https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/39052/feed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1917 and based in Munich in Bavaria, Germany. BMW also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. As Chinese carmakers diversify beyond CATL, Beijing warns of market overreaction A publication under China’s industry ministry has pushed back against market chatter of “de-CATLisation” as a growing number of the battery giant’s automotive partners diversify their suppliers, with the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3369306/chinas-2030-solid-state-battery-goal-chinese-carmakers-see-boost-europe-7-ev-reads https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3369306/chinas-2030-solid-state-battery-goal-chinese-carmakers-see-boost-europe-7-ev-reads Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:15:05 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Volkswagen Group and its Chinese partner Gotion High-tech have stepped up a gear in tapping global demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries with plans to invest a combined €3.22 billion (US$3.66 billion) to set up three production lines in Europe and North Africa. The factories, to be jointly owned by the German marque and China’s fourth-largest EV battery maker, would be capable of delivering 37.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) of lithium-ion battery capacity and 100,000 metric tons of cathode... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3369104/vw-gotion-ramp-battery-production-europe-morocco-amid-rising-ev-demand https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3369104/vw-gotion-ramp-battery-production-europe-morocco-amid-rising-ev-demand Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:28:42 +0000 Huizhao Huang Huizhao Huang Chinese carmakers have gained ground in Europe’s shift to electric cars, emerging as the biggest winners in plug-in hybrids despite moves by Brussels to curb their expansion. As petrol prices climbed across the EU, hitting a record high of more than €2.30 a litre (US$9.91 a US gallon) in Germany this month, the move to battery power gathered pace. Battery-electric registrations jumped 62.7 per cent year on year in August and accounted for 21.7 per cent of new registrations in the first eight... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368814/chinese-marques-driving-seat-high-petrol-prices-accelerate-eu-shift-electric-cars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3368814/chinese-marques-driving-seat-high-petrol-prices-accelerate-eu-shift-electric-cars Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:37:49 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Contemporary Amperex Technol­ogy Ltd (CATL) has cleared all regulatory hurdles for its mega factory in Hungary, a development that analysts expect will help the world’s largest producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries extend its reach to international marques like BMW and Volkswagen. Production of battery cells at the €7.3 billion (US$8.35 billion) plant in Debrecen, the second-largest city in Hungary, began on Tuesday after it fulfilled all preconditions for a trial run, the company said. It... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3368463/chinese-ev-battery-giant-catl-starts-trial-production-hungarian-factory https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3368463/chinese-ev-battery-giant-catl-starts-trial-production-hungarian-factory Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:00:04 +0000 Chao Kong Chao Kong For decades, the United States has used economic and financial restrictions as major foreign policy tools. But as China and other countries gain greater economic and technological strength, they are also acquiring more ways to push back against US actions, with deep-sea mining possibly becoming a testing ground for that shift. China could join other countries in taking coordinated countermeasures, including sanctions against companies, if the US proceeds with seabed mining in violation of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3366759/could-china-sanction-us-illegal-international-seabed-mining-study-says-yes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3366759/could-china-sanction-us-illegal-international-seabed-mining-study-says-yes Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:07 +0000 Huizhao Huang,Xiaofei Xu Huizhao Huang,Xiaofei Xu More than half of German companies said the European Union should take stronger trade measures against China even if their own businesses would suffer higher prices, tariffs or retaliation, according to a survey of about 1,300 German firms published by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) on Thursday. That tougher stance comes despite many German companies acknowledging their reliance on Chinese supply chains and production sites for their own competitiveness. Among companies with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3366365/german-firms-back-tougher-eu-trade-measures-china-despite-business-risks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3366365/german-firms-back-tougher-eu-trade-measures-china-despite-business-risks Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Emma Ma Emma Ma After significant lay-offs by a key Chinese auto supplier in Changzhou city of Jiangsu province involving over a hundred new graduates sparked nationwide outrage and forced Volkswagen to launch an investigation, analysts note the episode could lead to an overhaul of corporate-governance practices across China’s enterprises. At the centre of the controversy is Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting System, China’s biggest manufacturer of auto lighting components by revenue, based in Jiangsu... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3366007/volkswagen-launches-inquiry-changzhou-supplier-following-mass-graduate-lay-offs https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3366007/volkswagen-launches-inquiry-changzhou-supplier-following-mass-graduate-lay-offs Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:30:12 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Chinese carmakers could capture between 15 and 30 per cent of the European automotive market by 2035, up from roughly 10 per cent this year, analysts at Citi said, with the outcome resting on how far Brussels goes in tightening tariffs and made-in-EU rules. Current European Union rules would allow Chinese carmakers to reach 30 per cent by 2035 – Citi’s base scenario – while extending existing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to plug-in hybrids would cap the market share at 25 per cent, Citi... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3363903/chinese-carmakers-could-capture-15-30-european-market-2035-citi-analysts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3363903/chinese-carmakers-could-capture-15-30-european-market-2035-citi-analysts Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Shopaholism may be viewed with disfavour in wealthy nations, but in Beijing, policymakers are probably wishing more of the Chinese populace would catch the bug. The long-sought growth transition from export reliance to domestic consumption has been slow to progress. It’s tough to turn a nation of savers into one of spenders. The unveiling of a stand-alone five-year plan for consumption, targeting retail sales of 60 trillion yuan (US$8.9 trillion) by 2030, is not merely a quantitative goal, but a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3363020/chinas-moves-fuel-growth-driven-consumption-are-strategic https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3363020/chinas-moves-fuel-growth-driven-consumption-are-strategic Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:15:09 +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 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 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Chinese motorcycle exports hit a record in the first half of the year as domestic manufacturers, armed with their own technology gains, targeted upmarket segments long dominated by Honda, Yamaha and BMW. Exports reached 26.2 million units worth US$11.28 billion, rising 23.2 per cent in volume and 26.3 per cent in value year on year, according to Chinese customs data. Shipments to the US climbed 40 per cent to more than 3.9 million motorcycles, valued at US$1.13 billion. Unlike Chinese electric... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3362342/chinese-motorcycle-exports-roar-record-highs-amid-tech-gains-upmarket-push https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3362342/chinese-motorcycle-exports-roar-record-highs-amid-tech-gains-upmarket-push Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:00:13 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu European policymakers have watched Chinese carmakers roll in like a slow but unstoppable tide over the past few years: affordable, polished and threatening one of the continent’s proudest industrial legacies. Many have warned about the dismantling of their automotive prides following the new China shock. A crown jewel of Europe’s industrial output, the automotive sector represents directly and indirectly a total of more than 13 million jobs in the EU. It was no accident that electric vehicles... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356569/made-eu-how-europe-plans-use-chinas-tech-pull-level-its-ev-rival-2028 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3356569/made-eu-how-europe-plans-use-chinas-tech-pull-level-its-ev-rival-2028 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:00:07 +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 Ben Jiang Ben Jiang As wars, tariffs and geopolitical headwinds disrupt global commerce, industry experts at a trade fair in Beijing said technological advances and data collaboration could strengthen supply chain resilience. At this week’s China International Supply Chain Expo, industry participants pointed to greater cross-border data coordination and China’s push into frontier technologies – including artificial intelligence and robotics – as critical moves that could build a more resilient global supply... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3358363/chinese-supply-chain-expo-executives-look-tech-geopolitical-insulation https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3358363/chinese-supply-chain-expo-executives-look-tech-geopolitical-insulation Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Huizhao Huang,Xiaofei Xu Huizhao Huang,Xiaofei Xu Chinese carmakers continued their rapid expansion in Europe last month according to industry data released on Tuesday, as Brussels reportedly weighs fresh tariffs aimed at slowing their advance. Geely Group was the highest-placed Chinese carmaker, ranking eighth among all manufacturer groups in May, according to the latest sales data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), covering the European Union, the United Kingdom and the four European Free Trade Association... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358160/chinese-car-sales-accelerate-europe-brussels-weighs-putting-brakes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358160/chinese-car-sales-accelerate-europe-brussels-weighs-putting-brakes Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:06 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Luxury electric vehicle (EV) brands from China are poised to enter the same elite tier as established European marques by leveraging their disruptive technologies, according to Chinese EV maker Zeekr. “There is a gap between the demand for electric luxury cars and the supply, where Chinese carmakers have an edge,” said Zeekr vice-president Mars Chen. “I believe there will be one to two Chinese brands among the global top five [luxury vehicles].” With German giants Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358016/chinas-ev-brands-have-europes-luxury-marques-their-sights-zeekr-executive https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3358016/chinas-ev-brands-have-europes-luxury-marques-their-sights-zeekr-executive Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:00:26 +0000 Huizhao Huang Huizhao Huang One out of every seven plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in Germany in May came from BYD, as the Chinese carmaker’s registrations surged 232 per cent in Europe’s largest auto market from a year earlier. With 6,169 vehicles registered there in May, BYD held a 2.6 per cent share of Germany’s new-car registrations, according to data from the country’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. Of those, 4,290 were plug-in hybrids, led by the Atto 2 DM-i with 2,113 registrations – the top-selling plug-in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3356760/chinas-byd-claims-germanys-plug-hybrid-crown-disrupting-market-iconic-auto-giants https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3356760/chinas-byd-claims-germanys-plug-hybrid-crown-disrupting-market-iconic-auto-giants Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:30:05 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are speeding up their pivot to the premium segment, where they hope to secure higher profit margins and dodge the cutthroat market’s most vicious price competition. New models launched by carmakers including Nio and Seres also mount a challenge to Tesla’s bestselling Model Y in the world’s largest EV market. “Intensified efforts to gain ascendancy in the premium segment show the carmakers’ confidence in their technologies,” said Chen Jinzhu, CEO of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3355201/premium-plan-chinas-ev-makers-pin-hopes-high-end-models-buttress-margins https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3355201/premium-plan-chinas-ev-makers-pin-hopes-high-end-models-buttress-margins Thu, 28 May 2026 23:00:06 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Inside Fuyao Glass Industry Group’s sprawling new plant in eastern China’s Anhui province, ranks of bright orange robotic arms and a fleet of automated carriers transport heavy, fragile panes of automotive glass through a production process that the company claims is 90 per cent automated. The smart factory represents the technological blueprint for the Chinese manufacturing giant, which shot to fame as the subject of the 2019 Oscar-winning documentary American Factory. The company made waves... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3354478/inside-fuyao-glass-chinese-auto-part-supplier-whose-head-earned-seat-elon-musk https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/tech-trends/article/3354478/inside-fuyao-glass-chinese-auto-part-supplier-whose-head-earned-seat-elon-musk Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi The market for six-seat premium SUVs in China is expected to become a more intense battleground, squeezing carmakers by forcing them to cut prices or enhance key features in a fight for market share, according to analysts. Xpeng priced its new electric SUV the GX at 269,800 yuan (US$39,687) on Wednesday, slashing its price by nearly a third from the pre-order price of 399,800 yuan. The cut “surprised the market”, Citigroup analysts said in a report on Wednesday, adding that the new model’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354363/does-xpengs-33-cut-its-new-6-seat-suv-portend-price-war-premium-segment https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3354363/does-xpengs-33-cut-its-new-6-seat-suv-portend-price-war-premium-segment Thu, 21 May 2026 09:01:49 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Peugeot and Jeep, owned by French-Italian automotive group Stellantis, have committed to fresh investments to build electric cars with its partner Dongfeng Motor, as more international marques join the fight against Chinese rivals in the world’s largest car market. Stellantis announced on Friday that four electric vehicles (EVs) under the two storied auto brands would roll off the production lines in 2027 as the European carmaker leverages Chinese technologies to assemble best-class cars for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3353767/peugeot-jeep-take-chinese-rivals-new-models-using-local-ev-technologies https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3353767/peugeot-jeep-take-chinese-rivals-new-models-using-local-ev-technologies Fri, 15 May 2026 14:20:02 +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 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi At the close of his presentation at this year’s Auto China show, Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor, surprised the audience by asking them to lift LED boxes placed on their seats. “We’ll use this beam of light to kick off Hyundai’s new journey in China,” he said, raising the device stamped with the logo of Ioniq, the new brand the Korean carmaker has just launched in mainland China. After years of lacklustre performance in the country, Hyundai was preparing to regain lost ground by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3352094/comeback-trail-can-foreign-marques-regain-lost-ground-amid-chinas-ev-revolution Sat, 02 May 2026 03:00:08 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s EV and battery makers race to cut charging times to under 10 minutes Battery makers and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have seized on the Beijing Auto Show to showcase technologies promising shorter charging times in a race triggered by BYD and Contemporary Amperex... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3351815/chinas-ev-makers-cut-charging-times-tesla-rival-li-autos-expansion-7-ev-reads https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3351815/chinas-ev-makers-cut-charging-times-tesla-rival-li-autos-expansion-7-ev-reads Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Battery makers and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have seized on the Beijing Auto Show to showcase technologies promising shorter charging times in a race triggered by BYD and Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL). Fast-charging technology has dominated the floor at the 10-day event which runs until May 3. Second-tier Chinese battery suppliers including CALB Group, EVE Energy and Sunwoda unveiled products capable of boosting power to 70 per cent, from a starting point of 10 per cent,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3351662/need-speed-chinas-ev-battery-makers-race-cut-charging-times-under-10-minutes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-evs/article/3351662/need-speed-chinas-ev-battery-makers-race-cut-charging-times-under-10-minutes Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:16 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Li Auto, one of Tesla’s major rivals in mainland China, has set its sights on the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with its premium intelligent models poised to take on petrol car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Beijing-based electric vehicle (EV) maker, which is actively building a sales network abroad, expected overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, according to president Ma Donghui. “It is inevitable that we will compete against BMW, Benz and Audi, which... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3351481/chinas-li-auto-targets-bmw-and-mercedes-premium-suvs-middle-east-asia-pacific Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:10:02 +0000 Daniel Ren,Themis Qi Daniel Ren,Themis Qi This year’s Auto China, the world’s largest car show, is likely to mark a watershed for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers as they push dozens of new premium models into the spotlight, challenging European manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Leading EV makers in mainland China, from BYD and Geely to Leapmotor and Nio, will showcase their latest models at the 10-day show, which starts in Beijing on Friday, having moved up the value chain through the rapid adoption of technological... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3351130/chinas-premium-evs-mount-tech-powered-challenge-bmw-mercedes-benz-expo Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest producer of lithium metal, has issued a strong profit forecast for the first quarter of this year as soaring demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries lifted earnings. The company, based in China’s central Jiangxi province, said in an exchange filing on Thursday that increasing orders had driven up prices of lithium – a key material for EV and ESS batteries – helping it post an estimated profit of 1.6 billion yuan (US$234... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3350364/chinas-lithium-giant-ganfeng-sees-profit-jump-demand-evs-and-ess-batteries-soars Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:24 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Hyundai Motor has spearheaded a comeback among foreign marques vying for a slice of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, launching a new brand built around local technologies and partnerships. The South Korean carmaker, which reversed a six-year sales decline in 2025, said it would soon introduce production models under the Ioniq brand tailored for Chinese consumers, as it steps up its push into the world’s largest automotive market. “The newly launched Ioniq brand in China evolves beyond a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3349776/hyundai-spearheads-foreign-ev-comeback-push-china-ioniq-brand Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:20:54 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg US President Donald Trump said he plans to impose a 20 per cent tariff on all cars imported from the European Union unless the trade bloc “soon” removes import duties and other barriers to US goods, escalating global trade tensions. “Based on the Tariffs and Trade Barriers long placed on the US and it great companies and workers by the European Union, if these Tariffs and Barriers are not soon broken down and removed, we will be placing a 20% Tariff on all of their cars coming into the US. Build... