Xiaomi’s team has been showered with praise in recent months and has probably become used to reading nothing but positive headlines. However, the Chinese carmaker is now hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, after the first major accident involving the SU7 sedan resulted in three fatalities. The incident has cast a shadow over the tech giant’s automotive ambitions and raised tough questions about the safety and reliability of advanced driver-assistance systems.

On March 29, a Xiaomi SU7 was traveling in China with three passengers onboard. The vehicle was driving along the Dezhou–Shangrao Expressway in Anhui Province with its Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system engaged, maintaining a steady speed of 116 km/h (72 mph). As it approached a construction zone and a lane closed off with barriers, the SU7 struck a concrete divider at 97 km/h (60 mph), sparking a fire that ultimately engulfed the car.

Read: Xiaomi Aims To Sell More EVs In China Than All German Brands Combined

Shortly after the crash, Xiaomi released a timeline detailing the moments leading up to the collision. At 10:44:24 p.m., the SU7’s Navigate on Autopilot system issued a warning—“Obstacle ahead”—and began braking. One second later, the driver took control, steering left by 22.06 degrees and applying 31% brake pressure. Another second later, they adjusted slightly to the right by 1.06 degrees and increased braking to 38%. Despite these apparent efforts to avoid the crash, the vehicle struck the concrete barrier.

The impact immediately triggered the eCall emergency system. Within 20 seconds, the registered owner of the SU7 was contacted and confirmed he was not the driver. An ambulance was dispatched and arrived around 11 p.m., but tragically, all three occupants had already died.

The Xiaomi SU7 vehicle in China was driving at 116km/h in NOA on the highway, with the last speed reported to be 97km/h just before the collision with the guardrail.

A fire broke out after the collision, killing all three female college students in the vehicle.

Xiaomi issued a… pic.twitter.com/nxHGGYXhOR

— Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) April 1, 2025

Xiaomi says it is fully cooperating with local investigators to determine the cause of the crash. According to Reuters, which cited reporting from the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer, the father of one of the victims was told by local police that the car key failed to unlock the doors after the impact. In a statement, Xiaomi said it has not yet been able to confirm whether the doors could be opened at the time of the accident.

Shares in the Chinese technology giant fell 5% after word of the crash became public. Company boss Lei Jun has vowed to “respond to the concerns of families and society,” while investigating the crash.

Photos Weibo / Shine

With a constant stream of electric vehicles pouring out of China , trying to keep track of them all is starting to feel like a full-time job. There’s always something new vying for attention, but every now and then, one stands out from the crowd. One of the more intriguing entries, a lightweight electric sports car that first appeared back in 2022 as the SC-01, is now resurfacing—this time ready for production.

Recently rebranded as the JMEV01, the coupe is finally set to hit the Chinese market on April 15, after spending some time under the radar. Visually, it lands somewhere between the Tesla Roadster and a Lancia Stratos, which is no bad thing.

Read: The SSC SC-01 Is A $42,000 Chinese Electric Sports Car With 429HP

The SC-01 was originally the brainchild of a startup called Small Sports Car (SSC), but it has since found a new identity under the JMEV brand. JMEV itself is part of Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), a Chinese automaker that was once partnered with Renault—at least until the French walked away from the joint venture in 2023. Now, the project is getting financial backing from Xiaomi, as CarnewsChina reports. Welcome to the overlapping Venn diagram that is the Chinese EV industry.

Prices for the JMEV01 are expected to start under 300,000 yuan, or roughly $41,300, and the official launch is scheduled for mid-April.

At a time when most EVs seem to double as workout equipment for suspension engineers, the JMEV01 represents a welcome change. It’s underpinned by a tubular spaceframe chassis and reportedly tips the scales at just 3,009 lbs (1,365 kg). To put that into perspective, the similarly sized MG Cyberster weighs 4,376 lbs (1,985 kg) in its flagship guise, so JMC has clearly done some clever things to keep the weight down.

Range and Performance

We don’t yet have specifics on the battery pack’s capacity, but we do know it’s being sourced from CALB and is expected to deliver up to 323 miles (520 km) of range on the CLTC cycle. That energy feeds a pair of electric motors producing a combined 429 hp (320 kW), good for a 0–62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 3.9 seconds.

The exterior design of the JMEV01 is something to behold. In a world where many EVs look unnecessarily futuristic and are dominated by smooth surfaces and curved lines to aid in aerodynamics, this sports car looks more traditional, and is all the better for it. The front end includes sharp headlights with black surrounds, a large grille and air intakes, and a clamshell-style hood.

