https://www.scmp.com/rss/49517/feed Geely is a major Chinese carmaker. It sells vehicles under its own brands, including Geely Auto, Geometry, Livan and Zeekr. In 2010, Geely acquired Volvo from Ford, and it purchased a majority stake in the Lotus brand in 2017. It also operates the Smart brand under a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com 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 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 Daniel Ren,Iris Deng Daniel Ren,Iris Deng Physical artificial intelligence (AI) – the marriage of advanced machines with “brains” that allow them to interact with their environment – is expanding rapidly in China. It’s fuelling the development of smarter robots, drones and driverless cars that are appearing on roads and factory floors, in the skies and even on stage. Delivery drones have taken flight over cities like southern China’s Shenzhen, while delivery bots are riding city subways. The first autonomous vehicles are plying public... https://www.scmp.com/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3351514/chinas-physical-ai-progress-seen-roads-skies-and-factories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3351514/chinas-physical-ai-progress-seen-roads-skies-and-factories?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:26:07 +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,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 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 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 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 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 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 Ann Cao Ann Cao Chinese ride-hailing company CaoCao, backed by Geely, is betting on a heavy-asset strategy to emerge as a leading robotaxi operator, with plans to deploy 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2030 as competition intensifies and self-driving technology matures. In an interview with the South China Morning Post, CEO Gong Xin said the future of robotaxis hinged on an asset-management model built around a closed-loop “trinity” of vehicle manufacturing, autonomous driving technology and fleet... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3348985/hong-kong-listed-caocao-hails-fleet-first-strategy-chinas-robotaxi-race-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3348985/hong-kong-listed-caocao-hails-fleet-first-strategy-chinas-robotaxi-race-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:00:09 +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 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 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 Themis Qi Themis Qi Three Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers have raised prices for some models in response to rising supply chain costs, but analysts say the increases are unlikely to be sustained given weakening domestic demand. Xiaomi became the latest manufacturer to adjust pricing on March 19, announcing that its new-generation SU7 standard version would start at 219,900 yuan (US$31,800) – a 4,000 yuan increase over the previous model. Founder and CEO Lei Jun had attributed the rise to aggressive surges in... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347527/three-chinese-ev-makers-raise-prices-analysts-warn-weak-demand-could-force-reversal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3347527/three-chinese-ev-makers-raise-prices-analysts-warn-weak-demand-could-force-reversal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:30:08 +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 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 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 Cao Li Cao Li Hong Kong stocks fell on Wednesday as tech firms slid after Chinese authorities moved to curb the OpenClaw frenzy. The Hang Seng Index edged down 0.2 per cent to close at 25,898.76 after gaining as much as 0.7 per cent in the morning session. The Hang Seng Tech Index fell 0.1 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index added 0.6 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.3 per cent. On Tuesday, China’s cybersecurity emergency response system warned of security and data risks tied to... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346160/hong-kong-stocks-extend-rebound-proposed-release-oil-reserve-soothes-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3346160/hong-kong-stocks-extend-rebound-proposed-release-oil-reserve-soothes-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:10:04 +0000 Aidan Jones,Ushar Daniele Aidan Jones,Ushar Daniele A man in a Mercedes drives up to a Bangkok forecourt, cash in hand, ready to buy an electric vehicle he hadn’t planned on owning. Southeast Asia’s EV revolution has found a new accelerant. “He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to fill up his car any more,” said Samart Prakotkancharna, managing director of Ratchapruek P Car Centre in Thailand’s capital, describing the scene that played out on his forecourt. Cash buyers had been streaming in all week, spooked by rising diesel prices and hunting for... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345751/iran-war-oil-shock-accelerates-southeast-asias-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345751/iran-war-oil-shock-accelerates-southeast-asias-ev-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 02:00:09 +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 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao The founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) said his company plans to ramp up the use of artificial intelligence in research and take Chinese battery technology and standards further overseas, as the battery giant maps the next phase of growth. The world’s largest maker of electric vehicle (EV) batteries would step up research and development (R&D) spending and apply more AI methods to strengthen its technological edge, said billionaire Robin Zeng Yuqun at a briefing... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3345432/chinas-ev-battery-leader-catl-step-use-ai-rd-founder-and-chairman-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3345432/chinas-ev-battery-leader-catl-step-use-ai-rd-founder-and-chairman-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:33:14 +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 Themis Qi Themis Qi Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the fifth entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. Chinese government and industry officials are likely to discuss plans to control domestic electric-vehicle (EV) makers’ output, while encouraging them to prioritise... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344899/top-chinese-officials-industry-leaders-may-discuss-capping-ev-output-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344899/top-chinese-officials-industry-leaders-may-discuss-capping-ev-output-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited China’s eastern tech hub of Hangzhou on Thursday and met leading figures including those from Alibaba Group Holding and Unitree Robotics, signalling growing international recognition of the country’s robotics and artificial intelligence technologies. Merz had lunch and took group photos with local entrepreneurs, including Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming and Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing, according to a social media account run by Chinese state... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3344835/germanys-merz-meets-chinas-tech-vanguard-including-alibaba-and-unitree-ceos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3344835/germanys-merz-meets-chinas-tech-vanguard-including-alibaba-and-unitree-ceos?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:23:19 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Geely Auto – assembler of mainland China’s bestselling pure electric vehicle (EV), the Galaxy Xingyuan – said it is betting on longer-range and faster-charging technologies, rather than price cuts, to consolidate its leading position in the world’s largest car market. Jerry Gan Jiayue, CEO of the firm’s car subsidiary, pledged that the carmaker, as a bellwether player, would “oppose involution”, while staying committed to driving the growth of China’s automobile sector. Involution refers to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344489/chinese-ev-maker-geely-bets-longer-range-faster-charging-tech-over-another-price-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3344489/chinese-ev-maker-geely-bets-longer-range-faster-charging-tech-over-another-price-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:47:39 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi 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. In 2025, Geely sold more than 459,000 units of the Xingyuan EV – priced between 68,800 yuan (US$9,960) and 98,800 yuan – versus 52,570 a year earlier, according to a list of the top-selling battery EV models on the mainland compiled by a unit under the state-owned China Automotive... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344355/geely-and-wuling-dominate-china-ev-sales-surpassing-tesla-and-byd?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3344355/geely-and-wuling-dominate-china-ev-sales-surpassing-tesla-and-byd?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:35:44 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand owned by Geely Auto, has entered the Italian market, with customer deliveries and retail openings set to follow in spring. The move is part of its broader European expansion, following the launch of sales in Germany in December last year. In partnership with local distributor Jameel Motors Italia, Zeekr began taking orders for its full model range on Thursday, according to a press release. “Italy is a key market in our European expansion, and the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3344079/chinese-ev-maker-zeekr-accelerates-european-expansion-italy-launch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3344079/chinese-ev-maker-zeekr-accelerates-european-expansion-italy-launch?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:43:31 +0000 Lucy Quaggin Lucy Quaggin US President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Wednesday that it would rescind a rule rewarding electric vehicle production – eliminating the so-called “fuel content factor” – the latest in a series of actions rolling back federal support for EVs that analysts say could leave the US further behind in a global race increasingly shifting in China’s favour. The move comes as the US struggles to compete with China’s rapid growth in the EV sector, marking another setback for America’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343942/does-trumps-retreat-electric-vehicle-policy-risk-ceding-ground-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343942/does-trumps-retreat-electric-vehicle-policy-risk-ceding-ground-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:12:50 +0000 Reuters Reuters Two of China’s leading carmakers, BYD and ⁠Geely, are among the finalists vying to purchase a Nissan–Mercedes-Benz plant in Mexico, according to a ⁠person familiar with the matter, as China seeks a manufacturing foothold in a country where US tariffs are fuelling factory closures and lay-offs. The finalists emerged from nine companies expressing interest in acquiring the factory, including at least two other major Chinese manufacturers: Chery and Great Wall Motor, according to two sources... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3343369/chinas-byd-and-geely-bid-nissan-mercedes-mexico-plant-dodge-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3343369/chinas-byd-and-geely-bid-nissan-mercedes-mexico-plant-dodge-trump-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:30:30 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick China surpassed Argentina in January to become Brazil’s largest exporter of vehicles, solidifying Chinese brands’ dominance in the region’s biggest car market and undercutting a long-standing Argentine trade advantage within Mercosur. According to industry figures reported by Autoweb on Monday, Chinese vehicles sent to Brazil reached 16,800 units in January, versus 13,400 from Argentina. It underscores the erosion of Argentina’s decades-long grip on Brazil’s import market, after China first led... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3342980/china-becomes-brazils-biggest-vehicle-exporter-january-surpassing-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3342980/china-becomes-brazils-biggest-vehicle-exporter-january-surpassing-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:00:35 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio plans to add another 1,000 battery swapping stations to its network this year, adding to its US$2.6 billion bet on the technology despite a challenge from fast-charging batteries as it touts its 100 millionth swap. The company’s 3,729 stations allow owners of compatible Nio EVs to exchange a spent battery pack for a charged one in just three minutes, and most navigate the car into position automatically. Created to ease anxiety over range and slow... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342899/chinas-nio-raises-us26-billion-bet-ev-battery-swapping-plans-add-1000-stations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3342899/chinas-nio-raises-us26-billion-bet-ev-battery-swapping-plans-add-1000-stations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:30 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao Hong Kong stocks fell on Monday, mirroring Wall Street’s retreat, as risk sentiment evaporated after a choppy end to last week that also dragged down precious metals. The Hang Seng Index declined 2.2 per cent to 26,775.57 at the close of trading, the biggest drop since November 21. It added to a 2.1 per cent loss recorded in the previous session. The Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 3.4 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index lost 2.1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.5 per... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342032/hong-kong-stocks-drop-shaky-risk-sentiment-us-equities-and-metals-slide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342032/hong-kong-stocks-drop-shaky-risk-sentiment-us-equities-and-metals-slide?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:00:04 +0000 Cao Li,Themis Qi Cao Li,Themis Qi As Chinese companies accelerate their overseas expansion, industry leaders are urging a more partnership-driven approach rather than simply building factories abroad – a strategy they say could help ease growing concerns about excess capacity. As it pushes further into global markets, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will prioritise partnerships over rapid capacity build-outs, vice-chairman Daniel Li Donghui said at the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong on Tuesday. “We don’t think it’s the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3341479/partnerships-not-plants-chinese-companies-rethink-overseas-expansion-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3341479/partnerships-not-plants-chinese-companies-rethink-overseas-expansion-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:00:13 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen Chinese artificial intelligence start-up StepFun has appointed Yin Qi, the co-founder and former CEO of Megvii, as its chairman, as the company wraps up a 5 billion yuan (US$690 million) Series B+ funding round and sharpens its focus on so-called “physical AI” – artificial intelligence designed to power real-world machines such as cars and robots. Yin, a prominent figure from China’s first wave of computer-vision start-ups, is also chairman of Qianli Technology, a Geely-backed smart-driving... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3341257/geely-linked-tech-veteran-yin-qi-joins-chinese-ai-start-stepfun-chairman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3341257/geely-linked-tech-veteran-yin-qi-joins-chinese-ai-start-stepfun-chairman?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:00:10 +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 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China could see its first flying car begin carrying paying passengers in 2026, as government backing and a growing pipeline of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle makers push the country’s “low-altitude economy” closer to commercial reality. Seven eVTOL manufacturers were expected to start delivering products before the end of this year, according to CCID Consulting. Local governments including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chongqing are also preparing to loosen rules around... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340714/chinas-flying-car-makers-target-deliveries-year-passenger-flights-near-reality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340714/chinas-flying-car-makers-target-deliveries-year-passenger-flights-near-reality?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:30:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren This year is likely to be a watershed one for the global drive by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers, as more Western countries open up their markets to high-performance made-in-China models. Despite low expectations for a hefty jump in overseas sales, EV assemblers like BYD and Geely are expected to get off to a strong start in some of their untapped markets, honing their image as world leaders in terms of production and technology before establishing a long-term foothold, according to... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340254/chinese-electric-vehicle-makers-set-crack-open-western-markets-trade-barriers-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340254/chinese-electric-vehicle-makers-set-crack-open-western-markets-trade-barriers-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 07:00:14 +0000 Wency Chen,Xinmei Shen Wency Chen,Xinmei Shen Humanoid robot guides, stair-climbing robo-vacuum cleaners and exoskeletons for hikers were all among the exhibits at the world’s largest electronics show as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly finds a role in the physical world. Chinese companies made up about a quarter of the 4,000-plus exhibitors at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), underlining how the country is at the forefront of developments that could turn AI-powered robots into mainstream household items. The large Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3339813/humanoid-robot-guides-hiker-exoskeletons-ces-2026-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3339813/humanoid-robot-guides-hiker-exoskeletons-ces-2026-round?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:11:13 +0000 Iris Deng Iris Deng The global memory-chip crunch has forced a mainland Chinese smartphone manufacturer to pull the plug on the launch of a new handset, making it one of the first cancellations affecting the wider industry due to surging prices of the key component. DreamSmart Group said that its Meizu smartphone brand had cancelled the release of Meizu 22 Air, a slim handset similar to Apple’s iPhone Air. “The sharp rise in memory prices since the fourth quarter has not only impacted [production] costs, but also... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3339566/surging-memory-chip-prices-force-chinese-smartphone-maker-meizu-abandon-launch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3339566/surging-memory-chip-prices-force-chinese-smartphone-maker-meizu-abandon-launch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Hong Kong stocks rallied on Monday, lifted by gains in healthcare and technology shares, while daily turnover on mainland China’s exchanges surged to a record high. The Hang Seng Index climbed 1.4 per cent to close at 26,608.48, while the Hang Seng Tech Index climbed 2.9 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index advanced 0.65 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.1 per cent. Trading volume on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges shares hit a record 3.58 trillion yuan (US$513.2... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3339531/hong-kong-stocks-edge-higher-tech-and-pharmaceutical-gains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3339531/hong-kong-stocks-edge-higher-tech-and-pharmaceutical-gains?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:33:43 +0000