https://www.scmp.com/rss/38584/feed BYD is the world's largest maker of electric vehicles by units sold. Dominant in China, the company has since 2021 sought to aggressively expand sales of passenger cars to Europe, Southeast Asia, Oceania and South America. It also sells products ranging from electric buses and trucks to forklifts, solar panels and rechargeable batteries. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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,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 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 Fox Yi Hu Fox Yi Hu In Canada, fans and foes of Chinese electric vehicles are holding their breath for brands like BYD to hit the market. Whether they love them or not, they share the hope that Chinese carmakers will help to bring all EV prices down, as affordability becomes a growing concern for consumers. Companies including BYD, Geely, Nio and Xpeng are preparing to roll out sales locations in Canada, seizing the opportunity of warmer ties between the two countries. Ottawa struck a milestone trade deal with... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350483/china-trade-deal-has-canadians-looking-forward-cheaper-electric-vehicles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350483/china-trade-deal-has-canadians-looking-forward-cheaper-electric-vehicles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:09 +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 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 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Tesla outraces China’s BYD in pure electric car sales to regain world’s top spot Tesla has regained the global pure electric vehicle (EV) crown for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2024, after its deliveries rose 6.5 per cent year on year in the three months ending March. 2.... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350112/brazil-blacklists-chinas-byd-how-batteries-might-get-quality-upgrade-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350112/brazil-blacklists-chinas-byd-how-batteries-might-get-quality-upgrade-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Minxiao Chang Minxiao Chang China’s world models are benefiting from early integration with the country’s strong industrial base, which gives the domestic ecosystem greater momentum than that of the US, according to an executive at a leading Chinese world model start-up. World models simulate 3D environments and physical dynamics, and are expected to help train the next generation of physical artificial intelligence applications, including robots and autonomous vehicles. Wang Xiaofeng, an algorithm partner at GigaAI, said... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3350062/chinas-edge-over-us-ai-world-models-abundant-data-faster-deployment-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3350062/chinas-edge-over-us-ai-world-models-abundant-data-faster-deployment-executive-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Zhu Wenqian,Daniel Ren Chinese companies – from sectors as diverse as bubble tea, budget retail and cars – are expanding their presence in Brazil, with analysts saying the robust trade ties between China and Latin America’s biggest economy could help pave the way for further investment. Mixue Group, known for its affordable ice cream and beverages, opened its first Brazil outlet on Saturday, drawing large crowds in Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city. The opening marked its third store in the Americas after... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349982/chinese-firms-target-brazil-it-becomes-magnet-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:57:44 +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 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren A pivotal year for self-driving cars has begun in China, with the first “hands off” models approved to ply public roads, carmakers gearing up to mass-produce them and the first mandatory safety standards for autonomous vehicles out for public comment. The first carmakers were given the go-ahead in mid-December to build electric vehicle (EV) models with Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving capability. On an international scale from L0 to L5, an L3 autonomous vehicle can operate independently under... https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3349837/chinese-carmakers-gear-l3-self-driving-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3349837/chinese-carmakers-gear-l3-self-driving-roll-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:40:07 +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 Themis Qi Themis Qi While China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers are struggling amid fierce competition, battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) is consolidating its dominance, building its profits while erecting technological barriers to increase its pricing power. Amid the oil crisis, CATL’s market capitalisation hit an all-time high of HK$2.7 trillion (US$345 billion) on Monday, after its shares rewrote records multiple times in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, touching 433.33 yuan and HK$701,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3349723/how-chinas-ev-battery-king-catl-powers-profits-while-ev-makers-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:00:13 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The chairmen of China’s battery and solar giants have called for more top-down regulations to rein in cutthroat competition, warning that unchecked overcapacity is squeezing profits and threatening the industry’s stability. Despite tailwinds including the Middle East conflict that could increase demand for renewable products, overcapacity remains a major challenge for industry players. Zhang Tianren, chairman of Tianneng Holding Group – ranked second behind Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd... https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3349627/chinas-battery-solar-bosses-urge-top-down-rules-overcapacity-clouds-industry-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/climate-and-energy/article/3349627/chinas-battery-solar-bosses-urge-top-down-rules-overcapacity-clouds-industry-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:00:15 +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 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 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren A number of underperforming international car brands are likely to either exit the mainland Chinese market or scale down operations, as losses mount due to falling sales and shrinking market share. Carmakers delivering fewer than 1,000 units a month already faced a do-or-die situation in the world’s largest automotive market because the weak sales were not enough to cover their manufacturing and operating costs, according to analysts. Some carmakers are likely to follow Skoda, Volkswagen’s... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349083/more-foreign-marques-face-do-or-die-moment-chinese-buyers-shun-petrol-cars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3349083/more-foreign-marques-face-do-or-die-moment-chinese-buyers-shun-petrol-cars?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Dannie Peng Dannie Peng For marketing manager Wang Yuan, who sells electric heavy-duty cargo trucks in the rugged landscapes of Xinjiang in western China, business is riding a new and powerful wave. The commercial vehicle company he works for is a major player in the domestic market. The lion’s share of its electric heavy trucks are destined for coal-rich provinces including Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, apart from Xinjiang itself. In Xinjiang alone, according to Wang, sales across all brands reached around 16,700 units... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348742/chinas-electric-truck-revolution-powerful-painkiller-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348742/chinas-electric-truck-revolution-powerful-painkiller-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:00:08 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham Major powers are closely watching Hungary’s election next week – a vote seen as a referendum on Europe’s right and crucial for Chinese interests in the EU. Recent polls show self-styled “illiberal democrat” Viktor Orban’s Fidesz trailing challenger Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party by between 19 and 23 points among likely voters ahead of an election on Sunday that has been described as “Europe’s most consequential”. For China, Russia and the United States under President Donald Trump, an Orban defeat... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349109/orban-brink-could-hungarys-election-dent-chinas-influence-europe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3349109/orban-brink-could-hungarys-election-dent-chinas-influence-europe?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has regained the global pure electric vehicle (EV) crown for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2024, after its deliveries rose 6.5 per cent year on year in the three months ending March. The modest increase was enough for the US carmaker to beat China’s EV king BYD, which posted a 25.5 per cent drop in sales during the first quarter of 2026. Tesla’s deliveries worldwide between January and March hit 358,023 units, it said in a statement on Thursday. Tesla builds only pure electric... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348898/tesla-outraces-chinas-byd-pure-electric-car-sales-regain-worlds-top-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers posted a strong rebound in sales last month, shaking off the weak start to the year as local government subsidies and aggressive financing incentives drew in first-time buyers. Momentum is expected to carry through the coming months, with dozens of new models set to debut at the Auto China show in Beijing, likely to stimulate fresh demand. “The sweeping improvement in deliveries revived hopes for a steady [EV] market after a woeful performance in January and... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348799/china-ev-makers-surge-back-march-subsidies-and-financing-spur-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348799/china-ev-makers-surge-back-march-subsidies-and-financing-spur-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:12 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. The Iran war could widen China’s EV lead over its global rivals. Here’s why Surging oil prices driven by the US-Israel war on Iran could accelerate the global adoption of electric vehicles – a sector that helped China overtake Japan to become the world’s largest seller of automobiles... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348606/chinas-electric-cars-and-iran-war-byds-profit-run-ends-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348606/chinas-electric-cars-and-iran-war-byds-profit-run-ends-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:30:07 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The energy shock stemming from the Middle Eastern conflict may help Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers exceed their overseas expansion goals this year, according to analysts. “High oil prices – and even gasoline shortages in some countries – will accelerate the pace of China’s EV exports,” said Yale Zhang, managing director at the consultancy Automotive Foresight in Shanghai. “This oil crisis presents a historic opportunity for China’s EV industry, just as the oil crisis of the 1970s paved the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348561/middle-east-oil-shock-jolts-ev-demand-putting-chinese-exports-fast-lane?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348561/middle-east-oil-shock-jolts-ev-demand-putting-chinese-exports-fast-lane?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The era of price wars in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market is giving way to a new contest: who can deliver better technology at the same price. On a cloudy evening in March, Shenzhen-based BYD put forward its answer with the unveiling of a battery capable of charging from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes – and to 97 per cent in nine minutes. The company said it would apply the technology to models priced as low as 155,000 yuan (US$22,500) while building 20,000 charging stations this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348131/how-chinas-ev-makers-think-they-can-outrun-disastrous-price-wars?