Author: Jackson Han

Uber Technologies has announced a partnership with Chinese self-driving technology firm WeRide, aiming to introduce WeRide’s autonomous vehicles to its rideshare platform in the United Arab Emirates. This collaboration marks WeRide’s first engagement with a global ride-hailing service, signaling the company’s intent to extend its operations beyond China while providing Uber with a step towards integrating robotaxis into its offerings. The partnership is set to launch in Abu Dhabi later this year. WeRide has been awarded the UAE’s first and only national license for self-driving vehicles, which permits the firm to test and operate robotaxis on public roads across the…

Leapmotor, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker backed by Stellantis NV (NYSE: STLA), has unveiled a preview of its upcoming B10 SUV, which is set to make its official debut at the Paris Auto Show on October 14. The B10 is the first global model from the company’s new B-platform, part of Leapmotor’s ambitious globalization strategy aimed at young consumers seeking intelligent and personalized vehicles. The B10, a compact SUV similar in size to the BMW X1, will compete with models such as the Aito M5 and Nio Onvo L60. It is designed using Leapmotor’s latest Leap 3.5 technology…

BJEV, a subsidiary of car manufacturer BAIC and an early pioneer in China’s electric vehicle market, is facing significant challenges as it announces a major reduction in production capacities. Founded in 2013, BJEV was once a market leader, but has been overtaken by competitors such as BYD and other emerging players in the electric vehicle sector. As a result, the company is shifting its strategy by closing its three factories located in Beijing, Qingdao in Shandong province, and Cangzhou in Hebei province, while also planning to open a new factory in Beijing. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing difficulties, as…

Leapmotor has officially entered the European market with the launch of its C10 and T03 electric vehicle models on September 24. The launch event in Milan, Italy, marked the brand’s European debut, with the two models now available for sale in 13 countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and Spain. This move is part of a joint effort between Leapmotor and Stellantis NV, under their 51:49 joint venture, Leapmotor International, headquartered in Amsterdam. Stellantis’ €1.5 billion investment in Leapmotor in October 2023 secured a 20% stake in the company, solidifying its role as the largest external shareholder. The venture aims…

Xpeng  has signed a dealer agreement to enter the Qatari market, furthering its global expansion. The agreement names Pioneer Motors, a subsidiary of Qatar’s Almana Group, as Xpeng’s exclusive distributor in the country. The Xpeng G6 and G9 SUVs, along with the P7 sedan, are expected to be available by the end of 2024. “Entering the Qatar market is a strategic move for XPENG. It not only strengthens our presence in the Middle East but also complements our mission to provide smart, eco-friendly transportation solutions on a global scale,” said Alex Tang, Xpeng’s general manager of international markets. The agreement,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has introduced its new sub-brand, Onvo, alongside the launch of its first model, the L60 SUV. Priced at 149,900 Chinese yuan (approximately $21,210), the L60 aims to make premium electric vehicles more accessible. One notable aspect of the L60’s pricing strategy is the option for a subscription-based battery rental, starting at 599 yuan per month (around $1,000 annually). For buyers who prefer to purchase the vehicle with the battery included, the starting price rises to 206,900 yuan (about $29,330). Deliveries of the L60 are set to commence on September 28. The Onvo L60 is designed…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs) surged by 20% year-on-year in August, reaching 1.47 million units, according to market research firm Rho Motion. The growth was primarily driven by record-breaking sales in China, despite a sharp 33% decline in Europe, marking its weakest performance since January 2023. China, the world’s largest EV market, saw a 42% rise in EV sales in August, surpassing one million vehicles. Rho Motion projects that China’s EV sales will increase by one-third this year, reaching 10.5 million units. In contrast, sales in Europe are expected to remain flat compared to last…

BYD reported record sales of 373,083 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in August, surpassing the previous record of 342,383 units set in July. This marks a 35.97% increase year-on-year and an 8.97% rise from the prior month, driven by continued growth in its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) segment. Passenger NEVs accounted for the majority of sales, with 370,854 units sold in August, reflecting a 35.31% year-on-year increase and an 8.82% gain from July. Commercial NEV sales also saw significant growth, with 2,229 units sold in August, up 643% year-on-year and 40.72% from the previous month. BYD’s passenger BEVs saw a…

The European Commission expressed confidence on Friday that its investigation into Chinese state subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs) and the resulting measures are in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. This comes as the EU’s executive body affirmed that its probe will continue despite China’s request for a WTO consultation. In July, the European Union imposed provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EV imports from China, aiming to protect its domestic EV industry. The tariffs followed an EU investigation that concluded Chinese-made vehicles were benefiting from state subsidies, which the EU deemed unfair competition. China, however, challenged the…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has introduced a humanoid robot into its manufacturing process, following a similar move by Nio. The Zeekr factory began using the Walker S Lite, a humanoid robot from UBTech Robotics, in early July. This robot has been operational at the plant for 21 days, aiding in lifting tasks and showing high efficiency in its role. The deployment of Walker S Lite at Zeekr is part of a collaboration with UBTech, Geely Holding, and Miracle Automation Engineering. Miracle Automation, which recently secured a contract for an assembly mainline conveyor project…

Onvo, a sub-brand of Nio, is set to commence production of its first vehicle, the Onvo L60, in mid-August, with the official launch scheduled for September. The company has introduced a new charging map in anticipation of the launch. Onvo President Ai Tiecheng announced in a live video stream that the L60’s first production vehicle is expected to roll off the assembly line in mid-August, and its interior will be revealed in two weeks. The L60 was first unveiled on May 15 and is available for pre-order at a starting price of RMB 219,900 ($30,710), which includes the battery. The…

Tesla China sold 74,117 vehicles wholesale in July 2024, marking a robust start to the second half of the year, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). This figure represents a 4.38% increase from the 71,007 vehicles sold wholesale in June 2024 and a 15.29% year-over-year rise from the 64,285 units sold in July 2023. The strong performance in July is encouraging for Tesla’s Giga Shanghai, which is expected to maintain high output levels in the third and fourth quarters. Industry analysts noted that Tesla China’s export activities remained consistent last month, despite new tariffs in Europe…