Author: Victor Choi

China will step up efforts to achieve breakthroughs in all-solid-state batteries and high-level autonomous driving while expanding automotive consumption, the country’s industry ministry said following a high-level policy meeting on the development of the new energy vehicle sector. The plans were outlined after a Jan. 13 inter-ministerial work meeting in Beijing focused on energy conservation and the NEV industry, chaired by Li Lecheng, Party Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, according to a report by Sina. See also: China Opens Public Consultation on National Solid-State Battery Standard Officials described 2026 as the opening year of…

Luxeed, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery Automobile, plans to launch a new large sport utility vehicle in 2026 alongside its previously announced V9 multi-purpose vehicle, while also updating its existing models, the brand’s newly appointed executive leadership said. Zhao Changjiang, Luxeed’s executive director and executive vice president, outlined the plans in an interview with Chinese automotive outlet Sina Auto, according to a transcript released on Tuesday. Zhao, who previously headed sales for BYD’s premium Denza brand, officially joined Luxeed this week. See also: Huawei-Backed Luxeed Releases Official Images of V9 MPV as Regulatory Approval Nears The…

Buick, the General Motors brand, plans to debut its Electra E7 plug-in hybrid SUV in China in the first quarter of this year, as part of its broader push to expand electrified offerings in the world’s largest automotive market. The automaker announced the plan on Tuesday via a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo, adding that the Electra E7 is expected to officially go on sale in China later this year. See also: SAIC-GM Releases Official Images of Buick Electra E7 Plug-In Hybrid SUV The Electra E7 is a five-seat mid-size SUV built on Buick’s Xiao Yao Super Architecture,…

The Maextro S800 electric sedan, jointly developed by Huawei and state-owned automaker JAC, became China’s best-selling luxury sedan priced above 700,000 yuan ($100,000) in December, outselling established foreign rivals including Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Maybach, according to industry data. Sales figures from market tracker Haidaxing ECC showed that the Maextro S800 recorded 4,376 deliveries in December, up 104% from the previous month. That performance made it the top-selling model in China’s ultra-luxury sedan segment, ahead of the Porsche Panamera, which ranked second with 1,593 units sold during the same period. See also: Maextro Rolls Out 10,000th S800 Sedan Less Than Seven…

Mobility technology company ECARX said it has entered into a share subscription agreement with Geely Investment Holding Ltd., reinforcing strategic and capital links between the two companies as they deepen cooperation in intelligent vehicle technologies. The agreement, signed on Jan. 8, 2026, provides for Geely Holding to subscribe to about 27.3 million newly issued Class A ordinary shares of ECARX through a private placement at $1.67 per share, representing a total investment of roughly $45.6 million, ECARX said on Jan. 12. See also: ECARX Expands Partnership with Volkswagen Group to Supply Intelligent Cockpit Systems for Latin America The newly issued…

SAIC-GM has released official images of the Buick Electra E7, a new five-seat plug-in hybrid SUV scheduled to enter the Chinese market later this year, as the automaker expands its electrified lineup under the Electra nameplate. The Electra E7 is built on Buick’s “Xiaoyao” fusion architecture and adopts the brand’s “True Dragon Plug-in Hybrid Pro” technology. The model reflects Buick’s latest design direction, drawing inspiration from the Electra SUV concept with what the company calls a “wing element” design language. The exterior features sharp body lines, a split headlight layout and a front fascia described by Buick as resembling a…

BMW has rolled out sweeping price cuts across 31 of its models in China, including sharp reductions on several electric vehicles, underscoring the growing pressure facing both foreign and domestic automakers in the world’s largest car market. The most significant reduction in absolute terms applies to the BMW i7 M70L, the high-performance flagship of the all-electric 7-Series lineup. The dual-motor sedan, which produces 659 horsepower and 1,100 Nm of torque, has seen its list price reduced by 301,000 yuan, equivalent to about $42,000. The move brings the model closer to prevailing transaction prices in a market where discounts have become…

The AUDI E5 Sportback has been named 2026 China Car of the Year, according to the award’s organisers, marking the first time a newly established automotive brand has received the title within a year of its market debut. The all-electric fastback is the first production model from AUDI, Audi’s China-exclusive sister brand launched in November 2024 to target the country’s premium electric vehicle segment. The China Car of the Year award is decided by a panel of automotive journalists and industry media in China. See also: AUDI E5 Sportback Specifications: Everything You Should Know The E5 Sportback is built on…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has taken a key regulatory step toward launching its new D19 large SUV after the model appeared in a vehicle catalog released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), clearing the final major hurdle before sales approval in China. The D19 was included in MIIT’s latest disclosure published on Thursday, with public feedback open from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15. The filing lists two variants under product codes FZ6530BEVWD19A and FZ6530REEVWD19C, representing the battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions, respectively. See also: Leapmotor Secures $530 Million Investment From China’s…

Nio Inc has taken a key regulatory step toward launching its new flagship electric SUV, the ES9, after the model appeared in a public catalog released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), clearing the final major hurdle before sales approval in the country. The ES9 was listed in MIIT’s latest regulatory disclosure, which is open for public feedback from Jan. 9 to Jan. 15. The model, registered under the designation NAL6543BSEVD1, will be produced at Nio’s F2 factory in NeoPark, located in Hefei, Anhui province, according to the filing. See also: Nio Launches Limited-Edition ET9 to Mark…

