https://www.scmp.com/rss/522579/feed China Passenger Car Association (CPCA): A prominent Beijing-based professional association, the CPCA operates as a non-profit entity under the China Automobile Dealers Association. Its primary mission involves collecting and analysing comprehensive data on China’s vast passenger car market, including New Energy Vehicles. The CPCA provides crucial insights into sales, production, and market trends, offering forecasts and assessing the impact of government policies like trade-in programmes. Widely... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Themis Qi Themis Qi Six-seat premium electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are emerging as an unlikely game changer in China’s automotive market, with more than a dozen new locally developed models set to challenge German luxury brands this year. The spacious vehicles, increasingly popular among wealthy families in mainland China, could drive a rebound in the world’s largest car and electric vehicle (EV) market as they combined Chinese EVs’ technological edge with competitive pricing, according to Morgan... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Beijing’s tighter oversight of vicious price competition in the automotive sector is expected to increase borrowing pressure on mainland carmakers and accelerate the exit of weaker, debt-laden players amid softening consumer demand, according to S&P Global Ratings. The warning is likely to deepen bearish sentiment surrounding mainland China’s more than 100 car assemblers, many of which have been at the forefront of global electric vehicle (EV) technology and production. “Financially fragile... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352760/chinas-move-cut-ev-payment-cycles-may-push-weaker-carmakers-out-sp?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Profit trajectories between automotive assemblers and electric vehicle (EV) battery producers in China are set to diverge further due to lacklustre car sales and buoyant demand for energy-storage systems. Leading players, including China’s EV battery king Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), would continue to attract buying interest in their shares, spurred by improved profitability, according to analysts. They added that flat vehicle prices, coupled with a dip in new car sales, had... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352561/falling-sales-widen-profit-gap-between-chinas-ev-makers-and-battery-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3352561/falling-sales-widen-profit-gap-between-chinas-ev-makers-and-battery-suppliers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi For German consumer Erik Böhme, a first visit to the Beijing auto show was an eye-opener – the world’s largest car exhibition showcased a vast array of electric vehicle (EV) brands, many already gaining traction in Europe. “I think there will be more Chinese brands coming and being successful in Europe,” said Böhme, a freelance automotive consultant who spent two days at the event, which ran through May 3. Böhme was among 250 foreign media, clients and social media influencers invited by Geely... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352560/beijing-berlin-chinese-evs-turn-heads-brands-eye-european-markets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352560/beijing-berlin-chinese-evs-turn-heads-brands-eye-european-markets?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 03:39:12 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers – including BYD and Geely Automobile – saw their sales stabilise in April, as exports and new technologies continued to help offset weakening demand at home. BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer, sold 321,123 vehicles last month, a drop of more than 15 per cent compared to a year ago, according to its exchange filing on Sunday. However, compared with March, April’s sales figure was nearly 7 per cent higher, while the year-on-year decline was nearly five... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3352384/chinese-ev-sales-edge-higher-april-despite-weakening-domestic-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:59:38 +0000 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 Daniel Ren European consumers, spooked by rising oil prices due to the Middle East conflict, rushed to buy battery-powered cars last month, with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands poised to reap the benefits and give their global expansion a boost. Battery EV (BEV) registrations, a proxy for retail sales, climbed 51 per cent month on month in March, topping 224,000 units across 15 key European Union (EU) markets, according to data jointly released by research firm New Automotive and industry consortium... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350776/jump-eu-ev-sales-amid-iran-war-boosts-chinese-brands-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3350776/jump-eu-ev-sales-amid-iran-war-boosts-chinese-brands-fortunes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Rising battery costs and a cooling car market are likely to tilt China’s electric-vehicle race in favour of hybrids this year, as budget-conscious consumers turn away from fully electric models, analysts say. Material cost inflation is expected to slow momentum for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), allowing plug-in hybrids to regain market share after years of rapid electrification in the world’s largest car market. “A loss of pure electric car sales can be expected this year due to consumers’... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343905/chinas-ev-momentum-slows-pricier-batteries-steer-drivers-hybrids?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3343905/chinas-ev-momentum-slows-pricier-batteries-steer-drivers-hybrids?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Themis Qi,Daniel Ren Themis Qi,Daniel Ren China has banned carmakers from selling new vehicles for less than it costs to make them, including through discounts and subsidies, as regulators continue trying to smother a persistent price war that has sent hopes of profitability up in smoke for most producers. In “pricing guidance” released on Thursday, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) listed a series of tactics that would result in below-cost pricing for new vehicles, warning that carmakers using any of them would face... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343429/beijing-warns-carmakers-stop-killing-your-profitability-hopes-selling-below-cost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3343429/beijing-warns-carmakers-stop-killing-your-profitability-hopes-selling-below-cost?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:38:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major Chinese carmakers have cut their lengthy supplier payment cycles – previously used to offset costs and stay competitive in the country’s vast auto market – from nearly a year to less than 60 days, a government-backed industry consortium said, following heightened efforts from Beijing to police the cutthroat sector. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in a statement on Thursday that the 17 assemblers it recently investigated took an average of 54 days to pay their... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343294/chinas-carmakers-cut-supplier-payment-cycles-amid-beijings-price-war-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343294/chinas-carmakers-cut-supplier-payment-cycles-amid-beijings-price-war-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:11 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China’s roughly 50 electric-vehicle (EV) makers, previously rebuked by the government for excessive price wars, are once again turning to discounting as reduced stimulus measures sap demand. January saw average price cuts of 14.8 per cent for new-energy vehicles, exceeding the 10.5 per cent average for the whole of 2025, according to the China Passenger Car Association. There was a 15 per cent reduction for internal combustion engine models. The revival of cutthroat price competition, or... https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3343066/chinas-ev-sales-boom-runs-short-battery-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/business/china-evs/article/3343066/chinas-ev-sales-boom-runs-short-battery-life?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:32:40 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has begun operating a China-focused artificial intelligence training centre to enhance its cars’ self-driving capabilities in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, following Beijing’s deregulation of the technology. Grace Tao, vice-president of Tesla, told Shanghai-based financial news outlet Cailian on Friday that the centre had sufficient computing power to support development of assisted-driving features. However, she did not disclose details such as the centre’s location or... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342726/tesla-launches-china-ai-training-centre-self-driving-race-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342726/tesla-launches-china-ai-training-centre-self-driving-race-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:07:39 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Electric vehicle deliveries in mainland China slumped by more than 40 per cent in January, darkening the outlook for a sector grappling with rising production costs and the gradual withdrawal of government support. The country’s roughly 50 electric carmakers sold about 900,000 vehicles last month, down 42.3 per cent from 1.56 million units in December, according to preliminary data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Wednesday. The figures, which include retail sales,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342410/chinas-turbocharged-ev-market-hits-speed-bump-amid-falling-sales-and-rising-costs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342410/chinas-turbocharged-ev-market-hits-speed-bump-amid-falling-sales-and-rising-costs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:47:41 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla has spearheaded a new round of low-interest, long-term loans to spur electric vehicle (EV) sales in mainland China, prompting domestic rivals such as Nio and Xpeng to follow suit in a cutthroat market grappling with raw-material inflation. However, fresh competition in car financing – while better than another bruising discount war – may not be enough to shore up deliveries as consumers refrain from buying cars due to reduced government incentives. “All EV makers are facing a dilemma this... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342310/tesla-xiaomi-vie-chinese-ev-buyers-cheaper-longer-loans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342310/tesla-xiaomi-vie-chinese-ev-buyers-cheaper-longer-loans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 03:32:52 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers got off to a bumpy start in 2026 as they reported falling deliveries in January due to softening government support. Shares of Hong Kong-listed BYD, Xpeng, Li Auto and Nio plummeted on Monday, battered by a bearish delivery outlook in the cutthroat mainland EV market. “Lacklustre [sales] data in January represented a rude reminder that the industry will face a difficult year,” said Ivan Li, a researcher at Loyal Wealth Management in Shanghai. “Nearly... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342066/chinese-ev-makers-shares-skid-sales-slide-after-tax-incentive-ends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342066/chinese-ev-makers-shares-skid-sales-slide-after-tax-incentive-ends?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren After five years of playing catch-up, China has produced a worthy “Tesla killer”, a massive achievement for the country’s premium electric vehicle (EV) makers that is set to stoke national pride. Sales of Xiaomi’s fully electric SU7 on the mainland stood at 258,164 last year, nearly 30 per cent higher than the Model 3’s deliveries of 200,361 units, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Since its debut in China at the end of 2019, the Model 3, assembled at the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341061/xiaomis-su7-becomes-chinas-first-tesla-killer-outselling-model-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3341061/xiaomis-su7-becomes-chinas-first-tesla-killer-outselling-model-3?