Author: Lei Kang/CnEVPost

BYD starts warming up for mini car Seagull

Previous reports suggested that the Seagull would be offered in both sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery-equipped versions, but this was not confirmed by BYD.  |  BYDDY.US | BYD HK

(Image credit: BYD)

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) is starting to warm up for a mini electric vehicle (EV) that is expected to become another major player in the segment.

BYD shared images of the new model, called the Seagull, on Weibo today, showing off details of its exterior.

The NEV (NEV) giant did not provide any information about the Seagull, although the model has appeared on a regulatory list in January and key specifications are known.

The BYD Seagull has a length, width and height of 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm and 1,540 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm.

As a comparison, the Dolphin – BYD's smallest model currently on sale -- has a length, width and height of 4,125 mm, 1,770 mm and 1,570 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.

SAIC-GM-Wuling's current hot-selling Hongguang Mini EV has a length, width and height of 2,920 mm, 1,493 mm and 1,621 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 1,940 mm.

On March 28, Wuling officially launched the new EV model Binguo in China with a length, width and height of 3,950 mm, 1,708, mm and 1,580 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,560 mm.

BYD Seagull is equipped with a single motor with a maximum power of 55 kW and a top speed of 130 km per hour.

The model is available in 30 kWh and 38 kWh battery pack versions, with a CLTC range of 305 km and 405 km.

Last November 22, LatePost reported that BYD plans to mass produce sodium-ion batteries in the second quarter of 2023, and they will be featured in the Qin EV, Dolphin and new model Seagull.

The launch of the Seagull means BYD will increase its efforts in the sub-RMB 100,000 electric vehicle market, when competition in the segment becomes more intense, the report noted.

On November 30 last year, local automotive media Yiche reported that the Seagull may be the first BYD model to be equipped with sodium-ion batteries, with the model's launch expected in the second quarter of 2023.

The BYD Seagull will be offered with both sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery versions, with the former expected to cost as little as 60,000 yuan ($8,730) and the latter expected to cost 80,000 yuan, the report said.

The BYD Seagull equipped with sodium-ion batteries will have a range of 300 kilometers, while the lithium-ion version will have a range of 400 kilometers, according to the report.

It is worth noting that these reports have never been confirmed by BYD.

Earlier this month, images circulating on the Chinese Internet showed that the BYD Seagull would start at RMB 65,800 and would be launched on April 18.

BYD later called this false information and said that the estimated price range for the Seagull is RMB 80,000 to RMB 100,000.

($1 = RMB 6.8757)

BYD may launch new model with sodium-ion batteries in Q2 2023, report says

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BYD expected to unveil 1st model of F brand in Jun

The first model of 's F-brand, codenamed SF, will target the RMB 400,000 to 600,000 market.  |  BYDDY.US | BYD HK

BYD's yet-to-be-announced new brand, codenamed F brand, is expected to officially unveil its first model, codenamed SF, in June to target a market priced between RMB 400,000 ($58,380) and RMB 600,000, CnEVPost has learned.

The model will be built on a new BYD off-road platform and will be equipped with dual motors, front and rear differential locks, and electric interlock, a BYD insider said.

Xiong Tianbo, former head of BYD auto sales research institute, will be the general manager of the F brand's sales division, leading the brand's product planning, channel sales and brand building, the source told CnEVPost.

BYD said at an event marking the launch of the company's 3 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) on November 16 last year that in addition to the Yangwang brand, BYD will launch a highly specialized and personalized new brand in 2023.

The new brand will meet the increasingly personalized needs of consumers, and it will focus on building with users, BYD chairman and president Wang Chuanfu said at the time.

Last month, local media reported that the brand's internal code name would be F brand. BYD later confirmed it.

Earlier this month, CnEVPost obtained several spy shots of the SF model with the number "2316" emblazoned on its body.

The 2 in the string refers to dual motors, the 3 refers to three locks, the 1 refers to a new platform and the 6 refers to a June release, the latest information suggests.

Here are more spy shots of the model obtained by CnEVPost.

The SF model's powertrain has a maximum output of more than 500 kW and will have a body-on-frame structure to compete with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, previous information showed.

