https://www.scmp.com/rss/272803/feed News about the global automotive industry with a focus on developments that matter most for the China market. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Themis Qi,Daniel Ren Themis Qi,Daniel Ren A Ford Motor electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in the US state of Michigan, edging closer to inauguration, has shed light on global marques’ reliance on Chinese technologies to accelerate their EV transition amid US President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing. With trade and investment among the top issues on the agenda for the summit between Trump and President Xi Jinping, the US$3 billion facility, with a capacity of more than 400,000 EVs a year, has heightened expectations for similar... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353539/xi-trump-summit-ford-catl-battery-plant-shows-how-global-carmakers-need-chinas-prowess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353539/xi-trump-summit-ford-catl-battery-plant-shows-how-global-carmakers-need-chinas-prowess?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:12 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Surging oil prices are prompting Chinese buyers to shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which dominated April sales rankings by taking nine out of the top 10 spots – a new high in China’s electrification drive. Only one petrol car model was among the bestsellers across all power trains, with Geely’s Binyue in eighth place on sales of 14,923 units, according to data from automotive platform Dongchedi. The rest were BEVs, which produce zero tailpipe emissions. It marked a sharp retreat in... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353525/geely-xiaomi-lead-pack-battery-evs-top-china-sales-rising-oil-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 07:30:05 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla China has launched a new financing scheme to attract more budget-conscious buyers after its sales in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market fell behind its domestic rivals. The US carmaker said on Wednesday that the down payment for a Shanghai-made Model 3 vehicle – priced at 235,500 yuan (US$34,672) – would be slashed to 55,900 yuan from 79,900 yuan if the buyer chose a five-year car loan offered by Tesla. “Our strong products, combined with attractive incentives for car... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353446/tesla-lures-budget-conscious-chinese-buyers-cheap-loans-ahead-state-visit-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353446/tesla-lures-budget-conscious-chinese-buyers-cheap-loans-ahead-state-visit-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:44:52 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The pace of electrification on western Europe’s roads is likely to fire up sales of Chinese-developed smart cars, where they could command a 20 per cent share of the regional market in 2028 at the expense of local peers, according to a JPMorgan forecast. Chinese carmakers from BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) builder, to Stallentis-backed Leapmotor, were expected to deliver 2.5 million cars to customers in countries like Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom in 2028, a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3353170/chinese-smart-cars-set-control-20-western-european-market-2028-jpmorgan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 11:56:52 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Six-seat premium electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are emerging as an unlikely game changer in China’s automotive market, with more than a dozen new locally developed models set to challenge German luxury brands this year. The spacious vehicles, increasingly popular among wealthy families in mainland China, could drive a rebound in the world’s largest car and electric vehicle (EV) market as they combined Chinese EVs’ technological edge with competitive pricing, according to Morgan... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Tired of petrol shortages and skyrocketing prices, Simón Huanca took matters into his own hands. The 53-year-old Indigenous artisan imported a Chinese electric car to navigate El Alto, Bolivia’s highest city, using the vehicle to transport both his family and the alpaca wool for his weaving workshop. He also installed a dedicated charger in his own garage, mainly for convenience, but also because there are only three public charging stations serving the vast metropolitan area of El Alto and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3353036/evs-surge-bolivia-amid-fuel-shortages-junk-gas-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3353036/evs-surge-bolivia-amid-fuel-shortages-junk-gas-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 08:52:10 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Leapmotor, one of China’s strongest-performing electric vehicle (EV) makers this year, has taken a major step towards building cars locally for European customers after agreeing with shareholder Stellantis to add a line at a Spanish plant previously earmarked for Opel. The Hangzhou-based company and Stellantis, owner of Peugeot, Fiat and Jeep, would jointly build Opel’s new fully electric C-sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and B10 models at the Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, according to a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352948/chinese-ev-maker-leapmotor-taps-stellantis-spanish-plant-eu-production?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352948/chinese-ev-maker-leapmotor-taps-stellantis-spanish-plant-eu-production?