From the rear three-quarter angle, the Lancia Stratos inspiration becomes impossible to miss. The JMEV01 features a flat decklid, a tidy lip spoiler, circular taillights, and a blacked-out bumper—details that give it the look of a rally icon filtered through Chinese lens.

More: China’s Giant Space Solar Station Could Beam Endless Power To EVs And Homes

It’s still too early to say whether the JMEV01 will live up to its promise, but on paper, it’s ticking a lot of the right boxes. If nothing else, it’s proof that not every EV coming out of China has to be a 5,000-pound tech pod shaped like a jellybean with lightbars.

As Canada braces for the impact of steep 25% tariffs on vehicles it exports to the United States, a missed opportunity is coming back into focus. Chinese automaker BYD reportedly expressed interest in investing in Canadian manufacturing but backed off after encountering significant pushback. With Trump’s new tariffs set to take effect on April 2, some are now wondering if Canada might need BYD more than it realized.

More: Canada Freezes Musk’s $43M Tesla EV Rebate Claim After Rapid-Fire Sales, Bans Future Subsidies

China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, said moves made by the Canadian government have “seriously dampened” the confidence of Chinese companies to invest locally. For example, three Chinese mineral firms have been ordered to divest their assets, TikTok’s Canadian branch has been closed, and AI firm DeepSeek has been banned, all in the name of national security.

Why Canada Shut the Door on BYD

This hardline approach toward Chinese firms—including BYD—has been framed as a move to protect domestic industry, ensure national security, and align with US concerns. American officials, including former President Biden, had warned that Chinese automakers might try to use Canada as a backdoor into the US market. But with President Trump reimposing tariffs, the rationale for walling off Chinese investment may be shifting.

A recent report by The Logic suggests that if US-Canada trade alignment is no longer a priority, Canada might do well to reconsider its position. Letting BYD invest could bring clear benefits, especially with Canadian auto jobs now potentially at risk.

“BYD had carefully thought about coming to Canada to make investment. But they met huge difficulties, restrictions and obstruction, and they had to give up the idea of investing in Canada. And I heard that they have moved to other countries, and they have been very successful there,” Wang Di told The Globe and Mail.

Read: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

“If BYD was successful in investing in Canada, then I think the result would be the Canadian consumers would have been able to enjoy the EVs with the latest technology, with very good quality and with a cheaper price. Isn’t that a good thing?,” he added.

Too Little, Too Late?

If Trump’s tariffs force car manufacturers to shift more of their production to the United States, countless jobs could be lost throughout Canada’s auto manufacturing sector. Now, it’s Canada that may need BYD more than the Chinese automaker needs it.

However, that ship might have already sailed. According to BYD spokesperson Frank Girardot, BYD does not have any plans for manufacturing in Canada and will simply continue to service the company’s buses that some transit operators in the country use.

New Poll: American Voters Support Federal Investments in Electric Vehicles Broad, Bipartisan Support for EV Investments and Incentives that Lower Costs, Expand Access, and Help the U.S. Beat China in the Race for Auto Manufacturing WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new bipartisan national poll conducted by Meeting Street Insights and Hart Research finds broad public support …

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Modern solar panels are vastly more efficient than those 20 or 30 years ago, but they’re still prevented from operating at peak performance 24/7 by bad weather and nighttime darkness. Just imagine if you could collect all that solar energy uninterrupted from space. Well, China thinks it can.

Chinese scientists plan to build a huge solar power station that will sit more than 20,000 miles (32,000 km) above the surface of the Earth, measuring around 0.6 miles (1 km) across when fully built. In addition to getting access to constant sunlight, space-based solar stations enjoy energy density that’s 10 times greater than what you might get from the roof-mounted solar panels on your house because the sunlight in space is that much more intense.

More: Electric Fiat 500 Drives At Highway Speeds Without Running Down The Battery Thanks to Inductive Charging

Wondering how all those lovely clean Watts are pumped back to Earth? It’s done by converting the electricity into microwave radiation, which is then beamed to a fixed antenna on terra firma, Popular Mechanics explains. And the man behind the technology says it’s no, er, flight of fancy.

“We are working on this project now,” Long Lehao, a rocket scientist and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), told SMCP. “It is as significant as moving the Three Gorges Dam to a geostationary orbit 36,000km (22,370 miles) above the Earth.”

