Author: Jackson Han

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio posted strong vehicle deliveries in September, continuing its upward momentum. The company delivered 21,181 units, making it the second-highest monthly total in its history, just behind June’s record of 21,209. This marks the fifth consecutive month where Nio’s group-wide deliveries exceeded 20,000 units. The majority of these came from the main Nio brand, with 20,349 vehicles delivered, while its new sub-brand Onvo contributed 832 units. Compared to September last year, the company’s deliveries rose by 35.42% and increased by 4.98% from August. For the third quarter, Nio achieved record-breaking deliveries of 61,855 vehicles, within its…

Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai has reached 60% completion just four months into construction, positioning the facility to begin production of the Megapack, Tesla’s utility-scale battery energy storage product, in early 2025. Situated in the Lingang New Area of Shanghai, the Megafactory is strategically located near Tesla’s existing Gigafactory in the region. This will mark Tesla’s first Megafactory outside North America, with its other facility located in Lathrop, California. According to Tesla’s latest update, production of Megapacks at the Shanghai facility is anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2025. Once fully operational, the Megafactory will have an annual production…

Leapmotor, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, delivered 33,767 vehicles in September, marking its second consecutive month with more than 30,000 deliveries and its fourth straight month of record-setting figures. This represents a significant 113.72% increase compared to 15,800 deliveries in September 2023, and an 11.42% rise from August’s 30,305 units. In the third quarter of 2024, Leapmotor delivered 53,286 vehicles, making it the company’s second-highest quarterly result, following its record of 55,328 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2022. Deliveries in the first nine months of the year totaled 172,861, reflecting a 97.6% increase compared to the same period in…

Zeekr reported impressive delivery figures for September, reaching 21,333 vehicles and surpassing its previous record of 20,106 vehicles set in June. This marks the second consecutive month in which Zeekr has delivered over 20,000 vehicles. The latest figures reflect a significant year-on-year increase of 76.99 percent and an 18.42 percent rise compared to August. In total, Zeekr delivered 55,003 vehicles in the third quarter, a 51.13 percent increase year-on-year and a slight 0.35 percent increase from the previous quarter. Although the company had not provided guidance for quarterly deliveries previously, it has set an ambitious target of 230,000 vehicles for…

BYD has introduced the BYD Shark hybrid pickup truck in Panama, marking its first hybrid vehicle in the Latin American market. This launch comes amid a significant rise in the pickup truck segment within the country, according to Eduardo López de Victoria, general manager of BYD Central America and the Caribbean. “The pickup truck market has shown considerable growth in recent years,” said López de Victoria in a recent announcement. He emphasized that pickup models cater to both business and personal needs, highlighting that the BYD Shark is designed to meet the demand for an innovative mobility experience. The Shark…

BYD announced a recall of nearly 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) due to potential fire hazards. The company will initiate the recall starting from September 30, 2024, involving 96,714 Dolphin and Yuan Plus models sold in China, according to a statement posted on the website of China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) today. This move is one of the rare instances where BYD has issued a large-scale recall, highlighting its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of its vehicles. The recall involves two different BYD operating entities and covers two batches of vehicles. The first group of 87,762 Dolphin…

Chinese automotive group Dongfeng has unveiled its latest electric saloon, the Xinghai S7, under the Forthing brand. This model is being touted as the most aerodynamic production electric vehicle (EV) globally and is set to make its way into the European market. The Xinghai S7 is powered by a 56.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that energizes a 160 kW rear-wheel drive system, delivering a torque of 310 Nm. According to Dongfeng, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.67 seconds, with a Chinese Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) range of 555 kilometers. In addition…

Chinese automaker BYD is pursuing an extension of tariff relief for electric vehicle (EV) imports from the Mexican government as it aims to establish a manufacturing facility in the country. In an interview with the newspaper Reforma, Jorge Vallejo, BYD’s country head, expressed the company’s intention to negotiate the continuation of a decree that exempts 15% to 20% of tariff payments on EVs imported from nations without a trade agreement with Mexico. This decree is set to expire at the end of the month, coinciding with the departure of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Vallejo stated, “The proposal to the…

Dongfeng Honda, a collaboration between Japan’s Honda and China’s Dongfeng Motor, has introduced the Lingxi L, marking the debut of its electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand, Lingxi. This launch comes at a critical time as joint venture brands struggle to keep pace with the rapid electrification of the Chinese automotive market. Key Specifications and Features The Lingxi L is a mid-size all-electric sedan with dimensions of 4,830 mm in length, 1,845 mm in width, and 1,503 mm in height, alongside a wheelbase of 2,731 mm. Its pricing starts at RMB 129,800 (approximately $18,500), positioning it competitively against models like BYD’s Qin…

BYD has begun accepting pre-orders for its Xia MPV, following the model’s debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in late August. While the company’s head of sales for the Dynasty lineup, Lu Tian, made the announcement on Weibo, no official pricing details have been released yet. The Xia MPV is set to expand BYD’s product offerings, which currently include its Dynasty and Ocean series, neither of which feature MPVs. The Xia marks a new model series for the BYD brand, aligning with the tradition of naming models after Chinese dynasties. The Xia dynasty, considered the first recorded dynasty in Chinese…

