Compact, full EV and affordable: Chery’s QQ Domi shows how to do it

June 12, 2025

How do they do it? While one of the main complaints in Europe about electric cars is that it’s impossible to build a compact, fully electric vehicle that is affordable and profitable, the Chinese prove the opposite. Latest example: Chery’s QQ Domi compact city car was launched in China at a starting price of 59,900 […]

Toyota’s new bZ5 takes on Tesla Model Y in China… at half the price

June 11, 2025

Toyota has officially launched its new all-electric bZ5 mid-size SUV in China, taking direct aim at Tesla’s Model Y — but at less than half the price. In a market where electric vehicle competition has become fierce, the Japanese automaker is relying heavily on local partnerships to bring affordable EVs to market. The bZ5 is […]

Geely won’t build new factories in Europe and the U.S.

June 11, 2025

The Chinese Geely Holding does not intend to join the race for the best production sites in Europe and the US. Amid subsidy criteria and ongoing global tariff conflicts, localised production in Europe and the US has become an increasingly relevant topic for Chinese carmakers. Still, Geely doesn’t want to get involved in this. At […]

BYD launches full electric Seal 06 in China for €13,400

June 10, 2025

It appears that BYD is bringing another heavy cannon to bear in the ongoing price war with the new, fully electric Seal 06 sedan, boasting a 470 km (CLTC) range, launched in its homeland at a starting price of 109,800 yuan, or approximately 13,400 euros. The differences include a few centimeters in length, reduced power, […]

Caught in the slow lane: profits from Chinese rivals outpace Western carmakers

June 06, 2025

The West’s once-dominant car manufacturers are losing ground at an alarming rate to the new generation of fast-rising competitors from Asia, especially China. According to a study by the consulting firm EY, the profit gap is expected to continue growing. A new quarterly report by consultancy EY reveals a strong divide between Western and Asian […]

Another car carrier fire raises alarm over EV safety at sea

June 05, 2025

A large car carrier packed with thousands of vehicles, including several hundred electric and hybrid models, is drifting and still smouldering in the Pacific Ocean. A blaze broke out on board – an incident that once again puts the spotlight on the growing safety concerns around transporting electrified vehicles by sea. The Morning Midas, a […]

China chokes global auto production with rare earth bottleneck

June 05, 2025

Global carmakers are facing a mounting crisis. China’s tightening grip on the export of rare earth materials begins to choke off essential supplies, which might lead to plant shutdowns and fuel fears of a broader disruption across the auto industry. The supply chain strain, rooted in the export controls imposed by Beijing, is the latest […]

Geely Galaxy A7 EM-i revealed with over 2,000-km range

June 04, 2025

Geely’s sub-premium brand Galaxy has unveiled its latest model: the A7 EM-i sedan. It’s a hybrid model, boasting a combined range of over 2,000 km and a very low fuel consumption even when the battery is empty. A launch date has not yet been announced, but the Geely Galaxy A7 is expected to offer a […]

NIO rolls into Belgium with Hedin in the driver’s seat

June 04, 2025

Are Belgian EV drivers ready for battery swapping? Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO is gearing up to make its debut in Belgium and Luxembourg this September, as part of a wider push across Europe. The move is part of a strategic partnership with Swedish dealer group Hedin Mobility, which will oversee distribution, retail, and aftersales […]

Wuyang Honda launches first electric motorcycle in China

June 03, 2025

Wuyang Honda, the Chinese joint venture of the Japanese manufacturer’s motorcycle division, has launched its first full-size electric motorbike in China. It’s called the E-VO, and it features a cafe racer-inspired retro design, a range of up to 170 km, and a top speed of 120 kph. As is the case with the automotive industry, […]

Maextro S800: Huawei’s luxury saloon launched in China

June 03, 2025

Huawei has finally unveiled its luxury flagship sedan, the Maextro S800, developed in collaboration with automaker JAC. Positioned to compete with high-end brands like Mercedes-Maybach and Bentley, the S800 offers both fully electric and extended-range drivetrain options at a significantly lower price point. The Maextro name first surfaced in late 2024, when Huawei released teaser […]

EU urged to abandon battery independence dream and partner with China

June 02, 2025

The crumbling of Europe’s once-ambitious battery industry has prompted a strong warning from two of the continent’s most senior industrial leaders: forget going for it alone, partner with China, or risk falling further behind. The fall of battery maker Northvolt has left a vacuum in Europe, as it seeks to align itself with major Chinese […]