Three Gorges Dam on Yangtze River (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Big Ambitions, Even Bigger Engineering

China’s Three Gorges Dam (pictured above) is a hydroelectric power station that opened in 2012 and whose 100 billion kWh annual power generation capacity makes the Hoover Dam look like a dripping tap. Long claims the energy collected in one year from the space station would be “equivalent to the total amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth.”

More: World’s First Permanently Electrified Road For EV Charging On The Move

The Three Gorges was such a mammoth project that it took 18 years to complete, and there would be no quick turnaround on the solar space station project, either. The massively complex build process required to get all of the solar station’s parts into orbit – including developing a heavy-lift rocket for the job – means it’ll be years before it’s powering our lights and electric cars.

But if it works? It could light up cities, power EVs, and quietly reshape how we think about renewable energy—without ever casting a shadow.

Opening image is a rendering

IM Motors is ready to enter Australia’s rapidly growing EV market, which, let’s face it, is already dominated by Chinese cars. However, the company is making a somewhat strange move with its branding: the vehicles will be marketed under the newly named IM Presented by MG Motor brand. We’ll let that name sink in for a moment—yeah, it doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue. But despite the curious moniker, the company plans to introduce two intriguing models locally.

The IM5 and IM6, which are already on sale in China under the names L6 and LS6, will be the vehicles taking center stage. There’s no official explanation for the name change in Australia, but what we do know is that both cars will be built in right-hand drive from the factory, thanks to a collaboration between SAIC, Alibaba, and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech.

Read: IM Motors LS6 Secures 10,000 Orders In One Week, Offered With Up To 787 HP

At this point, IM Presented by MG Motor—yes, we’re still trying to get used to that—hasn’t provided many specifics about the Australian versions of these cars. However, it’s safe to assume that they’ll likely be very similar to the models already available in China. The sleek IM5 will serve as a rival to the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4, but is longer and wider than both of them, and has been tipped to start at around AU$70,000 (about $44,200 at current exchange rates) while topping out at AU$95,000 (~$60,000).

In China, IM sells the sedan and SUV with 400V, 800V, and 900V electrical architectures and 75 kWh, 83 kWh, and 100 kWh battery packs. Entry-level rear-wheel drive models pump out 290 hp (216 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm), while the flagship versions churn out a monstrous 776 hp (579 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm). The IM5 sedan can reportedly hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.74 seconds, while the SUV needs 3.48 seconds.

Like so many other new EVs out of China, the cabins of the two cars are very tech-focused and come outfitted with plenty of plush materials. Key standouts include a large screen on the console for the climate control, much like what you’ll find in a Porsche Taycan, and then a single panoramic screen for the gauge cluster and infotainment system.

There are also twin wireless phone chargers, cupholders, and several accessories, including a table and a large wireless charging pad that can hold devices or even reading lamps.

“We’re thrilled to introduce IM Presented by MG Motor to the Australian market, setting a new benchmark for luxury electric driving,” MG Motor Australia’s chief executive Peter Ciao said, according to Drive. “With cutting-edge innovation wrapped in elegant design, both the IM5 and IM6 deliver an uncompromising blend of performance, refinement, and range – offering drivers the freedom to go further in absolute comfort. This is the future of premium electric mobility, and we’re proud to bring it to Australia and further extend our EV offering to Australian drivers.”

Honda is betting on automation and artificial intelligence to transform its EV production process in China, reducing its need for floor staff by a hefty 30%. While robots haven’t yet fully replaced human workers, the tech Honda is rolling out—along with similar efforts from companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Dongfeng—suggests a future that might not be so bright for blue-collar workers.

The Japanese automaker recently kicked off production of the all-electric Ye P7 with local joint venture partner Guangzhou Automobile Group. The factory in Guangzhou uses automated guided vehicles, or AGVs, to move important car components throughout the factory, including heavy battery packs. Traditionally, human workers are required to transport parts throughout the factory.

Read: Honda Wants To Crack China’s EV Market With New Ye P7 Dual-Motor Crossover

In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Honda revealed that it’s also using AI to fine-tune the welding process for the Ye P7. The goal? To “reduce fixed costs as much as possible.” The company sees “electrification as an opportunity to overhaul the way we produce vehicles”—a chance to reimagine everything from the ground up.

The Ye P7 is an important vehicle for Honda. In most Western markets, the Japanese car manufacturer has lagged behind many of its competitors in releasing battery-electric vehicles that appeal to the masses. Given that China has quickly become the world’s single largest EV market, the automaker cannot afford to fall behind the competition, or else it could see its Chinese sales dry up.

