TOPIC COLLECTION

Automobiles

Included topics:
Apple has announced that it will use ChatGPT’s biggest rival Google Gemini to power its digital assistant Siri. Photo: dpa
Artificial intelligence

Apple, Google strike Gemini deal for revamped Siri in major win for Alphabet

Alphabet has been jostling with OpenAI for the Apple deal, the financial details of which were not disclosed.

Hong Kong stock market

Chipmaker GigaDevice leaps 45% in Hong Kong debut amid China self-reliance push

China-Latin America relations

Argentina’s Milei plans 2026 China trip despite US pressure on ties

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Surging chip prices force Chinese smartphone maker Meizu to abandon launch

Memory-chip prices could jump between 40 and 50 per cent in the first quarter after rising by the same level in the previous quarter.

Meizu has cancelled the release of the Meizu 22 Air, a slim handset similar to Apple’s iPhone Air. Photo: Shutterstock

Xpeng’s flying car unit readies Hong Kong IPO for take-off

Aridge, formerly AeroHT, eyes listing this year as it aims to accelerate its efforts in the low-altitude market, sources say.

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‘Soft landing’: China, EU see progress in EV dispute with price floor option

Breakthrough follows duties levied by Brussels in October 2024 as part of investigation into industry subsidies.

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China’s solar firms, once deemed too competitive, now face monopoly accusations

Major producers are suspected of using Beijing’s anti-involution campaign as an excuse to rig prices.

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Workers carry solar panels at a solar farm under construction in China’s northwestern Ningxia region. Photo: Reuters

China pledges green-energy push with Global South, signals wider market opening

Sixth entry in Communist Party mouthpiece’s editorial series calls domestic market ‘world’s rarest resource’, vows supply-chain support to aid industrialisation.

Japan launches world’s first mission to lift rare earth from deep sea

Tokyo has been reducing its dependence on China for the critical minerals amid a major diplomatic dispute with Beijing.

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Hong Kong stocks rise on tech, health as mainland China turnover hits record

Alibaba Health soars over paediatric drug deal as trading volume on Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges tops US$513 billion.

The Exchange Square in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse

China’s AI unlikely to surpass US soon despite progress, researchers say

China’s top AI scientists warn of chip deficits and resource limits, though some predict breakthroughs within five years.

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A humanoid robot is seen at the 2025 Global Industrial Internet Conference in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Photo: Xinhua

Nvidia, Tesla chase same self-driving goal via different paths

Tesla is betting on winning autonomy as a specialist, while Nvidia is positioning itself as an arms dealer, selling tools to the entire industry.

Hong Kong police arrest Russian woman over Tesla car attack, brandishing knife

Police say woman was reported to be hitting car at about 6am in Tsim Sha Tsui and had also snatched knife from nearby stall.

Goodwill or necessity? Why is China slashing solar and battery subsidies?

Analysts expect policy will signal to Europe that Beijing is interested in serious trade relations and is a good partner.

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Authorities announced on Friday China will cancel export VAT rebates for solar panels and lower rebates for batteries from 9 per cent to 6 per cent from April 1. The rebates for batteries will be cancelled on January 1, 2027. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

How China’s global investment model is changing – and what it means for the yuan

The trade war, weak domestic demand and stronger policy support push more firms to invest overseas, with growing implications for currency.

The logo of China’s Huawei Technologies Co is displayed on the middle of city road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese smart eyewear makers shine at CES with focus on challenging Meta

‘The rise of smart glasses is riding directly on advances in AI,’ LLVision founder and CEO Wu Fei says.

The great chip leap: China’s semiconductor equipment self-reliance beats targets

Domestic suppliers capture 35 per cent share as China accelerates push for semiconductor self-sufficiency.

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Chinese firms, led by AgiBot, outpace US rivals in 2025 humanoid robot shipments

‘Chinese vendors are setting benchmarks in large-scale production,’ Omdia analyst Lian Jye Su says.

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Global humanoid robot shipments reached 13,318 units in 2025, led by Chinese manufacturers. Photo: Shutterstock

Chinese robot vacuum maker Dreame sees AI-driven appliances run household chores

The firm’s ambition is to become a ‘world-class technology company’, global president Chang Xinwei says.

Editorial | For South Korea to reset relations with China, it must withstand US pressure

The South Korean president’s visit to China was a sign of a more pragmatic approach that departs from that of his US-leaning predecessor.

China’s Xpeng unveils hybrid SUV boasting world’s longest driving distance

Launch of new G7 edition underscores Xpeng’s go-global push and rising competition with Tesla and BYD.

The hybrid G7 super utility vehicle boasts a range of more than 1,700km without charging, according to Xpeng. Photo: Handout

Shanghai steps up oversight of delayed payment practices hurting suppliers

Task force set up to protect supply-chain vendors and stabilise manufacturing amid fierce price wars.

The move comes after Shanghai published its latest action plan to build a world-class business environment. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong issues fresh reminder to buckle up ahead of January 25 seat belt rules

Passengers must wear seat belts if available on public and private buses, while drivers are responsible for child passengers’ safety.

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What will top the agenda when Canada’s Mark Carney heads to China?

The Canadian prime minister will have the economy and the US on his mind when he lands in Beijing next week.

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‘Leading us down a pretty dark path’: AI under the spotlight at CES 2026

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is among many at CES 2026 shining a light on both the positive and negative ways AI is affecting entertainment.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt speaks at a panel at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 7. Gordon-Levitt has been outspoken over his concerns about the use of AI in the entertainment industry. Photo: Variety via Getty Images

China semiconductor expert suggests vigilance in buying Nvidia’s H200 AI chips

The US has an inconsistent stance on advanced chips, alternating between limited easing and renewed pressure, Wei Shaojun says.

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Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang speaks at the CES trade show in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. Photo: AFP

Dose of uncertainty: experts wary of AI health tech gadgets at CES trade show

Technology and health experts question the accuracy of these products and warn of data privacy issues.

Lenovo unveils new AI agent, Nvidia tie-up in glitzy show at CES 2026

The AI agent forms part of Lenovo’s ‘hybrid AI’ strategy that targets both consumer and enterprise markets.

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Automobiles
The latest news on automobiles and the automotive industry, including automobile manufacturers, electric and new energy vehicles, plus autonomous cars, the latest car releases, and the future of transport.