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 13:40:59 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s nascent electric vehicle market may be decimated before it gets up to speed, as business experts warn of a sharp drop in demand and delay in the renewable energy transition if the government imposes strict price curbs on imported units from July, in a move to protect the country’s vehicle makers. The ministry of investment, trade and industry (Miti) on Wednesday announced that from July 1, it will only allow the sale of imported EVs that have a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3352893/malaysias-ev-import-curbs-protect-local-car-sector-criticised-inconsistency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3352893/malaysias-ev-import-curbs-protect-local-car-sector-criticised-inconsistency?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 09:15:32 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla’s Shanghai factory reported a big year-on-year rise in deliveries last month as it benefited from local governments’ subsidies and increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) amid the global energy shock. The US carmaker said in a statement that the so-called Gigafactory delivered 74,478 units in April, up 36 per cent from the same period in 2025. The number comprises sales in mainland China and exports to overseas markets. However, on a month-to-month basis the factory’s sales in April... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352856/tesla-china-posts-36-sales-rise-local-rivals-new-models-nip-heels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352856/tesla-china-posts-36-sales-rise-local-rivals-new-models-nip-heels?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 06:34:44 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Beijing’s tighter oversight of vicious price competition in the automotive sector is expected to increase borrowing pressure on mainland carmakers and accelerate the exit of weaker, debt-laden players amid softening consumer demand, according to S&P Global Ratings. The warning is likely to deepen bearish sentiment surrounding mainland China’s more than 100 car assemblers, many of which have been at the forefront of global electric vehicle (EV) technology and production. “Financially fragile... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Profit trajectories between automotive assemblers and electric vehicle (EV) battery producers in China are set to diverge further due to lacklustre car sales and buoyant demand for energy-storage systems. Leading players, including China’s EV battery king Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), would continue to attract buying interest in their shares, spurred by improved profitability, according to analysts. They added that flat vehicle prices, coupled with a dip in new car sales, had... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352561/falling-sales-widen-profit-gap-between-chinas-ev-makers-and-battery-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352561/falling-sales-widen-profit-gap-between-chinas-ev-makers-and-battery-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese self-driving technology firm ZYT is edging closer to mass production of semi-autonomous trucks that can improve fuel efficiency and save logistics costs, likely to benefit the country’s manufacturing businesses amid a global energy crisis. The Shenzhen-based start-up, a spin-off from drone maker DJI, has formed partnerships with mainland China’s top six heavy-truck makers to produce models fitted with its navigation on autopilot (NOA) systems, with the first deliveries expected as early... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352396/chinese-start-zyt-eyes-mass-production-semi-autonomous-trucks-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352396/chinese-start-zyt-eyes-mass-production-semi-autonomous-trucks-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 23:00:08 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings US technology companies should stay in China, despite persistent political pressure for their exit, to capitalise on revenue potential and stifle local competition while monitoring consumer trends, according to a Washington-based policy think tank. Sales generated by American firms within China can be reinvested in research and development back in the United States, thereby helping “sustain US innovation leadership”, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) said in a new... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352371/us-tech-can-use-china-listening-post-global-edge-washington-think-tank-explains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3352371/us-tech-can-use-china-listening-post-global-edge-washington-think-tank-explains?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Nikola Mikovic Nikola Mikovic Amid the trade war with the United States, the last thing China needs is an economic confrontation with the European Union – Beijing’s major export destination. But with the EU seemingly determined to protect its market by introducing measures that many see as controversial, an economic stand-off appears inevitable. When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen blamed China last June for showing an “unwillingness to live within the constraints of the rules-based international system”,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3352160/made-europe-law-sets-stage-economic-showdown-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3352160/made-europe-law-sets-stage-economic-showdown-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 12:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers – including BYD and Geely Automobile – saw their sales stabilise in April, as exports and new technologies continued to help offset weakening demand at home. BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer, sold 321,123 vehicles last month, a drop of more than 15 per cent compared to a year ago, according to its exchange filing on Sunday. However, compared with March, April’s sales figure was nearly 7 per cent higher, while the year-on-year decline was nearly five... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:59:38 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi At the close of his presentation at this year’s Auto China show, Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor, surprised the audience by asking them to lift LED boxes placed on their seats. “We’ll use this beam of light to kick off Hyundai’s new journey in China,” he said, raising the device stamped with the logo of Ioniq, the new brand the Korean carmaker has just launched in mainland China. After years of lacklustre performance in the country, Hyundai was preparing to regain lost ground by... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union next week to 25 per cent, a move that could jolt the world economy at a fragile moment. Trump said in the post that the EU “is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal”, though he did not flesh out his objections in the post. Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had agreed to the trade deal last July. It set a 15 per cent tariff on most... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352191/trump-put-25-tariffs-eu-cars-says-bloc-not-complying-trade-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352191/trump-put-25-tariffs-eu-cars-says-bloc-not-complying-trade-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 17:00:05 +0000 Daniel Ren,Ben Jiang Daniel Ren,Ben Jiang China’s latest electric vehicle (EV) innovations – from ultra-fast battery charging to headlights capable of projecting films – have drawn strong attention at Beijing’s Auto China show, underscoring how the country’s automotive technology is pulling ahead of global rivals. As domestic carmakers and key suppliers recast vehicles as “mobile living spaces” powered by artificial intelligence and digital systems, they are increasingly looking beyond the mainland to drive export growth. “We are... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352100/lights-camera-traction-film-projecting-headlights-steer-chinas-ev-feature-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352100/lights-camera-traction-film-projecting-headlights-steer-chinas-ev-feature-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Geely Automobile Holdings, Chery Automobile and BYD, the most profitable listed Chinese carmakers last year, all reported double-digit declines in net profit in the first quarter, highlighting a squeeze at home amid reduced purchase incentives. Hangzhou-based Geely, the country’s second-largest carmaker behind BYD, said in a filing on Wednesday that its net profit for the January-March period slid 27 per cent year on year to 4.17 billion yuan (US$610 million). The profit slump came even as... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351886/geely-joins-chery-byd-profit-slide-reduced-incentives-decimate-china-car-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351886/geely-joins-chery-byd-profit-slide-reduced-incentives-decimate-china-car-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng The impact of sky-high costs for memory chips is spreading from smartphones to cars, as China’s electric vehicle (EV) king BYD announced a 21 per cent price increase for its high-end driver-assistance system. Starting on Friday, the price of the optional DiPilot 300 assisted-driving system would rise to 12,000 yuan ($1,757) from 9,900 yuan, BYD said on Tuesday, attributing the decision to “the sharp rise in global storage hardware costs”. The system, which allows cars to navigate themselves on... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3351842/hit-memory-costs-spreads-phones-evs-chinas-byd-raises-driving-tech-price?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3351842/hit-memory-costs-spreads-phones-evs-chinas-byd-raises-driving-tech-price?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:30:11 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma BYD and Geely Auto, vying to be China’s biggest carmaker, both rose in Hong Kong stock trading as higher exports offset concerns about domestic price competition. Electric-vehicle giant BYD climbed 4.4 per cent on Wednesday even after reporting a 55 per cent drop in first-quarter net income to 4.09 billion yuan (US$590 million), the lowest quarterly profit in three years. Geely gained 2.6 per cent, overcoming a 27 per cent decline in earnings to 4.2 billion yuan. BYD sold 46 per cent of its... https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3351847/byd-geely-tap-global-ev-demand-escape-china-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3351847/byd-geely-tap-global-ev-demand-escape-china-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:13:34 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s electric vehicle (EV) king BYD reported a slump in first-quarter net profit as weakness in its domestic market outweighed rising exports. The mainland’s largest and most profitable EV maker reported a net profit of nearly 4.09 billion yuan (US$590 million) for the first three months of the year, a drop of 55 per cent compared with a year earlier. Revenue came in at 150.2 billion yuan, down 11.8 per cent from a year earlier. The market’s consensus estimate was 4.09 billion yuan for net... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351734/byd-chinas-ev-king-posts-55-slump-first-quarter-profit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351734/byd-chinas-ev-king-posts-55-slump-first-quarter-profit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:44:14 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Battery makers and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have seized on the Beijing Auto Show to showcase technologies promising shorter charging times in a race triggered by BYD and Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL). Fast-charging technology has dominated the floor at the 10-day event which runs until May 3. Second-tier Chinese battery suppliers including CALB Group, EVE Energy and Sunwoda unveiled products capable of boosting power to 70 per cent, from a starting point of 10 per cent,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351662/need-speed-chinas-ev-battery-makers-race-cut-charging-times-under-10-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351662/need-speed-chinas-ev-battery-makers-race-cut-charging-times-under-10-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Ben Jiang Ben Jiang Chinese robotaxi firms from Pony AI to WeRide are accelerating global roll-outs of commercial fleets, leveraging cost competitiveness from the country’s world-leading new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain and improved operational efficiency, company executives have said. China’s NEV supply chain had helped reduce the total cost of Pony AI’s upgraded seventh-generation robotaxi – including the base vehicle, battery and autonomous driving kit – to below 230,000 yuan (US$33,700), making it cheaper... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3351581/chinese-robotaxi-firms-accelerate-global-roll-outs-cost-edge-drives-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3351581/chinese-robotaxi-firms-accelerate-global-roll-outs-cost-edge-drives-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:30:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) has taken a leap forward in commercialising sodium-ion batteries, signing a large supply contract with an energy-storage system (ESS) provider amid high demand for power infrastructure after the global oil shock. The world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) and ESS battery maker announced on Monday that it would deliver 60 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of sodium-ion batteries to Beijing HyperStrong Technology over three years in a landmark deal for the new battery... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351601/chinas-catl-touts-landmark-order-deepseek-moment-sodium-ion-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351601/chinas-catl-touts-landmark-order-deepseek-moment-sodium-ion-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:16:17 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models poised to take on petrol car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, which is actively building a sales network abroad, expected overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, according to president Ma Donghui. “It is inevitable that we will compete against BMW, Benz and Audi, which... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:10:02 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle start-up often cast as a key rival to Tesla, has set an ambitious goal to surpass the US carmaker’s self-driving capabilities in China by August, according to co-founder, chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng. The target highlights an intensifying technology race in the world’s largest car market, where manufacturers are increasingly leaning on advanced software to drive growth as government subsidies are phased out. Although Tesla’s full version of its Full... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351400/xpeng-sets-august-goal-overtake-teslas-self-driving-tech-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3351400/xpeng-sets-august-goal-overtake-teslas-self-driving-tech-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:42:03 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers at the Beijing auto show are shifting their focus to overseas markets, banking on opportunities from the Middle East crisis to boost profitability amid weak sales at home. “Going global has become a top choice for Chinese EV builders as they struggle to break even,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based data provider CnEVPost. “The Middle East crisis is acting as a strong catalyst to bolster their overseas deliveries.” Nearly all major EV assemblers... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351357/chinese-ev-makers-target-global-expansion-auto-china-amid-energy-shock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351357/chinese-ev-makers-target-global-expansion-auto-china-amid-energy-shock?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:57:59 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Adamant about retaining its runaway lead in supplying smart driving systems in China, Huawei Technologies plans to invest as much as 80 billion yuan (US$11.7 billion) over the next five years to boost computing power essential for training and testing semi-autonomous cars. The massive capital expenditure would enhance the reliability of cars fitted with the Huawei Qiankun ADS autopilot system, as the Shenzhen-based tech giant looked to expand its customer base, said Jin Yuzhi, CEO of Huawei’s... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351242/huawei-doubles-down-autonomous-driving-earmarking-us117b-autopilot-training?