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349566/trumps-tariff-threat-european-cars-escalates-global-trade-tensions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3349566/trumps-tariff-threat-european-cars-escalates-global-trade-tensions Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:44:44 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren A number of underperforming international car brands are likely to either exit the mainland Chinese market or scale down operations, as losses mount due to falling sales and shrinking market share. Carmakers delivering fewer than 1,000 units a month already faced a do-or-die situation in the world’s largest automotive market because the weak sales were not enough to cover their manufacturing and operating costs, according to analysts. Some carmakers are likely to follow Skoda, Volkswagen’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3349083/more-foreign-marques-face-do-or-die-moment-chinese-buyers-shun-petrol-cars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3349083/more-foreign-marques-face-do-or-die-moment-chinese-buyers-shun-petrol-cars Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:00:09 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Jerry Chau Chun-lok has picked up the ride on Voyage Bubble in the Group Two Chairman’s Trophy (1,600m) as the Triple Crown hero bids to bounce back from an uncharacteristic flop last start. In hot form with 13 winners since the start of February, Chau will replace champion jockey Zac Purton, who has ridden Voyage Bubble in his past four starts. Chau, 25, is excited to ride the six-time Group One winner for the first time in the Chairman’s Trophy on April 6. “Ricky told me last week. I will... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3347573/jerry-chau-excited-pick-ride-triple-crown-hero-voyage-bubble-chairmans-trophy Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney He is expected to be one of the outsiders in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin, but Pope Cody should not be underestimated according to his jockey James Orman. The Me Tsui Yu-sak-trained gelding heads into the city’s biggest race off the back of an encouraging sixth to Stormy Grove in the Classic Cup (1,800m), having made up late ground from back in the field. Despite a modest record of one win and two placings from 15 local starts, Pope Cody rarely runs poorly or is beaten far... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3347455/james-orman-makes-strong-case-likely-outsider-pope-cody-hong-kong-derby https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3347455/james-orman-makes-strong-case-likely-outsider-pope-cody-hong-kong-derby Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:56:56 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney French star Calandagan, Japan’s Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile headline a strong contingent of 63 international raiders entered for next month’s FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin. Calandagan, last year’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse, and Group One winners Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile could be set for a blockbuster clash with Hong Kong’s 13-time Group One champion Romantic Warrior in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m). Calandagan capped a massive year with victory in last November’s Group... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3346985/champions-day-calandagan-masquerade-ball-museum-mile-headline-strong-overseas-entries Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:52:18 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney James McDonald has been booked to ride Seraph Gabriel in Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) after the superstar jockey chose to hop off Beauty Bolt in favour of David Eustace’s British import. McDonald was aboard Beauty Bolt in the first two legs of the Classic Series, finishing third in the Classic Mile and seventh in the Classic Cup (1,800m), but he was taken by Seraph Gabriel’s close second to Lucky Sam Gor when he rode him on the Classic Mile undercard. The son of Saxon Warrior... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3346669/superstar-jockey-james-mcdonald-confirmed-ride-seraph-gabriel-hong-kong-derby Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:18:37 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu BMW could be approaching the end of the tunnel in China as signs of stabilisation raise hopes of a turnaround after the German carmaker reported that sales dropped by double digits in the key market in 2025. “Transaction prices in the market for our products have stabilised … and are actually improving slightly compared to [the third quarter],” said Walter Mertl, chief financial officer, during a press conference on Thursday. “If the run rate continues this way, we have the opportunity to go... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3346403/bmw-sees-smoother-road-ahead-china-after-sales-skid-2025 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:48 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter New versions of cars can sometimes be a little underwhelming – a slightly modified silhouette here, a few tweaks to the trim there. And then there’s the new BMW iX3, which doesn’t so much relaunch the vehicle as completely rewrite its design language, dramatically upgrading everything from aesthetics to electronics to sustainability. The car – the BMW iX3 50 xDrive – is the newest battery electric version of the company’s X3 compact luxury crossover SUV. But where the model it updates, the G08,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3345495/style-edit-bmw-ix3-rewrites-ev-rule-book-range-and-sustainability https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3345495/style-edit-bmw-ix3-rewrites-ev-rule-book-range-and-sustainability Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Finbarr Bermingham Finbarr Bermingham The European Union’s ambitious industrial policy to challenge China has been gutted, removing AI, semiconductors and quantum computing from a list of strategic technologies that must be “made in Europe” to tap billions in government funds. Biotechnology and robotics are other cutting-edge sectors to be cut from the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) ahead of the proposal’s formal unveiling by the European Commission on Wednesday, a leaked draft showed. Plans to exclude non-EU-based producers from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345311/eu-strips-ai-chips-and-quantum-industrial-plan-aimed-countering-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3345311/eu-strips-ai-chips-and-quantum-industrial-plan-aimed-countering-china Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:51:51 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney After Stormy Grove’s shock win and solid but unspectacular runs from leading contenders in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m), the picture around the city’s most prized race – the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) – is very unclear. Still a Hong Kong maiden two starts before Sunday and not among Derby entries at that time, Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s Stormy Grove has suddenly catapulted into contention for the HK$26 million feature after a pair of brilliant victories. The Australian import’s upset success at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3345113/derby-picture-unclear-after-classic-cup-while-quarantine-issues-delay-hong-kong-international-sale https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3345113/derby-picture-unclear-after-classic-cup-while-quarantine-issues-delay-hong-kong-international-sale Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse German carmaker BMW said on Friday that it planned to deploy two AI-powered humanoid robots in a factory in a pilot programme for the first time this year. Dubbed Aeon and developed by the Swedish company Hexagon, the black-and-white robots stand 1.65 metres (5.4 feet) tall, weigh 60kg (132 pounds) and move on two wheels. They can autonomously manipulate and move components within a factory where the space has been previously fully scanned and digitised. A months-long pilot phase will start this... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3344940/bmw-trial-humanoid-robots-german-factory-china-competition-heats https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3344940/bmw-trial-humanoid-robots-german-factory-china-competition-heats Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:21:44 +0000 Cao Jiaxuan Cao Jiaxuan China and Germany have pledged to elevate ties as they seek to rebalance relations amid global uncertainties. Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Beijing on Wednesday that he was “willing to work together with the chancellor to continuously advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany to new levels”. Merz echoed Xi’s call to strengthen bilateral relations, according to state broadcaster CCTV. “The more turbulent and complex... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344618/meeting-merz-xi-urges-efforts-advance-china-germany-ties-new-levels https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344618/meeting-merz-xi-urges-efforts-advance-china-germany-ties-new-levels Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:34:57 +0000 Josh Sims Josh Sims Andrea Zagato says that, when you’re 106 years old, you think very carefully before risking your reputation. “It’s a lot of history to protect,” says the CEO of the legendary Italian coachbuilding company that bears his family name. Zagato was founded by his grandfather Ugo in 1919, and would go on to lend its styling skills to the likes of Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin and Lamborghini; and to make classic versions of the Ferrari 575 GTZ, Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa and BMW... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3343459/andrea-zagato-us3-million-capricorn-01-italian-coachbuilder-zagatos-first-hypercar https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3343459/andrea-zagato-us3-million-capricorn-01-italian-coachbuilder-zagatos-first-hypercar Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney It’s 12 months to the day since Lucky With You ended a long winning drought in The TVB Cup (1,200m) and Luke Ferraris is optimistic history can repeat at Sha Tin on Saturday. Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s consistent galloper relished dropping back from Group One company to strike in the race last year, before backing it up at his next start to notch back-to-back victories. Last year’s TVB Cup was a Class One but Saturday is an extended Class Two, which will be Lucky With You’s first start in the grade... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3343452/luke-ferraris-banks-history-repeating-lucky-you-defends-tvb-cup-crown https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3343452/luke-ferraris-banks-history-repeating-lucky-you-defends-tvb-cup-crown Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:30:15 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Style by SCMP celebrated its 20th anniversary with a star-studded party at Grand Majestic Sichuan on Wednesday, attended by the likes of Hong Kong luminaries like designer Vivienne Tam and entrepreneur Kevin Poon, celebrities Elva Ni and Grace Chan, and star athletes Ryan Choi and Cecilia Yeung. Over two decades of editorial excellence were on full display in a special exhibition showcasing the cultural milestones that have come to shape luxury fashion – and the pages of our magazine – over the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3343297/inside-style-scmps-star-studded-20th-anniversary-party-bmw-saicho-and-more https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3343297/inside-style-scmps-star-studded-20th-anniversary-party-bmw-saicho-and-more Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:11:20 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Style by SCMP turns 20 this year. In celebration of this momentous milestone, our special anniversary issue hitting news-stands this Friday, February 13, features many bright talents who have helped make Hong Kong – and the wider Asia region – a creative powerhouse over the past two decades. That includes pre-eminent tastemakers like designer Barney Cheng and supermodel Qiqi Yam, as well as next-gen talents like Andrew and Tate Mok of local creative duo OffgodTate. As we sit back and ready... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3342875/style-scmp-turns-20-we-look-back-our-archive-covers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3342875/style-scmp-turns-20-we-look-back-our-archive-covers Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:15:25 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings German companies are turning towards investments in China as they lose confidence in the United States over President Donald Trump’s policies, but they still see obstacles in the world’s second-largest economy, according to an executive at a German chamber of commerce. That landscape would form the backdrop of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s planned visit to China later this month, said Oliver Oehms, executive director and board member of the German Chamber of Commerce in North China. Merz... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342667/stung-trumps-policies-german-multinationals-cautiously-pivot-towards-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3342667/stung-trumps-policies-german-multinationals-cautiously-pivot-towards-china Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:22:18 +0000 Jay Rooney Jay Rooney Can Little Paradise follow in the footsteps of some of the best Classic Mile winners and progress to superstardom? On the strength of his explosive victory on Sunday, when he overcame a horrific run in the first half of the straight to dispose of what many rated as a strong crop of four-year-olds with ease, it’s hard to say no. Stepping up to the mile for the first time, Jimmy Ting Koon-ho’s stable star was in danger of being the hard luck story of the race when he was second last on the turn... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3342132/classic-mile-hero-little-paradise-next-big-thing-hong-kong-racing https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/racing/article/3342132/classic-mile-hero-little-paradise-next-big-thing-hong-kong-racing Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:11:57 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Major international marques, from Tesla to Volkswagen, continued to lose market share in mainland China, as consumers increasingly favoured new domestic electric vehicle (EV) models equipped with hi-tech features. But in 2026, foreign carmakers are expected to stage a comeback when they launch models with innovative technologies, which are expected to attract buyers in spite of sluggish consumer demand, according to industry officials and analysts. “Finally, foreign OEMs [original equipment... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3340887/major-foreign-carmakers-set-stage-comeback-china-year-analysts https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3340887/major-foreign-carmakers-set-stage-comeback-china-year-analysts Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:00:24 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Neil Denslow Brian Rhoads,Neil Denslow The European Union resolved a long-running dispute with China over electric vehicle (EV) production subsidies by opening a way for carmakers to avoid tariffs. Duties will be waived if car companies set minimum prices “adequate to eliminate the injurious effects of the subsidies”, the European Commission said on Monday (see SCMP Quick Digest). Investment plans in the EU and possible limits on import volumes will also be among factors weighed by officials considering pricing proposals. All offers... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3339728/china-eu-deal-evs-marks-rare-agreement-frosty-relations https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3339728/china-eu-deal-evs-marks-rare-agreement-frosty-relations Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:00:57 +0000