Author: Lei Kang/CnEVPost

Tesla offers China-made Model 3 and Model Y in Canada, report says

Both models are eligible for a C$,000 federal incentive in Canada.

(Screenshot of Canada website.)

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is listing China-made Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) for sale in Canada, confirming that it has completed its first shipments to North America from its Shanghai plant, according to a Reuters report today.

The rear-wheel drive Model Y and the long-range all-wheel drive version of the Model 3 are available for immediate delivery in British Columbia, with codes indicating they were built at Giga Shanghai, the report said.

Both models are eligible for a C$5,000 ($3,695) federal incentive in Canada, which, unlike the US, does not link EV subsidies to the location of the plant where the cars are built, the report noted.

Tesla and other EV makers have a cost advantage in China, and exports to Canada have opened up a new market for Giga Shanghai, the report said.

(Screenshot of Tesla Canada website.)

The company has designed and tested Model Y cars for export to North America and aims to produce nearly 9,000 for export this quarter, the report said, citing a Tesla production plan.

On April 24, Reuters cited people familiar with the matter and a production memo as saying that Tesla had begun production in Shanghai of the Model Y that will be sold in Canada this year.

It will be the first time the company has shipped cars from China to North America, a move that will connect Tesla's largest and most cost-effective factory in the world with its largest market, North America, the report said.

Tesla's Shanghai plant, which makes the Model 3 as well as the Model Y, not only supplies vehicles to local consumers but is also an export center for the EV maker.

Tesla delivered 39,956 vehicles in China in April, and the Shanghai plant exported 35,886, according to data released earlier this month by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

For the full year 2022, Tesla delivered 439,770 vehicles in China, up 37.11 percent from 320,743 vehicles in 2021.

Tesla's Shanghai plant exported 271,095 vehicles in 2022, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.

Tesla's Shanghai plant produced about 727,000 units in 2022, up 49.7 percent from a year earlier, contributing 23 percent of Shanghai's auto manufacturing output, a local official said earlier this month.

($1 = C$1.3530)

Tesla's revamped Model 3 nears final trial production in Shanghai, report says

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Dongfeng and Honda’s JV exports cars from China for 1st time

Dongfeng Honda has sent a shipment of hybrid Honda CR-Vs and all-electric e:NS1s from Shanghai to Europe, with the vehicles expected to arrive at a Belgian port in late June.

(Image credit: Dongfeng Honda)

Japanese auto giant Honda's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor in China has started exporting cars, which is expected to allow China to see further growth in auto exports.

Dongfeng Honda began shipping a shipment of new energy vehicles (NEVs) from Shanghai to Europe on May 15, opening a new chapter in the joint venture's overseas endeavors, it said on May 21.

The vehicles are the hybrid Honda CR-V as well as the all-electric e:NS1, and they will be shipped to several European countries, according to a press release from Dongfeng Honda.

They include 300 CR-V plug-in hybrids, which are expected to arrive at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge in late June, after which they will be shipped to about two dozen countries, including the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Greece and Portugal, Dongfeng Honda said, without disclosing the number of e:NS1s.

Honda held a launch event for the company's electrification efforts in China on October 13, 2021, to officially unveil its pure electric vehicle brand e:N, where the "e" stands for Energize and Electric and the "N" refers to New and Next.

The brand's two production models, Dongfeng Honda's e:NS1 and GAC Honda's e:NP1, made their debut in China at that time.

Dongfeng Honda made the e:NS1 officially available in China on April 27, 2022, when it was priced at RMB 175,000 ($24,800) to RMB 218,000.

Dongfeng Honda began exporting vehicles from China at a time when Chinese auto exports have been growing rapidly over the past two years.

In March, 387,000 vehicles were exported from China, up 88.78 percent year-on-year and 19.44 percent from February, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

($1 = RMB 7.0548)

CATL signs deal with Honda to supply batteries that can power 2 million EVs

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BYD opens its 1st flagship experience center to showcase entire lineup of models

The facility is being used to showcase models from all of 's brands, including the BYD Seagull, which starts at just RMB 73,800, and the Yangwang U8, which has a pre-sale price of RMB 1,098,000.  |  BYDDY.US | BYD HK

(Image credit: BYD)

With dozens of models on sale across all BYD Group brands, displaying them in the same showroom would require extra-large facilities, which the company has begun to roll out.

BYD had its first brand experience center officially opened on May 20 at the Wuhan International Expo Center in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province.