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351242/huawei-doubles-down-autonomous-driving-earmarking-us117b-autopilot-training?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:39:33 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers and supply-chain vendors, from Tesla rivals Xpeng to Nio and lidar sensor producer Hesai Group, will display their technological advances on a new front – in-car chips – at the Auto China show in Beijing as the country’s automotive industry makes rapid progress. Carmakers and vendors are designing and developing chips to power autonomous driving and in-car entertainment systems. These chips boast computing power on par with blockbuster products made by chip... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351186/chinese-ev-makers-bet-house-chips-make-cars-smarter-and-more-autonomous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351186/chinese-ev-makers-bet-house-chips-make-cars-smarter-and-more-autonomous?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi This year’s Auto China, the world’s largest car show, is likely to mark a watershed for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers as they push dozens of new premium models into the spotlight, challenging European manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Leading EV makers in mainland China, from BYD and Geely to Leapmotor and Nio, will showcase their latest models at the 10-day show, which starts in Beijing on Friday, having moved up the value chain through the rapid adoption of technological... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery producer, has unveiled its upgraded technologies – including lighter battery packs and faster charging modes – which are expected to accelerate the global automotive industry’s electrification drive. The company, which holds more than a 40 per cent share of the global market, aimed to set a healthy tone for the Chinese EV sector to implement its go-global strategy, focusing on constant technological... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350938/catl-drive-electrification-faster-charging-and-higher-performing-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350938/catl-drive-electrification-faster-charging-and-higher-performing-batteries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:24:14 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg A Canadian who was detained in China for nearly three years warned that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s electric vehicle deal risks creating a strategic dependency that the Asian superpower can exploit for political coercion. Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat who was imprisoned from 2018 to 2021, said on Tuesday that the agreement would lead to unfair competition and the erosion of Canada’s industrial base. Carney announced during a January trip to Beijing that Canada would accept an initial quota... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350931/canadian-who-was-detained-china-warns-against-carneys-electric-vehicle-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350931/canadian-who-was-detained-china-warns-against-carneys-electric-vehicle-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:42:21 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren European consumers, spooked by rising oil prices due to the Middle East conflict, rushed to buy battery-powered cars last month, with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands poised to reap the benefits and give their global expansion a boost. Battery EV (BEV) registrations, a proxy for retail sales, climbed 51 per cent month on month in March, topping 224,000 units across 15 key European Union (EU) markets, according to data jointly released by research firm New Automotive and industry consortium... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350776/jump-eu-ev-sales-amid-iran-war-boosts-chinese-brands-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350776/jump-eu-ev-sales-amid-iran-war-boosts-chinese-brands-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hesai Group, the world’s largest maker of vehicle lidar sensors, introduced technology it said would raise autonomous driving features to a new level by detecting colour to improve the reliability of object identification. The Shanghai-based maker of light ­detection and ranging ­sensors said its 6D full-colour platform would deliver lidar sensors with world-leading capabilities in ranging and small-target identification. 6D refers to the sensors’ ability to detect the X, Y and Z coordinates of... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350682/chinas-hesai-adds-colour-lidar-ev-makers-race-level-self-driving-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350682/chinas-hesai-adds-colour-lidar-ev-makers-race-level-self-driving-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:15:24 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Across Asia, a revolution in how people move was already gathering speed. War in Iran just hit the accelerator. Prashant Tiwari was among the first people at his company to go electric when he swapped his petrol car for a Hyundai Kona five years ago. Now, his colleagues at Fusemachines Nepal – an AI firm in Kathmandu – are calling him a prophet. “They say you don’t have any problem,” the 36-year-old product manager said. “I think it is foolish to buy a petrol-run car now, and everyone generally... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350481/asias-ev-revolution-shifts-overdrive-iran-war-oil-shock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3350481/asias-ev-revolution-shifts-overdrive-iran-war-oil-shock?