Category: Industry News

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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SAIC’s Rising Auto launches battery swap-enabled mid to large-size sedan F7

The Rising F7 starts at a price range of RMB 209,900 ($30,490) to RMB 301,900, or RMB 145,900 in battery rental mode.

(Image credit: Rising Auto)

SAIC Group's Rising Auto has officially launched the battery swap-enabled mid to large-size sedan, the F7, its second model.

The Rising F7 is available in six versions with a starting price range of RMB 209,900 ($30,490) to RMB 301,900, about half the price of the ET7, according to information announced by Rising Auto at last night's launch event.

The car supports battery swap as NIO's models and allows consumers to purchase the vehicle body and rent a battery.

If consumers choose to purchase the car without the battery, the Rising F7 will start at RMB 145,900.

The car is an all-electric mid to large-size sedan with a length, width and height of 5,000 mm, 19,53 mm and 1,494 mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 3,000 mm.

For comparison, the NIO ET7 measures 5,101 mm in length, 1,987 mm in width and 1,509 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,060 mm, and has a starting price of RMB 458,000 including the battery.

The Rising F7 is available in 64-kWh, 77-kWh and 90-kWh battery packs, providing CLTC ranges of 500 km, 576 km, 600 km and 666 km.

The car is available in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive versions, with the single-motor model having a peak motor power of 250 kW and a peak torque of 400 Nm and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

The dual-motor model has a maximum total motor power of 400 kW and a peak torque of 700 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.

The car's smart cockpit system, Rising OS, is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and features a 43-inch integrated screen inside the car, including LCD instrument screen, an OLED center console and a passenger seat screen.

Like Rising Auto's first model, the Rising R7 SUV, the Rising F7 also supports battery swap, which can be completed in 2.5 minutes under ideal conditions.

It is worth noting that Rising Auto is in the beginning stages of infrastructure development, with only three battery swap stations in Shanghai and over 50 battery swap stations under construction in 10 cities.

For comparison, as of March 27, NIO had 1,325 battery swap stations in China.

Rising Auto, previously known as R Auto, launched the Rising R7 on September 28, 2022, its first model since rebranding. Deliveries of the model began in October last year.

In early September 2022, SAIC announced that it had joined hands with Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), and Shanghai Automobile City to form a company specializing in battery swap services.

SAIC said at the time that its Rising Auto, Roewe, MG and Maxus brands would launch battery swap-enabled models.

Rising Auto delivered 1,501 and 1,523 vehicles in November and December, respectively, according to information it previously announced. The company did not announce deliveries this year.

($1 = RMB 6.8851)

SAIC's Rising Auto officially launches battery swap-enabled R7 SUV with subsidized starting price of $40,130

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Chery’s NEV unit cuts vehicle prices by up to 10%

In January-February, Chery's NEV sales were 13,293 units, down 57.6 percent from 31,367 units in the same period last year.

(Image credit: Chery New Energy)

Chinese auto giant Chery's new energy vehicle (NEV) division has slashed the prices of several models, becoming the latest car company to do so.

Chery New Energy announced today that official guide prices for three of its NEV models has been cut by up to 9,000 yuan ($1,310) starting at 00:00 on March 27.

The reduction covers the QQ Ice Cream, Little Ant and Wujie Pro, with the Little Ant's 408km range seeing an RMB 9,000, or 8.74 percent, price cut.

The QQ Ice Cream priced at RMB 39,900 saw a price reduction of RMB 4,000, or 10 percent.

Following this reduction, the QQ Ice Cream's latest starting price range is RMB 35,900 to RMB 45,900, the Little Ant is RMB 64,999 to RMB 94,000, and the Wujie Pro is RMB 84,900 to RMB 110,900.

This is due to the global price correction of new energy materials and the company's cost control and supply chain management capabilities, Chery New Energy said in an announcement.

The price of lithium carbonate, a key raw material for batteries, has fallen sharply in the past few months, with the current price having dropped about 50 percent from its high point last November.

As of March 24, the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in China was RMB 277,500 per ton and industrial-grade lithium carbonate was RMB 235,000 per ton, according to data from Mysteel monitored by CnEVPost.

While Chery New Energy attributed the price cuts to lower raw material prices, the recent price war in the Chinese auto industry and its weak performance so far this year may be the bigger reasons.

After cut prices earlier in the year, several NEV makers followed suit. Earlier this month, multiple traditional internal combustion engine automakers launched price wars with steep discounts.

These moves have increased the consumer's wait-and-see attitude toward car purchases and disrupted the industry, and last week, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) called on all parties to help return the industry to normalcy.

For Chery, its performance at the beginning of the year was weak.

In January-February, Chery's NEV sales were 13,293 units, down 57.6 percent from 31,367 units a year earlier, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) monitored by CnEVPost.

($1 = RMB 6.8819)

CAAM calls for return to normal order in China's auto industry as price war disrupts sector

ModelVersionPrevious Price (RMB)Latest PriceChangeChange %
QQ Ice Cream120 km Milkshake39,90035,900-4,000-10.03%
QQ Ice Cream120 km Cone43,90039,900-4,000-9.11%
QQ Ice Cream170 km Sundae49,90045,900-4000-8.02%
Little Ant251 km Hot Love69,99964,999-5,000-7.14%
Little Ant301 km True Love Plus82,99977,999-5,000-6.02%
Little Ant301 km Half Sugar82,90076,900-6000-7.24%
Little Ant408 km Full Sugar103,00094,000-9,000-8.74%
Wujie Pro301 km Moshou89,90084,900-5,000-5.56%
Wujie Pro301 km Lingshou94,90089,900-5,000-5.27%
Wujie Pro301 km Shenshou99,90094,900-5000-5.01%
Wujie Pro408 km Moshou105,900100,900-5,000-4.72%
Wujie Pro408 km Shenshou115,900110,900-5,000-4.31%

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LiDAR-maker Hesai to set up software R&D headquarters in Chongqing

Hesai shipped 80,462 LiDAR units for the full year 2022, up 467.5 percent year-on-year.  |  Hesai.US

LiDAR-maker Hesai to set up software R&D headquarters in Chongqing-CnEVPost

(Hesai FT120 automotive short-range LiDAR. Image from Hesai prospectus.)

Shanghai-based LiDAR maker Hesai Group (NASDAQ: HSAI) signed an investment agreement with Chongqing Economic Development Zone on March 26 to build a software global R&D headquarters in the southwestern Chinese city, according to a report in Chongqing Daily today.

Hesai is a global leader in LiDARs for autonomous driving and advanced assisted driving, and Chongqing wants it to strengthen its cooperation with local car companies, the report said, citing the city's mayor, Hu Henghua.

Under the agreement, Hesai will build a software global R&D headquarters, set up an innovation incubation center and create a LiDAR industrial park in Chongqing's Economic Development Zone, the report said, without providing further details.

Founded in Shanghai in late 2014, Hesai initially focused on developing high-performance laser sensors and has been exploring driverless LiDAR products since 2016.

On February 9, the company made its NASDAQ debut, becoming the first Chinese LiDAR manufacturing company to list in the US.

Hesai shipped 47,515 LiDAR units in the fourth quarter, up 739.2 percent from 5,662 units in the same period in 2021, it said in its earnings report on March 16.

It shipped 43,351 ADAS LiDAR units in the fourth quarter, compared to 87 units in the same period in 2021.

The company shipped 80,462 LiDAR units in the full year 2022, up 467.5 percent year-on-year.

LiDAR-maker Hesai posts Q4 revenue growth of 56.6% YoY in 1st earnings report since US IPO

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CPCA expects China’s Mar NEV retail sales to rise 27.5% from Feb to 560,000 units

The overall market is recovering at a slower pace than previously expected due to increased consumer wait-and-see sentiment caused by big price cuts, the CPCA said.