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:00:17 +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 Lucy Quaggin Lucy Quaggin Beijing and Ottawa reached a “landmark” trade agreement last week, slashing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, in a move analysts said further cements China’s dominance and suggests the US decline in the global EV market. The deal will open Canada up to Chinese EVs, signalling a thaw in diplomatic relations and a major break from the US. The bilateral partnership marks a shift in direction for Canada’s automotive industry, coming during a month that saw China’s BYD topple Tesla as the world’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3340746/beijing-ottawa-deal-reinforces-chinas-dominance-ev-industry-expense-us-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3340746/beijing-ottawa-deal-reinforces-chinas-dominance-ev-industry-expense-us-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:11:32 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) supply chain vendors are adding another dimension to their go-global drive: designing batteries and lidar sensors for models by international marques that cater to overseas drivers. As leading players like BYD secure mega deals with major carmakers like Ford, Chinese automotive suppliers that once trailed their global peers are now stamping their authority on the EV sector. Chinese vendors were enjoying an overwhelming advantage over their international rivals in... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340467/chinese-automotive-suppliers-speed-localisation-increase-global-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340467/chinese-automotive-suppliers-speed-localisation-increase-global-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:30:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Growth momentum in the mainland car market may shift from battery-powered to petrol-based models this year on account of a revised subsidy policy, exacerbating a bearish profit outlook for the country’s 50-odd electric vehicle (EV) builders. Slower growth in EV adoption would deal another heavy blow to assemblers from BYD to Leapmotor, which are known for low-priced cars, after big-name international banks reduced forecasts for car deliveries this year. “Petroleum-powered cars will regain market... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340041/chinas-subsidy-change-adds-ev-makers-stress-more-buyers-consider-petrol-cars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3340041/chinas-subsidy-change-adds-ev-makers-stress-more-buyers-consider-petrol-cars?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:30:14 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s electric vehicle (EV) exports doubled in 2025 amid rising overseas demand for affordable cars and Beijing’s anti-involution campaign. The country – the world’s leading EV manufacturer – sold more than 2.6 million units to overseas markets last year, up 104 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on Wednesday. Despite persistent trade tensions, Chinese brands were expected to further deepen their presence in overseas... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3339919/chinas-ev-makers-face-slowdown-export-growth-after-doubling-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3339919/chinas-ev-makers-face-slowdown-export-growth-after-doubling-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:30:08 +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 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Xiaomi, one of Tesla’s biggest challengers in mainland China over the past year, has unveiled a refreshed version of its fully electric sedan capable of travelling more than 900km (560 miles) on a single charge, as it seeks to stay ahead of intensifying competition. Lei Jun, founder and CEO of the smartphone maker and electric vehicle (EV) start-up, said on Wednesday that the updated SU7 – priced higher than existing variants – would demonstrate superior performance to sustain strong sales... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3339099/xiaomi-teslas-biggest-challenger-china-unveils-refreshed-sedan-higher-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3339099/xiaomi-teslas-biggest-challenger-china-unveils-refreshed-sedan-higher-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:55:19 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla’s deliveries in China jumped to an all-time high in December, buoyed by a buying spree before the government withdrew part of a tax incentive. But the US carmaker is still facing an uphill battle to reclaim its once-secure lead in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market amid a stern challenge from local rivals. In December, Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai delivered about 94,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to mainland Chinese customers, 13.4 per cent higher than the previous... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338842/teslas-china-sales-hit-monthly-record-ev-buyers-race-beat-tax-increase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338842/teslas-china-sales-hit-monthly-record-ev-buyers-race-beat-tax-increase?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 02:27:32 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Lacklustre sales at the end of 2025 will bode ill for the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market this year, with low-priced carmakers under pressure to offer further price cuts amid an adjusted trade-in subsidy mechanism. A bleak outlook could also prompt authorities to rein in a discount war as few assemblers are able to post profits. “As deliveries failed to live up to expectations, all major players would have to slash prices of their vehicles to reduce their inventories at the beginning of... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3338572/weak-year-end-sales-cloud-chinas-ev-outlook-keeping-price-war-fears-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3338572/weak-year-end-sales-cloud-chinas-ev-outlook-keeping-price-war-fears-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:00:15 +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 He Huifeng He Huifeng China has unveiled the details of an extension to its popular consumer goods trade-in scheme, a policy which has helped to fuel short-term boosts in consumption and contributed to the achievement of nationwide targets for economic growth. On Tuesday, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) – the country's top economic planner – announced with the Ministry of Finance that 62.5 billion yuan (US$8.93 billion) in ultra-long-term special bonds would be fast-tracked to local governments... https://www.scmp.com/economy/policy/article/3338298/china-rolls-out-trade-funding-2026-campaign-spur-spending-continues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/policy/article/3338298/china-rolls-out-trade-funding-2026-campaign-spur-spending-continues?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 09:00:09 +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 Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory reported a significant rebound in shipments last month as Chinese consumers took advantage of soon-expiring government incentives to snap up cars. The US carmaker’s Shanghai plant, its largest production facility globally, delivered a total of 86,700 Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) in November, a 41 per cent jump from October and a 10 per cent rise from a year earlier, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The deliveries... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3335023/teslas-china-gigafactory-sees-shipment-surge-ahead-government-subsidy-expiry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-evs/article/3335023/teslas-china-gigafactory-sees-shipment-surge-ahead-government-subsidy-expiry?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:53:24 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) builders are increasingly shipping their cars abroad to spur international sales ahead of an expected downturn in their home market, analysts say, as Beijing phases out incentives such as tax holidays and cash subsidies. The carmakers, which can enjoy a net margin of 20,000 yuan (US$706) per vehicle by selling their cars outside mainland China, are rolling out more models and pushing into untapped territories to chase high profitability. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor,... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334300/chinese-ev-makers-step-gas-abroad-hedge-against-weaker-mainland-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3334300/chinese-ev-makers-step-gas-abroad-hedge-against-weaker-mainland-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 23:30:08 +0000 Zhang Tong Zhang Tong A series of electric vehicle fires in China has pushed the issue of battery safety into the public spotlight, triggering a wider public debate about the potential risks. Last month saw a number of high-profile incidents, including one on October 13 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, where a Xiaomi EV burst into flames after a high-speed crash, killing the driver. On October 23 in Shanghai, a Li Auto car suddenly burst into flames on a bumpy road, becoming fully engulfed within 10... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3332302/could-battery-fires-be-achilles-heel-chinas-electric-vehicle-industry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3332302/could-battery-fires-be-achilles-heel-chinas-electric-vehicle-industry?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:10 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren International brands led by Tesla are intensifying their efforts to compete with Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD, as they showcase advanced intelligence and autonomous-driving technology to attract visitors at the world’s largest import-export trade fair in Shanghai. The 12 major carmakers, including General Motors and Volvo, are leveraging the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which runs through Monday, to promote their latest models featuring longer ranges, enhanced... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3332025/tesla-and-global-carmakers-race-against-chinese-ev-rivals-shanghai-import-expo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3332025/tesla-and-global-carmakers-race-against-chinese-ev-rivals-shanghai-import-expo?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 02:00:14 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Car sales in mainland China are likely to slide in 2026, breaking a six-year streak, if Beijing stops granting cash subsidies and tax incentives to buyers, according to a JPMorgan forecast that looms over the earnings outlook for the country’s 100-odd vehicle assemblers. “We expect retail [car] sales to see flat growth next year in a bullish scenario,” Nick Lai, head of auto research in Asia-Pacific at JPMorgan, said in an interview. “The market has more than a 50 per cent chance of seeing... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329920/china-car-sales-slump-2026-if-beijing-scraps-subsidies-jpmorgan-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329920/china-car-sales-slump-2026-if-beijing-scraps-subsidies-jpmorgan-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:30:08 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Global electric vehicle (EV) sales hit a record last month, buoyed by Chinese consumers’ growing interest in new models and the rising popularity of battery-powered cars in Europe. Worldwide September deliveries of pure-electric cars and plug-in hybrids jumped 24 per cent from a year earlier to 2.1 million units – breaking 2 million for the first time and topping the previous record of 1.9 million in December, according to London-based consultancy Rho Motion. The figure represented 20 per cent... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329143/global-ev-sales-hit-monthly-record-21-million-62-chinese-made?