(1 $= RMB 6.8522)

Spy shots: This could be what BYD F-brand's 1st model looks like

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Tesla seeks to build new battery plant with CATL in US, report says

As with Ford's deal structure, would own and operate the plant while licensing technology from , according to Bloomberg.  |  TSLA.US

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Tesla is reportedly looking to build a new battery factory with CATL in the US, similar to the Chinese battery-maker giant's deal with Ford last month.

Bloomberg reported on the matter earlier today, saying Tesla discussed plans involving CATL with the US government.

Tesla representatives sought clarity on the Inflation Reduction Act rules that the US government is finalizing this week, and the company's senior director of global public policy Rohan Patel was among those involved in the discussions, according to the report.

Tesla hopes to build a plant wholly owned by it in partnership with CATL, similar to a deal Ford announced last month in Michigan, the report said.

Tesla is in expansion mode, deploying its $22 billion in cash to boost production and cut costs as it faces increasing competition, the report noted.

CATL produces lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a cheaper chemistry than the nickel-based batteries used in Western countries, and is key to the plan, the report said.

Tesla is considering building the battery plant in Texas to supply its electric vehicle assembly plant there, although the location has not been finalized, Bloomberg said, citing some people familiar with the matter.

As with Ford's deal structure, Tesla would own and operate the plant, while licensing technology from CATL, according to the report.

On February 13, Ford announced that it is investing $3.5 billion to build an LFP battery plant in Marshall, Michigan.

The plant, which is wholly owned by Ford, is the first battery plant to be wholly owned by a US automaker and will introduce LFP battery solutions for Ford's electric vehicle products.

The LFP battery plant is expected to start production in 2026 with an initial workforce of 2,500, Ford said last month.

The plant will have an initial design capacity of about 35 GWh per year and could supply power packs for about 400,000 Ford electric vehicles annually.

CATL is the world's largest maker of electric vehicle batteries, with a share far ahead of other peers.

CATL's installed battery volume in January-February was 25.5 GWh, up 34 percent from 19.0 GWh in the same period last year, according to data released yesterday by South Korean market research firm SNE Research.

The Chinese battery giant continues to rank No. 1 with a 33.9 percent share, the only global battery maker with a share of more than 30 percent.

Ford to build $3.5 billion LFP battery plant in Michigan with CATL's technology

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Seres unveils new NEV brand Landian and 1st model E5 with BYD, Huawei technology

The Landian E5 is a mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV with a starting price of RMB 139,900.

Chinese tech giant 's key partner in the automotive sector, Seres Group, has launched another new energy vehicle (NEV) brand to increase its bets in the sector.

Seres today officially unveiled the Landian (蓝电) brand and made its first model, the plug-in hybrid E5, available with technology from Huawei and , according to an online launch event.

Landian literally means blue electricity in Chinese. The brand is positioned as a builder of the Internet of Everything ecosystem in the "E era", where the letter E refers to Electric.

By 2023, the Landian brand will build 340 experience stores and 160 delivery centers, Seres said.

The Landian E5 is a mid-size SUV, available in five- and seven-seat versions. It measures 4,760 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width and 1,710 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,785 mm.

The car is available in two versions with starting prices of RMB 139,900 ($20,330) and RMB 151,900 respectively.

The Landian E5 is powered by Seres' DE-i electric drive platform, which uses the F31A 1.5L PHEV-specific engine and DHT300 electric hybrid system from BYD's FinDreams Power.

The engine has a maximum power of 81 kW and a maximum torque of 135 Nm, while the electric motor has a maximum power of 130 kW and a maximum torque of 300 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.

The car has an NEDC range of 100 km, 110 km on battery power and a combined WLTC range of 1,150 km on full fuel and full charge.

The Landian E5 is equipped with Huawei's HiCar 3.0 system, a lite version of HarmonyOS for cars, but supports features including seamless connectivity with cell phones.

Chongqing-based Seres Group was renamed from Chongqing Sokon Industrial Group in July 2022. It is Huawei's most important partner in the automotive industry to date.

Huawei announced on April 20, 2021 that the company officially started selling cars, with the Seres SF5 from the Seres Group's Seres brand being the first model to enter its channels.