BYD Group's car brands include the high-end Yangwang and Denza in addition to BYD, and the models currently on sale and available for pre-order include both the BYD Seagull, which starts at just 73,800 yuan ($10,500), and the Yangwang U8, which has a pre-sale price of RMB 1,098,000.

In addition to these brands, BYD is also expected to officially launch the F-brand's first model codenamed SF in June to target a market priced at RMB 400,000 to RMB 600,000, as CnEVPost previously learned.

BYD's first experience center occupies five floors with a total area of 6,550 square meters and contains areas including brand display, model display, technology display, and user activities.

In the brand display area, visitors can learn about BYD's four businesses -- electronics, automotive, new energy, and rail transportation -- as well as its electrification strategy, according to a BYD press release.

The model showcase area presents models including the BYD Frigate 07, BYD Seagull, Denza D9 and Yangwang U8.

Visitors here can experience models from BYD's Dynasty and Ocean series, as well as models from Denza, Yangwang and yet-to-be-announced personalized brands, BYD said.

BYD did not explicitly mention what that specialized personalization brand is, but according to information it previously announced, it is the new brand codenamed F brand.

The experience center building's facade has an area between the BYD and Yangwang logos, which appears to be a reserved spot for the F brand's logo.

BYD has also created a technology showcase in the experience center, with a patent wall to showcase its technology reserves. Visitors can also see BYD's demonstration of DM-i and e-Platform 3.0 here.

The facility is an important step in BYD's efforts to create a world-class brand experience center, the company said.

In the future, BYD will build more of the facility in commercial locations in China's super tier one cities and provincial capitals, where they will become local landmarks, BYD said.

BYD sold 210,295 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in April, up 98.31 percent from 106,042 units in the same month last year and up 1.55 percent from 207,080 units in March, according to data released earlier this month.

From January to April, BYD's NEV sales were 762,371 units, up 94.3 percent from 392,371 units in the same period last year.

BYD aims to sell at least 3 million vehicles this year and strives to reach 3.6 million, the company's chairman and president Wang Chuanfu said at an investor conference in late March.

BYD aims to become China's No. 1 automaker by the end of this year, Wang said at the time.

($1 = RMB 7.0296)

BYD officially launches Seagull to expand its presence in China's EV market

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XPeng sees 1st G6 production vehicle off line

management previously said that the G6 will be officially launched and delivered by the end of the second quarter, with a price range of RMB 200,000 - 300,000.  |  XPeng US | XPeng HK

XPeng (NYSE: XPEV) has seen the first production vehicle of the G6 roll off the assembly line, as the new SUV gets closer to its official launch.

The development was revealed in a leaked image on Chinese social media of XPeng production line employees celebrating the moment, and XPeng has not released any official content about it.

On March 17, XPeng management said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call that the G6 will be officially launched and delivered by the end of the second quarter, with a price range of 200,000 yuan ($28,450) to 300,000 yuan.

XPeng's monthly sales target for the G6 is two to three times that of the P7, the company's chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said in the call.

XPeng gave several previews of the model in early April and unveiled the SUV's exterior ahead of its official debut.

On April 16, the electric vehicle (EV) maker unveiled a new architecture, called SEPA (Smart Electric Platform Architecture) 2.0, at a technology conference in Shanghai, saying the G6 would be the first model built on it.

XPeng officially unveiled the G6 on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18, saying that the G6 is the ultimate form of car before full autonomous driving is achieved.

The model is based on the 800 V high-voltage platform and can get a 300-kilometer range in as little as 10 minutes on a charge, XPeng said at the time. The company's other 800 V-based model is the flagship G9 SUV.

XPeng did not release specific specs or pricing information for the G6, which they expect to know at a future official launch event.

The company appears to be ramping up production preparations for the G6 so that it can deliver it quickly after its official launch, as its local counterparts have proven that strategy to be effective in China's competitive EV market.

XPeng sees the Model Y as the G6's main competitor. The vehicle is positioned as an all-electric midsize SUV with a length, width and height of 4,753 mm, 1,920 mm and 1,650 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,890 mm, a regulatory filing in March showed.

For comparison, the Tesla Model Y has a length, width and height of 4,750 mm, 1,921 mm, 1,624 mm and a wheelbase of 2,890 mm.

G6 will need to be successful for XPeng to be truly relevant again in the marketplace, Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu's team said in a research note sent to investors on May 17.

XPeng will report its unaudited first-quarter financial results on Wednesday, May 24, before the US markets open, when its earnings call is expected to provide more information on the model.