Much like the S7 introduced earlier this month and built with Dongfeng, the P7 has an 89.8 kWh battery pack, and base models feature a rear motor with 268 hp. A dual-motor version is also available, boasting a combined 469 hp. Rear-wheel drive models have a quoted range of 404 miles (650 km) while the all-wheel drive version can apparently travel up to 385 miles (620 km) between charges.

Toyota is hitting the brakes—slightly—on one of its major EV infrastructure projects in Japan. While the company still plans to move forward with a new battery plant, construction won’t begin as soon as originally expected. The pause comes as Toyota adjusts its EV strategy.

The plant is slated for Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture, and according to local Governor Seitaro Hattori, an agreement on the exact location was supposed to be finalized in April. That timeline has now slipped to sometime in the fall. The facility had been scheduled to start operations in 2028, but the delay could push that date back as well.

Read: Toyota’s Cheapest EV Ever Costs $15,000, Gets 10,000 Orders In 60 Minutes

Toyota is still committed to building the facility, Nikkei Asia reports, but the company is now reevaluating what will actually be produced there. Initially, the plant was intended to manufacture batteries for Toyota’s next generation of electric vehicles, some of which are targeting a range of up to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers).

The shift reflects a broader recalibration of Toyota’s EV ambitions. While global electric car sales are still climbing, they’re not accelerating as fast as some carmakers once projected. That mismatch between forecasts and reality is now prompting the company to rethink its targets.

Back in 2022, Toyota announced it aimed to sell 1.5 million EVs annually by 2026. That number was cut to 1 million in 2023, and most recently trimmed again to just 800,000 units. The company hasn’t abandoned EVs by any stretch, it’s simply adjusting expectations in a market that’s proving to be more complex and less predictable than initially suggested.

Earlier this month, Toyota established a new Chinese subsidiary for Lexus that will develop and build EVs and batteries at a plant in China. The plant will be located in Shanghai and will manufacture several models exclusively for the Chinese market.  

Hyundai is preparing to unveil a new fully electric SUV, specifically designed for the Chinese market. This upcoming model, which remains unnamed for now, is a result of the Beijing Hyundai joint venture, and it recently made its first appearance in an official teaser ahead of its expected launch later this year.

The teaser reveals a camouflaged prototype of the SUV undergoing cold-weather testing. Despite the cover-up, we can catch a glimpse of distinct styling elements that set this SUV apart from the global Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is notably absent in China.

More: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

Even under camouflage wraps, the SUV’s design features some clear visual cues. The headlights are connected by a slender LED strip along the front. The rear sports a muscular shoulder line that flows into a more upright tail, complete with an integrated spoiler. Not to be overlooked are the full-width LED taillights, which stretch toward the sides, enhancing the SUV’s profile.

Hyundai recently opened an R&D center in Shanghai, dedicated to developing electric models specifically for the Chinese market.

Beijing Hyundai

While we’re still waiting for detailed specifications, it’s likely the new SUV will be built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which is shared across their Ioniq and Kia EV lines. This platform supports both single and dual motor setups and can handle battery packs as large as 110.3 kWh, suggesting this SUV could offer impressive range and performance.

More: Any Idea What Hyundai Is Teasing Here?

Currently, Beijing Hyundai’s offerings are limited to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, including popular vehicles like the Sonata and Elantra sedans, the Tucson L and Santa Fe SUVs, and the Mufasa SUV. The only electric model available in China right now is the performance-oriented Ioniq 5 N, imported directly from Hyundai’s global lineup.

We’ll get more details about this new fully electric SUV on March 28. Whether that will be the official debut or just another teaser remains unclear, but for now, the teaser video below will have to do.

What a difference a year makes. Rewind the clock to early 2024 and Tesla’s European arm was basking in the glory of becoming the best-selling electric brand in the region for the whole of 2023, and the first company to put an EV – the Model Y – on top of the the overall sales chart.

Now, fresh sales data from 28 key markets, including the EU, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, shows that not only are Tesla’s sales down, but the American EV brand is also being collectively outperformed by Chinese-owned automakers.

Related: Tesla’s European Sales Have Collapsed, Down 45% As EV Market Surges 31%

Figures from Jato Dynamics reveal Tesla sold 15,700 cars in February 2025, down from 28,100 a year earlier, a drop of 44 percent against an EV market that was up by 26 percent to 164,100 units. Chinese-owned brands clocked up 19,800 sales this February, throwing serious shade in Tesla’s direction and leaving us in no doubt that China is making serious inroads into the European car market. And it’s only just started.