After record sales in Spain, Darren Tu set to expand Omoda & Jaecoo in Belux

June 02, 2025

Omoda and Jaecoo have appointed Darren Tu as Managing Director for its Belux operations, after his successful tenure at the Spanish division, where the brands succeeded in outpacing legacy brands in the sales charts. The move appears to signal growth potential, as witnessed by holding company Chery. But how much momentum do these brands have […]

China braces for new price war as BYD offloads stock

May 27, 2025

China’s biggest carmaker, BYD, has rolled out sweeping price cuts across its Dynasty and Ocean series electric vehicles in a move that underscores growing pressure in the world’s largest auto market. The discounts — as high as 34% — come amid ballooning dealer inventories and a cooling appetite among Chinese consumers, and have sent shockwaves […]

500 tweaks: Nio bets on big upgrade for ET5 and EL6

May 27, 2025

Chinese electric carmaker Nio has unveiled updated versions of its core models: the ET5 saloon, ET5 Touring estate, and EL6 SUV. The trio accounts for a large chunk of the firm’s global sales and has received over 500 upgrades ranging from styling tweaks to major technological enhancements, improving driver assistance. The updates are most noticeable […]

From collapse to comeback: HiPhi resurrected by Lebanese investor

May 27, 2025

After halting production for a year and teetering on the brink of collapse, Chinese premium EV brand HiPhi is preparing a return. This time under new ownership. Lebanese EV startup EV Electra acquired a majority stake in the embattled automaker. The stage is set for a potential reboot of one of China’s most ambitious electric […]

BYD Sealion 06 is another electric or hybrid SUV

May 26, 2025

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed the key specs for the BYD Sealion 06, a new mid-sized electric or hybrid SUV first unveiled in April at Auto Shanghai 2025. The Sealion 06 promises lots of space and a comfortable electric driving range for a relatively low price. BYD unveiled its expanded […]

All-electric 6e sparks interest, but Mazda’s total sales to remain flat

May 26, 2025

With sales leveling off last year, Mazda Belgium remains on a steady course. The all-new, all-electric 6e is gaining traction and could reposition the brand in the fleet sector. But despite strong interest, the new model won’t drive up total sales, as key models are aging. Mazda Motor Corp. reported global sales of 1.3 million […]

Xiaomi YU7 SUV unveiled in China

May 23, 2025

On Xiaomi’s 15th anniversary, CEO Lei Jun introduced the company’s first electric SUV, the YU7, marking another step in its automotive transition following the SU7 sedan. Lei confirmed that Xiaomi has delivered over 258,000 units of the SU7. The YU7 is a fairly large electric SUV built on the company’s Modena platform. It measures 4999 […]

Making waves: BYD enters into budget-friendly EV market with Dolphin Surf

May 22, 2025

Chinese carmaker BYD is making another push into the European electric vehicle market, this time at the more affordable end of the spectrum. Its new compact model, the Dolphin Surf, launched this week in several continental markets, including Belgium, arrives with a promise that could rattle established players: fully electric motoring for just under €22,000. […]

China races ahead as U.S. struggles to keep pace in global car manufacturing

May 22, 2025

It’s no secret that the global car industry is undergoing a power shift, but the numbers suggest that the United States are more severely on the back foot than generally assumed. A new benchmark report by Chinese manufacturing network RapidDirect places the U.S. a distant fifth among the world’s top automotive producers—well behind China, Germany, […]

Geely profits triple over soaring China sales

May 19, 2025

The Chinese holding company Geely posted a sharp rise in first-quarter profit. Record sales and cost controls helped the automaker tighten its grip on its fast-moving domestic market. But in the near future, the Chinese car group, which owns Volvo, Polestar, and others, will face mounting export pressures and, consequently, push for a corporate restructuring. […]

BYD to establish European headquarters and R&D center in Hungary

May 16, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD will establish its European headquarters and a significant research and development hub in Budapest. The investment is part of a €248 million expansion into Hungary. It underlines the company’s growth ambitions and the Orban government’s close ties with Beijing. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and BYD’s chairman and chief executive, Wang […]

