July 24, 2024
German carmaker Volkswagen and Chinese partner Xpeng are broadening their collaboration on an electric vehicle platform for China. Their development will be used on specific Chinese market cars as well as models based on VW’s MEB platform. In April, both partners announced that Xpeng’s in-house developed E/E Architecture (integrated software and hardware) would be integrated […]
July 22, 2024
Smart isn’t abandoning its city car roots. After concentrating on larger electric SUVs with the recent #1, #3, and #5, the Chinese-German company is considering a successor for the ForTwo and maybe even the roadster. In an interview, Smart Europe CEO says the brand is “working on it.” That being said, Smart isn’t willing to […]
July 22, 2024
Chinese media report that Lynk & Co’s fully electric Z20 crossover is being road-tested without camouflage in China before it arrives in Europe in late 2024. It shares the same SEA2 platform as the Zeekr X, the Volvo EX30, and Smart #1 & 3, but with larger overhangs that would be somewhat longer than the […]
July 17, 2024
Two sources with knowledge of the matter said the European Commission has signaled to Volkswagen and BMW that it may consider lowering tariffs on their imports of China-made EVs. The sources said the Commission is willing to classify the two automakers as so-called cooperating companies, making them eligible for a 20.8 % additional tariff on […]
July 17, 2024
MG Motor, a brand of the Chinese manufacturer SAIC, is considering Galicia in northwest Spain as the location for its planned European factory. The decision is expected by the end of September, but other locations are also being considered. As the Spanish portal Europa Press reports, citing sources within the company, the region of Galicia […]
July 12, 2024
The new MG Cyber GTS charged up the show at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed on Thursday. MG unveiled its new two-door electric sports car, a hardtop variant of its Cyberster EV. In China, the new EV is already being compared to Porsche’s iconic 911. After the Goodwood Festival of Speed officially kicked off […]
July 10, 2024
After signing up Fiat & Alfa Romeo dealer Pagnotta in Maasmechelen (Limburg), Chinese carmaker Chery Automotive gets a second foothold for its Omoda and Jaecoo brands in Liège with L’Universelle, a dealership for Hyundai, Mazda, Suzuki, and Chinese MG. L’Universelle also offers multi-brand second-hand cars. Chery Automotive was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in […]
July 05, 2024
The EU Commission has imposed the announced special tariffs on imported electric vehicles from China, effective 5 July, but these are still provisional. Talks with the Chinese government are still ongoing. There have also been slight changes to the tariff rates for individual manufacturers. With the provisional special duties that have now been imposed, the […]
July 05, 2024
French mining group Eramet and its Chinese partner Tsingshan have inaugurated a major lithium mine site in Argentina. Lithium is the white metal essential for the energy transition, particularly in most automotive electric batteries. The plant in Centenario in Salta’s northwestern province represents an 870 million-dollar investment. Eramet, of which the French state is one […]
July 01, 2024
In 2030, one in three cars sold worldwide will be Chinese, compared to one in five today. Chinese brands are well underway to catch 33% of the global car market by then, according to a study by financial advisory and international consulting firm AlixPartners. “The 21st edition of the AlixPartners Global Automotive Outlook finds Chinese […]
June 28, 2024
It’s official now: due to the 100% import taxes the Biden Administration imposes on EVs built in China, America will have to wait for the Volvo EX30 ‘made in Belgium’ to arrive. And that will be no sooner than 2025. People who had already paid a $500 deposit to make a reservation got a message […]
June 27, 2024
According to the business newspaper De Tijd, Chinese electric truck builder Windrose is to establish its European headquarters and first workshop in Zele. Zele is considered the gateway for constructing an assembly plant for e-trucks in Antwerp port, potentially creating 3,000 jobs. An “operational base” consisting of an office and a workshop will be set […]
June 26, 2024
Chinese electric vehicle brand Voyah, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor for luxury EVs, has announced plans to open its first showroom in Belgium by the end of the year. The new Chinese brand is imported into the Benelux region by the Gomes Group, a successful Mercedes dealer group from the Netherlands. Voyah’s entry into Europe […]
June 25, 2024
During a trip to China, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck made headway in the trade dispute over additional tariffs for EVs in the EU. The Chinese government and the EU want to start intensive negotiations, fuelling hopes of a short-term solution. Of course, it’s not a coincidence that a German Minister has made the opening, […]
June 24, 2024
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), based in Washington, D.C., Chinese car manufacturers received some €216 billion in government aid to produce electric cars. The American think tank’s researcher Scott Kennedy says more than half of it was given as a turnover tax exemption. Other subsidies include premiums for new electric […]
