Category: China

VW to set up new €1 billion firm in China that promises to shorten product development time by 30%

The new company, 100%TechCo, is scheduled to be operational in early 2024 and will have more than 2,000 procurement and R&D staff in the future.

VW to set up new €1 billion firm in China that promises to shorten product development time by 30%-CnEVPost

(Image credit: Volkswagen China)

German auto giant Volkswagen is increasing its investment in China to stay relevant in the world's most competitive electric vehicle market.

Volkswagen is investing around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in a new company with the project name "100%TechCo"in Hefei, Anhui province in eastern China, according to a press release from the company yesterday.

The new company will focus on the development, innovation and procurement of smart connected electric vehicles, with functions including vehicle and component development, and is expected to reduce the development times of new products and technologies by about 30 percent, the release said.

The new company, which is scheduled to be operational in early 2024, will comprise more than 2,000 employees from procurement and R&D, with Marcus Hafkemeyer, Chief Technology Officer of Volkswagen Group China, as CEO.

The establishment of 100%TechCo is a milestone in Volkswagen's "in China for China" strategy, the automaker said.

VW to set up new €1 billion firm in China that promises to shorten product development time by 30%-CnEVPost

The new company will integrate advanced technologies from local suppliers at an early stage of product development, enabling model offerings to be more responsive to Chinese customer needs, it said.

The 100%TechCo will also help bring Volkswagen's joint ventures in China -- SAIC Volkswagen, FAW Volkswagen and VW Anhui -- into closer synergy with their R&D programs and optimize profitability, according to the release.

At the Shanghai auto show, which began yesterday, Volkswagen Group brands brought 20 electric models, including the ID.7, which made its world debut.

By 2030, Volkswagen will have more than 30 all-electric models across its brands, it said.

(1 $= EUR 0.9113)

VW joins China auto price war, offers up to $5,820 discount on ID. series EVs

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Polestar 4 launched in China with starting price of $50,870

The Polestar 4 went on sale in China on the first day of the Shanghai auto show with a starting price range of RMB 349,800 to 533,800, significantly higher than the Model Y.

(Image credit: Polestar)

Polestar 4, the new model from Polestar, the premium electric vehicle maker owned by Geely and Volvo Cars, went on sale in China with a starting price range that is higher than Tesla's Model Y.

Polestar launched the Polestar 4 yesterday on the first day of the Shanghai auto show, with a starting price range of RMB 349,800 ($50,870) to 533,800.

The car is available in six versions, including three single-motor versions with starting prices of RMB 349,800, 387,800 and 417,800 respectively, and three dual-motor versions with starting prices of RMB 453,800, 483,800 and 533,800 respectively.

This price range is significantly higher than that of the Model Y, currently the best-selling electric SUV in China, which is offered in three versions at RMB 261,900, 311,900, and 361,900.

The Polestar 4's single-motor rear-drive versions are powered by permanent magnet synchronous motors with a maximum power of 200 kW and a maximum torque of 343 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.

Its dual-motor versions have two permanent magnet synchronous motors both with a maximum power of 200 kW at the front and rear, for a combined total of 400 kW, and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

For comparison, the entry-level rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, the dual-motor all-wheel drive Model Y Long Range in 5.0 seconds, and the dual-motor all-wheel drive Model Y Performance in 3.7 seconds.

The Polestar 4 is available in two battery packs, with capacities of 88 kWh and 102 kWh, the former being used in the two least expensive versions and the latter in the other four versions.

The Polestar 4 has a CLTC range of 612 km to 709 km.

Polestar was founded in 2017 by Volvo and Geely, and the first product, the Polestar 1, was only available in limited numbers and has been discontinued.

The Polestar 2, which will be officially delivered in 2020, is the brand's first real production model on sale and will only be produced at the plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, in eastern China.

Polestar made the Polestar 3 SUV's global debut on October 12, 2022, when it announced its two versions with starting prices in China of RMB 880,000 and RMB 1,030,000, respectively.

On March 17, Polestar officially unveiled the Polestar 3 in China at a price that is nearly RMB 200,000 lower than the model's international debut last year.

($1 = RMB 6.8760)

Polestar 3 officially unveiled in China, price cut by about $29,080 from previous

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CATL unveils Condensed Battery for electric aircrafts and EVs

CATL is collaborating on the development of Condensed Battery for civilian electric aircrafts, and the battery for EVs will have mass production capability this year.

CATL unveils Condensed Battery for electric aircrafts and EVs-CnEVPost

Chinese power battery giant CATL has unveiled its new battery technology, Condensed Battery, which is expected to be used in electric aircrafts and drive faster change in the electric vehicle industry.

CATL's Condensed Battery will feature high safety and high energy density, with single cells having an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg, the company's chief scientist Wu Kai said today at the Shanghai auto show.

CATL unveils Condensed Battery for electric aircrafts and EVs-CnEVPost

CATL has built a micron-scale adaptive mesh structure that regulates inter-chain interaction forces for changes in the electrochemical reactions of ultra-high energy density chemistries, according to Wu.