The Seres brand announced the launch of a premium NEV brand called AITO with Huawei on December 2, 2021, and has already launched models including the M5 and M7.

Seres Group sold 12,773 vehicles in February, including 6,577 NEVs, according to figures it announced earlier this month.

On February 25, the Seres brand and Huawei signed an agreement on deepening their joint business, which will see the two jointly launch a new vehicle platform, the first flagship model of which is scheduled for release in 2023.

Seres unveiled aggressive plans at the time, saying the joint business aims to see annual sales of NEVs reach 1 million units by 2026.

($1 = RMB 6.8813)

Seres, Huawei sign deal on joint business, aim to sell 1 million NEVs by 2026

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Global EV battery market share in Jan-Feb: CATL 33.9%, BYD 18.2%

's share in January-February was the same as in January, while saw its share rise.

CATL and BYD remained the top two players in the global EV battery market in the first two months, with the former's share remaining stable and the latter rising.

In January and February, the total battery consumption of EVs registered in each country was about 75.2 GWh, up 39.0 percent from the previous year, according to data released today by South Korean market research firm SNE Research.

CATL's battery installed base in January-February was 25.5 GWh, up 34 percent from 19.0 GWh in the same period last year.

The Chinese battery giant continues to rank first with a 33.9 percent share, the only global battery maker with a share of more than 30 percent.

CATL's share in January-February was the same as in January, but down 1.2 percentage points from 35.1 percent a year ago.

CATL's batteries are in high demand in passenger cars, including Model 3, Model Y, SAIC's Mulan, ET5 and the Chinese commercial vehicle market, and is expected to maintain its No. 1 position, SNE Research said.

BYD installed 13.7 GWh of power batteries in January-February, up 122.6 percent from 6.1 GWh in the same period last year.

The company ranked second with 18.2 percent market share in the first two months, up from 11.3 percent in the same period last year and up from 17.6 percent in January.

BYD is gaining traction in China's domestic market with its competitive pricing by establishing a vertically integrated supply chain management, including self-supply of batteries and vehicle manufacturing, SNE Research said.

LG Energy Solution saw a 51.9 percent year-on-year increase in power battery installed base of 10.0 GWh in January-February.

The South Korean company ranked third in the world with a 13.3 percent share, up from 12.2 percent a year earlier.

Japan's Panasonic ranked fourth with a 10.4 percent share, South Korea's SK On was fifth with 5.5 percent and Samsung SDI was sixth with 4.9 percent.

China's CALB, Gotion High-tech, Eve Energy and Sunwoda ranked seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth respectively, with shares of 3.4 percent, 2.0 percent, 1.8 percent and 1.4 percent respectively in January-February.

CATL's share in global EV battery market slips in Jan, BYD rises

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SAIC-GM-Wuling launches new EV model, price from $8,680

In the January-February period, SAIC-GM-Wuling sold 50,433 NEVs in China, second only to and .

(Image credit: Wuling)

SAIC-GM-Wuling, which has had success in the mini electric vehicle (EV) market, is offering another new model to Chinese consumers.

Wuling yesterday officially launched the new EV model Binguo in China, offering five versions with starting prices of RMB 59,800 ($8,683) to RMB 83,800.

The car is an A0-class EV with a length, width and height of 3,950 mm, 1,708, mm and 1,580 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,560 mm.

For comparison, Wuling's current hot-selling Hongguang Mini EV has a length, width and height of 2,920 mm, 1,493 mm and 1,621 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,940 mm. The Mini EV has a starting price of RMB 32,800.

The Wuling Binguo is available in two powertrain versions, with a permanent magnet synchronous motor as standard and a maximum power of 30 kW and 50 kW respectively.

The vehicle is equipped with lithium iron phosphate battery packs with capacities of 17.9 kWh and 31.9 kWh, respectively, and has a CLTC range of 203 km and 333 km, respectively.

The 333 km range model supports fast charging, taking 35 minutes to charge from 30 percent to 80 percent.

With slow charging, the car can be charged from 20 percent to 100 percent in 5.5 hours.