($1 = RMB 7.0295)

XPeng Q1 earnings preview: Counting down to G6

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Wuling cuts prices on its mini EVs by up to $1,850

Wuling said the move is in response to China's call to boost consumption of NEVs in rural areas.

(Image credit: SAIC-GM-Wuling)

SAIC-GM-Wuling is cutting the prices of several of its mini electric vehicles (EVs), after taking a page out of 's (NYSE: NIO) book 10 days ago to make these budget EVs more affordable.

The company today announced a price cut of up to 13,000 yuan ($1,850) for models in its Hongguang Mini EV family, saying the move is in response to China's call to boost consumption of NEVs in rural areas.

Last week, China released a policy to support NEV consumption in rural areas, which mentioned that automakers are encouraged to develop more economical models that target the characteristics of consumers in rural areas.

A table released by SAIC-GM-Wuling shows that an Air EV, originally priced at RMB 82,800, saw a price drop of RMB 13,000, or 15.70 percent, to RMB 69,800, the largest price cut for its Mini EV family.

The other three Air EVs have all seen their prices cut by RMB 10,000, with the latest prices at RMB 66,800, 65,800 and 57,800 respectively.

SAIC-GM-Wuling's better-known Mini EV series has four models all reduced in price by RMB 6,000, with the latest prices at RMB 63,800, RMB 61,800, RMB 51,800, and RMB 49,800 respectively.

SAIC-GM-Wuling is a joint venture between SAIC Group, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile, headquartered in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southwestern China.

It sells vehicles based on the GSEV (Global Small Electric Vehicle) architecture in China, including the Mini EV, KiWi EV, Nano EV and Air EV. In addition to these pure electric models, SAIC-GM-Wuling also sells fuel-powered SUVs, MPVs and vans.

The Air EV will be officially launched in China on December 12, 2022, with a price range of RMB 67,800-82,800.

The model is SAIC-GM-Wuling's first global model, which was first launched in Indonesia in August last year.

Prior to the price cut, SAIC-GM-Wuling took a page from NIO's book and allowed consumers to purchase the Hongguang Mini EV with a body only and lease the battery, although the model does not support simple battery replacement like NIO models.

The automaker offers this purchase option for five versions of the Hongguang Mini EV, with the lowest-priced version costing consumers an initial payment of just RMB 19,800 and a monthly battery lease of RMB 198 for the next five years.

Under the regular purchase option, this version of the Hongguang Mini EV is priced at RMB 32,800.

($1 = RMB 7.0218)

SAIC-GM-Wuling takes page from NIO's book to make its Mini EV even more affordable

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Lithium producer Ganfeng says it has started mass production of 1st gen solid-state battery

Ganfeng said its first-generation solid-state battery can reach an energy density of 260 Wh/kg, with a production line capable of producing 4 GWh per year.

(Image credit: Ganfeng Lithium)

China's Ganfeng Lithium -- the world's largest lithium producer by market capitalization -- said it has begun mass production of its first-generation solid-state battery, after announcing the new technology in late 2021.

Ganfeng revealed the progress in a May 19 investor conference meeting minutes, saying its first-generation solid-state batteries can reach an energy density of 260 Wh/kg and that the production line is designed to have an annual capacity of 4 GWh.

Production of the solid-state battery is currently undergoing capacity creep, with application scenarios including power batteries and energy storage, according to the minutes.

Ganfeng's second-generation hybrid solid-state lithium battery uses lithium metal as the anode and can reach an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, the company said.

The safety performance of the second-generation solid-state battery meets automotive requirements, and the cycling performance of the sample battery has met the requirements of car companies, Ganfeng said.

Ganfeng unveiled its first-generation solid-state battery, a hybrid solid-state and liquid lithium-ion battery, on December 10, 2021.

The battery has an oxide electrolyte and uses graphite for the anode. It has a diaphragm, but unlike conventional diaphragms, it uses a solid electrolyte diaphragm.

Ganfeng did not announce the energy density of the first-generation solid-state battery at the time, but said the second-generation solid-state battery had an energy density of more than 360 Wh/kg.

The company's latest announcement means that it has made new progress in the development of the second-generation solid-state battery over the past year and a half, allowing for a further increase in energy density.

Current mainstream lithium-ion battery cells have an energy density of just over 200 Wh/kg, and 's (NYSE: NIO) 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery, expected to be available within months, is 360 Wh/kg.

On April 19, unveiled its new battery technology, Condensed Battery, which claims an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg for a single cell.

The Condensed Battery will be available for use in electric vehicles and will have mass production capability within this year, said Wu Kai, CATL's chief scientist at the time.

