[Chinese automakers] News & Updates

XPENG Unveils Vehicle Tech Platform in Paris, Shifting Overseas Strategy from Cars to Technology

On October 14, 2026, during the Paris Motor Show, He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPENG Group, attended the Paris Automotive Summit, released the smart vehicle solution XPENG AI ENGINEERING, and announced progress in the physical AI ecosystem. The solution consists of a vehicle platform, modular technology, and a toolchain; the company claims it saves 41 minutes in per-vehicle inspection time and reduces annual operating costs of production-line electrical inspection by 95%. Timelines for three product lines were also disclosed: humanoid robots are planned for mass production by the end of 2026 and delivery in the first half of 2027; Robotaxi has been given the Chinese and English names “小鹏悠游” and “XPENGYOYO” and is in talks with European mobility platforms; flying cars have cumulative orders exceeding 7,000 units, and NGP is planned to be gradually delivered to global customers starting in 2027. XPENG’s role in Europe is extending from a complete-vehicle exporter to a technology supplier, while the pace of implementation and local compliance remain to be verified.

42718 hours ago

NIO, GAC Report Same-Day Energy Replenishment Milestones: 4,090 Swap Stations, 30,000+ Self-Operated Charging Piles

On September 17, 2026, NIO and GAC Group disclosed progress on their energy replenishment networks on the same day. NIO added 8 battery charging and swapping stations, bringing its cumulative total to 4,090 battery swap stations, 5,282 charging stations, and 30,431 charging piles, with cumulative battery swaps exceeding 120 million; GAC Energy's self-operated charging piles reached 30,835, of which 21,324 were ultra-fast charging piles of 180 kW or higher, accounting for nearly 70%, and its self-operated charging stations reached 2,471. The article notes that the two use different statistical scopes, and analyzes the differences between battery swapping and ultra-fast charging in energy replenishment form, asset attributes, and profitability path, as well as the barriers faced by energy replenishment systems going overseas in four aspects: standards, power grids, land construction, and operations.

34127 days ago

Thailand Plans About 30% Excise Tax on Imported EVs, Sets Three-Tier Rates

Thailand's finance minister said Thailand is finalizing an excise tax of about 30% on fully imported electric vehicles, compared with the current rate of about 10%. The new plan sets three excise tax tiers: fully imported vehicles at the highest rate, locally produced vehicles at the lowest, and locally assembled vehicles in the middle. Constrained by free trade agreements, Thailand cannot directly raise tariffs, so it is turning to excise taxes to encourage local investment and supply chain localization. Currently, nine electric vehicle manufacturers produce in Thailand, and some Chinese and European automakers plan to invest in Thailand to enjoy lower tax rates. The final rates are expected to be decided this month.

48129 days ago

US Presses Mexico to Tighten USMCA Origin Rules; AI Hardware Could Spill Over Into Auto Supply Chain

The United States is pressuring Mexico in negotiations to revise the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, planning new rules of origin for AI hardware such as chips and servers to limit the share of components from outside North America and prevent Chinese companies from using Mexico as a route to evade tariffs. The rules would reference the automotive sector's 75% North American component threshold for tariff exemption and could spill over into automotive intelligence segments such as automotive chips. In the first half of this year, Mexico exported $83 billion of AI data center servers, 94% to the United States, up more than 170% year on year. Mexico has agreed to raise tariffs on China but opposes mandatory US-made components. Negotiations are expected to begin as early as next week in Washington.

34729 days ago

Li Auto i9 Home Ordering and Delivery Rules: RMB 5,000 Deposit Locks Order for Production Scheduling

Li Auto announced on September 15 the ordering and delivery arrangements for the all-new Li Auto i9 Home. The new vehicle will be unveiled at 19:30 on September 16, with orders opening simultaneously. The deposit is 5,000 yuan; configuration changes or cancellations are allowed within 24 hours. If not canceled, the order is automatically locked and the deposit is non-refundable. First deliveries will feature CATL 5C ternary lithium batteries, and from the end of October all will switch to Li Auto's self-developed 5C ternary lithium batteries. Deliveries this week will follow the order in which orders were locked. The floating table board can be selected as an option or purchased through after-sales in November, and is not compatible with the new-generation MEGA. Pricing and the production capacity of the self-developed battery have not been announced.