Tesla’s Market Share Takes a Hit

Tesla’s poor performance cut its market share to 9.6 percent, its worst February showing for five years, and the automaker’s year-to-date market share is down from 18.4 percent to 7.7 percent compared with 2024’s numbers. One partial explanation for that is the arrival of the facelifted Model Y ‘Juniper,’ which was revealed in January of this year, but wasn’t immediately available in Europe. It’s only natural that buyers would want to wait for the new-look SUV.

Model Y sales fell 56 percent to 8,800 units, while Model 3 sales fell by a less extreme (but still worrying) 14 percent to 6,800 units, which Jato says indicates Tesla’s overall slide is less to do with anti-Elon Musk sentiment than the imminent arrival of the the new Y.

EV Sales by Brand, Feb 25

VW, Chinese Brands, and the New Wave

Whether the new model can fully reverse the slide remains to be seen, but we doubt it. The Juniper changes aren’t that comprehensive and Chinese brands (and legacy Western ones) are only increasing their attack on Tesla. BYD’s sales grew 94 percent to 4,436, Polestar was up 84 percent to 2,405, and newcomer XPeng logged 1,034 sales, representing an increase of 259 percent from February 2024.

The best-performing brand in terms of EV sales, however, was VW, whose registrations boomed 180 percent to 19,600. The German brand’s ID.4 was the third-best-selling EV behind the Model 3 and Model Y, and VW,’s ID.7 and ID.3 were in fifth and sixth spot, separated from the ID.4 by Renault’s Car of the Year-winning 5.

EV Sales by Model, Feb 25

Xiaomi is determined to become a major global player in the EV industry and to make this happen, it’s recruiting experienced talent from other brands, including at least five senior executives from BMW. They will work at the brand’s research and development center in Europe, although an exact location for this site has yet to be announced.

A search through LinkedIn reveals that Xiaomi hired Rudolf Dittrich from BMW last year to serve as the head of its European R&D center. Dittrich has worked at the German premium automaker for 15 years and also has experience at the Williams and Sauber Formula 1 teams. Additionally, Dusan Sarac has joined Xiaomi’s European operations after several years at BMW and Rolls-Royce.

Read: Xiaomi Aims To Sell More EVs In China Than All German Brands Combined

Reuters understands that Jannis Hellwig has also jumped ship to the Chinese EV brand and will serve as a senior engineer on performance development and integration. The technology giant is also looking for a senior automotive designer, senior automotive exterior designer, and vehicle dynamics engineers in Munich, Germany.

There’s no word on where the technology giant’s European R&D facility will be located, with the brand simply saying the site is “in the process of planning.”

It’s not just talent that Xiaomi is snatching from the Germans. It wants to sell 350,000 EVs in China this year, and if it can hit that target, it will surpass the combined 2024 EV sales of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. That would be quite a feat for the company, particularly since it only started building the electric SU7 sedan this time last year.

Now, with the hypercar-rivaling SU7 Ultra on the market, Xiaomi appears to be going from strength to strength. Moreover, 2025 is expected to be a pivotal year for the firm as it’ll start production and deliveries of the YU7. The new electric SUV undercuts the Tesla Model Y and, given the global demand for high-riding vehicles, should sell in far greater numbers than the SU7 sedan.

The MG4 was one of the first modern Chinese EVs to achieve international success. Not resting on its laurels, MG has been hard at work developing a new generation, and these photos provide us with our first look at it. The brand could have been excused for simply updating the hatch’s lights and bumpers before calling it a day, but it’s actually redesigned the whole car.

Local data reveals the new 4 is slightly larger than the model it replaces. It measures 4,395 mm (173 inches) long, 1,842 mm (72.5 inches) wide, and 1,551 mm (61 inches) tall, and has a 2,750 mm (108.2-inch) wheelbase. This makes it 108 mm (4.2 inches) longer, 6 mm (0.2 inches) wider, and 35 mm (1.3 inches) taller than the first-gen, while the wheelbase has grown by 45 mm (1.7 inches).

Read: MG Teases 4-Based MGS5 EV, European Brands Reach For The Xanax

The front of the new MG4 is nothing like the model it replaces. Whereas the current car favors sharp lines and aggressive edges, the new one is dominated by creases, curves, and has far fewer straight lines than the old one. There are new headlights, a different grille, new quarter panels, and a different hood.