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Daniel Ren,Cheryl Arcibal Daniel Ren,Cheryl Arcibal China’s electric vehicle (EV) king BYD posted its first annual profit drop in four years as it faced intensifying competition from domestic rivals in a cutthroat market. The Shenzhen-based company reported a net profit of 32.6 billion yuan (US$4.72 billion) for 2025, down 18.97 per cent from a year earlier, according to a filing to the Hong Kong and Shenzhen stock exchanges. That missed a consensus forecast of 35.4 billion yuan in a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Revenue grew 3.46 per cent to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348207/byds-four-year-profit-run-ends-eyes-global-markets-next-engine-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348207/byds-four-year-profit-run-ends-eyes-global-markets-next-engine-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Rising fuel costs triggered by the Middle East crisis are emerging as an unexpected tailwind for China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers, as consumers increasingly pivot towards battery-powered cars to avoid surging petrol bills. With Brent crude climbing past the psychologically significant US$100-a-barrel mark – and now trading above US$110 – mainland buyers are turning away from petrol vehicles, according to dealers and analysts. “It’s a no-brainer for me now,” said Wang Wenbo, a 25-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3348200/pain-pump-fuels-ev-rush-china-driving-timely-boost-carmakers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3348200/pain-pump-fuels-ev-rush-china-driving-timely-boost-carmakers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat China’s market regulator has told companies including electric vehicle maker BYD and battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) to compete healthily when expanding overseas, amid mounting accusations of unfair competition, subsidies and dumping levelled at Chinese companies in global markets. Chinese firms should standardise their competitive behaviour and “build a healthy competition ecosystem” in their overseas expansion, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in an... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348163/chinese-market-regulator-tells-firms-focus-healthy-competition-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348163/chinese-market-regulator-tells-firms-focus-healthy-competition-overseas?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) is lagging behind China’s national average in basic research, despite showing strong potential in sectors such as semiconductors and smart manufacturing, according to Deloitte. The cluster of cities in southern China, which included Shenzhen, spent about 28.9 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion) on basic research in 2024, accounting for just 5.67 per cent of total spending in research and development (R&D), the consulting firm said in a report... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3347992/greater-bay-area-trails-peers-basic-research-despite-strong-tech-potential-deloitte?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3347992/greater-bay-area-trails-peers-basic-research-despite-strong-tech-potential-deloitte?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:00:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Volkswagen will withdraw its mass-market car brand Skoda from mainland China after years of lacklustre sales, as international marques continue to lose their appeal in the world’s largest automotive market. “Skoda Auto has realigned its global strategy to focus on growth markets such as India and the Asean region,” a Volkswagen spokesperson said on Thursday in a written response to the South China Morning Post, without denying earlier reports that the Czech brand would cease selling new vehicles... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348007/vw-pulls-skoda-brand-china-after-years-falling-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3348007/vw-pulls-skoda-brand-china-after-years-falling-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:30:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A man in China has dug up a yam that looks exactly like a human hand, shocking many people online. The man, who lives in Jieyang, in southern China’s Guangdong province, unearthed the oddly shaped vegetable on his farm. It looks so much like a hand that it seems to even have nails and skin. Chinese yams often grow into various shapes, as their appearance is greatly affected by external factors such as the soil and random rocks. However, it is rare for such a vegetable to grow so vividly like a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347681/china-yam-human-fingernails-260-free-meals-lottery-win-after-lifetime-playing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347681/china-yam-human-fingernails-260-free-meals-lottery-win-after-lifetime-playing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:09 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Surging oil prices driven by the US-Israel war on Iran could accelerate the global adoption of electric vehicles – a sector that helped China overtake Japan to become the world’s largest seller of automobiles last year. “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz could be a game-changer for EVs,” said David Brown, director of energy transition research at Wood Mackenzie, in a report released on Friday. The “eye-watering” 50 per cent surge in global oil prices so far this month would further incentivise... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347583/why-iran-war-could-be-game-changer-evs-and-chinas-car-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347583/why-iran-war-could-be-game-changer-evs-and-chinas-car-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:00:16 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen China’s Unitree Robotics has filed for a long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) on Shanghai’s Star Market, seeking to raise about 4.2 billion yuan (US$607.8 million). Widely seen as a bellwether for China’s emerging humanoid robotics industry, Unitree’s listing, if approved, could become a landmark test of investor appetite for so-called embodied AI companies. Here is what you need to know about Unitree, including how it makes a profit while peers are still burning cash, its shareholder... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3347611/inside-unitrees-landmark-ipo-what-know-about-chinas-humanoid-giant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3347611/inside-unitrees-landmark-ipo-what-know-about-chinas-humanoid-giant?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:45:08 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela China’s southern tech hub of Shenzhen has a new Communist Party chief, nearly six months after the city’s former party boss was promoted to provincial governor. State media announced on Sunday that Jin Lei, 56, had been appointed Shenzhen’s party chief as well as a member of the Guangdong provincial party committee and its standing committee. Jin, an economist and former official in the southwestern province of Sichuan, takes over from Meng Fanli, who had been in the position since April... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347482/veteran-iphone-city-tapped-party-boss-chinas-silicon-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3347482/veteran-iphone-city-tapped-party-boss-chinas-silicon-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:01:00 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery has vowed to continue investing in China amid escalating trade tensions after witnessing new trade opportunities from Chinese companies going global. While attending the two-day China Development Forum (CDF) 2026 in Beijing on Sunday, Elhedery characterised China’s current trajectory as a “new phase of development” that would define the next era of global economic growth. Although 2025 saw steady growth in global trade, the landscape was complicated by shifting tariffs,... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347465/hsbc-vows-keep-investing-china-amid-global-tensions-new-trade-corridors-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347465/hsbc-vows-keep-investing-china-amid-global-tensions-new-trade-corridors-emerge?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 06:27:09 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Xiaomi’s updated SU7 electric vehicle (EV) is expected to bite into the market share of Tesla and some domestic rivals in China, as demand weakens and regulators tighten oversight. Founder and CEO Lei Jun on Thursday announced official pricing for the new-generation smart sedan, with the standard edition starting at 219,900 yuan (US$31,900) and the pro and max variants set at 249,900 yuan and 303,900 yuan, respectively. The figures are 10,000 yuan lower than pre-sale estimates, but 4,000 yuan... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347259/xiaomis-new-generation-su7-launch-sparks-fresh-ev-fight-tesla-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3347259/xiaomis-new-generation-su7-launch-sparks-fresh-ev-fight-tesla-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:29:50 +0000 Themis Qi,Julie Zhang Themis Qi,Julie Zhang Chinese authorities have renewed their push for stricter oversight of the electric vehicle (EV) market, urging carmakers to move away from aggressive discounting and focus instead on technological innovation. The directive comes as domestic manufacturers struggle with cooling demand and the phasing out of long-standing government subsidies. At a high-level meeting on March 17, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347145/china-presses-ev-makers-end-price-war-and-focus-innovation-demand-cools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3347145/china-presses-ev-makers-end-price-war-and-focus-innovation-demand-cools?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:50:48 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Geely beats BYD sales in first 2 months of 2026 to become China’s top carmaker Geely Auto has gained the upper hand in mainland China’s intensifying automotive sector, as its diverse product line-up pays off after electric vehicle (EV) king BYD suffered a setback following partial... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346983/chinas-geely-beats-byd-sales-catls-profit-surges-42-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346983/chinas-geely-beats-byd-sales-catls-profit-surges-42-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Hong Kong stocks rose for a third day on Wednesday as investors tracked overnight gains on Wall Street and took cues from stabilising oil prices, despite lingering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Hang Seng Index added 0.6 per cent to 26,025.42 at the close of trading, marking its third consecutive day of gains and the longest winning streak since January 29. The Hang Seng Tech Index was little changed. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index gained 0.5 per cent and the Shanghai... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346952/hong-kong-stocks-extend-winning-streak-amid-stabilising-oil-prices-despite-iran-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346952/hong-kong-stocks-extend-winning-streak-amid-stabilising-oil-prices-despite-iran-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:04:27 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese carmakers, saddled with excess capacity and weak demand at home, are taking a new approach to global expansion: utilising idled facilities abandoned by international marques. By adopting an asset-light strategy, companies from Geely Auto to Great Wall Motor (GWM) can assemble their cars overseas at lower costs, broadening their influence on the global automotive sector, according to analysts. “Mindful of profitability as well as geopolitical and operating risks, Chinese carmakers are... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346472/carpool-chinese-giants-use-idled-foreign-plants-fuel-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346472/carpool-chinese-giants-use-idled-foreign-plants-fuel-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:00:07 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Tesla has emerged as a rare outlier in China’s slowing electric vehicle (EV) market, posting a massive sales surge in February even as domestic leaders like BYD grapple with double-digit declines. The US carmaker’s Shanghai Gigafactory delivered nearly 58,600 vehicles to Chinese buyers last month, up 91 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to data from automotive platform Dongchedi. Sales of Model Y stood at 41,404 units, while Model 3 accounted for 17,195 units. Starting... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346435/teslas-91-february-sales-jump-china-defies-overall-market-slowdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346435/teslas-91-february-sales-jump-china-defies-overall-market-slowdown?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 03:32:25 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Geely Auto has gained the upper hand in mainland China’s intensifying automotive sector, as its diverse product line-up pays off after electric vehicle (EV) king BYD suffered a setback following partial withdrawal of a tax break. Controlled by Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, Geely overtook BYD in sales during the first two months of the year because of its vehicles’ quality and reliability, even as Beijing intensified efforts to curb price competition among carmakers, according to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346089/geely-auto-beats-byd-sales-first-2-months-2026-become-chinas-top-carmaker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346089/geely-auto-beats-byd-sales-first-2-months-2026-become-chinas-top-carmaker?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg BYD Company is examining options to enter competitive motorsport including Formula 1 and endurance racing, in an effort to boost the Chinese brand’s appeal globally, according to people familiar with the matter. The carmaker is looking at several options following its rapid growth outside its home market and competitive racing’s continuing shift towards hybrid engines, the people said, asking not to be named when discussing private information. These range from the World Endurance Championship,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346180/chinas-byd-explores-entering-formula-1-companys-first-push-motor-racing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346180/chinas-byd-explores-entering-formula-1-companys-first-push-motor-racing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:13:58 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has forecast a surge of up to 97 per cent in first-quarter deliveries, underscoring the turnaround after posting its first-ever quarterly profit and defying a slowdown that has hit most of its domestic rivals. Nio, ranked the 15th bestselling Chinese EV maker last year, set a delivery guidance of 80,000 to 83,000 vehicles for the first quarter of 2026, representing a year-on-year surge of between 90 per cent and 97 per cent. The growth projection bucked... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346142/chinese-ev-maker-nio-forecasts-surge-deliveries-after-first-quarterly-profit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3346142/chinese-ev-maker-nio-forecasts-surge-deliveries-after-first-quarterly-profit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:30:08 +0000 Cao Li,Themis Qi Cao Li,Themis Qi BYD, the world’s largest electric-vehicle (EV) maker, sold more cars overseas than at home for the first time in February, reflecting a broader trend among Chinese EV makers’ global push as domestic sales soften amid fierce competition. “Squeezed by the fierce competition at home, China’s EV makers are shifting their focus to global markets,” said David Zhang, general secretary of the Shanghai-based International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association. BYD, which overtook Tesla last year as... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3345666/chinese-ev-makers-increasingly-reliant-exports-domestic-sales-decelerate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3345666/chinese-ev-makers-increasingly-reliant-exports-domestic-sales-decelerate?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:15 +0000 Iris Deng,Themis Qi Iris Deng,Themis Qi Leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled a new-generation battery featuring charging speeds that the company says can rival a refill at a petrol station. BYD’s Blade Battery 2.0, launched on Thursday, can be charged from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in five minutes, and to 97 per cent in nine minutes, which the company said was the world’s fastest charging speed for a mass-manufactured unit. Even in extreme weather, with temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3345652/chinas-byd-looks-make-electric-vehicle-charging-fast-filling-petrol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3345652/chinas-byd-looks-make-electric-vehicle-charging-fast-filling-petrol?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:15:28 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Low-cost models dominate China EV sales, surpassing Tesla and BYD Amid intensifying competition among Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers last year, relatively inexpensive models from Geely Auto and Wuling Motor Holdings topped the sales chart, surpassing cars from BYD and Tesla. 2.... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345201/low-cost-models-surpass-tesla-china-geely-makes-bets-amid-price-wars-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3345201/low-cost-models-surpass-tesla-china-geely-makes-bets-amid-price-wars-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong New Tsinghua University data this week reveals a nearly 20 per cent rise in graduates joining the manufacturing and energy sectors, signalling a major shift in career pursuits in China. The sharp rise seen in Tsinghua’s class of 2025 indicates a renewed interest in traditional industrial sectors among top-tier talent as well as the pull of national strategic priorities. As some of China’s brightest minds enter these fields, the country is poised to intensify its competitive challenge to Western... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3345299/manufacturing-talent-boom-why-chinas-smartest-students-are-factory-bound?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3345299/manufacturing-talent-boom-why-chinas-smartest-students-are-factory-bound?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 04:00:14 +0000