Author: Victor Choi

Tesla sold 67,829 China-made vehicles at wholesale in October 2026, an increase of 10.3% from a year earlier but a decline of 28.88% from September. The preliminary figures, released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Tuesday, marked the lowest monthly total since February. Wholesale sales include vehicles delivered to the domestic Chinese market and exports from Tesla’s Shanghai factory. October’s result was the second-lowest monthly wholesale volume recorded by Tesla China so far this year, ahead of only February’s 58,599 units. The decline followed September’s year-to-date high and came despite the company maintaining year-on-year sales growth throughout the…

Several Chinese automakers have reportedly held talks with regulators in Beijing to secure export quotas for hybrid vehicles destined for the European Union, as companies seek allocations under a proposed China-EU trade arrangement. Chinese financial news outlet Cailian reported the development on Monday, citing multiple people familiar with the matter. The discussions come less than a month after China and the EU announced an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade. “The total quota is limited, so each company will not receive a large export allocation. All the automakers are currently working to secure their share,” the report quoted one person familiar…

Xpeng delivered a record 50,237 vehicles in October, surpassing 50,000 units for the first time as strong overseas growth supported the Chinese automaker’s push to increase sales in the fourth quarter. The company announced the figure on Sunday, exceeding its previous monthly record of 42,013 vehicles set in October last year. The latest result also marked a return to year-on-year growth following a slight decline in September. During the first 10 months of 2026, Xpeng delivered 334,604 vehicles, down 5.80% year on year. This narrowed the cumulative decline from 9.20% recorded during the first nine months. Overseas Deliveries Reach New…

BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao brand has reached 600,000 cumulative vehicle sales as it expands its product portfolio beyond off-road SUVs and prepares to increase deliveries of its newly introduced sedan models. The brand announced the milestone on Weibo on Sunday but did not provide October sales figures or a breakdown by model. BYD is expected to publish its latest monthly sales data later in the day. The Tai 7 has become a major contributor to the brand’s growth, reaching 300,000 cumulative sales in October, according to Fang Cheng Bao general manager Xiong Tianbo in a Weibo post on October 31.…

Li Auto has launched the 2026 i6, updating its five-seat electric SUV with an in-house driver-assistance chip, a larger battery and revised interior equipment while maintaining the previous model’s starting price. The Chinese automaker introduced the updated vehicle on Wednesday at a retail price of 249,800 yuan (approximately $37,190), unchanged from the 2025 version. Customers purchasing the vehicle by 30 November can receive introductory benefits that reduce the price to 239,800 yuan, a discount of 10,000 yuan. Li Auto has opened orders for vehicles with shorter delivery lead times, estimating that some customers could receive their vehicles within one to…

Chery’s Lepas brand has unveiled the Aura, its first global concept car, offering a preview of the design direction planned for future models as the Chinese automotive group expands its portfolio for international markets. The concept made its debut in Wuhu, China, on 22 October during Lepas’ first Global Elegant Lifestyle Week. The brand did not disclose technical specifications, powertrain details or plans for a production version. Leopard-Inspired Design and New Lighting Features The Aura was developed around a leopard-inspired theme under Lepas’ “Natural Energy” design philosophy. Its exterior features a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a wide stance, giving…

Chinese battery manufacturer SVOLT has started series production of its semi-solid-state Dragon Armor battery, with the first batch of 100 kWh battery packs rolling off the production line in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. The company says the battery supports charging rates of up to 6C, potentially allowing a driving range of around 500 kilometres to be replenished in 12 minutes. SVOLT Chairman Yang Hongxin announced the production milestone in a video published on Weibo. He said multiple customers are considering the 100 kWh battery, but did not identify any confirmed vehicle applications. 100 kWh Battery Supports 900-Volt Systems According to SVOLT,…

FAW-Volkswagen’s Jetta brand has launched the M6, its first production battery-electric vehicle, in China’s entry-level electric car market. The electric sedan is available in three variants, with prices ranging from 79,800 yuan to 99,800 yuan. Built on Jetta’s in-house Jiesi architecture and dedicated electric vehicle platform, the M6 uses a single electric motor driving the front wheels. Buyers can choose between a 42.9 kWh battery with a 113 kW motor or a 51.9 kWh battery paired with a 145 kW motor. The model offers a maximum CLTC driving range of 555 km, depending on the variant, and supports battery charging…

Audi will appoint Jeff Zhang as President of Audi China in November, replacing Johannes Roscheck, while Rolf Michl, currently CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, will join the China business as Chief Operating Officer. The two executives will jointly lead the organization as the German premium automaker restructures its management in one of its most important markets. The changes come as Audi and its parent company, Volkswagen Group, face declining sales in China. Volkswagen’s brands have recorded a 30% sales decline in the country since the beginning of the year, according to the supplied report. Jeff Zhang Returns to Audi China…

Li Auto has launched its in-house-developed Lianshan electric powertrain system, covering batteries, electric drive units and charging infrastructure, CnEVPost reported. The company also introduced two lifetime battery fire guarantees as it expands the use of its own battery technology. Announced at the company’s Power Day event, the guarantees cover battery self-ignition caused by quality issues and fires following collisions or chassis scraping. If a vehicle is scrapped under qualifying circumstances, Li Auto will provide compensation or cover the gap between the vehicle’s damage insurance coverage amount and the actual payout, subject to eligibility conditions. Battery Technology and Performance Li Auto…