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng Industry estimates suggest that heavy-duty cargo traffic in China is on track to become nearly 100 per cent electric, a transition that could halve the country’s road transport oil consumption. Speaking at a forum on intelligent electric vehicle development in Beijing on April 11, Liang Linhe, chairman of Sany Truck – a subsidiary of the Changsha-headquartered multinational Sany Group – said China’s heavy truck sector could eventually be almost entirely electrified, although he did not put a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350463/chinese-trucks-could-go-100-electric-halving-road-transport-oil-use-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350463/chinese-trucks-could-go-100-electric-halving-road-transport-oil-use-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:00:10 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang To sharpen its competitive edge in the world’s next-generation vehicle market, China has pledged to fast track automotive technical standards to build its status as a global rule-setter. The carmaking powerhouse would drive high-quality development of the auto sector through the formulation and enhancement of core standards during the next five years, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) told state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing on... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350467/chinese-ministry-focuses-car-standards-put-industry-global-driving-seat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350467/chinese-ministry-focuses-car-standards-put-industry-global-driving-seat?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:30:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest producer of lithium metal, has issued a strong profit forecast for the first quarter of this year as soaring demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries lifted earnings. The company, based in China’s central Jiangxi province, said in an exchange filing on Thursday that increasing orders had driven up prices of lithium – a key material for EV and ESS batteries – helping it post an estimated profit of 1.6 billion yuan (US$234... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:24 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), China’s electric vehicle (EV) battery king, plans to earmark 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion) to establish a subsidiary to manage and expand mining assets, after the global energy shock paved the way for a quicker entry into the world’s automotive and energy storage system (ESS) markets. The investment arm, in line with CATL’s long-term growth strategy, would integrate existing mining assets, pursue high-quality mineral projects at home and abroad, and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350213/chinas-catl-invest-us44-billion-mining-arm-secure-ev-battery-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350213/chinas-catl-invest-us44-billion-mining-arm-secure-ev-battery-supply-chain?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:50:49 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick The Brazilian government has dismissed the head of its labour inspection authority, days after his office added Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to a registry of employers found to have subjected workers to conditions analogous to slavery. Luiz Felipe Brandao de Mello led the National Secretariat of Labour Inspection since 2023 and his dismissal was published in the official gazette on Monday. He oversaw the unit responsible for enforcing labour standards nationwide, including the fight... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349965/brazil-fires-slave-labour-watchdog-chief-after-byd-blacklisting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349965/brazil-fires-slave-labour-watchdog-chief-after-byd-blacklisting?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:23:31 +0000 Yulu Ao,Daniel Ren Yulu Ao,Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) stocks rallied against a falling broader market in Hong Kong on Monday, as strong export data and rising oil prices bolstered the appeal of battery-powered and hybrid cars while a coming wave of model launches sparked hopes of a domestic demand recovery. Nio surged 7.5 per cent to HK$52.40 on Monday, while BYD climbed 5 per cent to HK$110.30, the highest since October 2. Xpeng advanced 0.9 per cent to HK$67.60, and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology added 1.6 per cent to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349858/chinese-ev-stocks-jump-surging-exports-hopes-domestic-demand-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349858/chinese-ev-stocks-jump-surging-exports-hopes-domestic-demand-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:19 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Chinese carmakers are rapidly gaining ground in Europe, squeezing out Asian rivals such as Japan and South Korea as exports to the region surge past 1 million units for the first time, according to an industry report. Imports of Chinese-made cars into the European Union in 2025 jumped 30.7 per cent from a year earlier to 1.006 million vehicles, according to the report published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, known as the ACEA, on April 2. The value of those imports,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349794/chinese-carmakers-squeeze-out-asian-rivals-europe-exports-top-1-million-units?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349794/chinese-carmakers-squeeze-out-asian-rivals-europe-exports-top-1-million-units?