Author: Victor Choi

BMW’s Mini brand has launched the 2026 electric Mini Cooper in China, offering limited-time promotional pricing that lowers the entry price to RMB 153,800 ($21,830) for customers who place orders by Dec. 31, the company said. Mini is offering two variants in the market — the Mini Cooper E and Mini Cooper SE — with suggested retail prices starting at RMB 209,800 and RMB 239,800, respectively. Under the promotional campaign, prices are reduced to RMB 153,800 for the Cooper E and RMB 187,800 for the Cooper SE. See also: BMW-GWM Joint Venture Spotlight Automotive Recalls Mini EVs in China Over…

BYD has offered a first look at two new flagship electric vehicles, confirming plans to launch a high-end sedan and SUV as it seeks to strengthen its position in the premium EV segment. The Chinese automaker said the models, named the Seal 08 sedan and Sealion 08 SUV, will debut in the first quarter of 2026. BYD confirmed the names on Monday alongside teaser images showing the silhouettes of both vehicles. Chinese media outlet CarNewsChina reported that both models will feature BYD’s latest technology and software systems. See also: BYD’s Dolphin Hatchback Reaches One Million Units in Cumulative Sales Both…

Geely Auto said its STARRAY EM-i plug-in hybrid sport utility vehicle has set a Guinness World Records title for fuel efficiency after completing a long-distance drive in Australia with a verified consumption of 3.83 litres per 100 kilometres. The record was achieved on the Sydney–Melbourne Coastal Drive, a route covering 1,056 kilometres, and was recognised as the lowest fuel consumption recorded by a plug-in hybrid production SUV on that journey, the company said. The challenge was conducted between December 9 and December 10, 2025, under the supervision of Guinness World Records adjudicators. The route was selected to reflect real-world driving…

CATL and Transfar Group have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating green and intelligent transformation across multiple industrial sectors, the battery maker said in a statement issued on Dec. 15. The agreement was signed in Ningde, Fujian province, and formalises a partnership focused on combining CATL’s strengths in new energy technologies and zero-carbon solutions with Transfar’s capabilities in smart manufacturing and intelligent logistics. The two companies said they plan to jointly develop a more open and sustainable industrial ecosystem. See also: CATL and SAIC Commercial Vehicle Expand Strategic Partnership to Advance Electrified Logistics A central element of the…

BYD has extended the battery warranty on its electric vehicles in Europe to eight years or 250,000 kilometres, a move that places the Chinese automaker ahead of most established rivals in the region as it looks to strengthen consumer confidence and accelerate market expansion. The company said the revised warranty applies to its range of new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold in Europe and represents a substantial increase from industry norms, which typically cap battery coverage at around 160,000 kilometres. See also: BYD Europe Aims to Triple Market Share, Targets Leading Position Against Tesla and EU Automakers In a statement issued…

ZF has secured its first commercial order for the eRE+ range extender, a next-generation hybrid system set to launch in Leapmotor’s upcoming D19 premium SUV in 2026. The agreement marks a key step for ZF in expanding its hybrid powertrain footprint within China and highlights growing demand for range-extended electric vehicles. Unlike conventional range extenders that operate only as generators, the eRE+ incorporates an intelligent clutch and differential, allowing the unit to directly power the vehicle when needed. This architecture enables switchable all-wheel drive functionality and performance boosts without requiring additional drive components, reducing development time and hardware complexity for…

Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) on Friday confirmed that its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) will be launched under the Luxeed brand, formally naming the upcoming model as the Luxeed V9. “HIMA’s first MPV, the Luxeed V9 – a flagship masterpiece. Stay tuned,” the alliance said in a post on its official social media accounts, confirming earlier market speculation. The model is expected to be built on Huawei’s DriveONE 800-volt silicon carbide powertrain platform and equipped with a 192-channel LiDAR system, according to industry reports. See also: Huawei’s HIMA Delivers 81,864 Vehicles in November, Up 89.61% Year on Year Luxeed…

Nio has filed regulatory documentation in China for new “Clean Parks Edition” variants of its ET5 electric sedan and ET5 Touring wagon, signaling a potential expansion of its special-edition lineup linked to the company’s environmental conservation program. The new variant appeared in specification change documents released last Friday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, following the launch of the ET5 and ET5 Touring Champion Edition models in July. The filing shows that the primary update involves the addition of “Clean Parks Edition” as a rear badging option alongside the existing Champion Edition branding. See also: Nio Power Signs…