China has proposed a national framework allowing vehicles equipped with Level 3 or higher automated driving systems to use optional turquoise exterior lights to indicate when autonomous driving functions are active. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) opened public consultation on Tuesday for five mandatory national standards, including revised requirements for the installation of external lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles and their trailers. The consultation period runs until December 19. Under the draft, automated driving system (ADS) marker lights could be installed at the front, rear and sides of eligible vehicles. Turquoise would be designated as…

Toyota is reportedly planning to manufacture the next-generation Corolla in China from 2028, with a fully electric version expected to join the model range, according to Japanese media outlet Nikkei Asia. Production is expected to be handled by FAW Toyota, the automaker’s Chinese joint venture. The move would represent a significant step in the electrification of the Corolla, one of the world’s best-selling car nameplates. The model is currently offered with conventional petrol and full-hybrid powertrains, while a battery-electric variant would broaden its appeal in China’s increasingly competitive EV market. Flexible Platform to Support Multiple Powertrains The next Corolla is…

Retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China fell 16.7% year-on-year to 1.084 million units in September 2026, although they increased 7.8% from August, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Monday. The decline marked the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year decreases in NEV retail sales. From January through September, cumulative sales reached 7.758 million units, down 12.8% compared with the same period in 2025. Despite the retail downturn, NEVs accounted for a record 67.0% of China’s passenger vehicle retail sales in September, an increase of 9.1 percentage points year-on-year and 1.7 percentage points…

Li Auto has unveiled its i6 battery-electric SUV in Europe, confirming plans to begin sales and deliveries in Norway and the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2027. The model will be marketed as the Li 6 in Europe, with the company planning to expand into additional European countries over time. The announcement was made at the 2026 Paris Motor Show on Monday, establishing the company’s initial European markets and delivery timeline. The schedule is later than the fourth-quarter 2026 sales target Li Auto outlined during its August earnings call. European Market Strategy Li Auto said it also plans to…

Aito, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres, plans to enter the European market in 2027 as it expands its international presence. The brand has reportedly begun preparations for European Union Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA), a regulatory step required before vehicles can be sold in the bloc. Chinese media outlet Cailian reported the planned entry on Monday, citing information it had obtained exclusively. The report said Aito would present four SUVs — the Aito 6, Aito 7, Aito 8 and Aito 9 — at the Paris Motor Show 2026, scheduled for October 12-18. The report did not…

Huawei-led Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) delivered 37,490 vehicles in September, down 29.15% from a year earlier and 10.95% from August, according to figures released by the alliance on Thursday. The result marked HIMA’s fourth consecutive month of year-on-year decline and its third straight month of month-on-month contraction, highlighting increasing pressure on sales despite several new product launches during the month. HIMA delivered 367,229 vehicles during the first nine months of the year, up 5.27% from the same period a year earlier. The growth rate slowed considerably from the 11.42% increase recorded through the first eight months. The alliance said…

Li Auto delivered 31,817 vehicles in September, down 6.29% from the same month last year and 15.56% from August. The decline follows a year-on-year rebound in August, when deliveries increased 32.07% to 37,679 vehicles. The Chinese automaker’s cumulative deliveries reached 1,833,651 vehicles as of September 30. September’s results brought the company back to year-on-year delivery declines after August ended three consecutive months of annual declines. Third-Quarter Deliveries Rise 7.2% Li Auto delivered 99,964 vehicles in the third quarter, representing a 7.24% increase from the same period last year and a 1.66% increase compared with the second quarter. For the first…

SAIC Volkswagen has opened pre-sales for the ID. ERA 8X, a five-seat extended-range electric SUV positioned between the automaker’s growing range of electrified vehicles in China. The mid- to large-size SUV is offered in four variants: Pro, Max, Max Long Range and Ultra Long Range. While pre-sales prices have not yet been announced, the model is expected to target China’s 250,000-yuan to 350,000-yuan market. The ID. ERA 8X is scheduled to officially launch on October 12 and combines an 800-volt electrical architecture, an extended-range powertrain and Momenta driver-assistance technology. SAIC Volkswagen ID. ERA 8X Pre-Sales and Variants The ID. ERA…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery, has officially launched the RX electric coupe SUV in China, with prices starting at 259,800 yuan ($38,550). The model is available in six variants priced at 259,800 yuan, 289,800 yuan, 319,800 yuan, 349,800 yuan, 369,800 yuan and 389,800 yuan. The entry price is 10,000 yuan below the pre-sale starting price of 269,800 yuan announced on September 20 and 40,000 yuan below the initial reservation price of 299,800 yuan announced on August 20. Luxeed said customers placing orders during the current promotion can receive limited-time benefits worth up to 40,500…

Geely Holding Group plans to take a 30% stake in Nio Power as the two companies expand their cooperation on electric vehicle charging and battery swapping. Geely will contribute its entire equity interest in battery-swap business Yiyi Power and 640 million yuan ($94.8 million) in cash in exchange for newly issued shares in Nio Power. Nio announced the definitive agreement with certain Geely Holding subsidiaries on Monday. The transaction implies a post-money valuation of approximately 16 billion yuan ($2.37 billion) for Nio Power, according to Nio’s announcement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Geely to Join Nio Power Ownership Structure…