https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/326130/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Themis Qi Themis Qi China has granted new autonomous-driving permission to electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng and a mainland joint venture of Volkswagen, intensifying the commercialisation race between China’s autonomous driving firms and US company Tesla. Xpeng would now be allowed to conduct “demonstration operations” of its Yoyo driverless taxis in the capital city of southern China’s Guangdong province under a licence officially granted recently, the company said on social media on Monday. The licence, which... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3372153/china-grants-permits-vw-joint-venture-xpeng-autonomous-driving-race-intensifies https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3372153/china-grants-permits-vw-joint-venture-xpeng-autonomous-driving-race-intensifies Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Chinese-made cars filmed sensitive information during a Norwegian military exercise, including access codes at secure sites and officials’ comings and goings, raising concerns about the risks posed by connected vehicles. During a security exercise at Oslo airport on September 14 to 18, waiting soldiers tapping on their vehicle’s screen discovered videos recorded by the on-board cameras, the Dagens Naeringsliv newspaper revealed. The recordings showed who was getting in and out of the cars, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3371243/security-fears-norway-chinese-smart-cars-record-sensitive-military-data https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3371243/security-fears-norway-chinese-smart-cars-record-sensitive-military-data Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:08:23 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang More than 1,000 residents are expected to ride in autonomous vehicles (AVs) after Chinese technology giant Baidu launches Hong Kong’s first large-scale public trial next week. Baidu’s autonomous driving platform for consumers, Apollo Go, will run the trial in Tung Chung from October 21 to November 3, inviting more than 1,000 residents to take part. Iris Wong Man-hei, senior project and business development manager for Baidu’s intelligent driving group, described the trial as a “milestone” for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370979/over-1000-hongkongers-ride-baidus-robotaxis-city-first-public-trial https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3370979/over-1000-hongkongers-ride-baidus-robotaxis-city-first-public-trial Thu, 15 Oct 2026 07:14:33 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren A safety failure spotted in tests of a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) made by a Huawei Technologies-backed luxury brand has raised doubts about the cars many consumers view as a source of national pride, and prompted regulators to step up policing of quality and reliability. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with three other ministry-level departments, published draft rules on Saturday that would govern testing of new car models. The move came after a video released on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3370548/brake-pedal-failures-luxury-ev-put-chinese-cars-quality-regulatory-spotlight https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3370548/brake-pedal-failures-luxury-ev-put-chinese-cars-quality-regulatory-spotlight Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:30:06 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Waymo plans to launch its robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028, giving the US company its first foothold in Southeast Asia. Fully electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles were due to arrive in the city state in the coming months, ahead of preparations for a commercial launch, the company said on Friday. From 2027, trained autonomous specialists will manually drive the vehicles to help Waymo adapt its technology to Singapore’s road layouts, monsoon conditions and other local features. The service is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3367897/us-firm-waymo-launch-robotaxi-service-singapore-2028 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3367897/us-firm-waymo-launch-robotaxi-service-singapore-2028 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 02:01:04 +0000 Fan Hou Fan Hou China unveiled its five-year development plan for the intelligent connected new-energy vehicle sector for the years from 2026 to 2030. The blueprint, jointly released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technlogy and eight other government agencies, sets key targets for market share, energy efficiency, autonomous driving and the overall industry. Below are its key points: See below for the original document in Chinese: https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3367384/chinas-five-year-plan-new-energy-vehicle-sector https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3367384/chinas-five-year-plan-new-energy-vehicle-sector Mon, 14 Sep 2026 03:27:41 +0000 Emma Ma Emma Ma China is set to secure its place among the global automotive powerhouses by 2030 through further efforts to boost domestic sales and foster technological innovation, while a capacity alert mechanism will be introduced to guard against disorderly competition. The ambitious targets and actions are laid out in the country’s 15th five-year plan for the development of the intelligent connected new-energy-vehicle industry, unveiled on Thursday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3367214/key-pillar-5-year-powerhouse-plan-chinas-car-industry https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3367214/key-pillar-5-year-powerhouse-plan-chinas-car-industry Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:00:06 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Mainland Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing will apply to test autonomous vehicles in a Hong Kong urban area this year, a government adviser has revealed, with the trial runs potentially being expanded later on to cover more new development areas. The announcement followed a visit to Didi’s Beijing headquarters last Wednesday by Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan and a group of lawmakers. Gary Zhang Xinyu, a member of the Transport Department’s working group for promoting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3366587/didi-apply-driverless-vehicle-tests-hong-kong-year https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3366587/didi-apply-driverless-vehicle-tests-hong-kong-year Mon, 07 Sep 2026 04:23:23 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Tesla is facing weaker sales in China this year, but the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is looking to generate a buzz in its second-largest market by exhibiting its new self-driving vehicle, the Cybercab. The robotaxi – which operates entirely without a steering wheel, pedals or rear-view mirrors – would debut in major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, starting mid-September in a showcase of product design and technological sophistication, according to Tesla... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3366461/tesla-exhibit-cybercab-robotaxi-china-can-it-spark-buzz-amid-slow-sales https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3366461/tesla-exhibit-cybercab-robotaxi-china-can-it-spark-buzz-amid-slow-sales Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Iris Deng,Wency Chen Iris Deng,Wency Chen One by one, Tesla Model Y Ls roll out of the company’s end-of-line inspection bays, gleaming in black, white and gold. They are a mix of left-hand and right-hand drive – one of many signs the electric vehicles (EVs) produced here are destined for ports around the world. The company touts a total assembly time of less than 40 seconds at its sprawling Gigafactory in Lingang, a coastal area on the far southeastern edge of Shanghai. From there, Tesla says, a finished car can reach the port and be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-war/article/3366387/talk-growing-tesla-spacex-merger-will-geopolitics-throw-spanner-works https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-war/article/3366387/talk-growing-tesla-spacex-merger-will-geopolitics-throw-spanner-works Fri, 04 Sep 2026 22:00:07 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Lan Xiaohuan is a professor of economics at China Europe International Business School. His book, How China Works: An Introduction to China’s State-led Economic Development, has sold millions of copies in China and has been translated into multiple languages. Here, he discusses the economic realities behind China’s record trade surplus, the case for a stronger social safety net, and how public data infrastructure shapes the artificial intelligence race with the United States. SCMP Plus readers... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3366300/how-china-works-author-data-economy-robots-and-ai https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3366300/how-china-works-author-data-economy-robots-and-ai Fri, 04 Sep 2026 03:33:24 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s shrinking car market has received another reality check as regulators step in to police the hi-tech offerings that carmakers use to drive sales. A nationwide inspection campaign assessing the quality of Chinese-made cars that was announced this week would see some consumers shelve purchase plans, exacerbating a bearish outlook for the country’s auto sector, dealers and analysts said. Vice-Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xin Guobin told a news conference in Beijing on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3365597/reality-check-chinas-carmakers-authorities-tell-them-focus-quality-not-tech https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3365597/reality-check-chinas-carmakers-authorities-tell-them-focus-quality-not-tech Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:00:11 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Beijing could soon hold carmakers legally responsible for traffic violations when autonomous driving systems are in use, marking an important step towards clearing regulatory hurdles to wider commercialisation. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, is set to review an amended Road Traffic Safety Law on Tuesday. For the first time, the document was set to include a dedicated chapter on governing autonomous vehicles and advanced driving systems, according... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3365164/chinas-new-traffic-safety-law-set-clarify-liability-fully-automated-cars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3365164/chinas-new-traffic-safety-law-set-clarify-liability-fully-automated-cars Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:03:45 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese smart vehicle makers have been hit by another setback as a global components shortage collides with surging prices of raw materials, driven by the artificial intelligence boom. It would take at least a year for the global supply chain to ramp up production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) – two key parts that make vehicles intelligent – to meet rising demand, according to industry officials and analysts. “The components, though small, play a key... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364766/components-crunch-chinas-carmakers-face-rising-costs-keep-intelligence-edge https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364766/components-crunch-chinas-carmakers-face-rising-costs-keep-intelligence-edge Sat, 22 Aug 2026 06:00:26 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese carmakers’ reinforced push to produce more smart vehicles could sustain growth for hi-tech component suppliers, even as the broader automotive market remains lacklustre, according to Hesai Group chief financial officer Andrew Fan. “Orders for our lidar sensors [this year] were higher than in the same period last year,” Fan told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday. “An increasing percentage of new [car] models are now fitted with lidars as brands make them more intelligent.” Hesai –... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364636/hesai-rides-lidar-growth-smart-cars-gain-ground-despite-chinas-struggling-market https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364636/hesai-rides-lidar-growth-smart-cars-gain-ground-despite-chinas-struggling-market Thu, 20 Aug 2026 07:00:14 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The business environment for Chinese robotaxi operators in Europe has become more open over the past year, which would help Chinese firms to commercialise their self-driving technology worldwide, according to Pony AI founder and CEO James Peng. “Compared to last year, there is a clear increase in the openness towards autonomous driving and the willingness to gradually open up some areas for pilot projects in Europe to bolster commercial application,” he told reporters in an online media briefing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3364522/chinese-robotaxi-firms-see-eased-regulatory-bottleneck-europe-deployment-picks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3364522/chinese-robotaxi-firms-see-eased-regulatory-bottleneck-europe-deployment-picks Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:39:59 +0000 Zoe SL Chan Zoe SL Chan China’s autonomous-driving ambitions are winning growing recognition in Europe, with Deutsche Bank raising its target price for Momenta following a key regulatory breakthrough, and Pony.ai expanding its European robotaxi roll-out alongside Uber Technologies. In a research note released on Monday, Deutsche Bank analyst Bin Wang saw Momenta as the “No 1 independent autonomous-driving solution provider globally”, particularly in the urban “navigation on autopilot” (NOA) segment. “Momenta’s market... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3364257/chinas-self-driving-push-gains-ground-europe-momenta-ponyai-expand https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3364257/chinas-self-driving-push-gains-ground-europe-momenta-ponyai-expand Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:00:11 +0000 Christina Zhao Christina Zhao US entrepreneur Elon Musk has long been highly respected in China. His business ideas – from electric cars to rockets, humanoid robots and brain implants – have spawned Chinese followers, many of which now pose growing threats to Musk’s business empire. These Chinese competitors tend to follow a similar strategy: capitalise on the large domestic market to grow their business while taking advantage of the country’s integrated supply chains and expertise in fast-response manufacturing to hone... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3364094/musks-headaches-meet-chinas-corporate-matrix-challenging-his-business-empire https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3364094/musks-headaches-meet-chinas-corporate-matrix-challenging-his-business-empire Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:00:12 +0000 dpa dpa The working day has just ended and all hell has broken loose in the Beijing district of Sanlitun. Half of the Chinese capital’s population seems to be out and about, and the shopping and entertainment district is buzzing. The pavements are packed, as are the cycle lanes. On the road, cars and buses idle while the traffic lights are red. When they go green, everyone surges forward at once, creating utter chaos. Despite the mayhem, Bernd Woltermann sits completely relaxed in his Mercedes CLA,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/motoring/article/3363916/self-driving-cars-china-can-park-change-lanes-and-drive-humans-next-stop-europe https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/motoring/article/3363916/self-driving-cars-china-can-park-change-lanes-and-drive-humans-next-stop-europe Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren China’s electric vehicles (EVs) already lead the way in terms of battery and autonomous driving technologies. Now, the country’s auto brands are adding a new dimension to the notion of intelligent cars: turning them into full-scale entertainment centres. A new wave of Chinese-developed EVs is hitting the market equipped with everything from voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) assistants, to headlights that double up as film projectors and karaoke systems. Some even feature immersive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364104/karaoke-car-chinas-new-wave-gadget-laden-electric-vehicles https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3364104/karaoke-car-chinas-new-wave-gadget-laden-electric-vehicles Sat, 15 Aug 2026 08:00:06 +0000 Minxiao Chang Minxiao Chang Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek is venturing into a new battleground beyond large language models, launching a developer preview of its long-anticipated Harness – a software framework that helps developers turn AI models into autonomous agents. The release on Thursday marks a strategic pivot as DeepSeek moves to build foundational digital scaffolding for AI agents – systems capable of using AI models to operate external software, run code, and complete complex jobs on their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3364082/launch-deepseeks-harness-marks-its-strategic-pivot-towards-autonomous-agentic-ai https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3364082/launch-deepseeks-harness-marks-its-strategic-pivot-towards-autonomous-agentic-ai Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:03:52 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Nearly 30 years after the closure of Hong Kong’s iconic Kai Tak Airport, state-owned giant China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) hopes to provide the nearby waterfront area – a narrow stretch of land that juts into Victoria Harbour – with a route to better transit connectivity. Executives from the world-leading railway vehicle manufacturer said the company aims to use the former airport site as a test bed for an autonomous vehicle system, and a potential runway for overseas... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3363937/transit-giant-crrc-sets-down-marker-hong-kong-sales-pitch-overseas-cities https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3363937/transit-giant-crrc-sets-down-marker-hong-kong-sales-pitch-overseas-cities Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:15 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The likelihood that US electric vehicle (EV) giant Tesla will obtain Beijing’s approval for higher-level autonomous driving remains a distant prospect, according to analysts. Though Tesla recently hired people to test its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China, many obstacles remained, with data regulation a core issue, they said. Earlier this month, China outlined its first mandatory standards for autonomous driving systems, setting requirements for vehicles that feature level 3 (L3) and level... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3363606/tesla-faces-uphill-battle-fsd-entry-china-rewrites-self-driving-car-rules-analysts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3363606/tesla-faces-uphill-battle-fsd-entry-china-rewrites-self-driving-car-rules-analysts Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:06:41 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi On a cloudy evening in late April, a tech event hosted at Beijing’s National Convention Centre by Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) drew nearly 1,000 people eager for a glimpse of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries that could reshape the global automotive landscape. Gao Huan, chief technology officer for the auto business at CATL, the world’s largest producer of EV batteries, exuded confidence while promoting the new Shenxing product series. According to the company, its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3362604/will-new-batteries-give-chinas-evs-jolt-they-need-charge-past-their-rivals https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3362604/will-new-batteries-give-chinas-evs-jolt-they-need-charge-past-their-rivals Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:00:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Driverless cars are another lap closer to becoming a fixture on Hong Kong roads after the authorities relaxed rules to allow testing of such vehicles at the airport without backup human operators behind the wheel. It is a welcome milestone on the path to safe adoption of technology expected to tackle transport sector costs and manpower challenges as well as help the city become a global springboard for autonomous vehicle innovation. The Transport Department announced on July 23 that safety... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3362513/hong-kong-can-act-springboard-chinese-driverless-technology https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3362513/hong-kong-can-act-springboard-chinese-driverless-technology Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:45:06 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Chinese and German carmakers met in their first joint working group session of the year to align standards for smart connected vehicles, aiming for cooperation amid mounting trade friction over Chinese exports to Europe. More than 40 representatives from industry bodies, research institutes and carmakers – including China’s BYD, Geely, SAIC, Xpeng and Xiaomi, alongside Germany’s Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche – attended the meeting in Beijing, according to a statement by the China... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3362501/china-germany-aim-align-smart-vehicle-standards-amid-escalating-trade-friction https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3362501/china-germany-aim-align-smart-vehicle-standards-amid-escalating-trade-friction Fri, 31 Jul 2026 07:00:06 +0000 Zoe SL Chan Zoe SL Chan NASN Intelligent Tech, a mainland Chinese smart driving motion control technologies company, is seeking to kick off its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong as soon as Thursday, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, backed by battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), recently passed its listing hearing, signalling it could kick off its book building anytime. Debuts are scheduled for August 7, the sources said, requesting not to be identified as the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3362061/catl-backed-smart-driving-tech-firm-kick-hong-kong-ipo-week-sources https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/companies/article/3362061/catl-backed-smart-driving-tech-firm-kick-hong-kong-ipo-week-sources Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:46:43 +0000 Han Li Han Li US senators broadly agree that Chinese connected vehicles should be kept off American roads. But a bipartisan attempt to codify and expand existing restrictions has exposed divisions over whether the proposed ban could ensnare European carmakers and increase costs for American electric vehicle producers. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, a bill that would prohibit the import, manufacture and sale of connected... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3361651/us-senators-clash-over-scope-chinese-connected-vehicle-ban https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3361651/us-senators-clash-over-scope-chinese-connected-vehicle-ban Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:48:44 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong has taken the next step in putting driverless cars on the road by allowing passenger vehicles to be tested without any humans behind the wheel at the airport. The Transport Department announced on Thursday that it had expanded its trial of the technology at Chek Lap Kok after concluding that earlier remote-operation tests had met safety requirements. “We are pleased to confirm that the autonomous vehicle tests have been ideal, safe and operating smoothly,” Commissioner for Transport... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3361563/hong-kong-gears-citys-first-test-run-fully-driverless-vehicles https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3361563/hong-kong-gears-citys-first-test-run-fully-driverless-vehicles Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:10:22 +0000 Huizhao Huang Huizhao Huang As China is ending tax exemptions that helped fuel the rise of its electric-vehicle (EV) and solar industries, analysts said it could add to the cost of producing an EV and put pressure on manufacturers, as Beijing steps up efforts to curb overcapacity and price wars. The levy could add about 1,000 yuan (US$147) to the cost of producing an EV, analysts estimated – a modest increase per car, but a fresh squeeze on carmakers’ already razor-thin margins. China will levy a consumption tax on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361207/chinas-ev-industry-rose-aid-tax-breaks-what-happens-when-they-end https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3361207/chinas-ev-industry-rose-aid-tax-breaks-what-happens-when-they-end Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:00:11 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong will ramp up autonomous vehicle (AV) tests and make more roads available for trials, authorities have said, as Chinese technology company Baidu prepares to transition its robotaxis to fully remote-controlled operations in the city. Baidu on Monday showcased its sixth-generation AV under its Apollo Go platform on Lantau Island, on a seven-minute driverless route that required manual takeover after the vehicle exited the approved geo-fenced zone. Derek Chung Cheuk-ming, chief electrical... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3360345/hong-kong-ramps-autonomous-vehicle-tests-baidu-expands-trials-city https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3360345/hong-kong-ramps-autonomous-vehicle-tests-baidu-expands-trials-city Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:11:03 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The president of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng said the company aims to challenge Tesla in international markets, having tested its self-driving technology in the fiercely competitive home market. “We are very confident that we can be head-to-head competitors with Tesla,” said Brian Gu Hongdi, vice-chairman and president at Xpeng, in an interview with the South China Morning Post. Though admitting the US carmaker’s edge as an early entrant in some European markets, Gu noted that... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3360305/how-xpeng-will-take-tesla-chinese-carmakers-drive-overseas-ev-competition https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3360305/how-xpeng-will-take-tesla-chinese-carmakers-drive-overseas-ev-competition Mon, 13 Jul 2026 05:00:06 +0000 Richard Chen Richard Chen The global robotaxi sector is on track to become a US$1 trillion market by 2040, according to Morgan Stanley, with Chinese players like Baidu, Xpeng and WeRide primed to be regional front-runners alongside global leaders Tesla and Waymo. In a research note on Friday, the US investment bank forecast that falling manufacturing costs in China would act as a “major underappreciated accelerant” for the industry. Driven by cheaper supply chains, the cost of parts per vehicle for Chinese-made robotaxi... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3359602/global-robotaxi-market-set-hit-us1t-2040-china-tech-costs-plummet-morgan-stanley https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3359602/global-robotaxi-market-set-hit-us1t-2040-china-tech-costs-plummet-morgan-stanley Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:30:07 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese self-driving technology start-up Momenta kicked off bookbuilding on Monday for a HK$5.89 billion (US$751 million) share listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange, testing market sentiment amid a sales slump in China’s car industry. The company is offering nearly 19.94 million shares at HK$295.60 per share. With 20 shares as the minimum board lot, the minimum investment is HK$5,971.62. Sponsored by CICC and Deutsche Bank, the bookbuilding closes on Friday, ahead of a scheduled trading debut... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358709/chinese-self-driving-firm-momenta-eyes-us750m-hong-kong-ipo https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358709/chinese-self-driving-firm-momenta-eyes-us750m-hong-kong-ipo Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:00:05 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Momenta, a leading self-driving technology start-up in China, has become the latest domestic firm to receive regulatory approval from Beijing for listing in Hong Kong under an entity incorporated offshore. The nod comes over four months after the last green light given to an applicant with a similar structure. The vetting of firms organised in this manner was reportedly tightened to prevent asset outflows. Momenta Global Limited, an entity the start-up used to apply for an initial public... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3358011/chinese-red-chip-start-granted-regulatory-approval-amid-rumoured-crackdown https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3358011/chinese-red-chip-start-granted-regulatory-approval-amid-rumoured-crackdown Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:34:13 +0000 Peggy Ye Peggy Ye Chinese autonomous-driving start-up Momenta moved a step closer to a Hong Kong initial public offering after mainland China’s securities regulator disclosed a filing notice approving the proposed share sale. The proposed listing would add another autonomous-driving company to Hong Kong’s market, following a wave of capital-raising by Chinese intelligent-driving firms seeking funding for research, product development and commercial expansion. On Thursday, the China Securities Regulatory... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3357638/momenta-moves-closer-hong-kong-ipo-after-us-listing-setback https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3357638/momenta-moves-closer-hong-kong-ipo-after-us-listing-setback Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Themis Qi,Julie Zhang Themis Qi,Julie Zhang At least 14 new smart vehicles – including both right- and left-hand-drive models – are making their debut at the International Automobile and Supply Chain Expo in Hong Kong this week, as Chinese carmakers use the city to gauge overseas demand and showcase their latest technologies. The launches underscored Hong Kong’s growing role as a proving ground for Chinese automotive brands pursuing international expansion. Industry players ranging from Geely Auto and GAC Group to Baidu described the city... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3357582/how-hong-kong-helping-chinas-carmakers-road-test-their-global-smart-car-strategies https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3357582/how-hong-kong-helping-chinas-carmakers-road-test-their-global-smart-car-strategies Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:34:16 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow They’ve been described as the “next frontier” of artificial intelligence (AI) – world models that go beyond large language models (LLMs) by simulating the physical environment. And in this emerging field, China has an edge over the United States. World models that understand the physical laws of the universe are already being used to train AI systems with embodied intelligence such as robots and self-driving vehicles. China has deployed such systems far more widely than the US – and this month,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3357235/ais-next-frontier-world-models-and-why-china-ahead-pack https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3357235/ais-next-frontier-world-models-and-why-china-ahead-pack Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:32:04 +0000 Iris Deng Iris Deng Often dubbed “the rice of the electronics industry”, multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are the smallest yet indispensable components powering modern innovations from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs). These tiny capacitors are currently under the spotlight because the insatiable computing needs of artificial intelligence (AI) have caused an explosion in demand, a surge described as “scary” by Katsuya Sase, CEO of Japanese MLCC maker Taiyo Yuden. Here is what you need to know about what... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3357090/rice-electronics-how-ai-driven-demand-mlccs-triggered-supply-bottleneck https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3357090/rice-electronics-how-ai-driven-demand-mlccs-triggered-supply-bottleneck Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:00:12 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in China recovered on solid footing in May, as new models fitted with higher-performance batteries and more advanced driver assistance systems drew consumers amid intensified competition. Zeekr, a premium EV brand owned by Geely Auto, the country’s second-largest carmaker, and Stellantis-backed Leapmotor rewrote their monthly delivery records, the latest sign that local government subsidies have whetted consumers’ buying appetite for big-ticket items. Although... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3355592/chinese-ev-makers-recover-may-competition-remains-fierce-amid-overcapacity-woes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3355592/chinese-ev-makers-recover-may-competition-remains-fierce-amid-overcapacity-woes Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:09:52 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker, has set its sights on achieving zero traffic accidents through self-developed autonomous driving technology, aiming to assemble next-generation cars affordable for mass consumers. Founder and chairman Wang Chuanfu told a press conference in Shenzhen on Thursday that BYD’s “God’s Eye” advanced driver-assistance system would be priced at just 12,000 yuan (US$1,770). The system allows drivers to go “hands off”, with BYD pledging to cover any... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3355217/chinas-byd-aims-zero-accidents-gods-eye-vows-crash-cost-coverage https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3355217/chinas-byd-aims-zero-accidents-gods-eye-vows-crash-cost-coverage Thu, 28 May 2026 14:40:35 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren XCMG Group, mainland China’s largest construction machinery maker, aims to achieve annual overseas sales of 100 billion yuan (US$14.7 billion), luring more international clients by turning its excavators, cranes and specialised vehicles greener and more automated. Yang Dongsheng, chairman of the state-owned machinery giant, told reporters in a media briefing last week that the target would be achieved in line with the company’s ambition of building itself into a top-class machinery producer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3354691/chinas-machinery-giant-xcmg-eyes-bigger-scoop-global-sales-green-autonomous-tech https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3354691/chinas-machinery-giant-xcmg-eyes-bigger-scoop-global-sales-green-autonomous-tech Mon, 25 May 2026 01:00:35 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese robovans could generate twice as much revenue in Southeast Asia and the Middle East than in the domestic market, making overseas expansion