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3329143/global-ev-sales-hit-monthly-record-21-million-62-chinese-made?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:53:40 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Sales of pure-electric vehicles (EVs) in mainland China hit an all-time high last month as consumers rushed to take advantage of expiring tax breaks and subsidies. The country’s 50 or so EV makers delivered a total of 826,000 BEVs (battery electric vehicles) to domestic customers in September, 28.5 per cent higher than a year earlier, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The previous record was 762,000 in December 2024. The sales boom came earlier than usual, as... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328837/chinas-pure-ev-sales-hit-all-time-high-new-models-expiring-tax-breaks-lure-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328837/chinas-pure-ev-sales-hit-all-time-high-new-models-expiring-tax-breaks-lure-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:39:56 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese car dealers, once the beneficiaries of the country’s booming automotive market, are facing a bleak future as they fall victim to a brutal price war and a growing preference for e-commerce sales among manufacturers and shoppers. The industry’s 14 major participants reported a 10 per cent sales slump in the first half of 2025, following an 18 per cent year-on-year decline in 2024, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Cui Dongshu, general secretary of the... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328686/chinas-car-dealers-feel-life-threatening-squeeze-price-war-e-commerce-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328686/chinas-car-dealers-feel-life-threatening-squeeze-price-war-e-commerce-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 07:34:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory saw a jump in deliveries last month, as its upgraded models struck a chord with wealthy Chinese consumers who favour spacious vehicles. The assembly line - based in the Lingang free-trade zone, a coastal area linked to the Yangshan Deep-water Port - delivered a total of 90,812 vehicles to customers in September, a record high this year, up 2.8 per cent from the same period in 2024, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Compared to its... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328596/teslas-shanghai-factory-deliveries-hit-record-year-model-y-variant-woos-new-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328596/teslas-shanghai-factory-deliveries-hit-record-year-model-y-variant-woos-new-buyers?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:57:06 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers, from bellwether BYD to start-up Dreame, have stepped up efforts to crack overseas markets as earnings prospects at home look dim amid vicious price competition. They are choosing to either assemble vehicles overseas or open more showrooms abroad to promote their smart EVs fitted with sophisticated in-car entertainment systems and high-performance battery packs, in hopes of taking market share from international marques like Volkswagen and Toyota. “Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328074/chinese-ev-makers-go-global-bid-boost-profits-amid-price-war-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3328074/chinese-ev-makers-go-global-bid-boost-profits-amid-price-war-home?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:30:07 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s state-owned carmakers are realigning their operations on the mainland, forming tie-ups with domestic partners after relying on foreign marques for decades, as they focus on electric vehicles (EV) in the world’s largest market for clean-energy cars. Juggernauts from FAW Group, mainland China’s oldest carmaker, to SAIC Motor, the country’s largest carmaker until 2023, are taking steps to adopt home-grown technologies like autonomous driving software and digital cockpit systems to grow... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3326732/chinas-state-owned-car-giants-embrace-home-grown-tech-dominate-ev-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3326732/chinas-state-owned-car-giants-embrace-home-grown-tech-dominate-ev-market?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 23:30:09 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li China’s auto industry is likely to sell more than 40 million vehicles per year over the next five years – including 10 million to the overseas market – as the sector still has “vast potential” for growth, according to an industry insider. The estimate by Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), indicates that China’s auto industry – already the world’s top exporter in volume terms – could see overseas sales nearly double by 2030. Cui acknowledged in an... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326561/china-will-be-exporting-10-million-cars-year-2030-association-forecasts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326561/china-will-be-exporting-10-million-cars-year-2030-association-forecasts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:00:17 +0000 Ji Siqi,Ralph Jennings Ji Siqi,Ralph Jennings Chinese carmakers will likely feel the sting of Mexico’s anticipated 50 per cent tariff on cars imported from Asia, but their competitive prices and global operations may offset some of the pain, according to analysts. The proposed tariff hike, more than doubling the current level of 20 per cent, was included in a draft bill on raising levies on roughly 1,400 products – from textiles to steel – from countries with which Mexico does not have a trade deal. The bill was submitted to the Congress of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325223/why-mexicos-tariff-hike-chinese-cars-will-hit-not-cripple-their-competitiveness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3325223/why-mexicos-tariff-hike-chinese-cars-will-hit-not-cripple-their-competitiveness?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:00:11 +0000