The battery also introduces a series of innovations in isolation films as well as innovative processes, including a high-energy cathode and a new type of anode, he said.

CATL is currently working on a collaborative development of a civilian electric aircraft project and is implementing aerospace-grade standards in the process to meet aerospace-grade safety and quality requirements, he said.

The Condensed Battery will also be available for use in electric vehicles and will have mass production capability within this year, Wu said.

CATL unveils Condensed Battery for electric aircrafts and EVs-CnEVPost

CATL initially said at the Chongqing auto show in late June last year that the company was developing Condensed Battery, in addition to solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries.

On August 28, 2022, Wu said at a new energy vehicle industry conference that Condensed Battery has features including high safety, high reliability, and good cycle life.

As some background, 500 Wh/kg energy density is the highest we've seen to date for any power cell claimed to be able to be mass-produced.

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

Higher energy density means greater R&D challenges and thus higher costs.

NIO's 150-kWh pack costs about as much as an ET5 sedan, the company's co-founder and president Qin Lihong said on February 11 at a face-to-face user event in Changzhou, Jiangsu province.

Chery to be 1st automaker to adopt CATL's sodium-ion batteries

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BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460

With a range of up to 405 km, the BYD Seagull is expected to be one of the vehicle choices for many families for short trips.

BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460-CnEVPost

(Image credit: BYD)

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has started pre-sale for a mini electric vehicle that promises to be one of the vehicle choices for many families on short trips.

BYD unveiled the Seagull, the latest addition to its Ocean series, and started its pre-sales on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18.

The vehicle is available in three versions with starting prices of RMB 78,800 ($11,460), 83,800 and 95,800 respectively.

BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460-CnEVPost

It is worth noting that these are not the final prices of the model, and BYD's previous practice was to have final prices slightly lower than the pre-sale prices.

The BYD Seagull is an A0-class electric vehicle based on the e-Platform 3.0 with a length, width and height of 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm and 1,540 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm.

For comparison, the SAIC-GM-Wuling Binguo has a length, width and height of 3,950 mm, 1,708 mm and 1,580 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. Its 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 starting price of the Binguo is RMB 59,800 and the Honguo Mini EV starts at RMB 32,800.

The BYD Seagull is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 55 kW and peak torque of 135 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 50 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460-CnEVPost

The car is available in two range versions, with the lower-priced two models having a CLTC range of 305 km and the highest-priced version having a range of 405 km.

The BYD Seagull uses BYD's blade batteries with pack capacities of 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh respectively.

The car supports fast charging, taking 30 minutes to charge from 30 percent to 80 percent.

Previous rumors suggested that the model would have a version with sodium-ion batteries, but this does not appear to be a reality.

(1 $= RMB 6.8760)

BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460-CnEVPost

BYD starts pre-sale of Seagull with prices starting at $11,460-CnEVPost

BYD Yangwang begins pre-sale of U8 off-road SUV at $160,000

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BYD unveils Song L concept SUV at Shanghai auto show

Song L combines BYD's pioneering technology for young users who are looking for a stylish and sporty car, the company said.

BYD unveils Song L concept SUV at Shanghai auto show-CnEVPost

BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) began previewing the new model Song L a few days ago, and now it turns out that the model is a concept car.

The Song L concept, which was officially unveiled today on the first day of the Shanghai auto show, is a premium B-segment all-electric SUV in BYD's Dynasty series.

The car features a coupe-style design with a coupe-crossover stance.

Song L combines BYD's pioneering technology for young users who are looking for a stylish and sporty vehicle, the company said.

The vehicle is a pioneering SUV that combines sport and power in a styling style that breaks with tradition and is the aesthetic of the next generation of the Dynasty product array, it said.

BYD unveils Song L concept SUV at Shanghai auto show-CnEVPost

Song L is based on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 and will have CTB (cell-to-body) technology, and intelligent electric four-wheel drive.

The model will have an electric rear wing, and electronic mirrors, giving it a more pronounced sporty character.

BYD announced last Friday on Weibo that Song L, the B-class all-electric SUV of the Dynasty series, will debut at the Shanghai auto show.

The rearview mirror replaces the traditional mirrors on either side of the vehicle with a camera, a forward-thinking design that promises lower wind resistance and longer range. Chinese regulations will allow the use of such mirrors on vehicles starting July 1.

BYD unveils Song L concept SUV at Shanghai auto show-CnEVPost

The Song Max DM-i and Song Pro DM-i currently on sale are part of the Dynasty series, while the Song Plus DM-i and Song Plus EV are part of the Ocean series. The Song L will be a new member of the Dynasty series.

For a long time the Song family models were the highest-selling BYD models, but they were overtaken by the Qin family models in March.

BYD sold 207,080 NEVs in March, up 97.45 percent from 104,878 units in the same month last year and up 6.93 percent from 193,655 units in February, according to data released on April 2.

The Qin family of models sold a record 40,850 units in March, making it the highest-selling BYD model for the month. the Song family of models sold 40,510 units in March, second only to the Qin family of models.

