Author: Jackson Han

Chinese state-owned automaker FAW Group’s premium brand Hongqi has launched the HS6 PHEV, a new plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle positioned toward the upper end of its product range, the company said. The HS6 PHEV was officially introduced on Dec. 16 and is offered in three variants, with guide prices ranging from 178,800 yuan to 228,800 yuan ($25,000–$32,000). Hongqi describes the model as a next-generation flagship five-seat SUV, designed to strengthen its presence in China’s competitive premium electrified vehicle segment. The model adopts a design language Hongqi refers to as an “Eastern aesthetic.” At the front, slim daytime running lights…

Onvo, a sub-brand of Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc, is set to launch a limited-edition violet version of its L60 mid-size electric SUV on Dec. 18, with production capped at 666 units. The Violet Edition is the latest in a series of special models introduced by Nio and its sub-brands, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance brand visibility through low-volume variants. See also: Nio’s Onvo L90 Electric SUV Reaches 40,000 Deliveries in Four Months in China Show vehicles for the L60 Violet Edition are already on display at Onvo retail locations, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin immediately following the…

Nio has introduced limited-edition versions of its ET5 electric sedan and ET5 Touring wagon as part of efforts to stimulate demand for its sedan lineup. The new variants, branded the Far Sky Edition, feature an exclusive purple exterior design and are limited to 555 units. Nio said deliveries of the limited-edition models will begin later this month. See also: Nio Onvo President Criticizes Large Batteries in EREVs as Resource-Intensive The ET5 Far Sky Edition is priced from RMB 313,000 ($44,450) including a 100-kWh battery pack, representing a RMB 15,000, or about 5%, premium over the standard model’s starting price of…

Ford Motor said it will launch the electric version of its Bronco sport utility vehicle in China on Dec. 19, roughly a month after opening pre-sales, as the automaker continues to expand its electrified offerings in the world’s largest auto market. The company said deliveries of the electric Bronco will begin at the time of launch. The model has been developed by Ford China specifically for the Chinese market and is manufactured at the Nanchang plant of its local partner, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC). See also: Ford Launches Electric Bronco Pre-Sales in China With Starting Price of RMB 229,800 Pre-sales…

Volkswagen’s first model built on its China Electrical Architecture (CEA) platform, the ID.UNYX 07, is set to enter series production at the end of this year, underscoring the German automaker’s push to localise development and speed up product cycles in its largest market. Frank Han, chief executive of CARIAD China, said at the WNAT-CES 2025 conference that production of the all-electric sedan will begin at Volkswagen Anhui on Dec. 31. The CEA platform, unlike Volkswagen’s global MEB architecture, was designed from the outset specifically for China and developed jointly by Volkswagen China Technology Company, CARIAD China, CARIZON, Xpeng and other…

Geely Auto Group on Thursday inaugurated what it said is the world’s largest automotive safety testing centre, as the Chinese carmaker steps up investment in safety technologies for intelligent and electrified vehicles. The Geely Safety Centre spans about 45,000 square metres and represents an initial investment of more than 2 billion yuan ($275 million). Geely said the facility has set five Guinness World Records, including for the largest automotive safety laboratory and the longest indoor crash-test track. See also: Geely Finalizes Zeekr Privatization Shareholder Election Results The new centre broadens the scope of vehicle safety testing beyond traditional crash performance…

Aulton New Energy Co Ltd, a Chinese provider of third-party battery swap solutions, has filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong, seeking to raise funds to expand investment in battery swapping and related technologies, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing. CMB International is acting as the sole sponsor for the IPO. Aulton did not disclose the number of shares to be offered or the size of the fundraising. Headquartered in Guangzhou, the company counts Nio Capital among its major shareholders, with a 5.53% stake. See also: CATL Unveils First Right-Hand-Drive Battery-Swap Taxi in Hong Kong Aulton…

Leapmotor founder Zhu Jiangming and his concert party, Fu Liquan and his spouse, have increased their holdings in the company for the third time this year, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The latest move comes as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker’s share price has dropped sharply over the past four months despite continued growth in deliveries. The group purchased 2,150,600 Leapmotor shares on the open market at an average price of HK$50.51 per share, for a total of HK$108.6 million (US$14 million). The company said the decision reflects their confidence in Leapmotor’s long-term prospects,…

Geely announced on December 9 the final results of the consideration election process for the privatization of its premium electric vehicle (EV) unit, Zeekr, marking a key step toward establishing its unified “One Geely” corporate structure. Approximately 71% of eligible Zeekr shareholders chose to receive Geely shares as compensation, resulting in the issuance of a combined 777,228,611 new Geely shares. These new shares will rank pari passu with existing stock, including full dividend and voting rights. The remaining 29.2% of shareholders chose, or were deemed to choose, cash compensation, which will total approximately US$701 million. See also: Zeekr Launches Sales…

Aion, the new energy vehicle brand of China’s GAC Group, has released regulatory images and specifications for its upcoming N60 electric model, signaling the expansion of its product lineup in the fast-growing mid-size electric SUV segment. Images published in November by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show the production-ready Aion N60 with a design that blends characteristics of both SUVs and MPVs. See also: GAC Group Reports 56,422 NEV Sales in November, With Toyota JV EVs Leading Growth The vehicle features a short front hood, wide lighting elements, large window areas and aerodynamic wheels, giving it a…

Smart, the automotive brand operating as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, has filed regulatory documentation for its all-new #6 EHD sedan, signaling the company’s continued expansion into new market segments. The vehicle was included in the latest catalog of models slated for sale approval, released Friday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for public comment, a major final step in the regulatory process. The public comment period is open from December 6 to 12. The Smart #6 EHD is designated as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Official dimensions indicate the model is the largest…

SAIC-Volkswagen’s high-end electric vehicle brand AUDI has released official images of its upcoming E7X electric sport utility vehicle in China, providing the clearest visual presentation yet of the brand’s second production model designed specifically for the domestic market. The newly published images show the E7X with a highly unconventional and sculpted exterior design, highlighted by a sharply contoured front fascia, aggressive lighting elements and a wide, muscular stance. The styling marks a clear departure from Audi’s traditional global design language and reflects the strategy of establishing a distinct visual identity for the capital-letter AUDI marque in China. The E7X has…