IEA: one in four new cars will be electric in 2025

May 15, 2025

According to the latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric vehicle sales are on course to top 20 million globally in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the automotive sector. This figure translates to one in every four new cars sold this year being electric—a remarkable rise considering the lingering economic uncertainty and […]

Changan Mazda partners with CATL for new EVs on CIIC skateboard

May 14, 2025

Changan Mazda, the Japanese manufacturer’s Chinese joint venture, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd.) to use the battery expert’s new CIIC (cell-to-chassis) skateboard platform. This will allow for high efficiency and a shorter development time for new electric cars. The skateboard chassis includes a base structure or a […]

China at turning point: electrified vehicles dominate car sales for first time

May 13, 2025

Electrified cars have overtaken gasoline and diesel models in China’s vast passenger car market for the first time. In March, so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models, accounted for 51.1% of all retail car sales in the country. The milestone signals not just the rapid maturation of China’s electric vehicle […]

BYD e7: this is the world’s most affordable full-size EV

May 13, 2025

BYD’s latest all-electric saloon, the e7, has quietly begun arriving at dealerships across China after it was previously leaked. The e7 is expected to be priced very low, potentially starting at 70,000 yuan or under €10,000, making it one of the world’s most affordable full-sized EV sedans. The model offers a stripped-down but capable alternative […]

NIO ET9 first car certified with steer-by-wire in Europe

May 13, 2025

Chinese premier EV maker NIO has its flagship sedan, the ET9, certified for steer-by-wire (SWB), a first for Europe, after the regulator in its homeland did the same in December 2024. There is no longer a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the turning wheels. Still, NIO claims its system is fully redundant, making […]

MGS5 EV launched in Europe: affordable electric successor to the ZS EV

May 12, 2025

MG has opened the order books for its newest electric SUV in Europe: the MGS5 EV. This succeeds the ZS EV, which kicked off the nameplate’s renaissance in Europe. The MGS5 EV is still an electric SUV, but boasts improvements in pretty much all areas without touching the affordable price tag. MG, the former British […]

China weighs on BMW Group’s Q1 results

May 08, 2025

German carmaker BMW Group reported a 26.4% drop in first-quarter net profit to €2.2 billion, as weak demand in China weighed on earnings. Revenues fell 7.8% to €33.8 billion as global vehicle deliveries dropped 1.4% to 586,117 units, driven by a decline in China amid intense market competition. “Given the sustained demand for its attractive […]

Volvo to launch new ‘extended range’ PHEV, the XC70, in China

May 08, 2025

The new Volvo XC70 mid-size SUV is Volvo Cars’ first extended-range plug-in hybrid. According to the Chinese CLTC standard, it provides a pure electric range of up to 200 kilometers, making it Volvo Cars’ longest-range plug-in hybrid. The new XC70 is designed to meet the demand for longer-range PHEVs in China, where it will be […]

Ferrari in top form won’t bother its clients with Trump’s tariffs

May 07, 2025

Italian sports carmaker Ferrari is in roaring good health. Net revenues in the first three months of 2025 topped 1.79 billion, up 13.0% versus the prior year, and total shipments of 3,593 cars were 33 more than in the same period last year. Ferrari will announce six new models, which include the newly launched 296 […]

Lynk & Co 900 launches in China as brand’s flagship plug-in hybrid SUV

May 05, 2025

Lynk & Co, the Geely-Volvo-founded brand now operating under Zeekr, has officially launched its most ambitious product: the Lynk & Co 900. It’s a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV positioned to take on China’s fiercely competitive upper market. The 900, which was already unveiled at the beginning of the year, marks a bold step for the […]

Volvo Cars to cut investments and revise forecasts and strategy (update)

April 30, 2025

Volvo Cars reports a group operating income (EBIT) of SEK 1.9 billion (€173 million) for the first quarter of 2025, following a drop in wholesales (-6%) and adverse currency effects. The result also reflects the current turbulence in the world and a challenging external environment for the automotive industry. To protect profitability, drive structural efficiencies […]

Omoda unveils Europe-bound 3, rival to the Kia EV3

April 29, 2025

Chery’s Omoda grabs spotlights while the Shanghai Auto Show runs full steam. The brand took veils of one further model that is bound to be exported to Europe and Belgium. The Omoda 3 is a sharply styled compact crossover that targets younger buyers and competitors like the Kia EV3 and MG4.  The Omoda 3 wasn’t […]

