TOPIC

Automotive industry

Automotive industry
News about the global automotive industry with a focus on developments that matter most for the China market.
People visit the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in April 2023. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

China to crack down on unfair EV price cuts to stabilise industry

China vows to combat unfair pricing and misinformation by EV players, as it aims to stabilise growth and profitability of the sector.

Fame and celebrity

Hamilton, Ferrari and Richard Mille: a winning formula in Shanghai

Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng CEO says flying car market will be bigger than EVs over next two decades

6
Electric & new energy vehicles

Self navigating to the top: why China leads the global autonomous-driving race

After stamping their authority on EV technology, Chinese firms make strides in adding self-driving features.

videocam
11
Illustration by Lau Ka-kuen
United States

Trump and Canada’s PM Carney ease tensions with ‘productive’ call

The US president says the two leaders have agreed to meet soon after Canada’s general election in April.

videocam
7
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV industry pressed to accelerate global expansion amid tariffs

Companies should balance exports and overseas production while seeking to achieve win-wins with foreign partners, former vice-minister says.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

EV expert Xu Fuguo returns to China after leaving US$30 million project in Japan

Engineer returns as professor at Dalian university as Japan’s auto industry struggles to keep up with Chinese innovation and market momentum.

videocam
8
Xu Fuguo, whose research has focused on EV control engineering, started as a professor in the mechanical engineering school at Dalian University of Technology after spending years researching in the Japanese auto sector. Photo: Xinhua
Canada

Era of close ties with US ‘over’, Canada PM says, as Trump asks to talk

Mark Carney says he expects to speak to the US president in ‘a day or two’, and that Canada will retaliate against planned US car tariffs.

videocam
18
Banking & finance

Cathie Wood sees AI driving US$10 trillion global robotaxi revolution

The CEO of Ark Investment says the market will help propel a near 10-fold jump in Tesla’s share price to US$2,600 in five years.

Canada

Canada PM Carney calls Trump car tariffs a ‘direct attack’ on his country

The prime minister says his government will defend Canadian workers and companies, and the US president’s trade war is hurting Americans.

videocam
8
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump presses ahead with 25% car tariffs, ratcheting up trade war

Trump’s move is expected to drive up vehicle prices and send shock waves through the industry worldwide.

videocam
18
Brand new cars at a storage lot in Richmond, California. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Unaffected by EU’s tariffs on EVs, China’s hybrid-vehicle exports surge to bloc

With Brussels’ tariffs not a problem, China’s plug-in hybrid EVs have become the fastest-growing Chinese export item to the 27-nation bloc.

videocam
12
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Xiaomi raises US$5.5 billion to accelerate expansion

The Beijing-based firm sold 800 million new shares at HK$53.25 each, a 6.6 per cent discount to the closing price on Monday.

videocam
Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD launches a ‘Model 3 killer’ at half the price of Tesla’s top seller

The Qin L and Xpeng’s Mona M03, which are priced around US$16,500, arrive as the US company’s mainland sales are dropping.

15
BYD Qin L EV starts at 119,800 yuan (US$16,526). Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD’s Denza unveils N9 SUV to challenge Mercedes, BMW in premium EV segment

The N9 starts from 389,800 (US$60,860), equipped with BYD’s autonomous driving systems and can support on-vehicle drone systems.

BYD’s premium brand Denza launches its most expensive model called N9 in Shenzhen on March 21, 2025. Photo: Handout
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmaker Geely’s profit soars 213% driven by EVs, asset sales

Geely sold 2.18 million vehicles last year, of which 1.76 million units were delivered on the mainland while 414,522 units were exported.

Technology

Opinion | Forget Doge, it’s Musk’s Tesla that looks in need of a rescue

Once an audacious pioneer in electric cars, Tesla is being out-competed by cheaper, more innovative rivals and suffering by association with Musk.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Xpeng trims losses on 23% revenue rise

The carmaker expects revenue to increase by up to 140 per cent from a year earlier in the first quarter.

Xpeng X9 electric vehicles at a port in Guangzhou. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Nio, battery king CATL join forces on swapping stations

CATL, which is planning a US$5 billion Hong Kong share listing, will invest up to US$345.6 million in Nio.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Volkswagen to launch 11 new models in China as it eyes 4 million units by 2030

The new models will come with high-performance digital features, such as autonomous driving capabilities and over-the-air updates.

videocam
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla plans cheaper model to put brakes on China sales slide

The US company’s share of the world’s largest EV market has dropped to 4.3 per cent from more than 16 per cent in 2022.

People check out a Tesla electric car at the company’s delivery centre in Beijing on February 27, 2025. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla pins hope on refreshed Model Y to revive faltering sales in China

Orders for the revamped model, which starts from US$36,292 have crossed 200,000 units, according to Chinese tech site 36kr.

Customers check a Tesla Model Y at a delivery centre in Beijing on February 27, 2025. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

1.2 million EVs were sold worldwide last month, mostly in China

About three-quarters of the 1.2 million EVs and hybrids sold worldwide in February were delivered in China, according to Rho Motion.

5
South Korea

South Korea’s Kia disavows advert poking fun at ‘crazy’ Elon Musk

After a cheeky ad featuring a bumper sticker about Elon Musk went viral, the carmaker quickly clarified that it had no part in the campaign.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Zeekr to take on BMW, Mercedes in SUV segment

Zeekr will unveil the 9X Grand hybrid SUV next month and price it at the 1 million yuan (US$137,840) level.

Zeekr, Chinese carmaker Geely’s premium EV brand, will launch a luxury SUV priced at 1 million yuan. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s electric dream? A race to EV supremacy

Government incentives are driving a surge in sales, but will they be enough to shift consumer habits in Southeast Asia’s largest auto market?

Visitors admire two-wheeled EVs at a motor show in Indonesia last month. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s February sales slump as China buyers turn to BYD, Xiaomi, Xpeng

Sales of the Model Y and Model 3 on the mainland sink 51.5 per cent month-on-month to 30,688 units in February.

videocam
15
Donald Trump

Trump grants US carmakers 1 month exemption from new Canada, Mexico tariffs

Trump’s pause comes amid concerns that his trade war could harm US manufacturers.

videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement