Author: Victor Choi

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…

Nio is seeking to convert its Hong Kong listing from a secondary listing to a primary listing, a move that could pave the way for inclusion in the Stock Connect programme and broaden access for mainland Chinese investors. Company management discussed the plan during Nio’s 2026 shareholders’ meeting, according to meeting notes shared by attendees on Chinese social media. Seeking Stock Connect Eligibility Nio said it has been in discussions with Hong Kong regulators regarding the proposed listing conversion while maintaining its existing user enterprise governance structure. The company currently maintains a secondary listing in Hong Kong by way of…

Li Auto has officially launched the updated Li L8 extended-range SUV in China, introducing significant design and technology changes aimed at strengthening the model’s position in the competitive premium family SUV segment. The new Li L8 is available in two variants, the Ultra and Livis, with official starting prices of RMB 369,800 ($54,590) and RMB 429,800, respectively. The company is also offering limited-time launch pricing that reduces the starting prices to RMB 359,800 and RMB 419,800. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later this week. Shift to Five-Seat Configuration One of the most notable changes in the updated Li L8 is…

WeRide, Geely Farizon, and Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings have signed an agreement to jointly develop a purpose-built right-hand-drive robotaxi, with commercial operations planned to begin in Hong Kong. The partnership was announced during the 2026 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong and combines WeRide’s autonomous driving technology, Geely Farizon’s vehicle manufacturing capabilities, and Kwoon Chung’s transportation operations expertise. Purpose-Built Right-Hand-Drive Platform The new vehicle will be based on WeRide’s existing Robotaxi GXR platform but will be developed specifically for right-hand-drive markets rather than adapted from a left-hand-drive design. According to the companies, the project will include modifications…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has begun deploying a major update to its Nio World Model (NWM) driver-assistance software, with more than 700,000 vehicles eligible to receive the upgrade. The company said the rollout extends to customers who purchased vehicles as far back as four years ago, allowing older models to access the latest generation of Nio’s driver-assistance technology. Unified Rollout Across Multiple Chip Platforms Nio said the latest software version is the first in the automotive industry to be simultaneously deployed across vehicles powered by both third-party and proprietary computing platforms. The update is available for vehicles equipped with…

Nio founder, chairman and CEO William Li has warned that China’s domestic auto market could experience a sharp decline in retail vehicle sales this year, even as the electric vehicle maker continues to target strong growth and sustained profitability. Speaking at the China Auto Chongqing Summit on June 13, Li said China’s automotive industry has entered what he described as the most intense phase of competition in its history. China’s auto market faces significant contraction Li forecast that domestic retail vehicle sales could decline by between 15% and 20% in 2026 as the industry transitions from a period of rapid…

Chinese automaker Saidou Technology, backed by Seres, has launched a new electric vehicle brand called Aiva, positioning it as a platform for what the company describes as “AI-defined vehicles” designed for the emerging artificial intelligence era. The brand was unveiled at a launch event on Tuesday, where Saidou also introduced the Aiva Origin Concept, a crossover SUV concept that previews the company’s future design and technology direction. Aiva said its vehicle lineup will target the mainstream market segment above 200,000 yuan ($29,540), with its first production model, the Aiva ME7, scheduled to make its official debut later in 2026. Brand…

The U.S. Department of Defense has designated several of China’s leading electric vehicle and technology companies, including BYD and Nio, as “Chinese military companies,” expanding Washington’s scrutiny of China’s automotive and advanced technology sectors. In a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication this week, the Pentagon added a broad range of Chinese firms to its list under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act. The move revives a version of the list that briefly appeared in February before being withdrawn without explanation. The updated designation reflects a widening U.S. focus on emerging technologies, extending beyond traditional defense contractors to…

Foxtron has unveiled the Cavira electric SUV, marking a significant step in the company’s transition from contract manufacturing to selling vehicles under its own brand. The new battery-electric model will debut in Taiwan before expanding to Australia and New Zealand later this year, with additional international markets planned in the future. Founded in 2020 by Foxconn and Taiwan-based Yulon Motor, Foxtron was originally established to develop electric vehicle platforms and manufacturing solutions for global automakers. The Cavira now becomes the company’s second production vehicle sold under the Foxtron brand. Mid-Size SUV Positioned for Global Markets The Cavira enters the market…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng plans to expand its manufacturing partnership with Magna Steyr by adding a fourth vehicle program to its European production operations in Graz, according to statements from senior company executives. The move builds on Xpeng’s existing collaboration with the Austrian contract manufacturer, which currently produces the G6 and G9 electric SUVs as well as the P7+ electric sedan for European markets. While the company confirmed that a fourth model will be added to the production line, it has not disclosed which vehicle will be selected. Expanding European Manufacturing Xpeng began local production of the G6 and…

Voyah delivered 13,003 vehicles in May, representing a 30% increase from a year earlier and reinforcing its position among China’s leading premium new energy vehicle brands. The premium electric vehicle marque, owned by Dongfeng Motor, reported cumulative deliveries of 62,041 units during the first five months of 2026, up 35% year-on-year and significantly outpacing overall industry growth. Retail Expansion Continues Voyah continued to expand its physical sales and service network during May, adding seven Voyah Space stores, three full-service user centers and one delivery center across 11 major cities. By the end of May, the company’s offline network covered more…

Chinese automaker Seres Group is preparing to launch a new automotive brand through a joint venture with ByteDance’s cloud and artificial intelligence unit Volcengine, according to local media Lanjinger reports. The new business, named Chongqing Saidou Technology Co Ltd, is expected to be officially unveiled on June 9, including the launch of its brand identity and logo. New Venture Receives Major Funding The company was formerly known as Landian Technology, a subsidiary of Seres, before undergoing a significant ownership restructuring. Following a recent capital increase, Saidou raised approximately RMB 6.67 billion ($985 million), attracting investment from several strategic partners. Chongqing…

Tesla’s China operations posted strong growth in May, with wholesale vehicle shipments rising sharply from a year earlier as the U.S. electric vehicle maker benefited from improving momentum in the world’s largest EV market. Tesla China delivered 85,982 vehicles on a wholesale basis in May, up 39.4% from the same month last year and 8.2% higher than in April, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The result marks Tesla China’s highest monthly wholesale volume so far in 2026 and signals a recovery after a month-on-month decline recorded in April. Shanghai Factory Drives Growth During the…

Cadillac has launched the LYRIQ-V in China with a starting price of RMB 399,900 (approximately US$59,100), introducing the brand’s first locally produced V-Series model in the country and its first all-electric V-Series sport utility vehicle. The company said production will be limited to 124 units, marking Cadillac’s 124th anniversary. The launch also coincides with the brand’s entry into Formula 1, which Cadillac said reflects its efforts to connect its motorsport heritage with its expanding electric vehicle portfolio. Electric Powertrain Delivers High Performance The LYRIQ-V is equipped with a silicon carbide dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that incorporates technologies such as dual-sided water…

Li Auto reported lower vehicle deliveries in May as competition in China’s electric vehicle market continued to intensify, prompting the company to accelerate model updates and expand its international presence. The company delivered 33,350 vehicles in May, down 18.4% from a year earlier and 2.2% lower than in April, according to figures released on Monday. Deliveries for the first five months of the year totaled 162,577 vehicles, a decline of 3.0% compared with the same period in 2025. As of May 31, Li Auto’s cumulative deliveries had reached 1.7 million vehicles. Li i6 Remains a Bright Spot Despite the broader…