Omoda 9 SHS is a 450-hp hybrid SUV for a (relatively) low price

April 29, 2025

Omoda, a Chinese group Chery’s sub-brand, is expanding its range with the new flagship Omoda 9 SHS. The mid-sized SUV features a range-extended electric drivetrain with nearly 450 hp, a total driving range of over 1,100 km, and a luxurious interior, all for less than an entry-level BMW X3. Omoda was established as a brand […]

BYD doubles profit, strengthens hold on EV market as Tesla struggles

April 28, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD extended its lead in the global EV race with a record-setting first-quarter profit. The carmaker solidified its dominance at home while advancing its global ambitions. But over in Europe, the brand shifted strategy as it struggled with its dealership footprint.  The Shenzhen-based car maker’s net profit rose to 9.2 billion […]

NIO presents Onvo L90 flagship ‘for middle-income families’

April 25, 2025

In Shanghai, Chinese EV carmaker NIO has presented the flagship of its affordable sub-brand Onvo, the L90 large SUV. It’s pretty big, compared to its smaller sibling, the L60, with a length of 5,145 mm, a width of 1,998 mm, a height of 1,786 mm, and a wheelbase of 3,110 mm. Space and low price […]

Denza shows electric Porsche 911 rival at Auto Shanghai 2025

April 24, 2025

Denza, BYD’s more premium-oriented brand, has unveiled a prototype of its latest model at Auto Shanghai: the Denza Z. It’s a two-door sports coupé with four seats and an all-electric drivetrain. It could compete with the Porsche 911, Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, and others for a much lower price than the BYD YangWang U9. Denza was […]

Chery expands European footprint with two new brands: Lepar and Jetour

April 24, 2025

The Chery Group, one of China’s most important car exporters, didn’t fail to wow at the Shanghai Auto Show. As it stunned the local market with a flood of models, it also announced that it would bring two additional brands to Europe, aside from Jaecoo and Omoda. Lepas will compete with Dacia, while Jetour aims […]

Analysts warn: Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto face zero chance of survival alone

April 24, 2025

Bad news for Chinese start-ups. As China’s electric vehicle market races toward saturation, industry insiders are sounding the alarm for the country’s well-known EV brands. Nio, Xpeng, and Li Auto, once hailed as the darlings of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) boom, are now facing warnings from analysts and executives that their independent survival chances […]

New bZ7 aimed at Chinese market, Toyota builds factory in Shanghai

April 23, 2025

On Wednesday, the Toyota bZ7 all-electric sedan debuted at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show as the first joint venture (GAC-Toyota) car equipped with Huawei’s HarmonyOS cockpit system, and developed specifically for the Chinese market. The official launch is expected to occur later this year. A Toyota bZ7 concept car previously appeared at the 2024 Guangzhou […]

Mercedes Vision V previews luxury V-Class successors

April 23, 2025

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its Vision V concept car, an electric van that showcases the future of the V-Class, which will be electrified and split into several models. The Vision V showcases the high-end option of the range, with a luxury interior filled to the brim with tech and comfort features. To recall, Mercedes-Benz is preparing […]

VW Group presents first AUDI and new ADAS system in Shanghai

April 23, 2025

Volkswagen Group’s premium Audi brand is fighting back with a range of new, more extended versions of its models designed for the Chinese market, where wealthier consumers with chauffeurs often sit in the back of their cars. It also showcased the first vehicle of a new model line with a different logo from its famous […]

Shanghai: MG goes Cyber again with X SUV featuring ‘pop-up eyes’

April 23, 2025

At the Shanghai Auto Show, currently the world’s biggest car exhibition, with over 1,000 exhibitors spread over 12 giant halls, more than a hundred world premieres are presented these days. One of the many remarkable is SAIC’s MG brand with a second car in the Cyber series after the Cyberster roadster: a boxy all-electric SUV […]

Volkswagen starts new model offensive in China

April 23, 2025

With no less than three concept cars from its three China joint ventures, VW provided a taste of the model offensive that will start in 2025 on the eve of Auto Shanghai. A total of 30 new vehicles are to be launched on the market by 2027. The three announced VW studies are the ID. […]