CATL unveils Condensed Battery for electric aircrafts and EVs

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BYD 2023 Han DM series sedan gets 13,695 orders in 72 hours of launch

On May 18, launched the facelifts of the plug-in hybrid versions of its flagship Han sedan at reduced prices compared to the 2022 variants.  |  BYDDY.US | BYD HK

(Image credit: BYD)

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has updated the order data for the 2023 Han DM series to show that the sedan's facelifts have received a good reception after launch.

Orders for the 2023 Han DM-i and Han DM-p models reached 13,695 units 72 hours after launch, BYD announced Sunday on Weibo.

On May 18, BYD officially made the facelifts of its flagship sedan BYD Han's plug-in hybrid versions, the Han DM-i Champion Edition and Han DM-p Warrior Edition, available in China.

The 2023 Han DM-i is available in six versions with starting prices of RMB 189,800 ($27,033), RMB 199,800, RMB 209,800, RMB 219,800, RMB 239,800 and RMB 249,800 respectively.

The 2023 Han DM-p is available in only one version, starting at RMB 289,800.

This means that the starting price of the 2023 Han DM-i is reduced by RMB 28,000 and the Han DM-p is reduced by RMB 32,000 compared to the 2022 model.

Of the 13,695 units ordered, the average sales price is more than RMB 241,000, BYD said Sunday.

Consumers who chose the 200 km battery range version accounted for 37.8 percent of consumers, and the percentage of female consumers was 37.2 percent BYD said.

On May 19, the second day of the 2023 Han's launch, BYD said the model received 8,051 orders on launch day.

Many BYD models are offered in both pure electric and plug-in hybrid versions, with the latter likely to include a DM-i version that focuses more on fuel economy, and a DM-p version that focuses more on performance.

On March 16, BYD made the 2023 Han EV available for a starting price of RMB 209,800, down from RMB 219,800 for the model's 2022 version.

The BYD Han has a length, width and height of 4,975 mm, 1,910 mm and 1,495 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,920 mm.

The entry version of the Han DM-i can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and the Han DM-p in 3.7 seconds.

The Han DM-i has two options for pure electric range, with NEDC ranges of 121 km and 200 km. The model has a combined range of 1,260 km on full fuel and full charge.

The BYD Han family sold 14,329 units in April, up 6.77 percent year-on-year and up 5.75 percent from March.

BYD aims to sell at least 3 million vehicles this year and strives to reach 3.6 million, the company's chairman and president Wang Chuanfu said at an investor conference on March 29.

($1 = RMB 7.0209)

BYD launches facelifts of Han sedan's hybrid variants with lower prices

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NIO signs deal with Autoliv, world’s largest maker of airbags and seat belts

and Autoliv are working together to develop a new airbag concept that provides comprehensive protection for different seating positions.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

NIO (NYSE: NIO) has entered into a partnership agreement with Autoliv Inc, the world's largest manufacturer of airbags and seat belts, as the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker continues to expand its partnerships.

Autoliv China, a subsidiary of Autoliv, signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with NIO that includes several new safety technologies for EVs, according to a press release from the Swedish company.

NIO and Autoliv will develop safety products for EVs and sustainable technologies, which will include a passenger airbag that deploys from the headliner using an environmentally friendly inflator.

The two are also co-developing a new airbag concept that provides full protection for different seating positions, according to the press release.

This could provide better protection and offer more freedom in the design of vehicle interiors, Autoliv said, adding that it also includes biology-based materials for both airbag cushions and seatbelt webbing.

"We have a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we expect the cooperation will be extended to more areas, as we strive to enhance the driving experience and provide pleasant journeys for all global users", said Yu Pan, vice president of supply chain development at NIO.

This is the latest collaboration between NIO and auto parts suppliers.

On May 2, Dutch-headquartered computer chip maker NXP Semiconductors announced that NIO will use its 4D imaging radar solution, which offers benefits far beyond those of conventional radar.

4D imaging radar will significantly improve the performance of front-facing radar in today's vehicles, and NXP's imaging radar technology extends the functionality of radar from measuring range and speed to include direction, angle of arrival and altitude measurements, the chipmaker said.

NIO delivered 6,658 vehicles in April, up 31.22 percent from 5,074 a year ago, but down 35.85 percent from 10,378 in March, as its product switch continues.

The EV maker is now marketing the new ES6 with unprecedented intensity, with the model set to be officially launched on May 24 and deliveries to begin on May 25.