Xpeng has introduced a new variant of its flagship SUV, the G9, aimed at consumers prioritizing power over advanced smart driving capabilities. The G9 650 Pro was launched today with a starting price of RMB 309,900 ($44,150), making it RMB 50,000 (13.89 percent) cheaper than the top-tier G9 650 Max, priced at RMB 359,900. The G9 650 Pro features a dual-motor four-wheel drive system, delivering a combined maximum power of 405 kW and a peak torque of 717 Nm. This variant can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. However, unlike the G9 650 Max, it omits…

The European Union has delayed its vote on imposing special tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, leaving open the possibility that an agreement may still be reached. Originally expected to take place on September 25, the vote was postponed as negotiations between EU and Chinese representatives continue in Brussels, according to a report by Politico. Despite several rounds of talks, officials have yet to reach an agreement, and it remains unclear whether the extended discussions signal a potential breakthrough. EU officials have not publicly commented on the ongoing negotiations or the possibility of an extension. One option reportedly under…

Uber Technologies has announced a partnership with Chinese self-driving technology firm WeRide, aiming to introduce WeRide’s autonomous vehicles to its rideshare platform in the United Arab Emirates. This collaboration marks WeRide’s first engagement with a global ride-hailing service, signaling the company’s intent to extend its operations beyond China while providing Uber with a step towards integrating robotaxis into its offerings. The partnership is set to launch in Abu Dhabi later this year. WeRide has been awarded the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, which permits the firm to test and operate robotaxis on public roads across the…

Leapmotor, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker backed by Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA), has unveiled a preview of its upcoming B10 SUV, which is set to make its official debut at the Paris Auto Show on October 14. The B10 is the first global model from the company’s new B-platform, part of Leapmotor’s ambitious globalization strategy aimed at young consumers seeking intelligent and personalized vehicles. The B10, a compact SUV similar in size to the BMW X1, will compete with models such as the Aito M5 and Nio Onvo L60. It is designed using Leapmotor’s latest Leap 3.5 technology…

BJEV, a subsidiary of car manufacturer BAIC and an early pioneer in China’s electric vehicle market, is facing significant challenges as it announces a major reduction in production capacities. Founded in 2013, BJEV was once a market leader, but has been overtaken by competitors such as BYD and other emerging players in the electric vehicle sector. As a result, the company is shifting its strategy by closing its three factories located in Beijing, Qingdao in Shandong province, and Cangzhou in Hebei province, while also planning to open a new factory in Beijing. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing difficulties, as…

Leapmotor has officially entered the European market with the launch of its C10 and T03 electric vehicle models on September 24. The launch event in Milan, Italy, marked the brand’s European debut, with the two models now available for sale in 13 countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and Spain. This move is part of a joint effort between Leapmotor and Stellantis NV, under their 51:49 joint venture, Leapmotor International, headquartered in Amsterdam. Stellantis’ €1.5 billion investment in Leapmotor in October 2023 secured a 20% stake in the company, solidifying its role as the largest external shareholder. The venture aims…

Xpeng  has signed a dealer agreement to enter the Qatari market, furthering its global expansion. The agreement names Pioneer Motors, a subsidiary of Qatar’s Almana Group, as Xpeng’s exclusive distributor in the country. The Xpeng G6 and G9 SUVs, along with the P7 sedan, are expected to be available by the end of 2024. “Entering the Qatar market is a strategic move for XPENG. It not only strengthens our presence in the Middle East but also complements our mission to provide smart, eco-friendly transportation solutions on a global scale,” said Alex Tang, Xpeng’s general manager of international markets. The agreement,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has introduced its new sub-brand, Onvo, alongside the launch of its first model, the L60 SUV. Priced at 149,900 Chinese yuan (approximately $21,210), the L60 aims to make premium electric vehicles more accessible. One notable aspect of the L60’s pricing strategy is the option for a subscription-based battery rental, starting at 599 yuan per month (around $1,000 annually). For buyers who prefer to purchase the vehicle with the battery included, the starting price rises to 206,900 yuan (about $29,330). Deliveries of the L60 are set to commence on September 28. The Onvo L60 is designed…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs) surged by 20% year-on-year in August, reaching 1.47 million units, according to market research firm Rho Motion. The growth was primarily driven by record-breaking sales in China, despite a sharp 33% decline in Europe, marking its weakest performance since January 2023. China, the world’s largest EV market, saw a 42% rise in EV sales in August, surpassing one million vehicles. Rho Motion projects that China’s EV sales will increase by one-third this year, reaching 10.5 million units. In contrast, sales in Europe are expected to remain flat compared to last…

BYD reported record sales of 373,083 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in August, surpassing the previous record of 342,383 units set in July. This marks a 35.97% increase year-on-year and an 8.97% rise from the prior month, driven by continued growth in its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) segment. Passenger NEVs accounted for the majority of sales, with 370,854 units sold in August, reflecting a 35.31% year-on-year increase and an 8.82% gain from July. Commercial NEV sales also saw significant growth, with 2,229 units sold in August, up 643% year-on-year and 40.72% from the previous month. BYD’s passenger BEVs saw a…