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Automotive industry

Automotive industry
News about the global automotive industry with a focus on developments that matter most for the China market.
Geely vehicles are on display at Auto France in Paris on April 28. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Oil shock fuels BEVs to 9 of top 10 in sales, with China brands overtaking Tesla

Battery EVs take nine of top 10 sales spots amid surging oil prices, giving local brands the edge and pushing Tesla down April charts.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla lures budget-conscious Chinese buyers ahead of state visit by Trump

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese smart cars set to control 20% of western European market by 2028: JPMorgan

Electric & new energy vehicles

Tech and pricing edge behind China’s SUV surge against BMW, Mercedes and Audi

Chinese SUVs storm the premium segment with fresh momentum, giving German marques their toughest test in years.

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The NIO ES9 on display during the opening day of the Beijing Auto Show in Beijing on April 24, 2026. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

EVs surge in Bolivia amid fuel shortages, ‘junk gas’ scandal

The number of electric vehicles in Bolivia climbed from 500 to 3,352 in the last five years, and is set to triple again as broad appeal rises.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s EV import curbs to protect local sector criticised for inconsistency

The move contradicts the country’s aim to grow the EV sector and use more renewable energy sources, analysts say.

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim touches the first locally made electric vehicle, Proton’s e.MAS 7, at its launch in Kuala Lumpur on December 16, 2024. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla China posts 36% sales rise, as local rivals nip at heels

April sales rose on a year-on-year basis but dropped from the previous month, indicating fiercer competition from domestic brands.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s move to cut EV payment cycles may push weaker carmakers out: S&P

China’s weaker EV makers may soon be running on fumes as tighter payment cycles squeeze cash flow and curb price wars.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV battery giants thrive while carmakers’ profits shrink amid price wars

Carmakers’ profit margin stood at 3.2 per cent in the first quarter, versus 6 per cent for downstream industrial firms, according to CPCA.

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CATL’s advanced battery module technology is displayed at the Auto China show in Beijing that ended on May 3. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese start-up ZYT eyes semi-autonomous truck production this year

DJI spin-off is providing autopilot systems to six manufacturers, as fuel-saving abilities gain importance amid oil supply shock.

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Vehicles are displayed in ZYT’s booth at the Beijing Auto Show. Photo: Weibo
US-China relations

Exiting China market a ‘self-inflicted wound’ for US tech, think tank warns

ITIF argues that regional sales help finance domestic R&D and block local rivals, while warning that a full exit would be a self-inflicted wound to innovation leadership.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | ‘Made in Europe’ law sets stage for an economic showdown with China

The proposed legislation is seen as discriminatory to China and could also hurt Chinese interests in non-EU European states.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD, Geely benefit from overseas orders amid Middle East energy shock

Retail sales of EVs fall 11 per cent year on year in April to 614,000 units – but foreign markets are providing a boost.

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A journalist takes pictures of the Geely E5 electric compact SUV car presented at the launch of Geely Auto France in Paris on April 28. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Shifting gears: how foreign giants aim to catch up in China’s EV era

International carmakers launch tailored models and accelerate R&D as they scramble to match the speed and sophistication of domestic rivals.

Illustration: Henry Wong
Donald Trump

Trump to put 25% tariffs on EU cars, says bloc not complying with trade deal

The status of the pact was first put in doubt after the Supreme Court ruled the president lacked legal authority for his duties on EU goods.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Lights, camera, traction: China’s EV race rolls out film-projecting headlights

Ultra-fast charging technology and a wave of smart features are helping Chinese EVs win over overseas buyers.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Geely joins Chery, BYD in profit slide as China car sales plunge

Three most profitable carmakers last year all report double-digit profit declines, but rosier export forecast improves outlook.

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People view a Geely vehicle in Paris on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Semiconductors

Hit from memory costs spreads from smartphones to BYD EVs in China

Carmaker explicitly cites sky-high memory costs as it raises the price of a high-end driver-assistance system by 21 per cent.

Future of transport

Video | Cleaner, cheaper EV trucks gain traction in China

The energy shock from the Middle East conflict is transforming China’s trucking and logistics sector.

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD, Geely tap global EV demand to escape China price wars

Shares of BYD and Geely rose after they released earnings as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown boosts global demand for Chinese-made electric vehicles.

A BYD Seagull electric vehicle on display at Auto China in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
BYD

BYD, China’s EV king, posts a 55% slump in first-quarter profit

The company reports a net profit of nearly 4.09 billion yuan (US$590 million) and revenue of 150.2 billion yuan.

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Visitors check a BYD Seagull electric vehicle at Auto China in Beijing on April 26. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV and battery makers race to cut charging times to under 10 minutes

Fast-charging technology takes centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show as firms unveil batteries promising unprecedented speed.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese robotaxi firms accelerate global roll-outs as cost edge drives expansion

Pony AI and WeRide harness China’s supply chain strength to cut costs, boost efficiency and scale robotaxi fleets worldwide.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s CATL touts landmark energy-storage order for sodium-ion batteries

Deal for massive grid storage system shows that CATL has ‘overcome all the challenges in mass-producing sodium-ion batteries’, company says.

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Electricity arcs in a cold-environment demonstration of CATL’s sodium-ion battery technology during Auto China 2026 in Beijing on April 25, 2026. Photo: AP Photo
Electric & new energy vehicles

Li Auto targets BMW and Mercedes with premium SUVs in Middle East, Asia-Pacific

Beijing-based EV maker expects overseas deliveries to account for 30 per cent of its total by 2030, president Ma Donghui says.

Li Auto’s flagship L9 SUV is displayed at the ongoing Auto China in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng sets August goal to overtake Tesla’s self-driving tech in China

Carmaker bets on training AI in China’s dense urban roads to build a competitive advantage for expansion into Europe and Southeast Asia.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers target global expansion at Auto China amid energy shock

Most carmakers taking part in the exhibition have either debuted models designed for export markets or announced expansion plans.

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