NIO pins high hopes on new ES6 with unprecedented delivery efficiency and marketing campaign

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Price competition in China auto industry poised to ease in May, analysts say

Discounts on passenger cars in China continued to expand in April, but the industry is seeing some positive changes heading into May.

Price competition in China auto industry poised to ease in May, analysts say-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

The price wars that erupted in the Chinese auto industry in March carried over into April. However, analysts see fewer car discounts heading into May.

Discounts on passenger cars in China continued to expand in April, but the industry saw some positive changes heading into May, with price competition, especially for fuel vehicles, expected to ease, said CITIC Securities analyst Zhang Ruohai's team in a research note today.

These changes include the fact that some automakers are no longer offering increased discounts to dealers, and have even scaled back compared to the first quarter, according to the team.

With China allowing some fuel models based on existing emission standards to extend their sales period by six months until the end of this year, there is much less urgency for these models to clear inventory in the short term, the team noted.

In addition, inventory levels in the Chinese auto industry fell in April, with dealer inventory levels returning to a relatively balanced position, the team said.

From January to April, discounts offered by the Chinese auto industry were generally increasing, with actual selling price to manufacturer guide price ratios of 91.3 percent, 92.4 percent, 90.8 percent and 90.2 percent, respectively, according to an indicator compiled by the team.

This means that in addition to the price pickup in February, discounts expanded in March and April, the team said, adding that the indicator was 88.1 percent and 87.3 percent for fuel cars and 96.84 percent and 96.78 percent for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the past two months, respectively.

Against the backdrop of overall weak consumer demand for cars, the price wars had a boost to sales of some models, but depressed total sales as consumer wait-and-see sentiment increased, according to the team.

In March, when the price war was at its most intense, Chinese passenger car retail sales were 1.587 million units, up 0.3 percent year-on-year and up 14.3 percent from February, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

In April, China's passenger car retail sales were 1.63 million units, up 55.5 percent year-on-year and up 2.5 percent from March.

From May 1 to 14, China's passenger car retail sales were 706,000 units, up 55 percent year-on-year and up 24 percent from the same period last month, according to data released yesterday by the CPCA.

China NEV retail up 101% YoY in May 1-14, CPCA data show

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Geely Holding becomes 3rd largest shareholder of Aston Martin, increases stake to 17%

In September 2022, Holding spent about £66 million to acquire a 7.60 percent stake in Aston Martin.

(Image credit: Aston Martin)

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), China's largest private automaker, has increased its stake in Aston Martin, becoming the third largest shareholder in the ultra-luxury car brand.

Geely Holding has committed to contribute about £234 million to acquire about 42 million existing ordinary shares in Aston Martin from Yew Tree Consortium at a price of 335 pence per share and to subscribe for about 28 million new shares at the same price, according to an announcement made by the ultra-luxury British performance brand on the London Stock Exchange today.

The transaction price represents a 45 percent premium to Aston Martin's closing price per ordinary share on May 17.

Upon completion of the transaction, Geely Holding's stake in Aston Martin will increase to about 17 percent, making it the third largest shareholder behind Yew Tree Consortium's 21 percent and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's 18 percent.

Geely Holding has agreed to cease acquiring any ordinary shares that would result in its total holding in Aston Martin exceeding 22 percent by August 1, 2024, according to the announcement.

"Geely Holding, who initially became a shareholder last year, sees tremendous potential for Aston Martin's long-term growth and success. They offer us a deep understanding of the key strategic growth market that China represents, as well as the opportunity to access their range of technologies and components," said Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin's executive chairman of the board.

In September 2022, Geely Holding spent about £66 million to acquire a 7.60 percent stake in Aston Martin.

Geely has completed a number of acquisitions of foreign automakers in recent years.

In 2006, Geely acquired a 19.97 percent stake in Manganese Bronze, the maker and owner of classic black cabs in London, and in 2013, Geely acquired the business and core assets of the company.

In 2010, Geely acquired Volvo, and in 2017, Geely acquired a 51 percent stake in Lotus Cars, a British luxury sports and racing car brand.

"Our decision to increase our shareholding in Aston Martin reflects our confidence in the company's growth prospects, its technologies and its management team," said Eric Li, Geely Holding Group chairman, according to Aston Martin's announcement.

Aston Martin sold 6,412 vehicles globally in 2022, up about 4 percent from a year earlier, with about 50 percent of those being the four-door crossover DBX line.

It currently has four models on sale in China, including the coupe Vantage, DB11 and DBS, as well as the DBX.

Chinese auto giants Geely and Changan sign strategic cooperation deal

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