It is worth noting that although the model was officially launched yesterday, it has been available for pre-order since March 2 and more than 2,700 units have already been delivered.

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

In January-February, SAIC-GM-Wuling sold 50,433 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, down 15.3 percent year-on-year, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

But the automaker was third in China in NEV sales in the first two months, with a 6.5 percent share, behind BYD's 40.8 percent and Tesla's 7.8 percent.

($1 = RMB 6.8871)

Wuling's new mini car Air EV officially launched in China

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Chinese self-driving startup WeRide plans to start autonomous vehicle testing in Singapore this year

In September 2022, WeRide launched its Singapore company and signed a memorandum of cooperation with a subsidiary of a local public transport operator in November.

(Image credit: WeRide)

Chinese startup WeRide plans to start testing autonomous vehicles in Singapore this year, as it begins to set its sights on Southeast Asian markets.

WeRide will work with Strides, a subsidiary of Singapore's largest public transport operator SMRT, to test and pilot self-driving vehicles in the Southeast Asian country, according to an article yesterday on its official WeChat account.

In September 2022, WeRide established the Singapore branch and signed a memorandum of cooperation with Strides in November, according to the article.

SMRT and another Singaporean investment house, K3 Ventures, are both strategic investors in WeRide, and they will help the company grow in Singapore and Southeast Asian markets, the article said.

On March 27, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong kicked off a six-day visit to China and visited WeRide's headquarters in Guangzhou, said the article.

WeRide's office in Singapore is hiring talents there, and the company will use the office as a regional development center for Asia Pacific operations, according to its founder and CEO Han Xu.

Founded in Guangzhou in 2017, WeRide's products include Robotaxi, Mini Robobus, Robovan, Robo Street Sweeper and SAE L2-L4 advanced smart driving solutions.

WeRide is now testing and operating driverless vehicles in 25 cities in 5 countries, according to the article.

The company has a fleet of more than 500 self-driving vehicles and more than 16 million miles of autonomous driving, WeRide said.

On March 13, Bloomberg reported that WeRide has confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the US and hopes to raise as much as $500 million.

WeRide is poised to go public as early as the first half of this year, according to the report.

In March 2022, local media outlet LatePost reported that WeRide had closed a new round of over $400 million in financing, with a post-investment valuation of $4.4 billion.

Investors in the round included GAC Group, Bosch, China-Arab Investment Funds, and Carlyle Group, the report said.

WeRide unveils smaller, lower-cost self-driving sensor suite

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Denza starts warming up for new SUV N8, releases official exterior images

The Denza N8 will be a mid to large-size SUV that will be available in 5-, 6- and 7-seat versions.

(Image credit: Denza)

's premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand Denza seems to be preparing to market two new SUVs in parallel.

Denza is already warming up for the new SUV, the Denza N8, as it just started intensive marketing on the Denza N7 earlier this month.

The brand shared several images of the Denza N8 on Weibo today, showing off the model's exterior design.

Denza didn't share anything else, but the information it released earlier this month suggests that the Denza N8 will carry over much of the design of the now-discontinued Denza X.

The Denza X measures 4,890 mm, 1,950 mm, 1,725 mm and has a wheelbase of 2,820 mm.

The Denza N8 will be mid to large-size SUV that will be available in 5-, 6- and 7-seat versions, featuring the Denza family's new π-Motion design language, it said earlier this month.

On March 14, Denza released a video of one of the Denza N8's winter tests, showing a maximum charging power of 175 kW for the model's electric-only version and 90 kW for the plug-in hybrid version.

Denza was established in February 2011 as a 50-50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler, the first Sino-foreign joint venture in China to focus on NEVs. In February 2022, the Daimler brand was rebranded as Mercedes-Benz.

Last year, BYD's stake in Denza increased to 90 percent, and Mercedes-Benz's stake decreased to 10 percent.

In August 2022, Denza launched the D9 MPV, the brand's first model after its rebranding. The Denza D9 began deliveries at the end of October last year.

On March 6, Denza released several exterior images of the Denza N7 on Weibo.