The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) expects China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sales to continue to recover this month from last month, although growth in the overall passenger car market remains slow.

Retail sales of passenger vehicles in China are expected to be 1.59 million units in March, flat from a year ago and up 14.5 percent from February, the CPCA said in a report late last night.

Among them, retail sales of NEVs are expected to be 560,000 units, up 25.8 percent from a year ago and up 27.5 percent from February, with a penetration rate of 35.2 percent, according to the report.

In mid-March, the overall market discount rate for passenger cars in China was about 14.4 percent, up from 13.9 percent at the end of February, indicating intense price competition in sales channels, the report said.

The Chinese car market performed poorly in January-February amid multiple unfavorable factors, and demand began to be released in March, the CPCA said.

However, the overall market recovered at a slower pace than previously expected due to increased consumer wait-and-see sentiment caused by car companies' price-cut marketing, the report said.

Large discounts offered by car companies in Hubei province in early March attracted a lot of consumer attention, but at the same time led to a wait-and-see mood among consumers in other provinces and cities, the CPCA said.

Other local governments have since introduced subsidy policies and car brands have followed suit with promotions, which have boosted store traffic but limited actual order conversion, the CPCA said.

Consumer wait-and-see sentiment further increased, negatively impacting the auto market, the report said.

Average daily retail sales for major Chinese automakers in the first and second weeks of March were 31,500 and 36,700, down 16 percent and 18 percent year-on-year, respectively, according to the report.

Average daily retail sales in the third week are expected to be 40,800, up 10 percent year-on-year, mainly due to a low base from last year as a result of the Covid outbreak in the same period last year.

Considering the upward pulse of car sales at the end of the quarter and promotional policies in some regions, the auto market is expected to maintain its rebound in the fourth and fifth weeks, the CPCA said.

The CPCA usually releases estimates of passenger vehicle sales at the end of the month, with preliminary data released early the following month, followed by final data.

It estimated February NEV retail sales in China at around 400,000 units on February 22, released a preliminary figure of 438,000 units on March 7, and released a final figure of 439,000 units on March 8.

CAAM calls for return to normal order in China's auto industry as price war disrupts sector

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Evergrande NEV warns risks of production halt if it can’t get additional liquidity

Evergrande NEV's only model currently on sale, the Hengchi 5, has delivered more than 900 units, according to an exchange announcement.

Evergrande NEV warns risks of production halt if it can't get additional liquidity-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group (Evergrande NEV), the electric vehicle unit of China Evergrande Group, is at risk of discontinuing production after struggling to deliver hundreds of vehicles.

Evergrande NEV's only model currently on sale, the Hengchi 5, is continuing to be produced in volume, with more than 900 units delivered to date, according to an announcement the company made today on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange website.

In order to focus its financial resources on supporting the mass production of the Hengchi 5, Evergrande NEV has continued its cost-saving initiatives and has taken measures to reduce the workforce of its Swedish subsidiary National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, according to the announcement.

However, Evergrande NEV will be at risk of shutting down production in the event that additional liquidity is not available, the announcement said.

The group will plan to launch several flagship models if it can seek more than RMB 29 billion ($4.21 billion) in future financing and hopes to get them into mass production, the announcement said.

Under this plan, Evergrande NEV's cumulative unleveraged cash flow from 2023 to 2026 is expected to be between RMB minus 7 billion and RMB minus 5 billion, the announcement said.

Trading of Evergrande NEV's shares in Hong Kong has been suspended since April 1, 2022, and the timing of restarting trading has not yet been determined.

Hengchi 5 is the first model in mass production of Evergrande NEV's Hengchi Auto, which started delivery on October 29, 2022.

The model is currently available in only one version, with a price of RMB 179,000.

