China Auto Exports Seen Topping 10 Million Units as Global Lead Widens
China’s auto exports surged 61.5% year‑on‑year to 3.13 million units between January and April 2026, positioning the country to hit a record 10 million vehicles exported in 2026. The growth is driven largely by new‑energy vehicle (NEV) shipments, which doubled to 2.615 million units in 2025. China overtook Japan in 2025 to become the world’s largest car exporter, while domestic sales remain volatile, prompting manufacturers to lean on overseas demand. April alone saw a record 901,000 cars shipped, up 74.4% from a year earlier.
CATL, Yutong Deepen Ties to Accelerate Global Commercial EV Expansion
Chinese battery leader CATL and bus maker Yutong have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen a 15‑year partnership, targeting commercial‑vehicle electrification in more than 60 overseas markets. The deal includes joint development of a battery‑swapping system for heavy‑duty trucks...
BYD in Talks with Stellantis and Other Carmakers to Take over Underutilized European Factories
BYD is in talks with Stellantis and other European automakers to acquire under‑utilized factories, especially in Italy and Spain. The company prefers sole ownership rather than joint ventures, aiming to quickly expand its European production base. The discussions coincide with...
Tesla's April China Retail Breakdown: Model Y Continues to Dominate with Nearly 90% Share
Tesla’s Model Y continued to dominate its China market in April, accounting for 88.6% of the 25,956 retail units sold. The SUV posted 22,990 retail deliveries, up 15% year‑on‑year but down 42% from March, while Model 3 sales slumped 66% YoY. Overall...
China April Battery Installations Grow 15%, Reversing 2-Month Decline
China’s power‑battery installations rebounded in April 2026, reaching 62.4 GWh – a 15.2% year‑on‑year gain and a 10.4% rise from March. Lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) units dominated the market, delivering 50.8 GWh and capturing 81.5% of total installs, while ternary chemistries grew 24.2% YoY....
Xpeng to Launch Flagship GX SUV on May 20 in Premium Market Push
Xpeng announced that its flagship GX SUV will officially launch on May 20, following a pre‑sales period that began on April 15 with a price of ¥399,800 (about $58,820). The GX is positioned as the company’s most expensive model, targeting...
Nio to Report Q1 Earnings on May 21 After Deliveries Beat Guidance
Chinese EV maker Nio Inc. will release its unaudited Q1 2026 results on May 21, ahead of the US market open. The company delivered 83,465 vehicles in the quarter, a 98.3% year‑on‑year increase that exceeded the top of its 80,000‑83,000...
China's April NEV Sales Hold Steady as Exports Offset Domestic Weakness, CAAM Data Shows
China’s new‑energy vehicle (NEV) market posted 1.344 million wholesale units in April 2026, a 9.7% year‑on‑year increase and 7.35% rise from March. NEVs accounted for 53.2% of all new‑car deliveries, up from 43.2% in the prior month. Domestic NEV sales slipped...
Reborn Freelander Brand Files for First Model Freelander 8 in China
The revived Freelander brand, a joint venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, has filed its first Chinese model, the Freelander 8, an extended‑range SUV slated for launch in the second half of 2026. The 5.1‑meter vehicle weighs 2,980 kg and combines...
Xpeng Prepares Major Product Offensive with Multiple New Filings
Xpeng has filed three new SUV models—G9L, L05 and L03—with Chinese regulators, expanding its dual‑powertrain lineup to include both BEV and EREV versions. The G9L targets the large‑SUV segment with up to 430 kW dual‑motor output, while the L05 and L03...
BYD Secures 100,000-Vehicle Order From Car Inc in Major Push for Flash Charging
Chinese EV maker BYD has signed a procurement agreement with Car Inc for 100,000 vehicles to expand the rental fleet. The deal includes installation of BYD’s second‑generation flash‑charging stations, part of its “Flash Charging China” plan to build 20,000 chargers...
Nio Onvo Starts Deliveries of 2026 L90 SUV
Nio’s sub‑brand Onvo began nationwide deliveries of the 2026 L90 SUV on April 21, keeping its all‑inclusive price at 265,800 yuan ($39,090). Buyers can opt for a battery‑as‑a‑service model that drops the price to 179,800 yuan ($26,440) and receive up to 58,000 yuan ($8,530)...
