Author: Jackson Han

Tesla has joined a growing group of automakers, including BYD, SAIC, Geely, and BMW, in challenging the European Union’s tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China. Tesla, which operates Gigafactory Shanghai to produce both domestic and exported vehicles, has been shipping many of these cars to Europe. However, political pressure to prioritize domestic manufacturing has led to the EU Commission imposing tariffs on China-made EVs. Tesla’s tariff is the lowest at 8%, but other companies like SAIC face as much as 35%. See also: Tesla China Launches Free 30-Day Trial of Enhanced Autopilot for Chinese New Year The EU…

Security researcher Jane Manchun Wong uncovered a hidden, unreleased feature in the Waymo app, allowing her to customize the text displayed on the top LED dome of the company’s robotaxi. The feature, designed to help riders identify their vehicles, was accessed via the app on Wong’s Android phone as she waited for a Waymo car. Wong shared her discovery on X, posting images of a Waymo Jaguar I-Pace displaying her handle, “wongmjane,” and emojis. “I hacked my Waymo into showing weird texts… pls don’t ban me or patch it @waymo lol,” she wrote. She clarified that the customization resulted from…

Tesla’s refreshed Model Y, codenamed “Juniper,” has begun appearing in showrooms across China, offering potential buyers a glimpse of the updated all-electric crossover. Though deliveries have not yet started, the new design and features suggest a strong successor to the classic Model Y. Social media posts from Chinese Tesla enthusiasts have showcased the new Model Y in colors such as ultra red, glacier blue, and white. See also: Tesla Plans Three-Week Production Pause at Shanghai Factory for Model Y Optimization The vehicle’s redesigned front light bar adds a “cyber” aesthetic, while its streamlined interior, featuring a single steering stalk and…

In December 2024, Xiaomi’s all-electric sedan, the SU7, surpassed Tesla’s Model 3 in deliveries, according to a report shared by Xiaomi EV Vice President Li Xiaoshuang. Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, Lei Jun, made the announcement on Weibo, highlighting the SU7’s 25,815 units delivered, compared to the 21,046 units of the Model 3. The December rankings, published by Dongchedi, reveal the strong competition in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market. BYD’s Seagull, the automaker’s entry-level model, secured first place with 48,754 units, while the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV took second place with 37,747 units, followed by the Wuling Binguo in third at…

The European Commission will initiate a strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry, bringing together industry leaders, social partners, EU commissioners, and stakeholders to address challenges and propose solutions. The dialogue, announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her re-election, begins Tuesday, with von der Leyen pledging to lead the discussions personally. See also: Battery Electric Vehicles Outpace Diesel Cars in Europe for Second Consecutive Year The dialogue will involve regular meetings and thematic working groups focused on issues such as innovation, clean transition and decarbonization, competitiveness, trade relations, and regulatory simplification. The initiative underscores the…

Yangwang, the ultra-luxury division of Chinese automaker BYD, has marked a significant milestone with cumulative deliveries of its flagship supercar, the U9, reaching 100 units, the company announced on Weibo. “This is a historic achievement reached for the first time by a Chinese supercar,” Yangwang stated, highlighting the breakthrough for domestic brands in a highly competitive and niche market. See also: BYD’s YangWang U9 Electric Supercar Achieves Nürburgring Lap Time of 7:17.900, Top Speed of 391.94 km/h The U9, officially launched on February 25, 2024, comes in a single two-seater variant priced at RMB 1.68 million ($230,870). It stands as…

BYD aims to complete its $1 billion production facility in Indonesia by the end of 2025, underscoring its commitment to expanding in Southeast Asia’s competitive automotive market. The plant, situated in Subang, West Java, will focus on producing EVs for export, according to Eagle Zhao, president director of BYD’s Indonesian unit. “Every single progression of our local manufacturing is quite smooth and also on the track. We will keep our commitment, which is by end-2025, we will complete the construction works,” Zhao said in a joint interview with Reuters and CNBC Indonesia. The facility, set to produce 150,000 EVs annually,…

Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Ehang has successfully completed the maiden flight of its EH216-S eVTOL in Shanghai, marking a key milestone in the development of urban air mobility within the megacity. The flight took place at Longhua Airport, situated near the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai. Following the successful flight, Ehang announced plans to launch regular trial runs for eVTOL sightseeing tours, paving the way for the future commercialization of air taxi services in the city. Ehang has partnered with HYNFAR-UAM, the first company in Shanghai to specialize in eVTOL operations, to explore the potential for…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited has started construction of its first battery swap station in Hong Kong, expanding its battery swap business beyond mainland China. The station, located on Ping Che Road in Fanling, New Territories, will be Hong Kong’s first dedicated battery swap station for passenger vehicles, according to a joint announcement made by CATL, FAW Hongqi, and Dragon Rise New Energy on January 13. This marks a significant step in the development of new energy infrastructure in Hong Kong, with CATL aiming to address the city’s space limitations and growing demand for sustainable mobility solutions. The new battery…

BYD has revealed details about its new Han L sedan through a regulatory filing, positioning it as one of the company’s most powerful models to date. The filing, published in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) catalog, includes two battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions and two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions. The dual-motor BEV variant (BYD7002ACBEV4) features a front motor with a peak output of 230 kW and a rear motor delivering an impressive 580 kW. This motor configuration allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, marking it as one…

BYD has officially surpassed Toyota in electric vehicle (EV) sales in Japan for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Chinese automaker in its push into overseas markets. In 2024, BYD sold 2,223 electric cars in Japan, outperforming Toyota’s 2,038 units, according to the Japan Automobile Dealer Association. This achievement is especially notable considering Toyota’s historic dominance in its home market. BYD’s sales were up 54% from 2023, while Toyota’s EV sales dropped by 30% year-over-year. The Chinese automaker, which entered Japan in early 2023, has quickly gained traction with its competitive pricing and models, such as the…

Tesla achieved record electric vehicle (EV) sales in China last month, with December figures reaching approximately 83,000 units, a 12.8% increase from November, the automaker announced. The surge in China sales contributed to Tesla’s best-ever fourth-quarter performance, though global deliveries fell short of Wall Street expectations. In 2024, Tesla sold about 657,000 vehicles in China, marking an 8.8% year-on-year increase and setting a new annual sales record for the country. The December estimate, calculated at around 82,896 units, underscores the automaker’s strong foothold in the world’s largest EV market. Final detailed figures are expected to be released by the China…