Author: Victor Choi

The chairman of Chinese battery maker Svolt Energy has cast doubt on claims by Finnish startup Donut Lab that it has developed a production-ready solid-state battery, saying the specifications described are not technically feasible. Speaking to local media on Jan. 14, Yang Hongxin, chairman and chief executive of Svolt, said the battery presented by Donut Lab “doesn’t exist in the world,” according to a report by Xuanyuan Business Review. See also: Dongfeng Tests Solid-State Battery Prototypes in Extreme Cold Ahead of Planned 2026 Production “All the parameters are contradictory,” Yang was quoted as saying. “Any technician with basic knowledge would…

The Dongfeng Nissan joint venture has unveiled the NX8, a new mid-sized sport utility vehicle that will be offered in China as both a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), as the automaker broadens its electrified lineup in the world’s largest car market. The NX8 is positioned as a sister model to the N7 electric sedan introduced last year and shares its wheelbase of 2.92 metres. Measuring 4.87 metres in length, 1.92 metres in width and 1.68 metres in height, the five-seat SUV adopts a design language tailored to Chinese consumers and distinct from Nissan’s global models.…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has completed its first ET1 humanoid robot prototype developed to automotive-grade standards, marking a step toward mass production of advanced robots, its chief executive said on Monday. “Today, the first unit of our ET1 robot, developed to automotive-grade standards, has successfully rolled off the production line,” He Xiaopeng said in a post on X. “This marks a critical step toward the large-scale mass production of advanced humanoid robots this year.” See also: Xpeng to Begin Public Road Tests of Robotaxis Using VLA 2.0 Software https://twitter.com/xiaopenghexpeng/status/2013197566067032205 Xpeng has been expanding beyond electric vehicles into artificial intelligence…

Zeekr said it will launch updated versions of its Zeekr 007 and Zeekr 007 GT models in China in the second quarter, featuring upgraded smart driving hardware and a new high-voltage electrical system. The premium electric vehicle maker, a unit of Geely Auto, said on Friday that selected versions of both models will be equipped with Nvidia’s next-generation Drive Thor-U assisted driving chip and a 900-volt high-voltage architecture. Interior designs will remain largely unchanged, the company said. See also: Everthing You Should Know About Zeekr 7GT Specifications During the transition period, Zeekr is offering limited-time incentives for the Zeekr 007…

BYD on Friday previewed two new flagship models, the Seal 08 sedan and Sealion 08 sport utility vehicle, as it steps up its push into the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) segment ahead of planned launches in 2026. The company released its first teaser images of the models, which will serve as the flagship vehicles of BYD’s Ocean lineup, following the appearance of spy photos earlier in the week. The camouflaged vehicles carry “Ocean 8” markings, underscoring their positioning at the top of the range. See also: BYD Seal 08 Flagship Spotted Ahead of Expected First-Quarter Debut BYD did not…

BYD’s personalised vehicle sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao has surpassed cumulative sales of 300,000 units, underscoring rapid growth driven by strong demand for its Tai series of SUVs. Fang Cheng Bao announced the milestone on Thursday via the social media platform Weibo, just 70 days after reporting cumulative sales of 200,000 units. The brand was launched by BYD in August 2023 as a higher-margin, design- and lifestyle-focused offering. See also: Fang Cheng Bao Expands Bao SUV Lineup with New Long-Range and Five-Seat Variants The Tai 7 hybrid SUV has reached cumulative sales of 100,000 units, Fang Cheng Bao said, accounting for…

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…