Author: Jackson Han

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…

The Proton e.MAS 7, Proton’s highly anticipated all-electric SUV, has officially launched following an extended teaser phase. Available in two variants – Prime and Premium – the e.MAS 7 combines performance, practicality, and advanced technology to meet the demands of modern EV buyers. The SUV comes in five striking color options: Platinum Silver, Turquoise Green, Slate Grey, Lithium White, and Quartz Rose. However, Proton has kept the interior consistent across all options with an elegant Indigo Blue cabin theme. Under the hood, both the Prime and Premium variants of the e.MAS 7 are equipped with a front-mounted electric motor producing…

Chinese automaker Chery has launched the iCar V23, an all-electric compact SUV combining retro off-road design with advanced electric vehicle technology. Available in three trims, including rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, the iCar V23 offers a maximum range of 501 km on the CLTC cycle and starts at $13,700. The iCar V23 features a distinctive off-road aesthetic with a smoked front grille adorned by the iCar logo and round headlights. Its boxy silhouette, reminiscent of classic off-road vehicles, is enhanced with modern touches such as hidden door handles, a roof luggage rack, and a rear-mounted storage container.…

DP World has deployed eight fully electric straddle carriers from Kalmar at its London Gateway port, equipped with Kempower’s ultra-high power 500A fast chargers. The project marks a significant step towards electrifying port operations and is the first use of such a charging system for Kalmar electric straddle carriers in Europe. The electric straddle carriers, part of a £12 million investment, operate at the port’s newly opened fourth terminal, which was completed in November 2023 following a £350 million development. The terminal is DP World’s first facility to rely entirely on electric vehicles. The carriers, each weighing 62 tonnes, are…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle unit of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, is preparing to launch its car sales operations internationally as competition in China’s EV market heats up. The company has established an overseas sales preparation team within its international business division and is recruiting for key roles such as market research, project management, and after-sales engineering, local media outlet 36kr reported. Xiaomi EV’s smart driving division is also hiring specialists to address compliance for autonomous driving features in foreign markets, signaling plans to adapt its cutting-edge technology to international standards. Initially, Xiaomi EV plans to test the waters with…

Gotion High-tech, a Chinese battery manufacturer backed by Volkswagen, has revealed plans to establish new battery production facilities in Slovakia and Morocco as part of its strategy to expand its international footprint. The total investment for both projects is approximately 2.514 billion euros ($2.6 billion). The Slovakian plant, with an investment of up to 1.234 billion euros, will have an annual capacity of 20 GWh of lithium batteries. It will be built by Gotion InoBat Batteries (GIB) EnergyX Slovakia, a joint venture where Gotion holds an 80 percent stake, and InoBat Auto jsa owns the remaining 20 percent. Gotion acquired…

Tesla has officially launched its Actually Smart Summon (ASS) feature in China, expanding the availability of this technology to the region after its introduction in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Announced via a Weibo post, the feature allows Tesla vehicles to autonomously drive to the driver, enhancing the convenience of vehicle retrieval from parking spaces. The Actually Smart Summon is part of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) software packages. It is not available to owners using the basic Autopilot (BAP) software. In China, the cost for the FSD package is RMB 64,000 yuan ($8,790), while…