On December 2, Reuters reported that Evergrande NEV suspended mass production of the Hengchi 5 due to a lack of sufficient new orders for the SUV.

A Securities Times report at the time cited people close to Hengchi as saying the brand planned to lay off 10 percent of its workers and would suspend payroll to 25 percent of its workers for one to three months.

($1 = RMB 6.8807)

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CAAM calls for return to normal order in China’s auto industry as price war disrupts sector

Reducing prices to deal with inventory and properly recover costs are normal business practices, but these tactics should not turn into price wars, the CAAM said.

CAAM calls for return to normal order in China's auto industry as price war disrupts sector-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

The price war is one of the most talked-about topics in China's auto industry this month, creating operational challenges for many car companies. Now, an industry association is calling for a return to rationality for all parties to bring order to the market.

The hype about this round of price cuts in China's auto industry should be cooled down as soon as possible so that the industry can return to normal operation and ensure healthy and stable development throughout the year, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said in an article posted on its WeChat account today.

In the article, titled "The current round of auto promotions should be treated rationally and the market should return to normal order as soon as possible," the CAAM argues that price wars are not a long-term solution and the auto market should return to normal order as soon as possible.

In the fourth quarter of last year, especially since the Covid outbreak in China in December, the pace of auto production and sales has been seriously affected, the article noted.

The overall sales of China's auto industry dropped significantly in January-February, inventories rose sharply, and automakers saw their operating pressure increase and took various measures to reduce inventories, the article said.

Some local governments have launched pro-consumption policies aimed at boosting local auto consumption and easing difficulties for car companies.

The reasons for this round of short-term promotions are multifaceted, and the companies offer a lot of discounts on models that are mostly long-stocked, old and stagnant inventory cars that have previously been available at considerable discounts, the CAAM said.

However, some marketing in the sales channels exaggerated price reductions to attract attention in order to increase customer acquisition, which is easily misleading, the CAAM said.

The CAAM calls for proper marketing and objective and accurate media reporting.

With the accelerated pace of transformation of the auto industry, traditional car companies are under the dual pressure of maintaining stable operations and making the transformation, with weaker profitability, the CAAM said.

Price cuts to deal with inventory and proper cost recovery are normal business measures, but these means should not turn into price wars, the CAAM said.

Price wars don't last, and value for money is the eternal law of business, according to the article.

Automakers should look at the long term and make more efforts in product technology, quality, service and brand power. Local governments should take the right approach in the process of stabilizing growth and promoting consumption, the article said.

"The government, enterprises and the media should look at this rationally and work together to maintain market order," the CAAM said.

The article also mentioned that China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sales reached about 7 million units last year, and the number is expected to reach 9 million in 2023.

However, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are also accelerating technology upgrades and constantly adapting to changes in market demand, the CAAM said, adding that NEVs and ICE vehicles will coexist for a long time to come and can meet different consumer needs.

More Chinese EV makers promise no price cuts as price war intensifies consumer wait-and-see sentiment

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Beijing, Xi’an latest cities to offer subsidies to encourage residents to buy NEVs

Beijing is offering subsidies of up to RMB 10,000 for residents to purchase NEVs, while Xi’an is offering subsidies of up to RMB 6,000 for NEV purchases and RMB 10,000 for the installation of charging piles.

Beijing, Xi'an latest cities to offer subsidies to encourage residents to buy NEVs-CnEVPost

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

After China’s state-level subsidies for the purchase of new energy vehicles (NEVs) expired at the end of last year, a growing number of cities have begun offering separate subsidies this year to support local economic development.

The Chinese capital city of Beijing released details of its policy to encourage local residents to purchase NEVs, following media reports of the city’s plans without any details last month.

Between March 1 and August 31, Beijing residents who transfer or scrap passenger vehicles they have owned for more than a year and buy NEVs can receive a subsidy of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,450), according to a program jointly released today by several government departments in the city.

