Author: Jason Zhao

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand of Geely, has opened pre-sales for updated versions of its Zeekr 007 and Zeekr 007 GT models, introducing hardware upgrades as part of its ongoing product updates in China. The company said customers can pay 2,000 yuan ($290) during the pre-sales period to receive a 7,000 yuan deduction from the final purchase price. The official launch of the updated models is scheduled for April 10. Both vehicles have been upgraded to a 900-volt high-voltage architecture, replacing the previous 800-volt system. The models are available with 75-kWh and 103-kWh battery packs, offering a maximum driving…

Stelato, a brand jointly created by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group, has launched updated versions of its S9 sedan and S9T wagon as it seeks to remain competitive in China’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. The updated Stelato S9 and Stelato S9T were unveiled at a spring product event, with both models priced from 319,800 yuan ($46,370). The new versions introduce additional exterior color options aimed at offering greater personalization for consumers. Both vehicles are equipped with a new-generation 896-channel image-grade LiDAR system as standard, enhancing environmental perception capabilities. They also feature Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4 smart driving system, designed…

Xiaomi has begun deliveries of its new-generation SU7 electric sedan while announcing partnerships with three domestic racing events, underscoring its strategy to position the model around performance and driving dynamics. The company live-streamed the handover of the first batch of vehicles on Monday, following strong initial demand. The upgraded Xiaomi SU7 secured more than 15,000 locked-in orders within 34 minutes of its launch on March 19, according to the company. To shorten delivery times, Xiaomi prepared ready-to-ship inventory in advance, allowing deliveries within one to five weeks after orders are confirmed. “Over the past two years, owners have had major…

Nio has surpassed 550,000 units in cumulative production of its in-house developed automotive chips, marking a milestone in the Chinese electric vehicle maker’s push into semiconductors. Founder, chairman, and CEO William Li disclosed the figure at a semiconductor industry summit in Shanghai on Thursday, underscoring the company’s progress in building internal chip capabilities. The total production volume includes two key chips: the Yangjian LiDAR master control chip and the Shenji NX9031 smart driving processor. Shipments of the Yangjian chip, launched in 2023 and deployed from April 2024, have exceeded 400,000 units. Meanwhile, the Shenji NX9031 chip—built on a 5-nanometre process—has…

SAIC-GM-Wuling has unveiled the fifth-generation Hongguang Mini EV, updating the world’s best-selling micro electric vehicle as competition intensifies in China’s entry-level EV segment. The new version adopts a unified design language for both two-door and four-door variants, featuring retro-style circular headlights and taillights along with a contrasting black floating roof. Three new exterior colours — green, white and grey — have been introduced, according to information released by the company on social media. The model has already appeared in a regulatory catalogue from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, indicating preparations for market launch. Dimensions have been slightly revised…

Nio Inc delivered 20,797 vehicles in February, a 57.6% increase from a year earlier despite a decline from January due to the Lunar New Year holiday, the company said. Deliveries fell 23.49% month on month as the Spring Festival break, which ran from mid- to late February this year, disrupted production and logistics across China’s automotive sector. Last year’s holiday occurred mainly in January, resulting in a different seasonal pattern. The Nio main brand accounted for 15,159 vehicles in February, up 65.80% year on year but down 27.45% from the previous month. Sub-brand Onvo delivered 2,981 vehicles, declining both year…

Xpeng delivered 15,256 vehicles in February, a sharp decline of 49.90% from a year earlier and 23.76% from January, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker faced holiday-related disruptions and softer domestic demand. The company said the Lunar New Year holiday, which ran from Feb. 15 to Feb. 23 this year, affected production and logistics across the industry. In contrast, last year’s holiday occurred mainly in January, reducing its impact on February deliveries. See also: Xpeng Files Flagship GX SUV for Approval, Offering BEV and EREV Variants The slowdown mirrors broader industry trends, with several Chinese automakers reporting weaker monthly results…

Smart #5 Electric SUV Wins Multiple Global Awards In First Year On Market Mid-Size Model Earns Safety, Design And Car-Of-The-Year Honors Across Europe And Asia STUTTGART, Feb 13 — The all-electric smart #5 sport utility vehicle has received multiple international awards during its first year on sale, including Norway’s Car of the Year 2026 and top safety recognition from Euro NCAP, the brand said. The mid-size SUV secured Euro NCAP’s “Best in Class” Large SUV title for 2025 after achieving the highest overall score in its category, alongside a five-star safety rating. The vehicle also earned distinctions in design competitions…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr will recall 38,277 electric vehicles in China due to potential safety risks linked to power battery performance, according to a notice published by the country’s market regulator. The recall covers Zeekr 001 WE Edition vehicles produced between July 8, 2021, and March 18, 2024, and will begin on March 6, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation said. See also: Zeekr to Launch Updated 007 Sedan and 007 GT With New Driving Chip in China The affected vehicles may experience abnormal increases in internal battery resistance after extended use due to manufacturing consistency issues in…

