Author: Jackson Han

Xiaomi has acquired a new land parcel in Beijing’s Yizhuang development zone, likely for the second phase of its electric vehicle (EV) factory project. The acquisition was made through an affiliate of Beijing-based Xiaomi, which won the bid for RMB 842 million ($116 million), according to an announcement by local natural resources authorities. The deal, concluded on July 25, grants Xiaomi a 50-year lease for the 531,130 square meter site, located east of its existing EV factory. The land is designated for smart car and parts manufacturing. Xiaomi officially entered the car-making industry on March 30, 2021, when it announced…

A group of Toyota Mirai drivers in California has filed a class-action lawsuit against Toyota, alleging that the automaker misled them about the practicality of using fuel cell vehicles in everyday life. The plaintiffs claim Toyota’s assertions that “refuelling the Mirai is seamless” and “comparable to refuelling with gasoline” are inaccurate. They argue that the limited number of hydrogen refuelling stations and high hydrogen prices make fuel cell cars “unusable” for many drivers. See also: Toyota Offers $40,000 Rebate on 2023 Mirai FCEV, Making It Cheaper Than a Corolla According to Carscoops.com, the cost of hydrogen in the US has nearly…

Berkshire Hathawayhas reduced its stake in BYD to below 5%, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday. The stake was cut to 4.94% from 5.06% as of July 16, and had been as high as 7.02% on June 11. The reduction follows a broader trend of Berkshire selling its shares in Shenzhen-based BYD, which it began doing in August 2022 after the stock price had surged over 20-fold. The original investment, made in 2008, involved a $230 million purchase of approximately 225 million shares, giving Berkshire a 10% stake at that time. See also: BYD Launches…

A Chinese industry body representing 12 automakers has argued that the European Union’s tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) built in China violate global trading rules. During a hearing with the European Commission, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) stated that the EU’s preliminary assessment conflicts with EU and World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. “We are very concerned. We urge the Commission to correct these unlawful findings and terminate the investigation (into Chinese EV subsidies),” CCCME Vice President Shi Yonghong told reporters on Friday. Earlier in July, the EU imposed provisional tariffs…

VinFast, the Vietnamese automaker, has commenced construction of a new electric vehicle (EV) factory in Indonesia, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy. “The construction of our new EV factory in Indonesia represents a strategic investment for VinFast in expanding our production capabilities,” stated a spokesperson for VinFast. Located in Subang, West Java, approximately 125 km southeast of Jakarta, the $200 million facility will boast an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles. Unlike simple assembly plants, VinFast plans to establish a comprehensive manufacturing hub with essential facilities including a body shop, paint shop, general assembly shop, and vehicle…

Tesla has announced that its popular Quicksilver paint option is now available for all Model Y trims in the United States and Canada. Previously exclusive to the Long Range All Wheel Drive (AWD) and Performance variants, Quicksilver is now also offered for the Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) model. This move is expected to be well-received by consumers, given the paint’s popularity among Model Y enthusiasts. https://twitter.com/tesla_na/status/1811576413730078921 A review of the Tesla Model Y’s order page for the United States and Canada confirms that Quicksilver can now be selected for the RWD, Long Range AWD, and Performance variants of the all-electric…

Xiaomi EV, the car-making arm of tech giant Xiaomi Corp, is set to introduce its third model, an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) in the form of an SUV, local media outlet 21jingji reported yesterday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Scheduled for a 2026 launch, the new EREV model aims to cater to family users, emphasizing a blend of electric mobility and extended range capabilities. Xiaomi has expressed optimism about the EREV’s potential, having explored multiple iterations during the pre-research phase, as disclosed by insiders. Innovatively, Xiaomi plans to adopt a unique business model for its third vehicle, substituting automotive-grade…

Tesla reported a sequential uptick in electric vehicle (EV) sales in China for June, with the company’s local deliveries showing a recovery pattern despite a decline in exports, data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) revealed on Thursday. The U.S. electric carmaker sold a total of 71,007 vehicles in China last month, including 11,746 units earmarked for international markets. This reflects a 7.33% increase from May, although it marks a 20.15% decrease compared to the same period last year when the company sold 74,212 vehicles. Tesla’s manufacturing facility in Shanghai, which produces both the Model 3 sedan and Model…

Shandong province in China’s eastern region announced on Monday its ambitious initiative to inject 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) into expanding its lithium battery industry by next year, according to a government notice. The development strategy aims to build a robust industrial chain encompassing electrode materials, electrolytes, battery cells, and assembly facilities. Focus areas include enhancing the quality and performance of consumer batteries while intensifying efforts in research and development. To support this endeavor, the provincial government plans to nurture companies in Jinan and Qingdao involved in raw material production and battery assembly, tailored to meet the demands of local…

Zeekr has unveiled a sneak peek of its upcoming mid-to-large-size SUV, codenamed CX1e, slated for release in the latter half of the year, marking a significant move by the electric vehicle (EV) maker into the family SUV segment. Vice President Lin Jinwen shared five camouflaged images of the CX1e on Weibo today, the first public preview of Zeekr’s latest addition to its expanding lineup. “The CX1e will be Zeekr’s inaugural family SUV,” Lin announced on Weibo, hinting at the forthcoming official name concealed within the vehicle’s camouflage liveries. Zeekr’s current lineup includes models like the Zeekr 001, 007, 009, and…

