Author: Jackson Han

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has achieved a milestone by setting a lap time of 1:26.741 seconds at the Chengdu Tianfu Circuit in China, making it the fastest four-door production car on the track. This record surpasses the 1:34.905 lap time set by a BMW M3, although the specific modifications made to the M3 remain unclear. Equipped with a powerful triple-motor all-wheel-drive system generating 1,548 horsepower, the SU7 Ultra delivers impressive acceleration, reaching 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.98 seconds and completing a quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed exceeds 350 km/h, and it boasts a 5.2C maximum…

Tesla’s retail sales in China declined in January, impacted by seasonal factors similar to other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released on Friday. The U.S. automaker sold 63,238 vehicles from its Shanghai plant last month, including 29,535 units for export. Domestic sales totaled 33,703 vehicles, down 15.49% from 39,881 a year earlier and 59.36% lower than the 82,927 units sold in December. See also: Tesla’s Shanghai Megafactory Begins Production of Energy Storage Products The decline in sales was partially attributed to the Chinese New Year holiday, which ran from January 28…

Nio’s battery swap network in Shanghai is nearing profitability as the trend in the battery swap business gains momentum, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker’s founder and CEO William Li said. Li made the remarks in a Weibo post on Friday, sharing a clip from a February 8 livestream on Douyin, a short-form video platform. He emphasized that 2024 would be a significant year for expanding Nio’s battery swap infrastructure, aiming to make the service as convenient as refueling a gasoline vehicle for users of Nio, Onvo, and partner brands. See also: Nio Reports Record 136,720 Battery Swaps in a…

Shares in Chinese automakers Xpeng and Geely experienced significant drops on Tuesday amid concerns that they may struggle to compete with BYD’s latest move. BYD announced it would provide its “God’s Eye” advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) at no extra charge across 21 models, including its budget-friendly Seagull, which is priced at $9,555. This decision marks a shift in the competitive landscape as BYD offers features akin to Tesla’s smart driving capabilities without additional costs. See also: BYD to Roll Out ‘God’s Eye’ Autonomous Features to More Affordable EVs Xpeng’s shares fell by 5.9%, their largest drop in two months, while…

Airbus has announced that it is temporarily halting the development of its electric air taxi project, CityAirbus, in Donauwörth, Germany, signaling difficulties for the once-promising technology. This move comes as German air taxi startups Lilium and Volocopter also face financial struggles and file for insolvency. The air taxi industry, once widely anticipated to revolutionize urban mobility, is grappling with significant setbacks. See also: Swiss Startup H55, UK’s AeroVolt Partner to Expand Electric Aviation Infrastructure and Training Airbus Helicopters confirmed the suspension to Bayrischer Rundfunk, though the company emphasized that the project has not been entirely canceled. The break comes as…

Volkswagen’s Spanish subsidiary SEAT is facing a difficult decision if the European Union does not reduce its tariff on China-made electric vehicles by the end of March. The company has warned that it will be forced to cut production and lay off around 1,500 workers unless the additional tariff is addressed. Since October, SEAT has been subject to a 20.7% tariff on its CUPRA Tavascan, a model manufactured at Volkswagen’s majority-owned plant in Anhui, China. This is in addition to the existing 10% tariff already imposed on China-made EVs sold in Europe. The additional charges have significantly impacted the brand’s…

Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has launched a new initiative to combat malicious online attacks against the brand by offering rewards for tips. The company’s legal department announced today that it will provide financial incentives ranging from RMB 10,000 to RMB 1 million (approximately $140,000) for valid information or evidence related to cyberattacks. See also: Nio to Launch New Models and Facelifts Across All Brands in 2025 Nio founder and CEO, William Li, discussed the initiative in a live video on the short video platform Douyin, where he highlighted the challenges of countering online rumors and cyber violence.…

BYD has officially launched the Atto 2 electric vehicle (EV) in Europe, offering two trim levels as it prepares for sales in the region. The model, known as the Yuan Up in China and other markets, features a 7.9-second acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h and supports 65 kW DC fast charging. The Atto 2 is positioned between BYD’s Dolphin hatchback and Atto 3 crossover. Built on the e-Platform 3.0 modular architecture, the small SUV features a high bonnet, plastic body cladding, and blacked-out pillars that create a floating roof effect. The model is available in four exterior colors: green,…

Xpeng expects to achieve a single profitable quarter for the first time in 2025, as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker maintains strong delivery momentum, Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said in an interview with LatePost. “We expect to be able to break even for a single quarter sometime in 2025,” He said, marking the first time Xpeng has provided a timeline for reaching profitability. See also: Xpeng’s Roadmap to 2025: 380,000 Deliveries, Flying Cars, and Global Market Expansion His remarks come as Xpeng reported steady sales growth, delivering 30,350 vehicles in January—its third consecutive month exceeding 30,000 units. While…

BYD plans to hire 20,000 employees in Zhengzhou, Henan province, during the first quarter of this year. The new hires will be in key areas such as research and development (R&D) and manufacturing, according to a report from government-run Henan Daily. BYD’s Zhengzhou production base, which currently employs around 60,000 workers, is set to increase its production capacity in 2025. In 2024, the facility produced 545,000 vehicles, marking a significant 169.8% year-on-year growth. The expansion comes as BYD prepares to reveal its new vehicle intelligence strategy. Set for February 10, the launch event will focus on the company’s smart driving…

Nio recorded a sharp increase in battery swap services during the Chinese New Year holiday, driven by peak travel demand, the company said in a report from its energy unit, Nio Power. On February 3, near the end of the holiday period, Nio completed a record 136,720 battery swaps in a single day. This surpassed the previous peak of 119,848 swaps recorded on January 25, just before the holiday began. Between January 22 and February 5, Nio provided a total of 1,716,746 battery swaps, marking a 44% increase compared to the previous year. During this period, the company recorded over…

Onvo, a sub-brand of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio, has expanded its car-buying promotions in February, offering larger incentives than before, as competition in China’s auto market heats up following Tesla’s recent price cuts. Onvo announced on its social media platforms that customers purchasing its L60 model by February 28 can benefit from a zero percent down payment and a three-year interest-free financing program, saving up to RMB 14,840 ($2,040). New buyers will also receive three years of free access to the NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) feature, valued at RMB 11,520. See also: Nio’s Sub-Brand Onvo Nears Launch of…