners stated. They highlighted the need to address not only the lack of infrastructure but also the complex and inconvenient payment experiences at public charging stations. While details about the charging infrastructure were…