TOPIC

Automotive industry

Automotive industry
News about the global automotive industry with a focus on developments that matter most for the China market.
The Maextro S800 recorded more than 2,100 deliveries in mainland China last month. Photo: Getty Images
Electric & new energy vehicles

Luxury EV built with Huawei tops Porsche’s Panamera and BMW’s 7 Series in China

Chinese carmakers gain confidence in the premium segment as Maextro S800 – developed by Huawei and JAC Group – tops sales above US$100,000.

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China trade

As Germany’s trade deficit with China nears new high, analysts warn of backlash

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China-EU relations

China slaps tariffs on EU cheese and cream amid trade row

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s approval for L3 self-driving cars to stimulate slowing mainland market

Chinese carmakers could sell about 270,000 semi-autonomous vehicles next year, representing 1 per cent of the total market, Daiwa says.

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Semi-autonomous cars with L3 technology are likely to spur sales on the mainland next year. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Discriminatory and egregious: China blasts EU’s subsidy crackdown

Commerce authorities vow to defend firms such as Nuctech and CRRC, while Beijing continues talks with Brussels over EV tariffs.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD ups the ante on L3 autonomous cars, begins testing for mass production

BYD has pinned its hopes on preliminary self-driving technologies to bolster its sales in mainland China.

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China-Latin America relations

BYD plans giant Brazil factory to scale electric bus and truck production

The new plant would dwarf BYD’s current Brazil operation, lifting output from about 600 units over a decade to up to 7,000 a year.

BYD’s confidence in Brazil was reinforced in October with the opening of the company’s large passenger vehicle factory in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Photo: Handout
European Union

EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban in victory for its carmakers

Europe pivots to bolstering its crisis-hit auto sector in a major green policy retreat.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng, Li Auto given approval to test ‘hands-off’ L3 cars amid slowing market

Deregulation to legalise L3 technology represents a leap forward in commercialising autonomous driving systems in China.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Beijing approves first L3 autonomous cars in leap towards ‘hands-off’ driving

The cars, both pure EVs, can only navigate urban streets and highways in designated areas, according to the ministry.

The Baidu-BAIC Arcfox robotaxi is seen on the road. Photo: Shutterstock Images
China-Latin America relations

Mexico stands by its decision for 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods

Government defends tariff package as vital to supporting domestic workers and producers, and not aimed at curbing imports from China.

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Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard on Monday defended his country’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports from China. Photo: AP
Volkswagen

Can Volkswagen regain its China market share with its US$3.5 billion bet?

Volkswagen, which once had 50 per cent of China’s vehicle market, has invested €3 billion in its largest R&D centre outside its home country in Hefei.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Xpeng steps up ‘go global’ drive with Malaysian assembly hub for Southeast Asia

The Guangzhou-based company said it would partner with Malaysia’s EP Manufacturing to locally assemble intelligent EVs.

Electric & new energy vehicles

High-end car sales sink in China as cheaper brands trump European marques

Many buyers were swayed by a 20,000 yuan (US$2,830 ) trade-in subsidy offered by the government for purchasing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Porsche’s all-electric Macan Turbo sports car is displayed at the 17th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2024) on April 23, 2025. Photo: Shutterstock
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV battery giants wade into shipbuilding to bolster Beijing’s dominance

CATL and Gotion add momentum to China’s efforts to build new-energy vessels amid an accelerated decarbonisation drive.

A vessel powered by CATL batteries. Photo: Handout
Autonomous vehicles

Chinese robotaxi firm Pony.ai bets on ‘asset-light’ strategy for growth

Firm sees working with partners as the best way to expand service in the mainland and beyond.

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China-Latin America relations

Mexico slaps tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese goods as US trade pact review looms

Beijing criticises the duties as damaging to its interests, as Mexico defends them as vital to support domestic producers.

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China-EU relations

Brussels ramps up China de-risking while France and Germany pull further apart

Raids, probes and new screening rules collide with widening splits between Paris and Berlin over how tough to be on Beijing.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in Beijing on Monday. Photo: DPA
Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico lawmakers approve tariff increase on Chinese and other Asian imports

The move, which still requires Senate approval, would affect goods like cars, clothes and steel from China, India, South Korea and elsewhere.

China-EU relations

China leans on German carmakers to help break Brussels tariff deadlock

Commerce vice-minister urges German industry leaders to leverage their clout to push the European Commission towards a compromise on the anti-subsidy probe.

China-EU relations

‘A big opportunity’: why Spain’s new electric car plan hands an opening to China

Madrid’s ambitious strategy may hinge on attracting more Chinese investment, giving China’s firms greater leverage, analysts say.

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The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric car is displayed at the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Chinese electric vehicle brands have rapidly gained ground in Europe in recent months. Photo: Xinhua
Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD founder bets on new tech to win back customers as sales decelerate

Company is pinning its hopes on a 12,000-strong R&D team to come up with technological breakthroughs.

In 2022, BYD dethroned Tesla for the first time as the world’s largest EV builder. Photo: Reuters
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla’s China plant sees shipment surge ahead of subsidy expiry

However, the rebound may not be sufficient to help the company reclaim lost ground in China, an analyst says.

China manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV makers post stellar sales before incentives are phased out next year

Leapmotor leads the pack with record sales for a seventh month in a row, while Voyah and Zeekr put on a strong performance.

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Voyah’s monthly sales rose for a fourth straight month, with deliveries rising 16.2 per cent month on month to 20,005 vehicles. Photo: Xinhua
Robotics

Changan Auto becomes latest Chinese carmaker to join humanoid robot bandwagon

State-owned carmaker invests US$31.8 million to take a 50 per cent stake in Changan Tianshu Intelligent Robotics Technology.

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Xpeng’s next-generation Iron humanoid robot interacts with the media during a tour of the company’s headquarters in Guangzhou last month. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

China EV profit woes fuel market anxiety over challenging 2026

Investors quickly turn against EV makers as earnings fall short, and next year looks even more difficult, analysts say.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers step on gas abroad amid weakening mainland sales

A growing export drive by Chinese EV makers aims to soak up overcapacity and secure better profits as incentives fade.

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