a must for profitability, according to autonomous driving leader Zelos Technology. The company claims to have built the world’s largest robovan fleet since it was founded in Suzhou in 2021, but scaling up international business was key for survival, said Sean Zhang Xuchen, co-founder, chief operating officer and head of global business at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354660/beyond-china-emerging-markets-hold-key-profitability-worlds-largest-robovan-fleet https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354660/beyond-china-emerging-markets-hold-key-profitability-worlds-largest-robovan-fleet Sun, 24 May 2026 06:00:19 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Tesla has announced the widely anticipated roll-out of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China, just one week after company founder and CEO Elon Musk travelled to Beijing as part of a state visit by US President Donald Trump. The arrival of the system will raise the self-driving game in a market where level three (L3) automated driving has been legalised. “FSD Supervised” was now available in China and nine other countries including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354305/teslas-fsd-launch-china-heats-competition-domestic-ev-makers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354305/teslas-fsd-launch-china-heats-competition-domestic-ev-makers Thu, 21 May 2026 02:42:59 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng has begun mass production of autonomous cabs powered by its own chips, likely to mount yet another challenge on Tesla as both companies pursue a leading position in self-driving. Robotaxis have become the latest area where the two firms could go head-to-head, after smart EVs and humanoid robots, as the booming development of physical artificial intelligence technologies intensifies. Guangzhou-based Xpeng said its robotaxis would have level 4 (L4)... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354034/chinese-firm-xpeng-builds-driverless-cabs-likely-challenge-teslas-fsd-software-ai-race https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354034/chinese-firm-xpeng-builds-driverless-cabs-likely-challenge-teslas-fsd-software-ai-race Tue, 19 May 2026 02:08:20 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren The financial and commercial hub of mainland China is pinning its economic hopes on emerging industries such as autonomous driving and solid-state electric vehicle (EV) batteries to sustain growth following a robust start to 2026. Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said the city remained confident about achieving a 5 per cent economic expansion this year, buoyed by a strategy to attract foreign businesses and bolster local tech innovations. “We will double efforts to enlarge investment in key projects,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3353992/chinas-old-motown-shanghai-bets-robotaxis-better-batteries-gdp-bump https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3353992/chinas-old-motown-shanghai-bets-robotaxis-better-batteries-gdp-bump Mon, 18 May 2026 23:30:05 +0000 Themis Qi,Daniel Ren Themis Qi,Daniel Ren A Ford Motor electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in the US state of Michigan, edging closer to inauguration, has shed light on global marques’ reliance on Chinese technologies to accelerate their EV transition amid US President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing. With trade and investment among the top issues on the agenda for the summit between Trump and President Xi Jinping, the US$3 billion facility, with a capacity of more than 400,000 EVs a year, has heightened expectations for similar... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3353539/xi-trump-summit-ford-catl-battery-plant-shows-how-global-carmakers-need-chinas-prowess https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3353539/xi-trump-summit-ford-catl-battery-plant-shows-how-global-carmakers-need-chinas-prowess Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:12 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A woman in eastern China has been fined for applying make-up and dancing behind the wheel, then claiming her car’s driver-assistance system drove better than she could. According to CCTV News, the driver, surnamed Lin, is from Wenzhou in Zhejiang province and had repeatedly posted videos online flaunting her vehicle’s assisted driving. In the widely shared clips, Lin is seen travelling through a tunnel with the system activated, both hands off the steering wheel, while applying foundation and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3352733/china-woman-fined-applying-make-dancing-while-driving-claims-assisted-driving-more-reliable https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3352733/china-woman-fined-applying-make-dancing-while-driving-claims-assisted-driving-more-reliable Mon, 11 May 2026 01:00:09 +0000 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.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3353028/chinese-6-seat-electric-suvs-stand-out-amid-weak-domestic-sales-says-morgan-stanley Sun, 10 May 2026 23:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Tired of petrol shortages and skyrocketing prices, Simón Huanca took matters into his own hands. The 53-year-old Indigenous artisan imported a Chinese electric car to navigate El Alto, Bolivia’s highest city, using the vehicle to transport both his family and the alpaca wool for his weaving workshop. He also installed a dedicated charger in his own garage, mainly for convenience, but also because there are only three public charging stations serving the vast metropolitan area of El Alto and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/americas/article/3353036/evs-surge-bolivia-amid-fuel-shortages-junk-gas-scandal https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/americas/article/3353036/evs-surge-bolivia-amid-fuel-shortages-junk-gas-scandal Sun, 10 May 2026 08:52:10 +0000