MG’s designers have also crafted new door skins for the electric hatchback and, in these photos, it’s showcased with new 16- and 17-inch wheels. The rear end has also been transformed, and key highlights include a light bar, unique taillights, and a different bumper. The MG4’s taillights appear to have taken inspiration from the Cyberster and have lighting signatures in the shape of an arrow.

Powering the new MG4 is a single electric motor with 161 hp (120 kW), enough to propel it to a 99 mph (160 km/h) top speed. By comparison, the old EV came with a 168 hp (125 kW) motor in base guise, but weighed 3,617 lbs (1,641 kg), whereas the new one tips the scales at just 3,237 lbs (1,485 kg). It seems likely that a dual-motor XPower version will also be introduced shortly.

While the current MG4 has become a common sight on roads in many countries, it’s fallen out of favor in China. Shortly after its launch in mid-2022, MG initially delivered more than 5,000 units each month, but sales have crashed since the start of 2023. In February, just 13 examples were sold in its home market.

Buick introduced the Electra E5 a little over two years ago, but it’s already getting a rather substantial update. As you can see in new photos released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, some versions of the electric crossover will ditch the faux grille.

This is a pretty significant departure as the grille mimicked the one found on the Envista, Envision, and Enclave. A similar design can also be found on the GL8 and Lacrosse in China.

More: Buick Delays Plan To Launch First EV In America

In place of the grille is a new shark nose front end and a more traditional lower intake. The chrome ‘fangs’ have also been eliminated and we can see a new gloss black accent.

Additional changes are limited, but the rear end appears to combine elements from the regular and Avenir variant. As a result, it looks like some trims could receive a new bumper and updated taillights.

Interestingly, some of the detail photos show the crossover with the original grille. This suggests both designs could be offered on the upcoming model.

Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology suggests a lot will carryover including a front-mounted motor producing 241 hp (180 kW / 245 PS), with this version offering a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). However, the current model offers multiple battery packs and powertrains.

Just a month after leading Chinese EV maker BYD announced its new ‘God’s Eye’ suite of driver-assistance systems, the Geely-owned Zeekr has launched its intelligent driving program. Zeekr’s solution, available in several different tiers, will be added to existing models via an over-the-air update over the coming months.

All versions of the system, dubbed G-Pilot, include a General Automated Evasion System (G-AES) and Full-Capacity Vehicle-to-Parking (V2P) intelligent drive capabilities. The G-AES system uses a large AI training model and allows for “continuous evasive maneuvers for unexpected obstacles” at speeds of up to 81 mph (130 km/h).

Read: Zeekr 9X Grand PHEV Is Geely’s $140k BMW And Range Rover Rival

Meanwhile, Zeekr’s V2P intelligent drive system allows their EVs to automatically search for empty parking spaces and park autonomously. The upcoming Zeekr 9X Grand will build on these systems with even greater capabilities.

The G-Pilot system will come standard in the company’s upcoming flagship luxury SUV and will be Level 3-capable self-driving and is powered by dual Nvidia Drive AGX Thor chips. Much like Tesla’s assisted-driving systems, Zeekr says its G-Pilot suite will evolve and improve throughout the lifespan of its EVs. This Level 3 system will also allow the car to drive itself from one destination to another, without driver input.

Zeekr 9X

While many details about the 9X remain a mystery, recent teasers show it will be a large SUV similar in size to the Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Not only will it be the brand’s largest and most luxurious model, but it will also be the first to use a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Little is known about this powertrain, but it’ll likely include a spritely gasoline engine and at least two electric motors and could be identical to the mechanically related Lynk & Co 900.

In the base Lynk & Co 900, a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is paired with a 215 hp front motor and a 308 hp rear motor, making for a combined 710 hp. A pair of 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder PHEVs are also offered, with one offering a combined 724 hp and the second an even more impressive 845 hp.

Not long ago, premium German cars were seen as the epitome of luxury in China. For brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, China was consistently their largest market, with sales surpassing those in any other country. However, as new homegrown brands have emerged, local preferences are beginning to shift toward Chinese companies and their offerings. Xiaomi is a perfect example of this shift.

Xiaomi, primarily known for being one China’s largest makers of electronics and consumer goods, producing everything from vacuum cleaners to computer monitors, fridges, suitcases, and smartphones. Then, the brand’s boss decided he wanted to build an electric vehicle. Unlike the billionaire founder of Dyson, who famously failed to launch an EV, Xiaomi has succeeded where others couldn’t, with its first electric vehicle, the SU7.

