Author: Victor Choi

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…

Zeekr delivered a record 34,377 vehicles in May, extending the premium electric vehicle brand’s growth streak in China as demand for its higher-end models continued to strengthen. The May total represented an 81.8% increase from a year earlier and an 8.2% rise from April, according to figures released by the company. Deliveries during the first five months of the year reached 143,201 vehicles, up 93.4% from the same period in 2025. The performance highlights Zeekr’s growing presence in China’s premium electric vehicle market, where competition among domestic automakers continues to intensify. Premium Models Drive Growth Zeekr said the average transaction…

Zeekr has launched an additional allocation of its limited-edition 001 Fifth Anniversary Edition in China, offering a series of purchase incentives aimed at attracting buyers in the premium electric vehicle segment. The special edition model retains its official suggested retail price of 365,000 yuan (US$53,920), with customers who place deposits by May 31 eligible for several temporary purchase benefits. Purchase Incentives Introduced According to the company, buyers can receive an 8,000 yuan purchase tax subsidy, a 5,000 yuan trade-in subsidy, a 5,000 yuan insurance subsidy and a 5,000 yuan optional equipment allowance. Additional benefits include an exclusive commemorative gift box,…

Chinese technology company Xiaomi reported higher revenue from its electric vehicle business in the first quarter of 2026, although the division returned to an operating loss after achieving profitability in the second half of last year. Xiaomi delivered 80,856 electric vehicles during the January-March period, up 6.6% from a year earlier. The company currently sells two models, the Xiaomi SU7 sedan and the Xiaomi YU7 sport utility vehicle, which was introduced in mid-2025. The latest deliveries brought Xiaomi’s cumulative EV sales to nearly 500,000 units since the launch of its automotive business two years ago. By the end of 2025,…

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured an order from Hong Kong public transport operator Citybus for 20 battery-electric 6×2 StreetDeck Electroliner double-deck buses. The order marks the first international contract for Wrightbus’s new triple-axle StreetDeck Electroliner model, the company said. The 12-metre buses will be manufactured at Wrightbus’s facility in Malaysia and are scheduled for delivery in 2027 as part of the company’s expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Wrightbus, the contract was awarded following an open tender process in which Citybus evaluated both technical performance and commercial value. The agreement is valued at approximately £7 million.…

Nio said its boutique compact EV brand Firefly has delivered its 60,000th vehicle, marking a new milestone for the urban-focused electric vehicle brand. The achievement comes less than two months after Firefly reached the 50,000-delivery milestone on March 29 and about 13 months after the launch of its first and currently only model, the Firefly EV. Firefly is positioned as a premium compact electric vehicle brand targeting urban commuting consumers in China’s competitive EV market. The delivery milestone comes shortly after Firefly released a major over-the-air software update, identified as the Aster 1.5.0 system version. According to the company, the…

CATL is reportedly planning to invest in DeepSeek as the battery giant seeks to expand into AI infrastructure and energy supply systems for data centres. According to a report by The Information, CATL intends to participate in DeepSeek’s ongoing initial funding round, citing two people familiar with the matter. The report said the financing round is targeting approximately 50 billion yuan ($7.36 billion) and could close as early as June. If completed, DeepSeek’s valuation could exceed 350 billion yuan, according to the report. The potential investment comes as CATL expands beyond its core electric vehicle battery business into sectors tied…

Voyah Automotive, the premium brand of Dongfeng Motor, has launched the Voyah Taishan X8 in China, featuring multiple technologies supplied by Huawei. The Taishan X8 officially went on sale on Friday with a starting price of 292,900 yuan ($43,110), approximately 10,000 yuan below the pre-sale price announced in April. Voyah is offering the SUV in five variants, including three plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models and two battery-electric versions. The PHEV lineup is priced between 292,900 yuan and 359,900 yuan, while the BEV variants are priced at 339,900 yuan and 379,900 yuan. The SUV measures 5,200 millimeters in length with a…

BYD has introduced the third-generation version of its BYD Atto 3 in China, where the model is sold under the Yuan Plus name, featuring upgraded charging technology and a revised electric vehicle platform. The updated model starts at 119,900 yuan ($16,500), equivalent to around 15,200 euros, with prices ranging up to 149,900 yuan across four variants. BYD first introduced the revised vehicle at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026 before officially unveiling the production model this week. The company said the new Atto 3 transitions from BYD’s earlier e-Platform 3.0 architecture to the upgraded e-Platform 3.0 Evo platform. The…

GWM has officially launched the Wey V9X, a new flagship luxury SUV positioned as an AI-powered six-seat model for China’s increasingly competitive premium vehicle market. The vehicle was introduced on Monday under GWM’s Wey brand and is initially available in three plug-in hybrid variants starting at 349,800 yuan ($51,370). All launch versions are equipped with GWM’s Hi4 hybrid powertrain system. According to the company, the Wey V9X is the first production model built on GWM’s new Global One S platform, which incorporates AI-native architecture and standardized hardware systems intended to support flexible vehicle functionality. GWM said additional hybrid-electric and fully…