Author: Jackson Han

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has reportedly received tentative approval in China, marking a significant milestone for the electric vehicle maker. The news comes as Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrived in China during the ongoing Beijing Auto Show, where he is expected to make further announcements regarding the company’s plans in the country. According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials have indicated that Beijing has tentatively approved Tesla’s FSD plans, clearing several critical regulatory hurdles that have delayed its release in China. One of the key hurdles was related to Tesla’s mapping and navigation functions in the country, which…

At the Beijing Motor Show, BYD showcased its new Ocean M electric car concept, set to hit the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2024. Priced between approximately 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (19,300 to 25,800 euros), the hatchback model is slated for production. While BYD has not confirmed whether the Ocean M will be available in Europe, industry observers, including Car News China, speculate that its design hints at a potential European market launch. The Ocean M is built on a new electric platform, possibly succeeding the current e-platform 3.0. BYD has revealed limited technical details, noting that the…

CATL is targeting small-volume production of all-solid-state batteries by 2027, marking the first time the battery maker has announced a mass-production timetable for the new batteries. CATL’s chief scientist Wu Kai revealed at the China International Battery Fair (CIBF) 2024 event that the company’s all-solid-state battery development currently stands at a 4 on a scale of 1-9 for technology and manufacturing maturity. The goal is to reach a score of 7-8 by 2027, allowing for small-batch production. However, high-volume production still faces challenges, particularly regarding cost. Wu highlighted the advantages of all-solid-state batteries, noting their potential for higher energy density…

At the 2024 Beijing auto show, Zeekr has revealed its latest innovation: the SEA-M architecture and the Zeekr Mix, the first model to be based on it. This new architecture is part of Zeekr’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) and is designed to support a wide range of products, from passenger cars like robotaxis and MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) to commercial vehicles for logistics. According to Zeekr, they have invested over RMB 7 billion ($970 million) to develop the SEA-M architecture, which combines ultimate space, vehicle safety, and swift handling. The architecture aims to create an intelligent “living room” on wheels, with…

Li Auto, a major Chinese automaker, has slashed prices by approximately 5% on four of its five models, intensifying a price war in the country’s automotive market. The company also announced refunds for customers who had purchased these models earlier this year, following similar moves by Tesla and BYD. As the leading seller of extended-range hybrids in China, Li Auto’s decision to reduce prices follows a trend in the industry. U.S. automaker Tesla and BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker, have recently lowered prices for their models, sparking increased competition. Li Auto’s price cuts apply to its L7,…

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has granted its Thai dealer Rêver a license to construct a factory for electric buses and trucks in Thailand, as reported by local newspaper The Nation. The agreement, outlined in a recent letter of intent, marks a significant step in expanding BYD’s presence in Southeast Asia’s burgeoning electric vehicle market. While specific details regarding the factory’s timetable and production capacity remain undisclosed, the move aligns with BYD’s broader strategy to bolster its manufacturing footprint in Thailand. In March 2023, BYD commenced construction on an electric car factory in Rayong province, with a planned annual capacity…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has refuted rumors of new layoff plans, following discussions sparked on Chinese social media today. In a post on its mobile app, Nio stated that recent claims by foreign bloggers regarding new layoffs were unfounded. Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li expressed that he was unaware of any such plans when asked about the issue. The company is scheduled to hold a launch event on April 20 to unveil its full-domain intelligent driving system, according to the post. Speculation about new layoffs began circulating on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with some bloggers…

Nio announced today that its Jia Dian (加电) mobile app has exceeded 5 million registered users, solidifying its position as a key player in the country’s EV charging landscape. Launched in September 2019, the app has become popular among EV owners for its wide range of features and comprehensive coverage of public charging infrastructure. The Jia Dian App, which translates to “add power,” boasts compatibility with 90 percent of public charging piles in China, offering services such as scanning charging QR codes, smart path planning, route navigation, and community interaction. Nio Power, the company’s energy replenishment platform, facilitates access to…

Kenya is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in the transition from diesel to electric buses, with plans for all public transport buses in the country to be electric by 2027. The government’s efforts are bolstered by the opening of a new plant for electric buses, marking a significant step towards achieving this ambitious goal. The announcement was made by Kenya’s Minister of Trade, Rebecca Miano, at the inauguration of the country’s first assembly line for electric buses. The company BasiGo has commenced the manufacturing of electric buses of the E9 Kubwa model at this plant and aims…

Fang Cheng Bao, the personalized sub-brand of BYD, has introduced its latest crossover SUV model, the Bao 8, along with two intriguing concepts, the Super 3 and Super 9, as part of its showcase leading up to the 2024 Beijing auto show. The new models were revealed at Fang Cheng Bao’s spring launch event in Shenzhen, marking the debut of its complete product lineup, including its initial model, the Bao 5. The Super 3 concept previews the upcoming SUV, the Bao 3, while the Super 9 concept presents a 2-seat supercar vision. Fang Cheng Bao has announced plans to exhibit…