The move is aimed at boosting Beijing’s car consumption, optimizing the local vehicle mix and encouraging local residents to replace their passenger cars with NEV, the program reads.

The program refers to passenger vehicles as gasoline, diesel, gas, hybrid or battery-powered small and micro vehicles registered in Beijing for more than one year, and NEVs as purely electric small and micro passenger vehicles, including extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).

This means that residents who previously owned a passenger car in Beijing — whether it was a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle or NEVs — can receive a subsidy if they purchase a pure electric vehicle or an EREV when replacing their old vehicle. If they purchase a plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, they will not be eligible for the subsidy.

If they previously owned NEVs, they can receive a subsidy of RMB 8,000 even if they have held them for less than 1 year.

Local residents who transfer out of other types of passenger vehicles and purchase NEVs can receive a subsidy of RMB 8,000 if the original vehicle has been owned for 1-6 years. If the old vehicle has been held for more than 6 years, then the subsidy amount is RMB 10,000.

It is worth noting that Beijing implemented a similar policy last year.

On June 26, 2022, Beijing launched a program on encouraging vehicle replacement consumption in order to incentivize residents to purchase NEVs when they replace their vehicles.

The city also offered subsidies of up to RMB 10,000 at the time, and the policy was then valid from June 1 to December 31.

On February 28, Beijing Daily reported that the Beijing city government held a consumer season launch ceremony with tens of thousands of merchants participating in areas including automobiles, restaurants, e-commerce and tourism.

In the auto sector, Beijing will continue last year’s car replacement subsidy policy, details of which will be released in due course, the report said.

In addition to Beijing, Xi’an, a city in northwest China’s Shaanxi province, also released its NEV purchase subsidy program today.

Between March 21 and April 30, consumers who buy a NEV produced by a local carmaker in Xi’an will receive a subsidy of up to RMB 6,000 yuan.

Local consumers who install their own charging facilities by December 31 of this year will receive a subsidy of RMB 10,000.

Prior to Beijing and Xi’an, many other cities, including Shanghai and Hefei in Anhui province, released similar policies earlier this year.

($1 = RMB 6.8722)

Shanghai extends $1,500 subsidy to encourage residents to replace cars with EVs

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Qiantu inks deal with Mullen to tap US market, K50 supercar to be rebranded as Mullen GT and GTRS

Mullen has acquired Qiantu's North and South American intellectual property and distribution rights, allowing the assembly and distribution of the Qiantu K50 in the Americas.  |  Mullen Automotive Inc

Qiantu inks deal with Mullen to tap US market, K50 supercar to be rebranded as Mullen GT and GTRS-CnEVPost

(Image credit: Qiantu)

Qiantu inks deal with Mullen to tap US market, K50 supercar to be rebranded as Mullen GT and GTRS

Mullen has been granted Qiantu's North and South American intellectual property and distribution rights, allowing the assembly and distribution of the Qiantu K50 in the Americas.

Qiantu Motors, which is almost forgotten in its home market of China, is partnering with an American electric vehicle (EV) maker to bring its electric supercar back to life.

Qiantu recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with Mullen Automotive to expand into the Americas, according to a press release from the Chinese startup today.

Qiantu will leverage its strengths in vehicle design, technology development, and process innovation, combined with Mullen's manufacturing and sales strengths in the Americas market, to bring new EV options to consumers in the Americas, the release said.

Qiantu's partnership with Mullen dates back to 2019, when the two partnered on the marketing of the Qiantu K50 in North America.

With the signing of the latest partnership agreement, the Qiantu K50 will transition from the marketing phase to a substantial production and sales phase, the release said.

The partnership area will also be expanded from the North American market to include the entire Americas, according to the release.

Separately, Mullen said in its March 20 press release that it has been granted the North and South American intellectual property and distribution rights for Qiantu and its affiliates, allowing assembly and distribution of the Qiantu K50 in the Americas.