On March 9, the Denza N7 appeared on a regulatory declaration list with a paging showing the car's length, width and height of 4,860 mm, 1,935 mm and 1,602 mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,940 mm.

The Denza N7 has inspired a high level of enthusiasm, and with the announcement of Denza's partnership with French high-end audio brand Devialet on March 22, there have been particularly many inquiries from customers every day, said Zhao Changjiang, general manager of Denza's sales division, on Weibo on March 26.

Many customers want to have Denza N7 launched as soon as possible, and according to the inquiry volume data, the model is expected to get 30,000 orders before its launch in the middle of the year, Zhao said.

Denza N7 expected to get over 30,000 orders before mid-year launch, exec says

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NIO partners with Norwegian smart energy provider Tibber to deliver better charging experience in Europe

Tibber enables users to track their energy usage and allows EVs to charge when electricity prices are lowest.  |  US | NIO HK | NIO SG

(Image credit: NIO)

NIO's (NYSE: NIO) vehicles support charging just like any other electric vehicle (EV), in addition to having access to a fully charged battery via battery swap. Now the Chinese EV maker has entered into a new partnership in Europe to make the charging experience better.

NIO has partnered with Norwegian smart energy provider Tibber to give European owners access to some of the benefits the latter offers, according to an article published yesterday in the European version of the NIO App.

NIO customers in Norway, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands who have a dynamic power contract with Tibber can easily connect their NIO vehicles to Tibber's app, the article said.

Tibber offers a range of services, including the Tibber App, that let customers track their energy use, find real-time energy prices and control the charging of their electric vehicles -- at best, when electricity prices are at their lowest, according to the article.

Smart charging with Tibber can be used with any wallbox, such as NIO's Power Home 3.0, the article said.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

"Once you set up the 'Smart Charging' feature within the Tibber App, your NIO will be charged fully automatically exactly in the hours when the electricity is cheapest," the article reads.

Tibber was founded in 2016 and focuses on using technology to help customers save energy and money.

The partnership with Tibber is the latest NIO partnership in Europe related to EV energy replenishment.

Last December 8, EnBW, Germany's largest fast-charging network operator, announced that it had entered into a partnership with NIO in which the EV maker would build up to 20 battery swap stations at its charging parks.

NIO entered Norway in 2021 and last October expanded its presence in Europe to include Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark.

NIO to install 20 swap stations at German firm EnBW's charging parks

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Smart teases Smart #3, releases official ‘spy shots’

Smart has released a set of spy photos of the Smart #3 on Weibo, with text suggesting that the model will have sporty features.

(Image credit: Smart)

Smart Automobile, the joint venture between and Mercedes-Benz, is starting to warm up for its second model, which may not be far from being unveiled.

Smart China posted a set of spy photos of the Smart #3 on Weibo yesterday, with text suggesting that the model will have sporty features.

Smart didn't mention any other information, but some local media reports say the Smart #3 is expected to be unveiled at next month's Shanghai auto show and will go on sale in China by the end of the year.

The model entered a catalog published by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in November 2022, showing it as a small SUV with a length, width and height of 4,400/4,542 mm, 1,844 mm and 1,556 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,785 mm.

For reference, the Smart #1, the first production model after the electrification of the Smart brand, measures 4,270 mm in length, 1,822 mm in width and 1,636 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

This means that the Smart #3 will be longer and wider than the Smart #1, but lower.

The Smart #3 has a peak motor power of 200 kW in the single-motor version and 115 kW and 200 kW in the dual-motor version for the front and rear motors, respectively.

The vehicle has a top speed of 180 km/h. It will be powered by ternary lithium batteries, and suppliers include CALB and Sunwoda, its regulatory information shows.

The Smart #1 went on sale in China on April 25, 2022, and deliveries started on September 24.

The model was designed by Mercedes-Benz, with the Smart R&D team leading engineering development, and is based on Geely's SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) architecture.

The Smart #1 is currently priced in China in the range of RMB 179,000 ($26,030) - RMB 24,5000.

Smart delivered 3,616 vehicles in February and a total of 15,998 vehicles since last September, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.

($1 = RMB 6.8760)

Regulatory filing: Smart's second EV, Smart #3, coming soon

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