June 21, 2024
“Unprecedented” and “shocking”. The Chinese automotive players involved in the EU survey into state subsidies are stirred by the resulting tariff proposal. They have joined forces and called upon Beijing to impose retaliating import duties, which could hurt the premium brand’s sales performance in the region. Chinese manufacturers are urging their government to implement punitive […]
June 20, 2024
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is reviving its Freelander brand for future electric cars. The Freelander models will be based on a platform from its Chinese partner Chery Automotive, built in China and sold only there for the time being. However, export to the rest of the world is envisaged. Not so long ago, JLR revealed […]
June 14, 2024
A new electric sedan from China, the Xpeng Mona 03, debuted online on 11 June. It is the first EV resulting from the collaboration between Xpeng Motors and ride-hailing service provider Didi. Xpeng Motors hasn’t revealed the M03’s specifications yet, but according to a report from Autohome, the new electric sedan should deliver a range […]
June 14, 2024
The Chinese car manufacturer Chery confirmed that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will use its M3X and E0X modular platforms for future battery-electric and plug-in cars, which will probably be sold mainly in China. To that end, JLR has signed a strategic agreement with Chery brand Exeed. JLR, owned by Indian Tata Motors, will use two […]
June 14, 2024
The EU Commission revealed on Wednesday the rate of the ‘intended’ extra taxes on imported Chinese EVs, ranging from 17.4 to 38.1% on top of the existing 10% import duties on all cars today. China, meanwhile, accuses the EU of intended protectionism and warns “not to go the wrong way.” It threatens to open a […]
June 07, 2024
Van specialist Maxus is widening its passenger car offering in Belgium. After the Uniq6 and Mifa 9, the smaller sibling of the latter is launched. Seating seven persons with ample interior space, the model aims to be the modern Renault Espace. The Chinese version with a swappable battery isn’t imported. Showing its more compact dimensions […]
June 06, 2024
After the bulky Chinese Hongqi E-HS9 super-SUV, Hedin Automotive, the Swedish multi-brand retailer active in the Belux, will now start to import the luxury sedan Hongqi EH7. According to the press release, the Chinese luxury brand’s fully electric D-segment sedan sets a new standard for range, performance, and roominess. The car offers a range of […]
June 04, 2024
The big Stelato S9 luxury sedan, which debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in April, is now available to pre-order in China. Its domestic launch will take place in the coming months. The Stelato S9, BAIC BluePark’s and Huawei’s first jointly built electric model, promises an 800 km range. Pre-sales started in China on 31 […]
June 03, 2024
Although many European manufacturers warn of Chinese competition and think they’re getting indirect subsidies, obstructing a level playing field, they also seem interested in partnerships with ‘the enemy’. Take Renault, for example: It will be running its ICE business (called Horse) with Geely, and now it’s partnering with another Chinese company to create the new […]
May 31, 2024
According to news agency Reuters, China is set to invest more than 6 billion yuan (765 million euros) in a government-led project to develop solid-state batteries (SSB). The state funding will be attributed to six companies supporting their work on next-generation battery technology and securing the nation’s lead on the global EV playing field. Belgian […]
May 29, 2024
The EV cooldown is taking a further toll. According to German media outlets, Chinese automotive giant Great Wall Motors is closing down its European headquarters in Munich. Late last year, the company announced it would expand into eight more European countries, but it is now abruptly aborting these plans. It will remain present in the […]
May 28, 2024
In the annual charging test from P3, the Lotus Emeya set a new benchmark, charging 458 kilometers in only 20 minutes. This is the highest ever recorded, highlighting Chinese advancements in charging technology and crowning the Lotus the long-distance champion. Previous winners in the test were the Mercedes EQS, Kia EV6, and Lucid Air. Every […]
May 27, 2024
According to the media outlet Automotive News Europe, China plans to retaliate against the tariff hike from the Biden Administration, and a similar plan from the EU is expected within the coming weeks. China is considering elevating these duties from 15% to 25% Elevated tariffs from Chinese customs could impact US and EU automakers, exacerbating […]
May 27, 2024
In its latest Impact Report, Tesla has excluded its ambitious goal of delivering 20 million vehicles annually by 2030. This omission signals a strategic pivot away from traditional electric vehicles toward the development of robot axes. As the outlook for EV adoption remains below expectations, the company is cutting production in its biggest factory in […]
May 24, 2024
The world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer is intensifying its global expansion efforts as it seeks to sustain its growth amid increasing competition in China’s EV market. CATL believes it can only maintain its dominant position by focusing on international markets. As the Chinese domestic market heats up over EV price wars and factory overcapacity, […]