Dutch Flynt bets on 500 km range to shake up EU’s commercial van market

April 23, 2025

Is Europe’s light commercial vehicle market poised for disruption? Flynt, a Dutch-based startup with Chinese manufacturing muscle, unveils its first fully electric van. With its blend of European market insight and Chinese EV technology, the newcomer is betting big on clean urban logistics while meeting the hard-nosed demands of fleet operators. The company’s first model, […]

CATL to propel the EV world into cheaper sodium-ion batteries

April 22, 2025

The world leader in EV batteries, Chinese CATL, which provides more than a third of the global needs, announced three innovations for the following months, with one that could change the industry drastically: it will be the first to start mass production of sodium-ion (Na+) batteries by the end of this year. Sodium is abundant […]

Leapmotor B01 saloon to debut at Auto Shanghai 2025

April 17, 2025

Leapmotor’s upcoming saloon, the B01, has been unveiled through its filing in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) latest catalog. It is based on the B10 compact SUV and will get a similarly low price in China, but a European debut is not promised. Leapmotor is one of the more successful Chinese new-energy […]

China drastically tightens screws on autonomous driving

April 17, 2025

China, a long time forerunner in autonomous driving features tested on public roads, is tightening the screws on that technology after an accident that shocked the nation. A dramatic accident in which three young female students were killed in a Xiaomi SU7 sedan that caught fire in March, apparently, was the last straw. Carmakers are […]

Geely’s cheapest EV gets an update in China

April 16, 2025

The Geely Panda Mini, the Chinese manufacturer’s cheapest electric vehicle, has been updated for 2025 with new exterior and interior styling. The two-seat microcar features a CLTC range of 210 km and is available in its domestic market from just €6,000. Geely, the parent company of several European car brands such as Volvo, Lotus, Polestar, […]

China orders its airlines to stop buying Boeing planes

April 16, 2025

China has ordered its airlines to stop taking further deliveries from Boeing, the US manufacturer that, along with Airbus, ranks as one of the world’s largest aircraft producers. This reports news agency Bloomberg. This is a retaliatory measure in the trade war launched by US President Donald Trump. Beijing has also asked Chinese airlines to […]

Xpeng X9 luxury electric minivan coming to Europe in 2025

April 16, 2025

Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng has unveiled its updated X9 for 2025, a luxury electric minivan with advanced comfort and driver assistance functions. The model has been on sale in China since 2024 but is now going international, with a European launch expected in the second half of 2025. Xpeng is already present in Europe, […]

Zeekr launches its ‘technology shooting brake’ 007GT in China

April 16, 2025

As we wrote yesterday, the Zeekr 7X is launched in Europe as a trump card in the mid-size SUV segment. In China, the Geely daughter will also deliver this car’s shooting brake variant on the same 800V platform, the 007 GT, starting April 20th. In Europe, that one will be named simply Zeekr 7GT. Geely […]

Dongfeng Aeolus L7 PHEV: no range anxiety with 2,200 real kilometers

April 15, 2025

Dongfeng has launched a new, affordable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV in its home market of China: the Aeolus L7. It is available for less than €11,500 and features an official total driving range of up to 1,500 km, but the Chinese manufacturer has smashed the on-paper performance by achieving over 2,200 km in a real-world […]

EU and China explore price floor deal to replace EV tariffs

April 11, 2025

Will the EU’s punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs soon end? The European Union and China have opened formal talks on setting minimum prices for Chinese electric vehicles sold in Europe as a potential replacement. Both sides confirmed the development in negotiations, signaling a possible escape route from the escalating trade dispute that has shaken the […]

BYD’s megawatt-charging Han L and Tang L get huge price drop

April 10, 2025

BYD’s newest flagship models, the Han L and Tang L, have gone on sale in China for significantly cheaper than initially presumed. Both models are built on the Chinese manufacturer’s latest ‘Super e’ platform, which promises megawatt charging (1,000 kW) to recover up to 400 km of range in just 5 minutes. Even the fastest-charging […]

CATL looking at taking control over NIO’s swapping network

April 10, 2025

CATL, the world’s biggest battery maker for the last decade, is looking to take a controlling stake in NIO Power, the battery swapping and fast-charging business of Chinese premium EV maker NIO. CATL will not comment, but Reuters quotes four anonymous sources to back up the story. Last month, news broke that NIO, known for […]

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