Mullen will begin its program to re-engineer and re-design the product to meet requirements for US certification and customer expectations for today's supercars, with final assembly in Mishawka, Indiana, the US EV maker said.

These modifications will be consistent with Mullen's current vehicle design language in the Mullen FIVE and Mullen FIVE RS.

To ensure supercar status, the car will also feature an updated powertrain, targeting a 0-60 mph time of less than 2.0 seconds and a top speed of more than 200 mph.

Qiantu inks deal with Mullen to tap US market, K50 supercar to be rebranded as Mullen GT and GTRS-CnEVPost

(Image credit: Mullen)

Qiantu, a wholly owned subsidiary of CH-Auto Technology Co Ltd, was founded in 2015 and was one of the first EV startups in China.

Qiantu's first model, the Qiantu K50, was launched in 2018 at a then subsidized price of RMB 686,800 ($99,860), but the model did not earn recognition for the company and was discontinued in November 2020.

On December 18, 2021, Qiantu held a strategy sharing session at its plant in Suzhou, marking its return after a two-year hiatus.

On June 6, 2022, Qiantu announced the start of pre-sales in China for its second model, the Qiantu K20, a two-door, two-seat hatchback with a pre-sale price range of RMB 86,800 to 149,800.

On October 24, 2022, Qiantu and Appollen EV held a launch event in Malaysia to showcase and start pre-sales of the Qiantu K50, Qiantu K25, and Qiantu K20.

They were renamed S1, A1 and A2 respectively in Malaysia, with the Qiantu K25 making its global debut and not previously launched in China, the company said at the time.

($1 = RMB 6.8772)

Qiantu Motor taps Malaysian market with 3 models

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Kia enters China’s crowded EV market, 1st model expected to launch in Aug

The Kia EV6 will be brought to China as an import and is expected to go on sale in August this year. It will also launch the EV5 in November, its first model to be produced in China.

Kia Motors, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Co, is entering China's increasingly crowded electric vehicle (EV) market.

The South Korean automaker announced its official entry into the Chinese EV market at a launch event today, unveiling the EV5 Concept, EV9 Concept and EV6 GT.

Its first all-electric model offered in China, the EV6, will be introduced as an import and is expected to be launched in August of this year.

The EV6 is Kia's first all-electric vehicle, based on the dedicated EV platform E-GMP, and claims to be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in as fast as 3.5 seconds.

The model is equipped with 800V fast charging capability, charging from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.

Kia will also launch the EV5, its first global model to be built in China and debuting here, in November.

(Kia EV5 concept car)

Kia also plans to launch its flagship electric SUV EV9 in 2024, an entry-level all-electric SUV in 2025, a premium electric sedan based on a next-generation EV-specific platform in 2026, and a mid-size all-electric SUV in 2027.

The EV9 concept has a length of more than 5,000 mm and a wheelbase of 3,100 mm, with a 3-row, 6-seat interior layout.

The concept car will have an 800 V high-voltage fast charging system and can be charged up to 350 kW.

The EV9 will be Kia's first vehicle in China to be equipped with the highway system, and the production version is expected to be equipped with L3 assisted driving system.

(Kia EV9 concept car)

In China, Kia has a sales target of 450,000 units by 2030, of which 40 percent will be new energy vehicle (NEV) models.

Kia plans to launch the Kia brand app in China later this year, which will offer features including car shopping, car use, services, and infotainment.

The automaker will create sales channels in China including dealership stores as well as City Stores, and will set up special sections for NEV models in showrooms.

Kia will establish City Store city showrooms in the core business districts of China's first and second-tier key cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Notably, on November 20 last year, Kia announced the opening of its first City Store in China in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, where its EV6, an all-electric vehicle, will be one of the first models to be showcased in the store.

The City Store is a new channel for Kia's electrification transformation and a new platform to revolutionize the user experience, the company said at the time.

Kia launches EV offensive with opening of its 1st City Store in China

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