Read: Why Xiaomi Succeeded In Becoming An Automaker While Apple Failed

Customer deliveries of the SU7 started less than a year ago, and the company already has its sights set on the German establishment. The company aims to sell 350,000 EVs in China this year, thanks to the SU7 and the upcoming release of its Tesla Model Y competitor, the YU7. If Xiaomi can hit this target, it would surpass the combined EV sales of Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche in China from last year, Handelsblatt reports.

Expanding Beyond China

It’s not just at home in China, where Xiaomi wants to grow its EV business. Earlier this month, the company’s president William Lu, revealed plans to expand into more markets. While he didn’t specify exact dates, he assured that Xiaomi would enter new regions “within the next few years.”

The arrival of the YU7 will mark a pivotal moment for the company. SUVs continue to dominate global sales, and there’s a strong chance the YU7 will outperform the SU7. Deliveries are set to begin in June or July, and the industry will be watching closely to see if Xiaomi can continue its rise.

China and the EU: Comparing Two Tech-Forward Plans for the Future of Food Production The EU and China have each released new strategic...

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The latest crop of EVs have almost combustion-like driving ranges, and now BYD is attempting to remove one of the other major barriers preventing some ICE car drivers from making the switch. Electric vehicles built around its new Super E-Platform are able to ‘fill up’ as quickly as you can tank-up your petrol vehicle.

Launched this week in China the new architecture and matching chargers use their 1,000-volt technology to pump out/accept a peak of 1,000 kW. That enables EV drivers to add 249 miles (400 km) of additional driving miles in only 5 minutes.

Related: Xpeng’s New G6 Can Add 280 Miles Of Range In Just 10 Minutes

Even those with only as passing interest in EVs will know that is insanely rapid. In the West most EVs still rely on 400-volt tech and can’t handle more than 200 kW of juice. The few that can, like cars using Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP platform, have 800-volt electrics, and are able to make sense of of 350 kW chargers, though they never actually draw that many watts.

The announcement came during a livestream event held at BYD’s Shenzen HQ when founder Wang Chuanfu committed to the rollout of more than 4,000 megawatt charging units across China, without giving any kind of timeframe.

Drivers of 350 kW cars in the West will be aware that you can’t always make use of your 800-volt EV’s maximum charging capabilities so BYD will need to get those chargers out quickly, which is easier said than done. Dropping in 1 MW chargers is a lot more complicated than adding a 50 kW unit, and costs a ton more money due to the infrastructure upgrades needed. 

BYD also debuted the Han L and Tang L EVs, which make use of the Super E-Platform. The Han sedan and Tang SUV lineups both start with a single rear motor making 500 kW (670 hp / 680 PS) for less than $40k, while dual-motor AWD versions generate 810 kW (1,086 hp / 1,101 PS), Car News China reports.

Images: BYD

The all-electric Xpeng G6 has only been available in certain markets for a couple of years now, and already, a heavily updated version has been launched in China. The 2025 G6 looks very similar to the model it replaces, but it brings several important upgrades that make it an even more compelling Tesla Model Y rival.

This year, all three versions of the G6 come equipped with new 5C ultra-fast charging batteries and an 800-volt electrical architecture. Xpeng says the batteries only need 12 minutes to be charged from 10-80% and that after being plugged in for just 10 minutes, the EV can get an impressive 280 miles (450 km) of charge.

Read: Xpeng’s G7 Is The Latest Flashy Electric SUV From China

Xpeng’s new batteries also perform better in cold conditions, taking a touch over 15 minutes to charge them from 10-80%, when it’s -30 degrees Celsius. New armor is wrapped around the battery pack and is reportedly capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 1000°C and can withstand up to 80 tons of pressure during side impacts.

While the Chinese brand hasn’t published details about the capacity of the available batteries, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates the 625 Long-Range Max Technology Edition and 625 Long-Range Max Ultimate Edition have a 68.5 kWh pack, while the flagship 725 Ultra-Long-Range Max Ultimate Edition has a 80.8 kWh pack. As you may have guessed, the ‘625’ models have 388 miles (625 km) of range, while the ‘725’ can travel 450 miles (725 km) on a single charge.

Powering all three models is a single electric motor at the rear wheels, producing 292 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. The 2025 Xpeng G6 can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a respectable 6.3 seconds and tops out at 125 mph (202 km/h).

All G6 models come with the Turing AI intelligent driving system that features several cameras, millimeter-wave radars, and ultrasonic radars. Two new colors have also been added to the range – Starry Purple and Cloud Beige.

