Author: Jackson Han

BMW has launched the 2026 iX1, its all-electric compact sport utility vehicle, in China, introducing updated equipment levels while retaining the model’s existing design and powertrain options, the automaker said. The refreshed iX1 went on sale on Jan. 21 in four trim levels, with official guide prices ranging from 228,000 yuan ($31,700) to 268,000 yuan. As an annual update, the model maintains BMW’s current design language, with changes focused primarily on in-car technology and standard features. See also: BMW Cuts Prices on 31 Models in China as Competition Intensifies Externally, the iX1 continues to feature BMW’s closed-off kidney grille with…

China’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure surpassed 20 million plugs by the end of 2025, highlighting the pace at which the country is scaling support for its fast-growing EV market, official data showed on Wednesday. According to the China National Energy Administration (NEA), the total number of EV charging plugs reached 20.092 million in December, up 49.7% from a year earlier, driven by strong growth in electric vehicle sales. Public charging connectors accounted for 4.717 million units, a 31.9% increase year-on-year, with total rated power reaching 220 million kilowatts and average power per charger at about 46.53 kW. Private charging infrastructure…

Nio said it has delivered the 50,000th unit of its third-generation ES8 sport utility vehicle, reaching the milestone just 19 days after passing 40,000 deliveries, as demand for the flagship model continues to build. The Chinese electric vehicle maker held a delivery ceremony for the 50,000th all-new ES8 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, according to images shared by the company on Weibo on Sunday. The milestone was reached about 120 days after the launch of the third-generation ES8. See also: Nio Warns of Rising Cost Pressures From Memory Chip Price Surge Nio officially unveiled the updated ES8 at Nio Day on…

Voyah Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. said it has signed a deepened strategic cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Yinwang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., a Huawei-controlled subsidiary, expanding their collaboration in intelligent driving, smart cockpit technologies and consumer-facing software operations. The agreement, signed on Jan. 12, establishes a joint team to operate consumer software, covering the full value chain from product planning and development to user operations. Voyah said the move is intended to accelerate the commercialisation of software services, deliver more intelligent and engaging features, and enhance the in-car digital experience. The two companies will also coordinate on marketing, promotion and brand…

Avatr, the premium intelligent electric vehicle brand jointly backed by CATL, Changan Automobile and Huawei, has released official images of an updated Avatr 12, alongside regulatory filings in China that point to upgrades in driver-assistance hardware and the introduction of a higher-performance tri-motor all-wheel-drive variant. The refreshed Avatr 12 has appeared in the latest catalog from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), indicating the model is nearing approval for an updated market version. The filing suggests the changes are evolutionary rather than a full redesign, with Avatr expanding both its intelligent driving capabilities and its powertrain offerings. Market…

Lithium prices in China surged on Monday after Beijing said it would scale back value-added tax (VAT) export rebates for battery products, prompting expectations that exporters will accelerate overseas shipments ahead of the policy change. The most-active lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange closed at its daily limit, rising 9% to 156,060 yuan ($21,700) per metric ton, its highest level since November 2023. See also: Global EV Battery Usage Jumps 33% in Jan–Nov as CATL Holds 38.2% Share, BYD at 16.7% China’s finance ministry said on Friday that VAT export rebates for battery products would be reduced to…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has secured a 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) credit line from the Guangdong branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), reinforcing its financial capacity as it accelerates manufacturing and international expansion. The strategic cooperation agreement was signed on January 6 at Xpeng’s technology park in Guangdong province. Under the arrangement, ICBC Guangdong will provide financing to support Xpeng’s corporate funding requirements, overseas operations and cash management, offering flexibility for both near-term operations and longer-term strategic initiatives. See also: Xpeng Starts Deliveries of 2026 P7+ Sedan as Output Tops 100,000 Units Xpeng said…

Xpeng has launched the updated 2026 model year G6 and G9 electric crossovers in China, introducing its latest advanced driver-assistance systems with computing power of up to 2,250 trillion operations per second (TOPS) as the automaker steps up its push toward near-Level 4 assisted driving. The updated models support Xpeng’s second-generation Vision Language Action (VLA) model and the latest AIOS 6.0 cockpit software. Buyers can optionally equip both vehicles with either the Ultra SE or Ultra assisted driving systems. The Ultra SE system uses two Xpeng-developed Turing AI chips delivering 1,500 TOPS and is priced at 12,000 yuan ($1,715), while…

Xpeng said on Monday it has completed trial production of the updated P7+ sedan at its Austrian manufacturing site, clearing a key step ahead of the model’s imminent launch in Europe. The 2026 Xpeng P7+ has finished trial production at the Graz plant, with Chinese and Austrian teams now moving into the next phase of research, development and production processes to ensure quality standards ahead of customer deliveries, the company said. See also: Xpeng Previews Long-Range G7 EREV Ahead of 2026 Launch Push https://twitter.com/XPengMotors/status/2008139117549293964 Xpeng said it expects the updated model to deliver intelligent and comfortable mobility experiences for global…

Voyah, the premium new energy vehicle brand under China’s Dongfeng Motor, delivered 15,954 vehicles in December, marking a 31.46 percent increase from a year earlier, according to figures released by the company on Wednesday. The December total, however, represented a 20.25 percent decline from November’s 20,005 units, reflecting softer month-end momentum. For the full year 2025, Voyah delivered 150,169 vehicles, up 87 percent year-on-year, though still below its previously stated target of 200,000 units. See also: Dongfeng’s Voyah Launches Passion L Hybrid Sedan to Compete in China’s Luxury Market Voyah’s product lineup currently spans multiple segments, including the Passion and…

China’s BYD is expected to hold a technology-focused event in late February 2026, according to a report by local automotive media outlet Auto Home, as the company prepares to introduce updates to its vehicle technology portfolio. The report said the event will highlight new developments in BYD’s intelligent driving systems. During a recent online investor exchange, the company indicated that advanced driver-assistance features would be rolled out across its entire product range, though specific details of the upcoming announcements were not disclosed. See also: BYD Denies Reports of Flying Car Project Following Online Speculation Earlier this year, BYD introduced its…

China will introduce a mandatory national standard governing energy consumption for pure electric passenger vehicles starting January 1, 2026, marking the first time such requirements carry legal force, according to state broadcaster CCTV, as cited by IT Home. The new regulation, titled Energy Consumption Limits for Electric Vehicles Part 1: Passenger Cars, replaces the country’s previous recommended framework and establishes binding efficiency thresholds based on vehicle weight and technical configuration. Authorities said the standard was developed after assessing current energy consumption levels, advances in efficiency technologies, and cost considerations across the electric vehicle sector. See also: China to Extend Auto…