Xpeng has launched the updated 2026 model year P7+ liftback in China, pricing the car from 186,800 yuan ($26,700) as the electric vehicle maker positions the model as a global offering set to enter overseas markets, including Europe. The refreshed P7+ introduces both battery-electric and extended-range electric variants. Xpeng said the EREV version delivers up to 1,550 km of combined driving range under China’s CLTC testing standard, while offering up to 430 km of pure electric range. The company described the new P7+ as featuring 104 upgrades compared with the outgoing model. See also: Xpeng Launches G7 EREV in China…

China will continue offering trade-in subsidies for passenger vehicles in 2026, adjusting the program’s structure while keeping overall subsidy caps unchanged, according to a joint notice released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance. Under the revised policy, fixed-amount subsidies will be replaced by percentage-based incentives tied to vehicle prices. Consumers scrapping older passenger vehicles and purchasing new energy vehicles (NEVs) will be eligible for subsidies equal to 12 percent of the purchase price, capped at 20,000 yuan ($2,860). Buyers of gasoline-powered passenger vehicles with engine displacements of 2.0 liters or less will qualify for…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor said it has secured a strategic investment from China FAW Group, marking a rare case of a major state-owned automaker taking an equity stake in a privately held new energy vehicle (NEV) company. In a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Monday, Leapmotor said it had signed a share subscription agreement with FAW Equity Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of FAW Group. Under the deal, Leapmotor will issue 74.83 million new domestic shares at 50.03 yuan ($7.05) per share, raising approximately 3.74 billion yuan ($530 million). See also: Leapmotor Unveils D99 MPV, Confirms…

China’s CATL has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Voyah, the new energy vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, extending their partnership for a further 10 years, the battery maker said. The agreement was signed on Dec. 17 in Ningde, Fujian province, where CATL is headquartered. The signing was witnessed by Robin Zeng, chairman and chief executive of CATL, Feng Changjun, general manager of Dongfeng Motor, and Lu Fang, chairman of Voyah, according to the statement. See also: Dongfeng’s Voyah Launches Passion L Hybrid Sedan to Compete in China’s Luxury Market Under the deal, the two companies will deepen cooperation across…

China FAW Group plans to begin mass production of solid-state batteries by the end of 2027, as Chinese automakers accelerate efforts to commercialise next-generation battery technology for electric vehicles. Jiang Wenhu, vice president of the Hongqi Brand Operation Committee at China FAW, said the automaker has completed trial production of a 66 ampere-hour solid-state battery cell and intends to integrate the technology into high-end Hongqi sedan and SUV models within the same timeframe. The project involves collaboration with 27 research institutions and industry partners. See also: Chery to Launch All-Solid State Battery by 2026, Unveils Kunpeng Battery Brand According to…

China has drafted new guidelines to regulate pricing practices in the automotive industry, as fierce competition and rapid model rollouts put pressure on carmakers’ sales strategies. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Friday released the Guidelines for Price Behavior Compliance in the Automotive Industry for public consultation, with feedback open until Dec. 22. The rules set out compliance requirements for automakers covering the full chain from vehicle and parts production to pricing strategies, promotions and sales practices. See also: China NEV Wholesale Sales Hit 1.82 Million in November, CAAM Data Shows Under the draft guidelines, automakers would be…

China’s Central Economic Work Conference, held in Beijing on 10–11 December, has outlined the country’s policy framework for 2026, with officials indicating that optimizing the implementation of the “two renewals” will be a priority next year, according to Chinese media reports. The policy pair—large-scale equipment upgrades and the consumer goods old-for-new program—has played a central role in stimulating domestic demand over the past two years. The old-for-new program, funded through ultra-long special-purpose government bonds, allocated RMB 150 billion (US$21 billion) in 2024 and RMB 300 billion (US$42 billion) in 2025. The scheme covers automobiles, home appliances and other major consumer…

China’s commerce ministry said on Thursday that discussions with the European Union over a possible minimum price mechanism for China-made electric vehicles have resumed and will continue into next week, signalling renewed diplomatic efforts to ease trade tensions following the EU’s decision to impose steep anti-subsidy duties earlier this year. The European Union authorised tariffs of up to 45.3% in October 2024 after a European Commission investigation concluded that state support for Chinese EV manufacturers could lead to an oversupply in the European market. Beijing has maintained that its automotive sector is competitive due to technology and scale, not subsidies,…