Xpeng President Wang Fengying Becomes Shareholder as 1.65 Million Shares Vest
Xpeng president Wang Fengying has become a registered shareholder after 1.65 million Class A ordinary shares vested, valued at roughly $13 million. Wang, who joined the firm in early 2023, led a dramatic turnaround that lifted annual deliveries from 120,800 units to 429,400...
BYD to Launch 2026 Seagull on May 11 as First Entry-Level EV Equipped with LiDAR
Chinese automaker BYD will launch the 2026 Seagull on May 11, positioning it as the first A00‑class micro‑EV equipped with a roof‑mounted LiDAR sensor. The updated model boosts motor output to 60 kW, extends its range to 505 km and will be priced...
Chinese EV Makers Deny Being Summoned by Regulators over Battery Capacity Locking
Chinese EV manufacturers including BYD, Xpeng and Nio have publicly denied regulator summons over alleged over‑the‑air battery‑locking, labeling the claims as fabricated AI‑generated lists. They announced plans to pursue legal action against the rumor‑mongers. State media had earlier reported a...
CPCA Preliminary Data Shows China April Passenger NEV Retail Sales at 883,000
China's passenger new‑energy vehicle (NEV) retail sales reached 883,000 units in April, a 5% year‑on‑year drop but a 4% rise from March, surpassing CPCA’s forecast. The NEV share of total passenger‑car sales hit a record 62.8%, while overall vehicle retail...
Stellantis Deepens Leapmotor Tie-Up with New Opel EV, Spanish Plant Transfer
Stellantis announced it will deepen its partnership with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor by adding a new production line at its Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza to build an all‑new Opel C‑segment electric SUV, with production slated for 2028, and by commencing...
Zeekr Sets May 19 Launch for Revamped 009 MPV
Zeekr, Geely's premium EV brand, announced the May 19 launch of its revamped 009 MPV after opening pre‑sales on April 24 and test drives on May 9. The new 009 offers three luxury configurations, with the base Ultra version built on an 800‑volt...
Baidu-Backed EV Truck Maker DeepWay Files for Hong Kong IPO
DeepWay, the Baidu‑backed electric‑truck maker, filed for a Hong Kong IPO after delivering 8,020 trucks in 2025 and ranking ninth in China’s new‑energy heavy‑duty market. Revenue surged 101% to ¥3.96 bn (≈$582 m), but the firm posted a ¥649 m (≈$95 m) loss due to...
CATL Strikes Bedrock Chassis Deal with Turkey's Togg for 2027 EVs
Chinese battery giant CATL has signed a cross‑border supply agreement with Turkey’s EV maker Togg to deliver its Bedrock Chassis for three B‑segment models, with the first vehicle slated for mass production in 2027. The Bedrock Chassis integrates battery cells...
Tesla China April Wholesale Sales Jump Year-on-Year but Slip From March
Tesla China reported wholesale deliveries of 79,478 vehicles in April, a 35.96% year‑on‑year increase but a 7.23% drop from March. The broader Chinese NEV market grew 7% both YoY and MoM, outpacing Tesla's month‑on‑month decline. From January through April, Tesla’s...
BYD Sub-Brand Linghui to Launch E9 Sedan on May 9
BYD’s new sub‑brand Linghui will launch the e9 sedan on May 9, targeting commercial mobility services. The e9, built on the BYD Han platform, offers two front‑mounted motor outputs (135 kW and 150 kW) and two range options (535 km or 605 km). It features...
Huawei-Backed Luxeed to Launch V9 MPV Later This Month
Huawei and Chery’s joint venture Luxeed is set to launch the V9 MPV later this month after a strong pre‑sales start on April 22. The flagship model is priced from ¥399,800 (approximately $58,750) and attracted more than 22,500 pre‑orders within the...
Canada Weighs Specific EV Caps for Tesla, BYD to Prevent Market Dominance
Canada is finalizing a low‑tariff quota that permits up to 49,000 China‑made electric vehicles annually, representing less than 3% of the country’s total new‑car market. The quota offers a 6.1% MFN tariff, a sharp cut from the previous 106.1% punitive...
CPCA Head Calls for China to Establish Budget EV Standards to Boost Sales
China's Passenger Car Association (CPCA) chief Cui Dongshu urged the government to create unified standards for budget electric vehicles, citing weak auto sales and an aging, rural population. He pointed to the EU’s E‑Car rules and Japan’s K‑Car ecosystem as...