Updates made to the cabin of the G6 include a 9-inch digital rearview mirror, and new front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.

Chinese prices start at 176,800 yuan (~$24,400) for the base model, rise to 186,800 yuan (~$25,800) for the mid-range version, and top out at 198,800 yuan (~$27,500) for the flagship 725 model.

BYD’s Ocean series continues to grow and will soon include a new EV, known as the Seal 06. The Chinese car manufacturer already sells a hybrid version of this same model, but this new electric variant is arguably even more important for the brand. Pricing and available details have yet to be confirmed.

Unlike many other electric sedans on the market, BYD has not installed a massive battery pack in the Seal 06 EV to try and eke out as much range as possible. Chinese data reveals the base model only has a small 46.08 kWh battery pack, which is only a tiny bit larger than the 45 kWh battery offered in the small BYD Dolphin hatchback. Meanwhile, the flagship Seal 06 EV features a larger 56.6 kWh pack, which is still relatively small.

Read: BYD Wants To Work With Tesla To Shift Industry To EVs

Models equipped with the 46.08 kWh pack offer a quoted range of 292 miles (470 km), while the 56.6 kWh option boosts that figure to 339 miles (545 km) on the CLTC cycle. While the relatively small battery pack does somewhat limit the driving range of the EV, the upside is that the packs weigh in at just 772 lbs (350 kg) and 904 lbs (410 kg) each, meaning the car’s curb weight varies between 1,670 kg – 1,800 kg (3,682 lb – 3,968 lb). That’s still plenty of heft, but it is relatively light for an electric sedan of this size.

The sedan is 4,720 mm (185.8 inches) long, 1,880 mm (74 inches) wide, and stands 1,495 mm (58.8 inches) tall with a 2,820 mm (111-inch) wheelbase. By comparison, the regular Seal introduced a couple of years ago and sold internationally is 4,800 mm (189 inches) long, 1,875 mm (73.8 inches) wide, and 1,460 mm (57.4 inches) tall, with a larger 2,920 mm (115-inch) wheelbase.

Visually, the Seal 06 EV looks very similar to the DM-i plug-in hybrid model, with a few refinements taking on the front fascia. It also has similar taillights and a rear light bar to that model, as well as the BYD Seal 06 GT hatchback.

Not too long ago, Tesla enjoyed near-total dominance over China’s rapidly growing EV market. But with local competitors like BYD quickly rising to global prominence, the American brand now finds itself in a race against increasingly formidable rivals, all of whom are steadily eroding its market share. In response, Tesla is reportedly working on a more affordable version of the current Model Y.

Last year, Tesla set a new record by selling over 657,000 vehicles in China. However, sales have stagnated in early 2025, and a cheaper model could be just what the company needs to regain momentum. According to reports, this new version will be based on the “Juniper” iteration of the Model Y, though some details remain unclear.

Read: Tesla Confirms New ‘Affordable Models’ With Next-Gen Tech For First Half

Chinese site 36KR suggests that this new EV is being developed through a “depop” process—basically a streamlined approach aimed at quickly launching new models with minimal modifications. Meanwhile, Reuters cites three sources familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as the project is still confidential. According to them, the vehicle is being developed under the project codename “E41” and will be built on existing production lines, with mass production set to begin in 2026.

Base Model Y Or Smaller Model Y?

Reports from China indicate that the base Model Y will be a simpler version, similar to the budget Model 3 Tesla launched in Mexico last year—sacrificing features like vegan leather for cloth seats, removing the second-row touchscreen, and omitting ambient lighting for a roughly $4,000 discount.

However, Reuters’ sources indicate that this new Model Y-based EV will actually be smaller and cost at least 20% less to produce compared to the refreshed version of the crossover, which starts at 263,500 yuan (about $36,500 at current exchange rates) in China.

This cheaper, downsized Model Y may be one of the “more affordable” models Tesla said it was developing back in January. At the time, it said these new models will use aspects of both its next-generation and current platforms.

Made In China, Europe And The US

According to the same inside sources, the cheaper, smaller Model Y-based EV will primarily be targeted for the Chinese market to help Tesla maintain its market share. However, the car will also be produced for Europe and North America ,though there’s no clear timeline for when it will reach those markets.

Despite the competition, the 2025 Model Y appears to be doing well in China. Local reports suggest that Tesla has already received more than 200,000 pre-orders for the electric SUV, and deliveries have already begun.