BYD has refreshed two plug-in hybrid models in its Qin series, extending their battery-only driving range as the Chinese automaker moves to keep the vehicles eligible for the country’s revised new energy vehicle (NEV) tax incentives. The company launched the 2026 Qin Plus DM-i on Thursday and added new variants to the Qin L DM-i, with both models now offering up to 210 km of electric-only range under China’s CLTC testing standard. The upgrades come as China this year introduced a 5% purchase tax on NEVs, half the standard vehicle tax rate, while tightening qualification rules. See also: BYD Removes…

Xpeng has launched the extended-range electric version of its G7 crossover in China, offering up to 400 km of pure electric driving range and a combined range of 1,704 km, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker broadens its lineup to appeal to consumers seeking longer-distance capability. The Xpeng G7 EREV starts at 195,800 yuan ($27,980) and is equipped with an 800-volt high-voltage architecture and 5C fast-charging capability. The model was unveiled alongside the 2026 model-year update of the fully electric G7, with both versions sharing the same exterior design and dimensions. See also: Xpeng Unveils First Images Of G7 Extended-Range…

Chinese vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dreame Technology on Tuesday unveiled its first electric vehicle concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), marking a symbolic step in its planned expansion into the automotive sector. The concept car, named the Dreame Nebula 1, is a four-door electric sports sedan equipped with four electric motors that deliver a combined output of 1,399 kilowatts. The company said the vehicle is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 1.8 seconds, aided by what it described as an “active aerodynamic kit.” Dreame did not disclose battery specifications or provide updated guidance on a…

Tesla has begun offering ultra-long-term, low-interest financing across its locally produced vehicle lineup in China, as the automaker moves to soften the impact of a newly implemented purchase tax on electric vehicles. The U.S. company said Chinese customers who order a locally built Model 3, Model Y, or the six-seat Model Y L by Jan. 31 will be eligible for financing terms of up to seven years. Tesla said this is the longest financing period currently offered by an automaker in the Chinese market. See also: Tesla Updates China-Made Model Y With Higher-Resolution Screen, Keeps Prices Steady Under the programme,…

IM Motors reported record full-year sales of 81,017 vehicles in 2025 and said it achieved profitability on a full-cost basis in December, marking a milestone for the five-year-old electric vehicle brand as it enters what it described as a more stable earnings phase. IM Motors said monthly deliveries have exceeded 10,000 units for four consecutive months since September, lifting its sales momentum toward year-end. December’s performance coincided with the brand’s fifth anniversary and marked the first time it posted a profit after accounting for all costs. See also: IM Motors Launches IM LS9 Six-Seat Extended-Range SUV with 1,500 km Range…

Zeekr has released the first official preview video of its upcoming 8X sport utility vehicle, offering a closer look at the high-performance hybrid model ahead of an expected debut in early 2026. The automaker, a unit of Geely Auto, said on Monday via its Weibo account that the Zeekr 8X will serve as a hybrid flagship SUV, marking the brand’s continued expansion beyond pure battery-electric vehicles. “The most anticipated car of 2026 is here,” Zeekr wrote, suggesting the model is designed to handle a wide range of driving conditions. See also: Zeekr Delivers Record 30,267 Vehicles in December as Hybrid…

Nio said it is set to roll out its one-millionth vehicle next week, a symbolic milestone for the 11-year-old electric vehicle manufacturer as it reports record deliveries and outlines plans for further expansion at home and abroad. “In just a few days, we will celebrate the rollout of our one-millionth mass-produced vehicle,” said William Li, founder, chairman and chief executive of Nio, in an internal letter to employees welcoming 2026. “User support has always been our driving force and confidence in winning the competition,” Li said, adding that the company would continue to focus on improving products, services and operational…

Great Wall Motor (GWM) reported a year-on-year decline in vehicle sales in December, weighed down by weaker performance from its core Haval brand, even as overseas deliveries reached a new record. The automaker sold 124,020 vehicles in December, down 8.33% from a year earlier and 6.90% from November, according to data released by the company. It marked GWM’s first year-on-year monthly decline since April, as overall market demand softened toward the end of the year. See also: GWM’s Haval Brand Set To Adopt Momenta Assisted Driving Solutions, Report Says Haval, GWM’s largest brand by volume, delivered 66,453 vehicles in December,…

BYD reported a decline in domestic new energy vehicle (NEV) sales in December, even as overseas deliveries reached a record high, underscoring diverging trends in its global performance. The company sold 420,398 NEVs in December, down 18.34 percent from a year earlier and 12.45 percent lower than in November, according to data released on Thursday. It marked the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year declines for the automaker’s total NEV sales. See also: BYD Plans Technology Showcase in Early 2026 as It Prepares New Smart Driving Updates Despite the overall slowdown, BYD’s overseas performance continued to strengthen. Overseas NEV deliveries reached…

Li Auto is preparing a major overhaul of its product lineup as it seeks to improve competitiveness and reduce internal overlap among models, according to a report by local media outlet LatePost. The Chinese electric vehicle maker is adjusting its strategy after sales fell short of earlier expectations. Li Auto sold 360,000 vehicles in the first 11 months of the year, roughly half of its original annual target, the report said. The company is now reassessing its product positioning amid intensifying competition in China’s crowded EV market. See also: Li Auto Executive Set To Depart As Electric SUV Li i8…