May 22, 2024
In a bid to rapidly expand its EV line-up and become more competitive in China, Audi has partnered with SAIC, one of its local joint venture partners. The carmaker will release three EVs co-developed with SAIC, with the first model due in 2025. Audi and SAIC will jointly develop a range of electric models, with […]
May 21, 2024
Troubled Chinese EV maker Aiways, one of the first to establish a presence in Europe in 2020, is preparing to leave its home market. Paralyzed by the ongoing price war, it wants to focus merely on Europe, according to sources quoted by Reuters and Autocar. Aiways Europe, headquartered in Germany, is looking for new capital […]
May 17, 2024
Carlos Tavares, the big boss of car giant Stellantis, with a total of 14 French, Italian, and American car brands under his wings, is crushing opposed to Joe Biden’s move to increase import taxes for Chinese cars in the US with 100% and the EU’s plans to do something similar. “When you put a bubble […]
May 16, 2024
As the US government has now opted to quadruple trade tariffs on electric vehicles from China, Europe is also considering a (much more modest) increase. However, whether any of the trade war’s efforts will benefit customers remains to be seen. Apparently, the European Union will impose punitive tariffs on electric cars made in China before […]
May 16, 2024
On Wednesday, Chinese premium carmaker NIO officially showed the world its first model of a completely new ‘affordable’ line, the Onvo L60. It is directly targeted to compete in China with Toyota’s RAV4 and the Tesla Model Y for 219,900 yuan (€27,890), which is 30,000 yuan (€3,820) cheaper than the latter. According to NIO founder […]
May 15, 2024
“We will never let China control the market for this type of vehicle.” With those words, the President of the US, Joe Biden, announced that he would raise current import rates for Chinese EVs from 25% to 100%. Fearing an engulfment of cheaper Chinese electric cars, this doubles their retail price. Citing the impossibility of […]
May 15, 2024
The Stellantis Group and Chinese electric car manufacturer Leapmotor have finalized the establishment of their joint venture and announced that Leapmotor International would commence operations in Europe in September 2024. The market launch in Europe will initially start in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, and Romania. Both sides have announced that […]
May 14, 2024
Avatr, the joint venture between the Chinese state-owned manufacturer Changan and CATL, with Huawei as a major supplier, has unveiled its third model: the 07, a mid-size extended-range electric SUV. It follows the larger Avatr 11 SUV and Avatr 12 sedan and should rival the Tesla Model Y with a low price tag. With a […]
May 14, 2024
China’s biggest EV maker, BYD, has launched the Sea Lion 07, the first of a new Ocean-array SUV model product line. It is built on an upgraded e-Platform EVO 3.0, offering a ‘higher level of integration, stronger powertrain, and charging performance’. In China, the Sea Lion will cost 189,800 yuan (€24,220) and is targeted—once again—against […]
May 10, 2024
Chinese automaker NIO has celebrated the 500,000th car, an ES8, rolling off the production lines of its F2 plant at NeoPark in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province. With that milestone, it confirms its position as China’s leading premium EV brand in the market for cars above 300,000 yuan (€38,500), the number one […]
May 06, 2024
Chinese shipping giant COSCO launched the world’s first 10,000-DWT pure electric container ships, which it developed and constructed at the Heavy Industry Shipyard at Yangzhou. The ‘Green Water 01’ and its sister ship, Green Water 02, have a large-capacity battery combining for over 50,000 kWh. However, as it consists of multiple 20-foot battery containers offering […]
May 06, 2024
Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng is now accepting orders for its third model in Europe. The electric SUV G6 is initially available in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and it is cheaper than a Tesla Model Y. In Belgium, the Xpeng starts at €42,990 (190 kW, RWD, 435 km WLTP range), the same […]
May 01, 2024
BYD presented its new Ocean M electric car concept at the Beijing Motor Show. The production version of the hatchback will launch on the Chinese market in the third quarter of 2024 at a price between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (some 19,300 to 25,800 euros). It is not yet known whether BYD will also bring […]
April 30, 2024
Chinese luxury brand Hongqi brings out the big guns at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show with new models and concept cars. The brand is officially launching the EH7 Convertible, a new open-top version of the EH7 electric sedan launched a month ago. The sub-brand of Chinese FAW Group also showcased three concept cars. The E702 […]
April 30, 2024
China’s biggest battery maker, CATL, aims to produce all-solid-state batteries by 2027-2028 in small batches, according to one of its executives at the China International Battery Fair (CIBF) 2024 event. The Chinese, being world-dominant in liquid lithium-ion batteries, fear future solid-state battery technology could turn their pole position into an otherwise arrear. It’s the first […]
April 29, 2024