28030 days ago

After Topping Export Rankings, Why Chinese Cars Still Struggle to 'Move Up'

Wei Wenqing of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers disclosed that from January to July 2026, China's automobile exports reached 6.14 million units, up 66.8% year on year, while component exports totaled US$60.7 billion. Chinese automakers have more than 20 overseas full-process plants, and their overseas output exceeded 1.5 million vehicles in 2025. Eighty percent of the top 100 component suppliers have established overseas operations. In 2025, Chinese-brand automobiles rose to first place in global market share, but their overseas operations systems still lag behind those of Japanese and European automakers. Wei Wenqing pointed out that going global across the industrial chain, going global with intelligent connected vehicles, and brand efficiency are the three major topics. Chinese automobiles have just entered the going-in stage and are expected to reach a medium level of internationalization by 2035.

57930 days ago

Trump: Not Opposed to Chinese Automakers Building U.S. Plants, Opposes Mexico-Made Cars Exported to U.S.

According to Reuters, on September 11 Trump said he did not oppose Chinese automakers building factories in the US, provided they hire American workers, but opposed producing finished vehicles in Mexico and re-exporting them to the US, and denied allowing Chinese cars to be sold in the US. US regulations in early 2025 effectively prohibit Chinese automakers from selling or producing passenger vehicles in the US, with tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles exceeding 100%; the Alliance for Automotive Innovation is pushing Congress for a permanent ban, hoping to pass it by the end of December. US-Mexico negotiations are planned to be reached before the November 2026 midterm elections, with tariffs, local content ratios and Chinese companies' investment in Mexico becoming variables, and both North American paths for Chinese automakers facing uncertainty.

55831 days ago

Xiaomi Pengcheng N70/N90 Debut in Range-Extended SUV Market

From September 7 to 13, at least seven new vehicles launched in China. Xiaomi's Pengcheng N70/N90 marks its entry into the range-extended SUV market, alongside the Cadillac XT5 PHEV, Geely Galaxy TT, and IM LS6, covering price bands from 200,000 to over one million RMB.

26337 days ago

Seven New Cars Launch in September

According to Jielu Road statistics, at least seven new vehicles launched in China from September 7 to 13. The Xiaomi Pengcheng series, Geely Galaxy TT, Jietu X90, and Zhongyu 08 Laying Edition cover EREV, pure EV, and PHEV routes, spanning price bands from 150,000 to 300,000 RMB.

34137 days ago

NEV Penetration Hits Record 65.2% in August, ICE Sales Nearly Halved

CPCA data shows August 2026 passenger vehicle retail at 1.541 million units, down 23.6% YoY but up 5.5% MoM. NEV penetration broke 65.2% to a new record, while exports of 888,000 units surged 77.8% YoY, providing crucial market support.

39038 days ago

China Surpasses Japan as Top Exporter in 2023, Toyota Forced to Accelerate Electrification

China first surpassed Japan as the world's largest auto exporter in 2023. In the first four months of 2026, Chinese brands sold 366,000 units in Europe with a 7.8% market share. Toyota's China strategy is evolving from the 1.0 introduction era, through the 2.0 expansion era, into the 3.0 electrification counterattack era. Global automotive competition is undergoing structural restructuring.

279130 days ago

Chinese Automakers' Qatar Market Share Nears 30%, Middle East Becomes New Blue Ocean

In May 2026, Chinese automakers' market share in Qatar approached 30%, becoming a significant force in the local auto market. Against the backdrop of the upcoming "Beijing-Qatar" Investment Cooperation Summit, Chinese automakers are opening the Middle East's high-net-worth market through premium products and intelligent experiences. Qatar, as a GCC member with relatively high NEV acceptance, is becoming a new blue ocean for Chinese automotive brands.

318132 days ago

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