Author: Jackson Han

The European Commission expressed confidence on Friday that its investigation into Chinese state subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) and the resulting measures are in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. This comes as the EU’s executive body affirmed that its probe will continue despite China’s request for a WTO consultation. In July, the European Union imposed provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EV imports from China, aiming to protect its domestic EV industry. The tariffs followed an EU investigation that concluded Chinese-made vehicles were benefiting from state subsidies, which the EU deemed unfair competition. China, however, challenged the…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has introduced a humanoid robot into its manufacturing process, following a similar move by Nio. The Zeekr factory began using the Walker S Lite, a humanoid robot from UBTech Robotics, in early July. This robot has been operational at the plant for 21 days, aiding in lifting tasks and showing high efficiency in its role. The deployment of Walker S Lite at Zeekr is part of a collaboration with UBTech, Geely Holding, and Miracle Automation Engineering. Miracle Automation, which recently secured a contract for an assembly mainline conveyor project…

Onvo, a sub-brand of Nio, is set to commence production of its first vehicle, the Onvo L60, in mid-August, with the official launch scheduled for September. The company has introduced a new charging map in anticipation of the launch. Onvo President Ai Tiecheng announced in a live video stream that the L60’s first production vehicle is expected to roll off the assembly line in mid-August, and its interior will be revealed in two weeks. The L60 was first unveiled on May 15 and is available for pre-order at a starting price of RMB 219,900 ($30,710), which includes the battery. The…

Tesla China sold 74,117 vehicles wholesale in July 2024, marking a robust start to the second half of the year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). This figure represents a 4.38% increase from the 71,007 vehicles sold wholesale in June 2024 and a 15.29% year-over-year rise from the 64,285 units sold in July 2023. The strong performance in July is encouraging for Tesla’s Giga Shanghai, which is expected to maintain high output levels in the third and fourth quarters. Industry analysts noted that Tesla China’s export activities remained consistent last month, despite new tariffs in Europe…

BYD is set to launch both the EV and DM-i versions of the Seal 07 on August 8, marking another significant release in 2024 for the Chinese automaker. Although the two versions share the same name and similar styling, they are distinguishable by the EV’s closed front and the DM-i’s 5-slat grille. The Seal 07 DM-i features dimensions of 4980 mm in length, 1890 mm in width, and 1495 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2900 mm. The car is registered with three weight variations: 1795 kg, 1900 kg, and 1960 kg. https://evmagz.com/new-byd-seagull-model-launches-with-unchanged-9650-starting-price/ This model is seen as a…

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced on Tuesday that the implementation of certain steep tariffs on Chinese imports, including electric vehicles (EVs) and their batteries, computer chips, and medical products, will be delayed by at least two weeks. The USTR had previously planned for these tariffs to take effect on August 1. However, the office is still reviewing 1,100 comments received and now expects to issue a final determination in August. The new tariffs will be enacted approximately two weeks following this final determination. https://evmagz.com/u-s-special-tariffs-on-chinese-evs-set-to-take-effect-in-august-2024/ In May, President Joe Biden decided to maintain tariffs imposed by his predecessor, Donald Trump,…

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…