BYD Yangwang begins pre-sale of U8 off-road SUV at $160,000

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BYD Yangwang begins pre-sale of U8 off-road SUV at $160,000

Yangwang U8 is offered in two versions, both priced at RMB 1,098,000, with deliveries set to begin in September.

BYD Yangwang begins pre-sale of U8 off-road SUV at $160,000-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Yangwang, BYD's premium brand, began pre-sales of its first model, the U8, at the Shanghai auto show today at a price of RMB 1,098,000 ($160,000).

The car will be available in two versions -- the Premium Edition and the Off-road Master Edition, the difference between the two is that the former is more richly equipped, while the latter has more room for modification.

The Yangwang U8 has a maximum power output of over 1,100 horsepower and takes 3.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The vehicle has a pure electric range of 180 km on CLTC standard.

The car supports fast charging, taking 18 minutes to go from 30 percent to 80 percent. It is equipped with an external discharge function with a maximum discharge power of 6 kW.

The vehicle has a wheelbase of 3,050 mm and is equipped with BYD's technologies including e⁴, DiSus-P and blade battery.

The e⁴ technology allows the model to float on the water and in emergency situations and make U-turns on the spot.

The DiSus-P system allows the vehicle to achieve autonomous height adjustment with a total suspension adjustment travel of 150 mm and a maximum wading depth of 1,000 mm.

DiSus-P also supports continuous adaptive adjustment to respond to road conditions through intelligent adjustment, enhancing body stability during aggressive driving such as high-speed cornering.

Deliveries of the Yangwang U8 Premium Edition will begin in September, and deliveries of the Off-road Master Edition will start later.

On January 5 BYD officially launched the Yangwang brand and officially unveiled the Yangwang U8 and Yangwang U9 models, both of which will be equipped with e⁴ technology.

e⁴ is China's first mass-produced quad-motor independent drive technology platform, able to achieve precise control of vehicle four-wheel dynamics by virtue of four-motor independent vector control technology, BYD said at the time.

On April 10, BYD announced a body control system called DiSus, which is divided into three branches, including the Intelligent Damping Body Control System (DiSus-C), the Intelligent Air Body Control System (DiSus-A), and the Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System (DiSus-P).

DiSus-P is the most advanced of these three branches, and BYD says it is the world's first intelligent hydraulic body control system that allows both synchronized lifting of all four wheels and independent lifting of a single wheel.

($1 = 6.8769 RMB)

BYD officially launches Yangwang brand, debuts hardcore off-road SUV U8 and supercar U9

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Zeekr releases Europe strategy, 2 models to debut in Sweden and Netherlands in Q4

Zeekr's European headquarters will be in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and its first models in Europe will be the flagship Zeekr 001 shooting brake and Zeekr X urban SUV.

Zeekr releases Europe strategy, 2 models to debut in Sweden and Netherlands in Q4-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle brand of Geely Holding Group, today officially unveiled its Europe strategy, marking an important milestone in its ambitious global growth plan.

Zeekr will offer European customers an electric vehicle experience based on a direct-to-customer business model, it announced on the first day of the Shanghai auto show.

Its first models in Europe are the flagship Zeekr 001 shooting brake, which has a range of about 600 kilometers, and the Zeekr X urban SUV, which was launched in China on April 12.

They will begin arriving in Sweden and the Netherlands in the fourth quarter, with other countries to follow quickly, Zeekr said.

"It’s been just two years since we revealed our first state-of-the-art electric vehicle -- the ZEEKR 001. The response from customers to our brand has been incredible with over 93,000 units sold already," said Andy An, Zeekr's global CEO.

Zeekr was valued at $13 billion following its last $750 million Series A funding round, and launching the brand in Europe is a key step in its global strategy, An said.

Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X were developed at Zeekr's global design and R&D center in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Zeekr's European team of more than 1,500 engineers and designers is already in place and has produced several models for the Geely Group. Their long-standing experience is a core strength of Zeekr's successful entry into Europe, the company said.

Zeekr's European headquarters will be in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and will have a leadership team that has held senior positions at other premium and luxury automakers.

Zeekr Europe's CEO is Spiros Fotinos, whose LinkedIn page shows he has worked for Toyota, Lexus and joined Zeekr in September 2022.

European consumers are increasingly ready to move to EVs and are more open than ever to new technology brands, especially those that focus on electric vehicles, Fotinos said.

Zeekr was officially launched as an independent company in 2021, with its first model, the Zeekr 001, launched on April 15, 2021, and deliveries beginning in October 2021.

On November 1, 2022, Zeekr's second model, the Zeekr 009 MPV, was launched, and its deliveries began on January 15.

On April 12, Zeekr launched its third model, the Zeekr X, which it hopes will become the benchmark for luxury compact cars.

Zeekr delivered 6,663 vehicles in March, up 271.20 percent from 1,795 in the same month last year and up 22.14 percent from 5,455 in February, according to data it released on April 1.

By the end of March, Zeekr's cumulative deliveries since its inception stood at 93,182.

Zeekr launches Zeekr X SUV to gain further share from market dominated by German luxury automakers

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