Denza, the premium brand under BYD, has revealed the interior features of its upcoming model, the Z9GT, slated for release later this year. According to a video released by Denza today, the Z9GT boasts a sophisticated interior equipped with three screens at the front: a central horizontal display, an instrument panel screen, and a dedicated screen for the front passenger. The vehicle also showcases on-board refrigerators in both the front and rear, catering to the growing demand for luxury amenities in the competitive Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market. “D-class smart luxury flagship GT, redefining the standard of luxury,” remarked Zhao…

BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, marked a significant milestone on July 1 by delivering its first batch of 1000 vehicles to Indonesian customers during a ceremony attended by BYD Founder and CEO Wang Chuanfu. The event showcased models including the Dolphin, Seal, and Atto 3, which were introduced to the Indonesian market earlier this year. Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, announced at the launch that BYD plans to invest 1.3 billion USD in establishing a car factory in the country. This facility is expected to have a production capacity of 150,000 vehicles and will commence construction…

Tesla’s Model Y has been included in a list of electric and plug-in hybrid models eligible for purchase by a local government in China, as reported by the official Chinese media outlet, The Paper, on Thursday. This marks the first time Tesla’s vehicles have been made eligible for government procurement in China, according to The Paper. On June 6, China’s eastern Jiangsu provincial government published 56 batches of new energy vehicle procurements intended for use as service cars by party, government, and public organizations. Among these, Tesla’s Model Y, produced at the company’s Shanghai factory, and Volvo Cars’ XC40 were…

Candela has announced the delivery of the first Candela C-8 Polestar Edition electric hydrofoil boat, marking a significant milestone in sustainable marine transportation. This unique vessel combines Candela’s renowned hydrofoil technology with Polestar’s advanced electric vehicle batteries, showcasing a partnership aimed at pushing the boundaries of electric boating. The Candela C-8 Polestar Edition utilizes Polestar’s high-performance batteries to power its hydrofoils, which elevate the boat above water for a smoother and more energy-efficient ride. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation in sustainable transportation solutions. Last year, Candela and Polestar announced their collaboration, enabling Candela to integrate Polestar’s industry-leading…

BYD is anticipated to surpass Tesla in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales this year, reflecting the evolving landscape of the global electric vehicle (EV) market, according to a report by market researcher Counterpoint Research released on July 2. “BYD’s BEV market share is set to surge in 2024, the year it is expected to overtake Tesla in BEV sales,” Counterpoint stated in its report, highlighting the competitive trajectory in the EV sector. BYD, renowned for its rapid expansion in new energy vehicles (NEVs), including BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), has emerged as the world’s largest NEV manufacturer. The…

Xpeng Motors (NYSE: XPEV) introduced its latest electric sedan, the Mona M03, marking the debut of its new Mona lineup designed to bolster sales in the latter part of the year. “The Xpeng Mona M03 will be priced under RMB 200,000 yuan ($27,500), with an official launch set for August,” the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer announced, detailing the pricing and release timeline for its new model. Derived from its acquisition of Didi Global’s EV business, Xpeng’s Mona brand aims to leverage Didi’s mobility ecosystem support and target the national shared mobility market. “We are excited to launch the Mona M03,…

Canada has commenced a 30-day consultation, effective July 2, aimed at exploring measures, including additional tariffs, on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, in a move to safeguard its auto industry and bolster its burgeoning EV sector. “As first announced on June 24, 2024, Canada is today launching a 30-day consultation, from July 2, 2024, to August 1, 2024 on potential policy responses to protect Canada’s auto workers and its growing EV industry from unfair trade practices, and prevent trade diversion resulting from recent action taken by Canadian trading partners,” Canada’s Department of Finance stated on July 2. The consultations…

Tesla reported a decline in sales for China-made vehicles last month, reflecting broader market challenges and internal production adjustments, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). In June, Tesla China sold a total of 71,007 vehicles, including both domestic sales and exports, marking a 2.16 percent decrease from May’s 72,573 units. Compared to June last year, the figures showed a more significant decline of 24.20 percent from 93,680 vehicles. See also: Tesla Beats Delivery Expectations with Record Q2 Performance For the second quarter of this year, Tesla China’s sales totaled 205,747 vehicles, down 16.77 percent year-on-year and…

Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li revealed that the company’s upcoming third brand, codenamed Firefly, will operate with its own dedicated battery swap stations, distinct from those used by Nio and Onvo brands. Speaking at a recent user communication event, Li confirmed for the first time publicly that Firefly will not share existing Nio or Onvo stations. Instead, it will feature smaller, container-sized stations with simplified structures, offering additional products such as coffee, according to a video reviewed by CnEVPost. “Nio’s Firefly brand will introduce dedicated smaller stations tailored for its vehicles,” Li stated, emphasizing the brand’s independent operational…

BYD’s plant in Uzbekistan has commenced production with the rollout of its first vehicles, including the BYD Song Plus DM-i Champion Edition, as announced by the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer on Weibo. The inaugural production event, attended by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and BYD chairman and president Wang Chuanfu, took place at the plant located in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region. The Song Plus DM-i, part of BYD’s popular Ocean series and based on the e-Platform 3.0, is currently a sought-after model in China, priced between RMB 129,800 and RMB 169,800. See also: BYD Launches Third Electric Vehicle in Japan, Introduces…