NIO and Lotus found each other at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition to sign a strategic charging and battery swap technology partnership. According to a statement by NIO, the ultimate goal is to build a standard battery system and jointly develop passenger vehicles with a unified battery-swapping and fast-charging operational and management system. Changan Automobile, […]
April 29, 2024
Japanese independent car manufacturer Mazda has shown its second full-electric vehicle, the EZ-6, at the motor show in Beijing. It was developed with partner Changan and is only intended for the Chinese market. The same goes for Toyota. The world’s number one car manufacturer presented two new BEV models for the Chinese market at Auto […]
April 26, 2024
CATL, the world’s biggest battery maker, has once again pushed back frontiers by presenting the newest generation of its Shenxing LFP battery. This battery offers EV ranges of more than 1,000 km and can charge 600 km in only ten minutes. The first generation launched last year provides a 700 km range and 400 km […]
April 25, 2024
The motor show in Beijing starts today, but Volkswagen already set the tone for the trade fair yesterday at its Group Media Night. What VW CEO Oliver Blume and his board members presented on stage was akin to a declaration of war. In China, the largest global market for cars, it is not only the […]
April 25, 2024
At the Beijing Motor Show, Mini unveiled the Aceman, a compact crossover that skillfully bridges the gap between the smaller hatchback and the larger Countryman. Built in China exclusively as an electric model, the Aceman marks a pivot in Mini’s design ethos. With a starting price of 36,500 euros, it is eligible for the Flemish […]
April 24, 2024
In its Global EV Outlook, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a “robust” 20% growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales for the entirety of 2024. This optimistic projection positions the year to shatter previous records, with an estimated 17 million EVs expected to be sold. The findings are surprising as they collide with earlier signs of […]
April 23, 2024
Chinese car manufacturer Chery wants to build cars in Spain, specifically in the former Nissan plant in Barcelona. It will be Chery’s first production facility in Europe. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sees the partnership between Chery and Ebro-EV Motors as a ‘symbol for the reindustrialization’ of Catalonia and Spain as a whole. This brings […]
April 18, 2024
78% of the Belgian users who drive a company car via the leasing company ALD Automotive/Leaseplan are convinced that the Chinese car manufacturers will have a growing share of the Belgian car market in the future. GfK surveyed 2,211 lease car users at the request of car leaser ALD Automotive/Leaseplan. The respondents were questioned about […]
April 16, 2024
Yin Tongyue, chairman of China’s Chery Auto, said the Wuhu-based car manufacturer is planning to sign a deal with a premium European brand through platform cooperation. “Two premium European brands want to use our platform, and a deal will be signed with one of them, which is a more premium brand than us,” Yin said. […]
April 15, 2024
Sales of electric models from the Volkswagen Group showed strong regional differences in the first quarter of 2024. While sales fell significantly in Europe and the US, the Chinese market stood for outstanding growth. To further cement its position in China, the brand Volkswagen has announced an investment of 2.5 billion euro to expand its […]
April 10, 2024
Western European ports, particularly Zeebrugge and Antwerp, face unprecedented challenges as they morph into vast car storage facilities. The influx of vehicles, especially from Asia and America, has outpaced the outflow, leading to significant congestion. The bottleneck has several automakers scouting for inland parking lots to keep up with the pace of factory output. The large […]
April 08, 2024
Like other car brands, such as Skoda and DS, Nio is integrating artificial intelligence into its cars. Nio’s voice assistant, Nomi, recently received a GPT update. GPT stands for Generative Pretrained Transformer, a form of artificial intelligence. We first ‘met’ Nio in the Nio ET7 sedan we drove in May 2023. Nomi is the little […]
April 05, 2024
Tailan New Energy, a Chinese company developing solid-state lithium battery technology, has disclosed significant advancements in its latest prototype cell. In its most recent announcement, the researchers point to an extremely high energy density, aiming to deliver a 2,000-kilometer range for BEVs on a single charge. Tailan isn’t one of the household names in solid-state […]
April 04, 2024
China’s biggest battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. (CATL), has announced a commercial vehicle battery with a lifespan of 1.5 million kilometers or a 15-year warranty. It was developed with one of the world’s biggest bus makers, Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co. Ltd., but the battery also suits light and heavy trucks. The new lithium […]
April 04, 2024
The page is officially turned. After over 25 years, the Hambach, France, plant has churned out its last Smart ForTwo. It’s the end for the small 2.5-m car that was seen as a revolution in urban transport. The Hambach plant, often nicknamed ‘Smartville,’ has produced up to 140,000 cars yearly. However, the plant, which benefited […]