Nio is gearing up to launch its updated ET7 sedan at the upcoming Beijing auto show, with deliveries set to begin on April 30. The company announced that reservations for the 2024 ET7 opened today, offering customers who pre-order the model before the official launch on April 25 RMB 3,000 worth of Nio Credits. According to Nio, the 2024 ET7 will feature significant upgrades, including a new interior with two large screens in the rear. Show cars of the updated ET7 are already being shipped to Nio’s showrooms in China, with test drives scheduled to be available on April 25.…

After a legal battle spanning over two years, the Munich Higher Regional Court has ruled in favor of Audi in its trademark dispute with Chinese automaker Nio over model designations. The dispute centered around Nio’s use of the model names ES6, ES7, and ES8, which Audi argued could be confused with its own S models, the S6, S7, and S8. The legal feud began in October 2021 when Nio planned to introduce its electric SUVs in Germany using the ES6, ES7, and ES8 names, which were already in use in China. Audi raised concerns about potential confusion with its S…

William Li, founder of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio, delivered a rare speech in the United States advocating for openness in the EV market, amidst increasing efforts in the U.S. to restrict China’s access to the world’s second-largest auto market. Speaking at an event at Harvard University, Li highlighted China’s rapid EV growth, attributing it to an “open and competitive” market that welcomes all products regardless of their brands or origins. He pointed to Tesla’s success in China, where the company has sold 1.36 million EVs in the past three years, noting that its presence has boosted EV penetration…

Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has unveiled a new, more affordable variant of its G6 SUV while extending discounts across the entire G6 range. The company announced the launch of the G6 580 Plus, starting at RMB 199,900 ($27,630), a reduction of RMB 10,000, or 4.76%, from the previous lowest-priced G6 580 Pro. Xpeng is offering a RMB 20,000 limited-time discount on all G6 versions, including the new variant, until April 30, effectively bringing the starting price down to RMB 179,900. While initially intended as limited-time offers, these discounts appear to have become permanent price reductions, although the…

Volkswagen has announced a significant investment of 2.5 billion euros ($2.68 billion) to further expand its production and innovation center in Hefei, Anhui province, and enhance its local research and development capabilities. As part of its “In China, for China” strategy, Volkswagen is accelerating innovation efforts, aiming to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market. The company plans to produce two Volkswagen-branded models developed in collaboration with Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer listed on the NYSE. The first model, a mid-size SUV, is scheduled to begin production in 2026. This initiative follows Volkswagen’s announcement in July 2023 of…

At a launch event in Beijing, Xiaomi unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV), the SU7 electric sedan, aiming to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the market with a compelling combination of lower prices and superior features. The SU7 is a mid-to-large-sized sedan, boasting dimensions of 4,997 mm in length, 1,963 mm in width, and 1,440/1,455 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 available in China measures 4,720 mm in length, 1,848 mm in width, 1,442 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,875 mm. Xiaomi’s SU7 lineup includes Standard and Pro versions built…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, has taken a significant step forward in its development of a modular flying car by filing a type certificate application. The application, for the flying car’s flying body, known as product code X3-F, was accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Central and Southern Region on March 21, according to a company press release. This acceptance sets the stage for the flying car’s entry into the airworthiness certification phase, during which the Chinese civil aviation regulator will scrutinize the design compliance and safety of the product and its components. A…

Chinese automaker BYD has reached a significant milestone with the production of its 7 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation. The 7 millionth vehicle is an updated version of the N7 SUV, which is set to be officially launched by BYD’s premium brand Denza on April 1, as announced in a recent Weibo post. BYD, which entered the automotive industry in 2003, sold its first NEV in 2008 and now offers a diverse range of models to consumers. In May 2021, BYD achieved a milestone by producing its one millionth NEV, the Han EV,…

Geely Automobile Holdings has announced its intention to achieve profitability in 2024 on a Hong Kong financial reporting standard basis, driven by higher sales and gross profit for its electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr. According to Geely’s earnings report, Zeekr is targeting sales of 230,000 units this year, representing a significant growth of about 94 percent compared to the 118,685 vehicles delivered in 2023. To expand its market presence, Zeekr plans to launch three new models in 2024, including the Zeekr Mix, an all-electric mid-size luxury SUV, and a top-of-the-line luxury all-electric MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). These new models will…

Fiat is making a significant pivot in response to the sluggish electric vehicle (EV) market by converting its electric 500e model back to an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, according to recent reports. The 500e, launched in the U.S. earlier this year and in Europe in 2020, has coexisted with the older, less expensive ICE-powered 500 in Europe. However, the aging ICE 500 will be discontinued in Europe this year due to non-compliance with the region’s latest safety and cybersecurity regulations, though it will continue to be sold in Africa, as reported by Auto News. Rather than invest in updating…