Author: Victor Choi

Li Auto has unveiled the Li i9, its first family-oriented all-electric flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV), with the model scheduled to launch in September as the newest addition to the company’s flagship 9-series lineup. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Li Xiang introduced the vehicle in a post on Weibo, confirming its launch timeline. “Our first family-oriented all-electric flagship SUV, a second Home. Li i9, see you in September.” Largest SUV in Li Auto’s Portfolio The Li i9 will feature a special “Home” badge on the rear and will be offered in a Home edition, becoming the company’s second model…

BYD has produced its 17 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV), reaching another manufacturing milestone as the Chinese automaker continues to expand production and refresh its vehicle lineup. The milestone vehicle is the Seal 08, the flagship sedan in BYD’s Ocean series, the company announced through its official channels on Wednesday. The achievement comes 82 days after BYD produced its 16 millionth NEV on April 17, 2026. That milestone was marked by the production of the second-generation Denza D9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). By comparison, the company required 120 days to increase production from 15 million to 16 million vehicles. The shorter…

Premium electric vehicle maker Zeekr has opened pre-sales for the five-seat version of its flagship Zeekr 9X sport utility vehicle (SUV), adding a new configuration to broaden the model’s appeal in China’s luxury vehicle market. The company announced the launch through its official social media channels, saying customers who place reservations during the pre-sales period will be eligible for incentives valued at up to 90,000 yuan (about $13,230). The package includes a complimentary Naim sound system and electric running boards. Customers can also place a 5,000 yuan deposit that will be credited as a 10,000 yuan discount toward the vehicle’s…

GWM has opened pre-sales for the next-generation Tank 300, introducing a significantly updated version of one of the flagship models in its premium off-road vehicle lineup. The company began accepting pre-orders on Monday, with the official market launch scheduled for July 19. Plug-In Hybrid Models Lead Launch Pre-sales are currently available for two plug-in hybrid variants. The Tank 300L Hi4-T is priced at 259,800 yuan (approximately $38,320), while the Hi4-Z version is available for 269,800 yuan. GWM has also opened reservations for an internal combustion engine version of the SUV, although pricing for that model has yet to be announced.…

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has identified lithium mining—not mineral refining—as the biggest long-term constraint facing the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, signaling a strategic shift toward securing upstream raw material supplies. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, CATL Vice President Jiang Li said the company believes the industry’s future growth will depend more on expanding mineral extraction than increasing processing capacity, where China already holds a dominant position. “Processing is not the bottleneck, but mining is,” Li said, adding that CATL intends to strengthen its competitive advantage by investing further upstream in the battery supply chain. Mining Becomes Strategic Priority…

Xpeng is expanding its reach beyond retail vehicle sales after delivering 1,300 electric vehicles to Chinese rental platform Car Inc, strengthening a partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of smart electric mobility across the country. The latest delivery forms part of Car Inc’s fleet modernization strategy and provides Xpeng with another channel to showcase its intelligent driving technologies to a broader customer base. Expanding Presence in Vehicle Rentals The vehicles were officially handed over during a ceremony in Beijing attended by Xpeng Chairman and Chief Executive Officer He Xiaopeng and Car Inc Chairman Yu Hongfei. The delivery includes the Mona…

Geely Auto reported modest sales growth in June, supported by record export volumes and a strong recovery in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries, even as demand in China’s domestic market remained subdued. The Chinese automaker sold 240,799 vehicles during the month, representing a 2.02% increase from a year earlier and a 1.33% gain compared with May. For the first half of 2026, cumulative vehicle sales reached 1.42 million units, up 0.98% from the same period last year. Overseas Sales Reach New Milestone International markets continued to drive Geely Auto’s expansion. The company exported a record 102,874 vehicles in June, marking the…

Nio delivered 40,597 vehicles in June, its highest monthly total so far in 2026, according to figures released by the company on Wednesday. The June result represented a 62.88% increase from a year earlier and a 7.67% rise from May, supported by strong demand across the company’s three vehicle brands. Second-Quarter Deliveries Miss Guidance Nio delivered 107,658 vehicles during the second quarter, below its previously issued guidance of between 110,000 and 115,000 units. Despite falling short of expectations, second-quarter deliveries still increased 49.41% from the same period last year, reflecting continued momentum from the company’s multi-brand strategy. During the first…

CATL’s Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, Jiangxi province, has obtained the final regulatory approval required to resume production, according to National Business Daily. A person familiar with the matter said the mine has now received all production-related certificates, including the safety production permit, which was the final approval needed before operations could restart. “The most critical safety production permit was obtained today,” the person said. Mine Prepares for Production Restart The Jianxiawo project had already completed several stages of the regulatory approval process, with the safety production permit representing the final requirement before production could resume. Signs of an imminent…

Ferrari has officially introduced its first all-electric production model, the Luce, to the Chinese market, launching the luxury grand tourer in Shanghai with a starting price of US$586,630. The debut follows the model’s global premiere in Rome and marks Ferrari’s entry into the battery-electric vehicle segment while maintaining its commitment to internal combustion engine models. Ferrari Enters the Electric Era Named Luce, the Italian word for “light,” the new model represents a significant milestone for the Maranello-based manufacturer, which has built its reputation on high-performance petrol-powered sports cars. The China launch serves as Ferrari’s first test of customer demand for…

BYD plans to equip a new production model under its premium Denza brand with its in-house developed Xuanji A3 smart driving chip for the first time in 2027, according to a report by Chinese media outlet LatePost. The move would mark the commercial debut of BYD’s first 4-nanometer autonomous driving chip as the automaker continues expanding its vertically integrated technology strategy. Xuanji A3 Set for Production Debut BYD introduced the Xuanji A3 chip on May 28, describing it as China’s first smart driving processor built on a 4nm manufacturing process. While the company did not announce a commercialization timeline at…

BYD has introduced a new residential energy ecosystem for the European market and unveiled its latest home and commercial energy storage product, the Battery-Box Mega, at Smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, Germany. The launch marks the latest expansion of BYD Energy Storage’s product portfolio as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the global battery energy storage market. Integrated Residential Energy Platform The newly launched residential energy ecosystem combines three products designed to manage household electricity generation, storage and consumption. The Smart Ecobox serves as the intelligent energy management platform, enabling automated scheduling and optimisation of household energy…