https://www.scmp.com/rss/39052/feed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1917 and based in Munich in Bavaria, Germany. BMW also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 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 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 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 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 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 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jerry Chau Chun-lok has picked up the ride on Voyage Bubble in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) as the Triple Crown hero bids to bounce back from an uncharacteristic flop last start. In hot form with 13 winners since the start of February, Chau will replace champion jockey Zac Purton, who has ridden Voyage Bubble in his past four starts. Chau, 25, is excited to ride the six-time Group One winner for the first time in the Chairman’s Trophy on April 6. “Ricky told me last week. I will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney He is expected to be one of the outsiders in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin, but Pope Cody should not be underestimated according to his jockey James Orman. The Me Tsui Yu-sak-trained gelding heads into the city’s biggest race off the back of an encouraging sixth to Stormy Grove in the Classic Cup (1,800m), having made up late ground from back in the field. Despite a modest record of one win and two placings from 15 local starts, Pope Cody rarely runs poorly or is beaten far... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347455/james-orman-makes-strong-case-likely-outsider-pope-cody-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3347455/james-orman-makes-strong-case-likely-outsider-pope-cody-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:56:56 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney French star Calandagan, Japan’s Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile headline a strong contingent of 63 international raiders entered for next month’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin. Calandagan, last year’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse, and Group One winners Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile could be set for a blockbuster clash with Hong Kong’s 13-time Group One champion Romantic Warrior in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). Calandagan capped a massive year with victory in last November’s Group... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:52:18 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney James McDonald has been booked to ride Seraph Gabriel in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after the superstar jockey chose to hop off Beauty Bolt in favour of David Eustace’s British import. McDonald was aboard Beauty Bolt in the first two legs of the Classic Series, finishing third in the Classic Mile and seventh in the Classic Cup (1,800m), but he was taken by Seraph Gabriel’s close second to Lucky Sam Gor when he rode him on the Classic Mile undercard. The son of Saxon Warrior... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:18:37 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu BMW could be approaching the end of the tunnel in China as signs of stabilisation raise hopes of a turnaround after the German carmaker reported that sales dropped by double digits in the key market in 2025. “Transaction prices in the market for our products have stabilised … and are actually improving slightly compared to [the third quarter],” said Walter Mertl, chief financial officer, during a press conference on Thursday. “If the run rate continues this way, we have the opportunity to go... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:48 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter New versions of cars can sometimes be a little underwhelming – a slightly modified silhouette here, a few tweaks to the trim there. And then there’s the new BMW iX3, which doesn’t so much relaunch the vehicle as completely rewrite its design language, dramatically upgrading everything from aesthetics to electronics to sustainability. The car – the BMW iX3 50 xDrive – is the newest battery electric version of the company’s X3 compact luxury crossover SUV. But where the model it updates, the G08,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3345495/style-edit-bmw-ix3-rewrites-ev-rule-book-range-and-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3345495/style-edit-bmw-ix3-rewrites-ev-rule-book-range-and-sustainability?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham The European Union’s ambitious industrial policy to challenge China has been gutted, removing AI, semiconductors and quantum computing from a list of strategic technologies that must be “made in Europe” to tap billions in government funds. Biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) ahead of the proposal’s formal unveiling by the European Commission on Wednesday, a leaked draft showed. Plans to exclude non-EU-based producers from... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345311/eu-strips-ai-chips-and-quantum-industrial-plan-aimed-countering-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345311/eu-strips-ai-chips-and-quantum-industrial-plan-aimed-countering-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:51:51 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney After Stormy Grove’s shock win and solid but unspectacular runs from leading contenders in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m), the picture around the city’s most prized race – the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) – is very unclear. Still a Hong Kong maiden two starts before Sunday and not among Derby entries at that time, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Stormy Grove has suddenly catapulted into contention for the HK$26 million feature after a pair of brilliant victories. The Australian import’s upset success at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345113/derby-picture-unclear-after-classic-cup-while-quarantine-issues-delay-hong-kong-international-sale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3345113/derby-picture-unclear-after-classic-cup-while-quarantine-issues-delay-hong-kong-international-sale?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse German carmaker BMW said on Friday that it planned to deploy two AI-powered humanoid robots in a factory in a pilot programme for the first time this year. Dubbed Aeon and developed by the Swedish company Hexagon, the black-and-white robots stand 1.65 metres (5.4 feet) tall, weigh 60kg (132 pounds) and move on two wheels. They can autonomously manipulate and move components within a factory where the space has been previously fully scanned and digitised. A months-long pilot phase will start this... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344940/bmw-trial-humanoid-robots-german-factory-china-competition-heats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344940/bmw-trial-humanoid-robots-german-factory-china-competition-heats?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:21:44 +0000 Cao Jiaxuan Cao Jiaxuan China and Germany have pledged to elevate ties as they seek to rebalance relations amid global uncertainties. Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday that he was “willing to work together with the chancellor to continuously advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany to new levels”. Merz echoed Xi’s call to strengthen bilateral relations, according to state broadcaster CCTV. “The more turbulent and complex... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344618/meeting-merz-xi-urges-efforts-advance-china-germany-ties-new-levels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344618/meeting-merz-xi-urges-efforts-advance-china-germany-ties-new-levels?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:34:57 +0000 Josh Sims Josh Sims Andrea Zagato says that, when you’re 106 years old, you think very carefully before risking your reputation. “It’s a lot of history to protect,” says the CEO of the legendary Italian coachbuilding company that bears his family name. Zagato was founded by his grandfather Ugo in 1919, and would go on to lend its styling skills to the likes of Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin and Lamborghini; and to make classic versions of the Ferrari 575 GTZ, Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa and BMW... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3343459/andrea-zagato-us3-million-capricorn-01-italian-coachbuilder-zagatos-first-hypercar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3343459/andrea-zagato-us3-million-capricorn-01-italian-coachbuilder-zagatos-first-hypercar?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney It’s 12 months to the day since Lucky With You ended a long winning drought in The TVB Cup (1,200m) and Luke Ferraris is optimistic history can repeat at Sha Tin on Saturday. Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s consistent galloper relished dropping back from Group One company to strike in the race last year, before backing it up at his next start to notch back-to-back victories. Last year’s TVB Cup was a Class One but Saturday is an extended Class Two, which will be Lucky With You’s first start in the grade... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343452/luke-ferraris-banks-history-repeating-lucky-you-defends-tvb-cup-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3343452/luke-ferraris-banks-history-repeating-lucky-you-defends-tvb-cup-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:30:15 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Style by SCMP celebrated its 20th anniversary with a star-studded party at Grand Majestic Sichuan on Wednesday, attended by the likes of Hong Kong luminaries like designer Vivienne Tam and entrepreneur Kevin Poon, celebrities Elva Ni and Grace Chan, and star athletes Ryan Choi and Cecilia Yeung. Over two decades of editorial excellence were on full display in a special exhibition showcasing the cultural milestones that have come to shape luxury fashion – and the pages of our magazine – over the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3343297/inside-style-scmps-star-studded-20th-anniversary-party-bmw-saicho-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3343297/inside-style-scmps-star-studded-20th-anniversary-party-bmw-saicho-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:11:20 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Style by SCMP turns 20 this year. In celebration of this momentous milestone, our special anniversary issue hitting news-stands this Friday, February 13, features many bright talents who have helped make Hong Kong – and the wider Asia region – a creative powerhouse over the past two decades. That includes pre-eminent tastemakers like designer Barney Cheng and supermodel Qiqi Yam, as well as next-gen talents like Andrew and Tate Mok of local creative duo OffgodTate. As we sit back and ready... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3342875/style-scmp-turns-20-we-look-back-our-archive-covers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3342875/style-scmp-turns-20-we-look-back-our-archive-covers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:15:25 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings German companies are turning towards investments in China as they lose confidence in the United States over President Donald Trump’s policies, but they still see obstacles in the world’s second-largest economy, according to an executive at a German chamber of commerce. That landscape would form the backdrop of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s planned visit to China later this month, said Oliver Oehms, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in North China. Merz... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342667/stung-trumps-policies-german-multinationals-cautiously-pivot-towards-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342667/stung-trumps-policies-german-multinationals-cautiously-pivot-towards-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:22:18 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Can Little Paradise follow in the footsteps of some of the best Classic Mile winners and progress to superstardom? On the strength of his explosive victory on Sunday, when he overcame a horrific run in the first half of the straight to dispose of what many rated as a strong crop of four-year-olds with ease, it’s hard to say no. Stepping up to the mile for the first time, Jimmy Ting Koon-ho’s stable star was in danger of being the hard luck story of the race when he was second last on the turn... https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342132/classic-mile-hero-little-paradise-next-big-thing-hong-kong-racing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/3342132/classic-mile-hero-little-paradise-next-big-thing-hong-kong-racing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:11:57 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major international marques, from Tesla to Volkswagen, continued to lose market share in mainland China, as consumers increasingly favoured new domestic electric vehicle (EV) models equipped with hi-tech features. But in 2026, foreign carmakers are expected to stage a comeback when they launch models with innovative technologies, which are expected to attract buyers in spite of sluggish consumer demand, according to industry officials and analysts. “Finally, foreign OEMs [original equipment... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340887/major-foreign-carmakers-set-stage-comeback-china-year-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340887/major-foreign-carmakers-set-stage-comeback-china-year-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:00:24 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Neil Denslow Brian Rhoads,Neil Denslow The European Union resolved a long-running dispute with China over electric vehicle (EV) production subsidies by opening a way for carmakers to avoid tariffs. Duties will be waived if car companies set minimum prices “adequate to eliminate the injurious effects of the subsidies”, the European Commission said on Monday (see SCMP Quick Digest). Investment plans in the EU and possible limits on import volumes will also be among factors weighed by officials considering pricing proposals. All offers... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3339728/china-eu-deal-evs-marks-rare-agreement-frosty-relations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3339728/china-eu-deal-evs-marks-rare-agreement-frosty-relations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:00:57 +0000 Hao Nan Hao Nan China and the European Union began 2026 with another trade clash. As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its definitive phase, Brussels tightened compliance and Beijing warned of countermeasures. However, this week, the two sides signalled progress on defusing the electric vehicle dispute; the EU issued guidance to Chinese EV exporters on submitting minimum price plans. The juxtaposition underlines the point: even when one high-profile area shifts from escalation to technical... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3339329/can-europe-rebuild-its-strength-trade-china-without-fear?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3339329/can-europe-rebuild-its-strength-trade-china-without-fear?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:30:10 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Electric vehicle makers have kicked off a fresh round of price cuts in mainland China at the start of 2026, despite Beijing’s repeated calls to curb “involution”, as pressure on margins and survival prospects persists. German luxury carmaker BMW has cut the mainland China price of its all-electric i7 M70L to below 1.6 million yuan (US$225,000) – a reduction of more than 300,000 yuan, or 16 per cent – and lowered prices on other EVs and petrol-powered models by at least 10 per cent, according to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3338538/chinas-ev-sector-doubles-down-discounts-and-cheap-financing-growth-cools?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3338538/chinas-ev-sector-doubles-down-discounts-and-cheap-financing-growth-cools?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:21:27 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport The New Year may have been a little low key as far as sport in Hong Kong is concerned, but 2026 is promising to be just as busy as the past 12 months. Along with major events such as the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, LIV Golf and the return of the World Table Tennis Finals, there is something for almost everyone in the coming year. And while there is still no word yet on whether the hugely successful Football Festival will be back again, here are some of the events we do know about so you can... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3338401/ice-hockey-sevens-heres-some-what-lies-ahead-hong-kong-sport-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3338401/ice-hockey-sevens-heres-some-what-lies-ahead-hong-kong-sport-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:30:09 +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. BYD plans giant Brazil factory to scale electric bus and truck production Chinese carmaker BYD plans to build a new factory in Brazil within the next three years after rising demand for electric buses filled its existing production capacity and forced the company to redraw its... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3337575/byds-big-plans-brazil-xpeng-tries-go-global-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3337575/byds-big-plans-brazil-xpeng-tries-go-global-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), already the envy of the global automotive industry, have raced to the top of the luxury segment after a new model co-developed by Huawei Technologies outsold Porsche’s Panamera and BMW’s 7 Series in the world’s largest car market. Maextro S800, a luxury sedan priced from 708,000 yuan (US$100,555) to 1 million yuan, recorded 2,145 deliveries in mainland China last month, more than the combined sales of the Panamera and the 7 Series, according to data provider ECC... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3337532/luxury-model-built-huawei-outsells-porsches-panamera-and-bmws-7-series-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3337532/luxury-model-built-huawei-outsells-porsches-panamera-and-bmws-7-series-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:31:21 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Chinese demand for foreign luxury cars is waning as customers opt for more affordable Chinese brand models, often sold at big discounts, catering to their taste for fancy electronics and comfort. That is bad news for European carmakers like Porsche, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and BMW that have long dominated the upper reaches of the world’s largest auto market. A prolonged property downturn in China has left many consumers with little appetite for big purchases. Meanwhile, the well-to-do are... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3336375/sales-high-end-cars-tumble-china-affordable-local-brands-trump-european-marques?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3336375/sales-high-end-cars-tumble-china-affordable-local-brands-trump-european-marques?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Dec 2025 07:22:53 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Volkswagen Group has ramped up its “all in” strategy for China, banking on local development capabilities and a new electric vehicle (EV) architecture to fight back against domestic rivals and regain its leading position in the world’s largest vehicle market. The German carmaker’s China operations are now able to design and validate new models without going through approvals from headquarters, reducing development time and costs to respond quickly to local needs. On Tuesday, the company... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3334159/volkswagen-revs-designed-china-approach-catch-local-rivals-ev-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3334159/volkswagen-revs-designed-china-approach-catch-local-rivals-ev-market?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:54:17 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter The BMW 7 Series has been setting standards among luxury sedans since 1977 with its unmatched combination of comfort, elegance, driving power and technical innovation. In recent years, it’s added sustainability to that mix in the shape of the i7, a model that has reshaped expectations of electric vehicles. The i7 comes in three models: the i7 eDrive50, the i7 eDrive50 M Sport Edition – and, for the discerning driver who values a little extra muscle under the bonnet, the top of the range i7 M70... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3333704/style-edit-bmws-luxury-electric-saloon-i7-m70-xdrive-offers-performance-and-poise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3333704/style-edit-bmws-luxury-electric-saloon-i7-m70-xdrive-offers-performance-and-poise?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:00:39 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter For nearly half a century, BMW’s 7 Series has been not only the German automaker’s flagship model but also the agenda setter among luxury executive saloon cars the world over. With its clean lines, superior performance and host of luxurious features, it’s the high-end automobile that leads where others follow. In recent years, the same line-up of sought-after attributes has also been available in a future-facing package – the i7, a car that redefines the promise of all-electric motoring. The i7... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3330075/style-edit-bmws-i7-flagship-range-electric-executive-cars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3330075/style-edit-bmws-i7-flagship-range-electric-executive-cars?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 02:00:13 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu A proposed increase to EU steel tariffs has already sown alarm among the continent’s car manufacturers, with stocks of major players plunging in the immediate aftermath of the announcement and industry insiders warning the measures could worsen cost pressures already weighing down growth in the sector. Following a Tuesday statement from the European Commission that it would cut tariff-free quotas for imported steel products by nearly half and double duties on excess shipments to 50 per cent – a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328372/new-eu-steel-tariffs-meant-curb-chinese-imports-giving-carmakers-migraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328372/new-eu-steel-tariffs-meant-curb-chinese-imports-giving-carmakers-migraine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:00:10 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The release of two electric vehicle (EV) battery packs targeted specifically at the European market has brightened the earnings outlook for Contemporary Amperex Technol­ogy (CATL) whose market share jumped in China last month. Fujian-based CATL, the world’s largest EV battery producer, delivered 26.45 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of batteries in August, up 26 per cent from the previous year. Its share of the domestic market hit 42.4 per cent for the month, up from 41.4 per cent in July, according to the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3325580/ev-battery-giant-catls-earnings-outlook-brightens-it-extends-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3325580/ev-battery-giant-catls-earnings-outlook-brightens-it-extends-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:34:53 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Fifty years ago, Christian Social Union in Bavaria chairman Franz Josef Strauss visited Beijing, becoming the first West German politician to meet Chinese leader Mao Zedong. According to German media reports, the late conservative politician sent a postcard to Helmut Schmidt, Germany’s chancellor at the time and head of the rival Social Democratic Party, saying “Beijing is worth a trip.” Schmidt became the first German leader to visit China later that year. A half-century later, the roles have... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325351/germanys-bavaria-open-chinese-investment-despite-eu-tensions-state-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325351/germanys-bavaria-open-chinese-investment-despite-eu-tensions-state-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 06:00:24 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technol­ogy (CATL) is betting on two specially designed battery packs to win over customers in Europe, as the world’s largest maker of power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) counts down to flicking the on switch at its plant in Hungary in December. The first pack is a long-life variant that is usable for up to 12 years, offering 758km (471 miles) of driving range, CATL said in a statement on Sunday. The second variant is a fast-charging lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) power... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3324729/catl-bets-batteries-bmw-volkswagen-win-europe-it-revs-hungary-plant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3324729/catl-bets-batteries-bmw-volkswagen-win-europe-it-revs-hungary-plant?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:56:41 +0000 Hadi Azmi Hadi Azmi Hackers are increasingly targeting Malaysia’s growing automotive sector, cybersecurity experts have warned in a new report that raises alarm over gaps in threat detection, including potential data theft via phones hooked to digital dashboards on vehicles. A key automotive manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has attracted around 26 billion ringgit (US$6.15 billion) in electric vehicle investments since 2018 from global marquee names including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Porsche,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3320100/hackers-target-malaysia-ev-boom-cybersecurity-flaws-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3320100/hackers-target-malaysia-ev-boom-cybersecurity-flaws-revealed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 06:16:50 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter For anyone looking for a greener, more intelligent, more thoughtfully made vehicle, with zero compromise on performance, interior comfort or exterior dash: your prayers have been answered. A luxury electric SUV that ups the bar and breaks new ground on numerous fronts, the BMW iX xDrive45, newly introduced in Hong Kong, offers a more powerful engine, a more refined profile, a dramatically longer range and a more sophisticated line-up of technology than any other vehicle in its class. It... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3319416/style-edit-bmw-ix-xdrive45-hits-hong-kong-its-greener-more-sophisticated-ride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3319416/style-edit-bmw-ix-xdrive45-hits-hong-kong-its-greener-more-sophisticated-ride?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jul 2025 02:00:10 +0000 Yujie Xue Yujie Xue BYD scored the most new electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Hong Kong in the first half of 2025, beating Tesla and BMW, as mainland Chinese carmakers increased their focus on the city to serve as a launch pad for their global ambitions. The Shenzhen-based carmaker accounted for 27 per cent, or 4,902, of the 18,356 private EVs that were registered in the first half, data from the city’s Transport Department showed this week. BYD’s bestseller with 3,676 units was the Sealion 07, a pure... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3319131/byd-outsells-tesla-hong-kong-ev-market-mainland-firms-eye-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3319131/byd-outsells-tesla-hong-kong-ev-market-mainland-firms-eye-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:18 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Tesla has opened its first India showroom as Elon Musk’s electric vehicle maker looks to ply new markets and offset slowing sales where it’s already well established. A 370-sq-metre (4,000-square-foot) space in Mumbai’s posh financial district of Bandra Kurla Complex opens its doors on Tuesday. It will sell its made-in-China Model Y cars starting at 6 million rupees (US$69,800), a price catalogue on its website showed on Tuesday. The selling price of the model starts from US$44,990 in the US,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3318230/tesla-opens-first-india-showroom-sales-slow-china-and-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3318230/tesla-opens-first-india-showroom-sales-slow-china-and-us?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:06:55 +0000 Daniel Ren,Vanessa Cai Daniel Ren,Vanessa Cai Shanghai’s West Bund, an 11km-long waterfront area in mainland China’s financial capital, has bucked the property downtrend plaguing the sector, as companies and retail brands flock to office buildings and malls in the zone. The vibrant area, located on the west bank of the Huangpu River in the southwestern Xuhui district, is emerging as the latest central business district (CBD), with premium office buildings and retail space like Hongkong Land’s Westbund Central. The city kicked off the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3318039/shanghais-west-bund-defies-property-slump-new-cbd-attracts-mncs-bmw-adidas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3318039/shanghais-west-bund-defies-property-slump-new-cbd-attracts-mncs-bmw-adidas?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:30:07 +0000 Matthew Marsh Matthew Marsh “The first night session couldn’t have been more stressful if there were snakes in the car and meteorites falling from the sky.” Antares Au isn’t new to 24-hour racing – he’s won his class at Belgium’s Spa and Germany’s Nürburgring – but nothing, he says, quite prepares you for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last month marked his debut at France’s legendary endurance race, alongside fellow Hongkonger Jonathan Hui Kin-tak. They were two drivers on the 62 teams competing at this year’s race, and for a... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3317839/meet-one-track-minds-behind-le-mans-24-hour-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3317839/meet-one-track-minds-behind-le-mans-24-hour-race?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 22:15:07 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Police have arrested a man who allegedly stole about HK$7,500 (US$955) in cash from a tent at a Hong Kong beach before he was hit by a BMW car while trying to flee the scene. The force said that the money was allegedly taken from the handbags of two women who were camping with their friends at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun on Sunday night. The suspect dropped some of the money before he was knocked down by the car near the Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club at about 8pm. The suspect, a 42-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316327/hong-kong-police-arrest-man-allegedly-stealing-hk7500-beach-campers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3316327/hong-kong-police-arrest-man-allegedly-stealing-hk7500-beach-campers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Jun 2025 04:06:42 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Ye Yifei said he felt like he was dreaming after becoming China’s first winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with Robert Kubica’s AF Corse team in France late on Sunday. In a thrilling 93rd edition of the race, the top four were separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes. Former Formula One driver Kubica of Poland and his co-drivers Ye and Britain’s Philip Hanson finished just 14.084 seconds ahead of a Porsche driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens... https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3314554/le-mans-24-hours-race-chinas-first-winner-ye-yifei-says-he-dreamland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/motorsport/article/3314554/le-mans-24-hours-race-chinas-first-winner-ye-yifei-says-he-dreamland?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:51:51 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Nvidia is trying to woo European markets with new partnerships and a pledge to build 20 new artificial intelligence (AI) factories across the continent, as the US chip giant grapples with declining sales in China amid Washington’s tightening export controls. CEO Jensen Huang, speaking at the annual VivaTech conference in Paris on Wednesday, said the company was building the world’s first “industrial artificial intelligence cloud” for European manufacturers. The Germany-based facility, a key part... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3314131/nvidia-bets-european-ai-push-new-plant-partnerships-amid-shrinking-china-revenue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3314131/nvidia-bets-european-ai-push-new-plant-partnerships-amid-shrinking-china-revenue?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” before pulling them apart and pursuing peace, even as Germany’s new chancellor appealed to him as the “key person in the world” who could halt the bloodshed by pressuring Vladimir Putin. In an Oval Office meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the US president likened the war in Ukraine – which Russia invaded in February 2022 – to a fight between two children who hate each... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3313251/trump-tells-germanys-merz-it-might-be-better-let-ukraine-russia-fight-while?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3313251/trump-tells-germanys-merz-it-might-be-better-let-ukraine-russia-fight-while?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2025 17:50:06 +0000 Akhmad Hanan Akhmad Hanan Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) has made headlines again – this time for its US$4.6 billion debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange, the world’s largest initial public offering this year. CATL’s shares surged as much as 18 per cent, a signal of both investor confidence and the company’s carefully orchestrated industrial dominance. Beyond a financial triumph, it was a strategic manoeuvre in a rapidly changing geopolitical and industrial landscape. In opting for... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3311242/picking-hong-kong-over-new-york-catls-ipo-was-strategic-move?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3311242/picking-hong-kong-over-new-york-catls-ipo-was-strategic-move?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 May 2025 12:30:08 +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. BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz recall nearly 70,000 vehicles in China Carmakers including BMW, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz are recalling a total of 69,793 vehicles in China due to potential safety risks, according to the market regulator, as authorities heighten safety oversight in the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3310272/bmw-toyota-mercedes-benz-recall-cars-china-geely-offers-buy-zeekr-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3310272/bmw-toyota-mercedes-benz-recall-cars-china-geely-offers-buy-zeekr-7-ev-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:09 +0000 Robert Delaney Robert Delaney Many Americans who came of age in the 1980s will remember when Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys became the preferred family vehicles, quietly replacing US models. When quality, reliability and price were factored in, patriotism was the only remaining reason to keep an American-made car on the driveway. Two high-school friends and I each got well-worn hand-me-down cars when we started commuting to college. Dave got a Ford Fairmont estate car, which he called “the hearse”. Gary got a Buick Skylark... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3309961/how-trumps-erratic-tariffs-could-crash-his-us-car-production-goals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3309961/how-trumps-erratic-tariffs-could-crash-his-us-car-production-goals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 May 2025 12:30:08 +0000