China's EV Sector Faces Consolidation and Overseas Expansion
Sales of new energy vehicles in China slowed in 2025 as market concentration and a price war increase; domestic firms are expanding production and exports to sustain margins and growth.
Chinese automakers to outsell Japanese in 2025
Data project Chinese automakers will sell c.27m vehicles worldwide in 2025 versus c.25m for Japanese firms, supported by domestic NEV demand and rising exports to Europe and emerging markets.
Xpeng G7 EREV to launch in Q1 2026 with 1,704 km range
Xpeng will launch the G7 EREV in Q1 2026, featuring 430 km CLTC electric range, 1,704 km combined range, a 55.8 kWh battery and 800V platform.
Allegations that Xpeng removed radars from G6 models
Report alleges Xpeng removed front millimetre-wave radars from G6 models without clear customer notification, prompting owner complaints, regulatory legal concerns and industry debate over sensor-based safety trade-offs.
IRS raises 2026 standard mileage rate to 72.5 cents
The IRS set the 2026 standard mileage rate at 72.5 cents per business mile; medical or moving is 20.5 and charitable 14 cents. Organisations may adopt alternative rates.
SureCam Vantage AI Dash Cam for Commercial Fleets
Overview of SureCam Vantage, a multi-camera dash-cam system integrating AI driver coaching, telematics and cloud evidence upload to reduce crashes, manage risk and support insurance and compliance.
Schaeffler to present powertrain innovations at CES 2026
Schaeffler will exhibit software‑defined vehicle architectures, magnet‑free powertrain components, modular EV power electronics, DC/DC converters and integrated battery and drive modules at CES 2026.
BYD Dolphin to launch in South Korea at US$14,000 in H1 2026
BYD will introduce the Dolphin in South Korea in H1 2026 at about US$14,000, subject to final launch timing and subsidy policy; model offers two battery ranges and fast charging.
GM leads US automakers with 2025 share gains
GM's shares rose over 55% in 2025, driven by stronger-than-expected earnings, cash generation, share buybacks and analyst upgrades; executives reduced personal holdings while buybacks continue.
KIST workshop showcases neuromorphic computing
KIST hosted a workshop demonstrating neuromorphic chips for autonomous systems, highlighting energy-efficient, parallel processing and research collaborations on AI hardware, semiconductor fabrication and ultra-large-scale computation.
FAW to invest US$530m in Leapmotor
FAW will acquire 5% of Leapmotor for ¥3.74bn (US$530m), becoming a strategic shareholder; the partnership will fund R&D, sales expansion and joint PHEV/EREV development.
Waymo deploys software update after San Francisco blackout
Waymo issued a software update after a San Francisco power outage left several driverless taxis stranded; the patch improves vehicle decision-making at unlit intersections and emergency coordination with city agencies.
Honda to Acquire Full Ownership of Ohio EV Battery Plant
Honda will acquire factory buildings and assets from LG Energy Solution for about $2.9bn; the joint venture will lease and operate the facility, with closing expected by February 2026.
Foxtron launches Bria, Taiwan-made mass-market EV
Foxtron launched Bria, a Taiwan-developed mass-market EV aimed at export markets, priced about US$28,600–36,540; the launch follows Luxgen acquisition and aligns with Foxconn's broader EV strategy.
SGMW and Huawei unveil Baojun Huajing S SUV
SGMW and Huawei introduced the Baojun Huajing S plug‑in hybrid six‑seat SUV, integrating Huawei driving and cockpit systems, targeting the 150,000 yuan market with multiple battery and range options.
Xpeng to launch 2026 P7+ BEV and EREV in 36 countries
Xpeng will sell the 2026 P7+ as BEV and EREV in 36 countries; BEV is rated 725 km CLTC, EREV 430 km pure-electric and 1,550 km combined (CLTC).
Mercedes-Benz acquires 3% stake in Geely-backed Qianli
Mercedes-Benz acquired a 3% stake in Geely-backed Qianli after integrating its autonomous-driving business; Qianli will consolidate technology and management to pursue model‑centric systems, with no deployment timelines disclosed.
CATL to deploy sodium-ion batteries at scale in 2026
CATL announced large-scale 2026 deployment of sodium-ion batteries across battery-swap systems, passenger and commercial vehicles, and energy storage after passing China’s national standard and scaling production.
Changan exports Deepal S05 SUVs from Thailand to Europe
Changan exported 500 Deepal S05 SUVs from its Rayong EV plant, which opened with 100,000 annual capacity (1.9bn yuan investment); European pricing set at €38,990–€44,990.
Geely subsidiary sues Sunwoda over battery defects
A Geely unit sued Sunwoda for 2.31bn yuan over alleged battery defects; Sunwoda disputes systemic issues, citing no faults for other clients, while replacement costs may affect its finances.
MediaTek and Denso to co-develop automotive SoCs
MediaTek and Denso will co-develop automotive-grade SoCs for ADAS and cockpit computing, targeting ISO 26262 safety levels and multi-sensor fusion to accelerate OEM integration and reduce development risk.
SiEngine starts mass production of 7nm ADAS chips
SiEngine has commenced mass production of 7nm ADAS chips AD1000 and AD800, offering up to 512 TOPS per chip, ASIL‑D safety compliance and scalable multi‑chip performance for vehicle autonomy.
Tier IV to lead NEDO-backed autonomous driving dataset
Tier IV, supported by NEDO, will assemble large-scale real and synthetic multimodal sensor datasets and an AI data platform to support autonomous vehicle development and validation in Japan.
China publishes 2025 hydrogen fuel cell vehicle report
Report assesses China’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry, citing about 30,000 vehicles, over 70% component localisation, production declines and persistent cost, technology and infrastructure constraints.
