Author: Jackson Han

Hesai Group, China’s largest LiDAR manufacturer, plans to establish its first overseas factory next year as customers seek to mitigate geopolitical risks, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fan told the Financial Times. Hesai aims to break ground on the project by year-end, targeting production in 2026. The facility is expected to create “hundreds of jobs locally,” though the company has not disclosed its location. “Our clients who are hoping to diffuse the risks have found it a wise approach,” Fan said, emphasizing the need for a diversified supply chain to guard against logistical disruptions. See also: Mercedes-Benz Selects China’s Hesai for…

Chinese car manufacturer Changan Automobile has announced plans to enter ten European markets in 2025 with its electric vehicles (EVs), starting with the Deepal S07 SUV. The Deepal S07, priced at €45,000 ($48,775), will launch in April in Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, followed by a June release in the United Kingdom and other markets later in the year. See also: Changan’s Deepal Launches S05 Compact SUV Starting at RMB 119,900, Offering Up to 1,234 km Range Changan also plans to introduce the Deepal S05 model later in 2025 and the Changan E07 by early 2026. Additionally, the company…

Xpeng has proposed granting more than 28.5 million shares to its chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng, subject to performance-based conditions linked to the company’s stock price, the Chinese electric vehicle maker announced on Friday. The grant, valued at approximately HK$2.55 billion ($328 million) based on Xpeng’s closing price of HK$89.55 per share in Hong Kong, would be awarded at no purchase cost. However, Mr. He can only unlock the shares if the company’s stock reaches predetermined price levels within 10 years. See also: Xpeng Launches 2025 G6 and G9 SUVs with Lower Prices, Faster Charging, and Vision-Based Smart Driving Under…

Xiaomi is expanding its second electric vehicle (EV) factory in Beijing, adding an adjacent 52-hectare plot to its existing 53-hectare facility in the Yizhuang district, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The move comes as the company ramps up production to meet rising demand for its EV lineup. The expansion follows Xiaomi’s decision to increase its 2025 vehicle delivery target to 350,000 units, up from the previous goal of 300,000. See also: Xiaomi Targets 2027 for Overseas Expansion of Its Electric Vehicles, Says President The company, which launched its first electric sedan, the SU7, in March 2024,…

Tesla’s Chinese team is spearheading the development of a lower-priced Model Y to counter intensifying competition in the local market, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. The new variant will retain the battery, powertrain, and chassis of the existing Model Y while streamlining configurations through Tesla’s “depop” development process, which enables rapid product launches while preserving core features, the report said, citing industry sources. Instead of an English name, the project is assigned a code comprising letters and numbers. See also: New Tesla Model Y Variants: Performance Trim and Seven-Seat Option Coming Soon The launch timing for…

Chinese automaker BYD  will introduce its latest battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform and an ultra-fast charging system capable of delivering up to 1,000 kW—twice the power of Tesla’s  latest Superchargers—at an event on March 17 in Shenzhen. The “BYD Super e-Platform” aims to redefine pure electric technology, the company said on Weibo. At the event, BYD will also begin pre-sales for the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, which are expected to support the new charging technology. Promotional materials suggest that BYD’s new system will allow EV charging speeds comparable to gasoline refueling. See also: BYD’s Blade vs. Tesla’s…

Yangwang, the ultra-luxury sub-brand of BYD, will officially launch its flagship U7 luxury sedan on March 27 in Shenzhen, the company announced on Weibo. The model, priced around RMB 1 million ($138,000), will feature advanced technologies, including BYD’s high-end DiSus-Z body control system. See also: BYD’s Yangwang to Launch U7 Luxury Sedan Featuring Advanced Suspension System Yangwang first unveiled the U7 in January 2024 as its flagship new energy sedan. The vehicle appeared in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) regulatory catalog, showing it is powered by four permanent magnet synchronous motors, each with a peak output of…

Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) unit announced on Tuesday that cumulative firm orders for the Luxeed R7 coupe SUV have surpassed 80,000 units. Luxeed, a joint brand established by Huawei and Chinese automaker Chery, is one of four brands operating under the HIMA umbrella, alongside Seres Group’s Aito, BAIC Group’s Stelato, and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group’s (JAC) Maextro. See also: Huawei and Chery Collaborate on Luxeed R7, the First Coupe SUV under HIMA “The Luxeed R7 has garnered strong consumer interest, with firm orders exceeding 80,000 units,” HIMA said in a statement on Weibo. In China, a firm order…

Honda has officially launched the S7 electric crossover in China, marking a significant step in its expansion within the EV segment. The Honda S7, introduced under the Dongfeng-Honda joint venture, arrives with a starting price of 259,900 yuan (35,840 USD), with its top-tier trim reaching 309,900 yuan (42,740 USD). Competing with the Tesla Model Y, this electric SUV brings a compelling mix of performance, technology, and design innovation to the Chinese market. Design and Dimensions The Honda S7 showcases the brand’s new design philosophy, featuring bold Y-shaped headlights seamlessly integrated with a thin LED strip. A large air intake in…

Incentives for new electric vehicles (EVs) reached their highest level in more than five years in February, averaging 14.8% of the average transaction price (ATP) or approximately $8,162, according to Kelley Blue Book’s latest monthly report from Cox Automotive. The increase reflects a broader effort by automakers to boost demand amid intensifying competition and shifting market conditions. EV incentives remained significantly higher than those for the overall new vehicle market, more than doubling the industry average. A year ago, incentives for EVs stood at 10.2%, meaning they have risen by 44% over the past 12 months. The rising incentives come…

Chinese automaker GAC has officially launched sales of its compact electric car, the Aion UT, in China, slashing its starting price to 69,800 yuan ($9,700) from the initial 89,800 yuan ($12,500) set during pre-sales in January.  The Aion UT, marketed domestically as ‘Yingwulong,’ is available in five trim levels with ranges of 330 km and 420 km under China’s CLTC testing cycle. The Aion UT measures 4.27 meters in length with a 2.75-meter wheelbase and features a floating roof design, LED daytime running lights, and C-shaped tail lamps. It comes with either 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, depending on the variant.…

Tesla’s retail sales in China fell in February as seasonal factors and production adjustments impacted deliveries, data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) showed on Monday. The U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker sold 30,688 vehicles from its Shanghai plant last month, including 3,911 for export. Domestic sales stood at 26,777 units, marking an 11.16% decline from 30,141 a year earlier and a 20.55% drop from January’s 33,703 units, according to CPCA data. See also: Tesla’s Facelifted Model Y Reportedly Garners 200,000 Pre-Orders in China Industry analysts attributed the decline partly to the Chinese New Year holiday, which ran from…