Author: Jackson Han

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…

Great Wall Motor’s Tank brand has introduced the Tank 500 Hi4-Z hybrid off-road SUV, designed to compete with BYD’s newly launched Fang Cheng Bao brand, which has been gaining traction in the off-road vehicle segment. The Tank 500 Hi4-Z, which is positioned more for urban use than rugged off-road performance, comes with a starting price of RMB 363,800 ($49,830), undercutting the RMB 379,800 starting price of the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8. The new model shares the same exterior design as the Tank 500 Hi4-T, the first new energy vehicle (NEV) from Tank launched in June 2023, but features a…

Rivian delivered 14,183 electric vehicles (EVs) in the fourth quarter of 2024, surpassing Wall Street expectations, which had anticipated around 13,500 units. This performance helped the company meet its annual delivery guidance, with a total of 51,579 vehicles delivered throughout the year. The figure fell within the company’s forecasted range of 50,500 to 52,000 units and was a slight increase over the 50,122 vehicles delivered in 2023. Rivian’s production for the fourth quarter also exceeded expectations, with 12,727 units manufactured. Overall, the company produced 49,476 vehicles in 2024, slightly above its revised target of 47,000 to 49,000 units. This marked…

China’s capital, Beijing, has adopted new measures to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving technology, with plans to eventually permit driverless public buses and taxis, state media reported on Tuesday. The new regulations, effective from April 1, allow autonomous vehicles that meet road testing and safety standards to apply for road trials, the Beijing Daily stated. The city aims to foster autonomous vehicle use for private cars, urban buses, trams, and taxis while promoting the development of intelligent road infrastructure to support advanced transportation systems. The central Chinese city of Wuhan also announced similar regulations to enhance intelligent connected vehicle…

Dongfeng Motor has officially entered the Mexican market, marking a significant expansion of its overseas presence. The Chinese automaker recently launched more than 10 models in Mexico, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles, such as the all-electric E70 and the Huge HEV hybrid SUV. This move underscores Dongfeng’s commitment to expanding its footprint in Latin America. The company also showcased its advanced technologies, including hybrid engines and fast-charging capabilities, highlighting its dedication to providing efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. As part of its strategy, Dongfeng plans to increase investments in new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the region…

Nio’s third sub-brand, Firefly, will focus on capturing the Chinese and European markets with its boutique small electric vehicles (EVs), starting with a launch in China in the first half of 2025, followed by Europe a quarter later, according to Daniel Jin, president of the Firefly brand. Initially envisioned as a simultaneous global release, Firefly’s debut will prioritize China to ensure quality control, Jin stated in an interview with local media outlet 36kr. The Firefly brand will be officially launched at the Nio Day 2024 event on December 21, where its first model, sharing the same name, will be unveiled.…

Nvidia is encountering significant headwinds in its automotive ambitions as delays in the production of its next-generation Thor chip prompt some Chinese automakers, including Xpeng, to reconsider their reliance on the U.S. semiconductor giant, according to a report by Chinese media outlet 36kr. Initially slated for mass production by mid-2024, the Thor chip, unveiled in September 2022, is now delayed. Nvidia’s revised timeline suggests that only an entry-level version of the chip will be available by mid-2024, with full-scale deployment expected later. The setbacks come at a time when Chinese automakers are advancing their in-house chip development, diminishing the appeal…