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:20 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hyundai Motor has spearheaded a comeback among foreign marques vying for a slice of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, launching a new brand built around local technologies and partnerships. The South Korean carmaker, which reversed a six-year sales decline in 2025, said it would soon introduce production models under the Ioniq brand tailored for Chinese consumers, as it steps up its push into the world’s largest automotive market. “The newly launched Ioniq brand in China evolves beyond a... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:20:54 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau In a quiet street in northern Singapore, a car plies the road like any other – except it is a left-hand drive from China and the person in the driver’s seat has been trained to keep his hands off the wheel and his foot off the pedals unless an emergency arises. Eventually, there will be no need for a safety officer or any human behind the wheel at all – mirroring the autonomous vehicles (AVs) already operating in cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For now, Singapore... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3349672/singapores-robotaxi-drive-revs-help-chinese-av-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3349672/singapores-robotaxi-drive-revs-help-chinese-av-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg US President Donald Trump said he plans to impose a 20 per cent tariff on all cars imported from the European Union unless the trade bloc “soon” removes import duties and other barriers to US goods, escalating global trade tensions. “Based on the Tariffs and Trade Barriers long placed on the US and it great companies and workers by the European Union, if these Tariffs and Barriers are not soon broken down and removed, we will be placing a 20% Tariff on all of their cars coming into the US. Build... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349566/trumps-tariff-threat-european-cars-escalates-global-trade-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349566/trumps-tariff-threat-european-cars-escalates-global-trade-tensions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:44:44 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s leading battery makers have unveiled plans to add more than 600 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new production capacity for the energy storage system (ESS) market in just the first two months of 2026, underscoring surging global demand for renewable energy infrastructure. The planned facilities – spanning major players from Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) to Gotion High-tech – amount to roughly 10 times the 58GWh of total capacity installed across the US in 2025. According to the GGII... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349550/china-throws-switch-battery-buildout-equal-10-times-us-capacity-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349550/china-throws-switch-battery-buildout-equal-10-times-us-capacity-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:40:44 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi German automotive giant Volkswagen will launch three new electric vehicle (EV) models in mainland China over the next two weeks, developed using technology from Chinese firms. The move comes at a time when international marques are struggling on the mainland amid fierce competition in the world’s largest car market. As the largest foreign carmaker in China, Volkswagen previously said that it would integrate Germany’s high manufacturing standards with technology developed by Chinese firms. “We... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349457/volkswagen-tests-chinas-appetite-locally-developed-evs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349457/volkswagen-tests-chinas-appetite-locally-developed-evs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:57:03 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) batteries are set to become safer and more powerful, as carmakers including SAIC Motor and Chery Automobile outline road maps for the commercialisation of solid-state technology. Solid-state batteries – which use a solid electrolyte to conduct ions between electrodes – are widely seen as a superior alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid or gel-based materials. Analysts say the technology promises higher energy density, improved safety... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349348/safer-longer-range-evs-sight-china-accelerates-solid-state-battery-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349348/safer-longer-range-evs-sight-china-accelerates-solid-state-battery-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Brazil’s labour ministry on Tuesday added Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to a registry of employers found to have subjected workers to conditions analogous to slavery, limiting access to state financing and increasing reputational risks in its most important market outside China. The Ministry of Labour and Employment published the updated Cadastro de Empregadores, commonly known as the “dirty list”, adding 169 employers in the latest semi-annual revision. BYD Auto do Brasil Ltda. was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349311/brazil-blacklists-byd-slave-labour-conditions-its-biggest-plant-outside-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349311/brazil-blacklists-byd-slave-labour-conditions-its-biggest-plant-outside-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:10:07 +0000