Author: Jackson Han

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…

Dongfeng Nissan, the Chinese joint venture of Nissan Motor, has filed its new NX8 mid-to-large sport utility vehicle for regulatory approval in China, signalling a fresh push by the automaker into the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The NX8 appeared this week in a vehicle approval catalogue published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), clearing a key regulatory hurdle ahead of its commercial launch. The model becomes the third vehicle in Dongfeng Nissan’s N-series lineup, following the N7 battery-electric sedan and the N6 plug-in hybrid. Dongfeng Nissan said the NX8 will be offered in both extended-range electric…

Audi and its Chinese partner SAIC Motor have taken a further step in expanding their new AUDI electric vehicle brand in China after the AUDI E7X electric sport utility vehicle appeared in the latest regulatory filing published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The vehicle is included in MIIT’s newly released catalogue of models approved for public consultation, a standard process that represents the final major regulatory milestone before commercial sales can begin in China. Public feedback on the listed vehicles is open from December 6 to December 12. The E7X is the second production model to…

Wuling, the Chinese automotive brand owned by SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), has unveiled regulatory details for its upcoming Bingo Pro electric hatchback, as the company prepares to broaden its compact EV range in China. The Bingo Pro appeared in December filings released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), confirming key specifications for the new five-door battery-electric model. Wuling is positioning the Bingo Pro between the smaller Wuling Bingo and the larger Bingo S, targeting buyers seeking a compact urban vehicle with added interior space. “Wuling is set to launch the Bingo Pro in China in H1, 2026,” the filing…

GAC Toyota, the Chinese joint venture between Toyota Motor and state-owned GAC Group, said it will launch the bZ7 electric vehicle in the first quarter of next year, following sustained delivery momentum from its smaller bZ3X electric SUV. In a statement published on its official WeChat account, GAC Toyota said the bZ3X recorded deliveries of more than 10,000 units in each of the past two months, with November deliveries reaching 10,010 vehicles. The company launched the bZ3X in March with a starting price of 109,800 yuan ($28,290), marking Toyota’s first fully electric SUV in China priced near the lower end…

Chinese bike-sharing and mobility company Hellobike is expected to begin small-batch deliveries of its Level 4 autonomous robotaxi vehicles in March next year, with mass production targeted for June, local media outlet Lanjinger reported on Thursday. The robotaxi manufacturing partner is Dongfeng Nissan’s Venucia brand, with the first Level 4 production model based on the Venucia VX6 platform, the report said. Hellobike formally entered the robotaxi sector in June, establishing a joint venture with fintech firm Ant Group and battery maker CATL to focus on Level 4 autonomous driving research and development. The Shanghai-based company said at the time that…

Chinese mobility operator CaoCao Inc. has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with robotics manufacturer DOBOT to integrate intelligent robots into its Robotaxi operations, as both companies prepare for larger-scale deployment of autonomous mobility services. Under the agreement signed on Dec. 1, the partners will focus on automating operational tasks such as vehicle cleaning, maintenance and charging. The collaboration is intended to raise the level of automation in daily fleet operations and strengthen the service infrastructure required for expanded Robotaxi rollouts in the coming years. See also: Lotus Robotics, CaoCao Mobility Unveil Autonomous Ride-Hailing Platform in China The two companies also…

Dongfeng Motor and Huawei’s jointly developed automotive brand Yijing is set to launch its first model, an SUV available in both battery-electric and extended-range electric variants, in the third quarter of 2026, Chinese media outlet Lanjinger reported. Dongfeng officially announced the Yijing brand at Huawei’s Qiankun Ecosystem Conference on Nov. 20, confirming that the debut model will be unveiled at the Beijing auto show in April 2026. The brand plans to introduce one new model each year. See also: China’s LFP Battery Material Producers Move to Raise Prices Amid Supply Tightening “The brand will launch one new model every year,”…