China launches NEV intelligent lighting quality initiative
China has launched a coordinated initiative, led by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, to set quality and reliability frameworks for intelligent lighting and vision systems in the NEV market.
Verkor opens 16 GWh battery gigafactory in France
Verkor opened a 16 GWh gigafactory in Bourbourg, moving research from Grenoble; commercial supply is planned for 2026 and the company targets 50 GWh capacity by 2030.
China mandates no fire, no explosion EV battery safety
China finalised 294 national standards, making EV power-battery no-fire, no-explosion safety requirements mandatory; GB 38031-2025 takes effect 1 July 2026 with transition to 2027.
Dongfeng produces 10,000th M-Hero M817 PHEV
Dongfeng produced its 10,000th M-Hero M817 PHEV, equipped with Huawei Qiankun ADS 4.0; model offers 215 km electric range, 1,365 km total range and is exported to the Middle East.
Geely unit sues Sunwoda for 2.31bn yuan
Viridi E-Mobility, a Geely unit, has sued Sunwoda for ¥2.313bn alleging defective battery cells supplied 2021-2023; related recalls and customer concerns have affected adoption decisions.
Volkswagen ID. Unyx 07: 231 hp and 558 km range
Leaked details show the Volkswagen ID. Unyx 07, co-developed with Xpeng on the CEA platform, features a 170 kW motor, 59.9 kWh battery and a claimed 558 km range.
Sunwoda and Zhongwei to develop 60 Ah solid-state EV cells
Sunwoda and Zhongwei signed a framework agreement to co-develop cathode materials and 60 Ah solid-state EV cells, aiming to integrate resources and accelerate commercialisation; financial terms were not disclosed.
Google Cloud and Qualcomm integrate Gemini with Snapdragon
Google Cloud and Qualcomm plan to integrate Gemini AI into Snapdragon platforms to enable on‑device multimodal vehicle AI, supporting infotainment, predictive navigation and driver‑assist features with cloud synchronisation.
TASKING joins Open RISC-V automotive chip alliance
TASKING has become a core member of the Open RISC‑V Automotive Chip Innovation Alliance to develop standardised RISC‑V toolchains and support automotive safety and security compliance.
Blue Cloud Softech, ConnectM MoU for EdgeAI vehicle SoC
Blue Cloud Softech and ConnectM signed an MoU to co-develop an EdgeAI automotive SoC, targeting vehicle cybersecurity and AI, with 50:50 revenue sharing and a projected US$50m five-year pipeline.
Innoviz launches compact, lower-cost automotive LiDAR
Innoviz introduced InnovizThree, a smaller, lighter and over 35% less expensive automotive LiDAR that Innoviz says offers >250m range, lower power consumption and broader application potential.
Deepal Auto raises ¥6.122bn in Series C funding
Deepal Auto secured ¥6.122bn from Changan, Chongqing Yufu and CMB to finance electric and intelligent-vehicle R&D and to support second-generation models planned for 2026.
Court awards 2m yuan to BYD in defamation ruling
A Chinese court ordered defendants to pay BYD 2 million yuan for spreading false information, requiring cessation of activity and removal of harm; the decision is a first-instance ruling.
Dongan develops Euro VII-compliant 1.5-litre hybrid engine
Harbin Dongan's M15NTH 1.5-litre turbo engine meets Euro VII and China VII standards and targets plug-in hybrid applications with Miller cycle, cooled EGR and direct injection.
Xpeng P7+ EREV spotted ahead of 2026 launch
Xpeng will launch the P7+ EREV in 2026, a 5.07m sedan with a 1.5T range extender, 180kW motor, 49.2kWh LFP battery, 325km CLTC range and 2250 TOPS.
Geely Galaxy V900 EREV MPV opens pre-orders
Geely has opened pre-orders for the V900 EREV MPV at 99 yuan; it features Super AI range‑extender technology, dual motors, up to 1,200 km combined range and battery options.
Poland to increase e-TOLL rates from January 2026
Poland will increase e-TOLL rates from 1 January 2026 for heavy goods vehicles and buses; adjustment follows statutory annual price update and raises minimum guarantees for deferred payment accounts.
Harman to acquire ZF's ADAS unit for €1.5bn
Harman will buy ZF’s ADAS business for €1.5bn, acquiring compute platforms, cameras, radar and software; transaction, subject to approvals, targeting completion in H2 2026 with 3,750 staff transfers.
AI and edge computing in EV battery management
AI and edge computing enable intelligent battery management systems that predict degradation, improve state-of-charge and state-of-health accuracy, process data on-board to reduce latency and support predictive maintenance.
Samsung SDI and KG Mobility to co-develop EV battery packs
Samsung SDI and KG Mobility signed an MOU to co-develop battery packs using 46-series cylindrical cells, combining R&D and commercialisation efforts to support future KGM electric vehicles.
Connected Commercial Vehicle Protocol for India's Highways
Government-led CCV protocol seeks to standardise vehicle-to-infrastructure data, supporting electric freight corridors, interoperability, security and phased pilots to enable scalable, data-driven highway operations.
Uber and Lyft to trial Baidu robotaxis in London
Uber and Lyft will trial Baidu’s Apollo Go RT6 robotaxis in London in 2026, pending regulatory approval; pilots aim to gather safety and performance data under Automated Vehicles Act 2024.
Kinetic Watts & Volts, Jio Things partner on EV connectivity
Kinetic Watts & Volts has partnered with Jio Things to integrate voice-assist, IoT connectivity and cloud telematics into its electric scooters, enabling diagnostics, remote management and fleet performance monitoring.