Why Li Auto Doesn't Make Sedans: CEO Explains
Li Auto CEO Li Xiang explained the company will not produce sedans because doing so would compromise interior space and the brand’s “home‑centric” design ethos, which emphasizes generous proportions and comfort. Instead, Li Auto is focusing on its SUV lineup,...
Record-Breaking Beijing Auto Show Highlights Accelerated Shift to Smart EVs
The 2026 Beijing Auto Show set records with a 380,000 sq m exhibition space and 1.28 million visitors, including 65,000 from abroad. Automakers unveiled 1,451 vehicles, featuring 181 debut models and 71 concept cars centered on AI and electrification. LiDAR became standard on...
BYD April Sales Rebound Sequentially as Overseas Shipments Hit Record High
BYD reported April NEV sales of 321,123 units, a 6.96% month‑on‑month increase but marking an eighth straight year‑on‑year decline of 15.51%. Overseas shipments surged to a record 134,542 units, up 70.9% YoY, highlighting the automaker’s pivot to export markets. The...
CATL Launches Battery Lookup Tool for Chinese EV Buyers to Reinforce Premium Positioning
CATL unveiled an online lookup tool that lets Chinese consumers confirm whether a specific EV model uses its batteries, reinforcing the brand’s premium image. The platform lists models by brand and highlights those equipped with CATL’s high‑energy ternary lithium packs...
Voyah April Deliveries Jump 51%; New Taishan X8 SUV Pre-Sales Orders Top 30,000
Voyah delivered 15,146 vehicles in April, a 51% year‑on‑year increase and a modest 0.85% rise from March. The premium EV arm of Dongfeng Motor posted 49,038 deliveries in the first four months, up 36% YoY. Pre‑sales for the newly launched...
Xpeng Reports April Sales Drop as It Bets on New Flagship SUV
Xpeng delivered 31,011 vehicles in April, an 11.5% year‑on‑year decline but a 13.1% month‑on‑month rise, suggesting a stabilization of its sales momentum. The Chinese EV maker launched pre‑sales of its premium GX SUV at ¥399,800 (≈$58,550) and introduced its second‑generation...
Wrap-Up: April 2026 Deliveries for Major Chinese Automakers
April 2026 Chinese NEV deliveries kept BYD on top with 321,123 sales, while its overseas shipments surged past 134,000 units – a 71% year‑on‑year record. Geely’s modest domestic growth was offset by a 245% jump in exports, delivering 83,186 units abroad....
Xiaomi EV April Deliveries Top 30,000 as New YU7 GT Launch Nears
Xiaomi EV reported April deliveries of over 30,000 units, a sharp rise from 21,440 in March, signaling a rebound after early‑year volatility. The surge was driven by the YU7 SUV and the newly launched SU7, which has already secured 60,000...
JAC Plans to Invest in Huawei's Smart Car Unit Newcool
Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) announced plans to invest in Huawei's smart‑car unit Newcool, which would make JAC the third external shareholder alongside Seres and Avatr. Newcool, founded in 2024, is currently valued at roughly 115 billion yuan ($16.8 billion) after Seres...
Leapmotor A05 Electric Hatchback Expected to Debut in May and Launch in June
Leapmotor will unveil its A05 electric hatchback in May and begin sales in June, positioning the model against the BYD Dolphin and Geely Xingyuan. The compact EV offers two motor outputs—70 kW and 90 kW—and two range options of roughly 405 km and...
Zeekr 9X to Be Exported to Middle East in June, Enter Europe in Q4
Geely's premium brand Zeekr announced that its first hybrid SUV, the 9X, will begin exports to the Middle East in June 2026 and reach Europe by the fourth quarter. The 9X, priced at 465,900 yuan ($68,180) in China, delivered 22,000...
Changan Nevo Raises EV Price as Chip Costs Surge
Chinese automaker Changan Nevo announced a 3,000‑yuan (≈$440) price increase for the LiDAR‑equipped versions of its Q07 SUV, effective May 7. The hike reflects a sharp rise in automotive‑grade chip costs, notably for Horizon Robotics' J6M processor that powers the vehicle’s...
Nio's Battery Operator Mirattery Expands Financing with 1 Billion Yuan Green ABN
Nio's battery‑asset manager Mirattery issued a second green ABN tranche of 1 billion yuan (≈US$146 million) in April 2026, bringing its cumulative interbank issuance to 4 billion yuan (≈US$585 million). The notes are split into four senior classes with coupons ranging from 2.00% to 5.50%, all...
BYD Sells $2.9 Million Electric Supercar at Beijing Auto Show
BYD’s ultra‑luxury sub‑brand Yangwang unveiled the U9 Xtreme at the Beijing Auto Show, pricing it at more than 20 million yuan (about $2.9 million). The electric supercar is limited to 30 units worldwide, with Australian entrepreneur Nick Politis becoming the first buyer. The U9...
China Suspends New Robotaxi Permits After Baidu's Wuhan Outage, Report Says
China has suspended the issuance of new robotaxi permits after a mass outage of Baidu’s Apollo Go fleet in Wuhan. The incident on March 31 left several autonomous vehicles stalled on busy overpasses, prompting a safety review by three regulatory agencies. The...
Geely Q1 Profit Falls 27% as Currency Fluctuations Weigh on Results
Geely Auto reported a 27% drop in profit attributable to shareholders, falling to 4.17 billion yuan ($609 million) in Q1, largely because of adverse foreign‑exchange movements. Excluding FX, core profit surged 31% to 4.56 billion yuan, underscoring strong operating performance. Revenue rose 15%...
Geely Galaxy M7 Hybrid SUV Hits Market with Aggressive Pricing and Long Range
Geely Galaxy unveiled the M7 compact plug‑in hybrid SUV with a limited‑time price of 109,800 yuan (≈$16,060), positioning it against BYD’s budget‑friendly models. The M7 delivers a pure‑electric range of 225 km and a combined range of 1,730 km, while fast‑charging from 30%...
BYD Denza Launches Second-Gen D9 with Ultra-Fast Charging to Defend MPV Market Share
BYD’s premium sub‑brand Denza unveiled the second‑generation D9 MPV, priced from 359,800 yuan (≈$52,730) and offered in both BEV and PHEV trims. The model features BYD’s second‑gen Blade Battery and flash‑charging tech that lifts the charge from 10 % to 70 % in...
Leapmotor Reportedly Plans Second Brand for Higher-End EV Market
Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, announced plans to launch a new premium brand in 2027 aimed at vehicles priced above 300,000 yuan (about $44,000). The Chinese EV maker posted a net profit of 540 million yuan ($79 million) in 2025 and delivered 596,555...
Nio Onvo Highlights Massive L80 Storage Space Ahead of Apr 28 Debut
Nio’s sub‑brand Onvo will debut the L80 SUV on April 28, touting up to 2,840 liters of total cargo space – the largest capacity among five‑seat SUVs in China. The vehicle features a 240‑liter front trunk, a 1,200‑liter rear trunk that...
Li Auto Accelerates Global Push with New Middle East and Asia Partnerships
Li Auto announced strategic partnerships with UAE’s Al Fahim Motors and Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Naghi Motors to bring its L‑series extended‑range electric vehicles to the Middle East. The Chinese NEV maker also unveiled a rollout plan for Cambodia, Laos, Macau...
Buick Officially Launches Electra E7 Hybrid SUV in China to Capture Mainstream Market
Buick, a General Motors brand, launched the Electra E7 plug‑in hybrid SUV in China with a post‑incentive price of ¥154,900 (about $22,660). The midsize SUV offers a combined range of up to 1,630 km and a pure‑electric range of 230 km. Within the...
Tesla Says Efforts Underway to Launch FSD in China as Soon as Possible
Tesla announced it is accelerating plans to launch its Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system in China, following the recent approval of FSD Supervised in the Netherlands. The company referenced the effort in its first‑quarter earnings release but gave no specific launch...
Nio Shares Its Highlights for 2026 Beijing Auto Show
Chinese EV maker Nio Inc will showcase its three brands—Nio, Onvo and Firefly—together for the first time at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, presenting 11 models and 12 full‑stack technologies. The event will feature the debut of the all‑new flagship...
RoboSense Releases Image-Grade SPAD-SoC Platform as LiDAR Competition Heats Up
Chinese LiDAR leader RoboSense unveiled its Eocene digital architecture and two flagship chips, Phoenix and Peacock, at a Tech Day event ahead of the Beijing Auto Show. The Phoenix chip is the world’s first automotive‑grade monolithic SPAD‑SoC, delivering a 2,160‑beam...