62 h. ago China’s rare earth magnet exports to US plunge 29% as tensions simmer

The decline in China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the United States accelerated in September – a period predating Beijing’s expansion of controls over the flow of the critical minerals – an indication the prized items remain a major battleground in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. China’s total exports to the US of the permanent magnets – essential components in manufacturing for several hi-tech industries, including electric vehicles and defence – reached...

Events

5 d. ago Chinese EV makers from Leapmotor to Zeekr challenge Tesla in premium segment

Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) makers are raising the game in the premium segment by launching more spacious and longer-range models to challenge Tesla, which has been steadily losing market share on the mainland. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor has become the latest to join the fray against Elon Musk’s Tesla, with founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming describing its decision to move up the value chain as a mission to offer consumers the best EVs at the best prices. “Leapmotor is able to launch higher-end...

Politics

6 d. ago Chinese EV maker Li Auto eyes global market with Hong Kong base

Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto has set up its international headquarters in Hong Kong, paving the way for its overseas expansion amid intensifying competition at home. The Hong Kong operations would serve as a strategic base for the Beijing-based carmaker to “oversee its research and development [R&D], intellectual property management and international supply chain functions”, said InvestHK, the Hong Kong government’s investment promotion arm, in a statement on Thursday. Li Auto,...

Politics

6 d. ago Carney walks fine line between Washington, Beijing as Ottawa weighs EV tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday said he expects to meet senior Chinese leaders in the “coming month or so” as part of a broad re-engagement with Beijing, but declined to say whether Ottawa will lift tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. “We are in the process of having those discussions on a much broader range of issues than single sectors and single trades,” Carney said at a press conference. “And when we look at the auto sector, we take into account the dynamics with the United...

Politics

6 d. ago China electric SUV conquers Yangtze in stunning display of cutting

A Chinese car maker has achieved an unprecedented automotive feat by crossing the mighty Yangtze River with a turbo-powered sports utility vehicle. The engineering achievement by Chery’s powerful Jetour G700 SUV was intended as more than a marketing stunt; it showcased the increasing technical ambitions of China’s auto industry and its commitment to advancing vehicle capabilities well beyond conventional limits. The powerful electric Jetour G700 SUV set off on Thursday morning from the...

Politics

6 d. ago The fast and the amphibious: China electric SUV conquers Yangtze

A Chinese car maker has achieved an unprecedented automotive feat by crossing the mighty Yangtze River with a turbo-powered sports utility vehicle. The engineering achievement by Chery’s powerful Jetour G700 SUV was intended as more than a marketing stunt; it showcased the increasing technical ambitions of China’s auto industry and its commitment to advancing vehicle capabilities well beyond conventional limits. The powerful electric Jetour G700 SUV set off on Thursday morning from the...

Politics

6 d. ago Powering the future: how China plans to supercharge its EV revolution

China aims to double its electric vehicle (EV) charging capacity by the end of 2027, building 28 million facilities nationwide to tackle the uneven distribution of public networks and spur consumer spending in the auto sector. The expanded network will provide more than 300 million kilowatts of public charging capacity, enough to meet the needs of over 80 million EVs, according to a document released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The action plan, unveiled on...

Politics

7 d. ago Greer, Bessent blast China's rare earths curbs, urge Beijing not to implement them

Greer, Bessent blast China's rare earths curbs, urge Beijing not to implement them  Reuters

Politics

7 d. ago Global monthly EV sales hit record 2.1 million, with 62% Chinese

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales hit a record last month, buoyed by Chinese consumers’ growing interest in new models and the rising popularity of battery-powered cars in Europe. Worldwide September deliveries of pure-electric cars and plug-in hybrids jumped 24 per cent from a year earlier to 2.1 million units – breaking 2 million for the first time and topping the previous record of 1.9 million in December, according to London-based consultancy Rho Motion. The figure represented 20 per cent...

Economics

7 d. ago China’s EV giants head overseas, Tesla Shanghai plant boosts output: 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Tesla’s Shanghai factory deliveries hit record as Model Y variant woos buyers Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory saw a jump in deliveries last month, as its upgraded models struck a chord with wealthy Chinese consumers who favour spacious vehicles. 2. As China’s EV boom makes the EU anxious,...

Politics

8 d. ago China’s EV boom has the EU setting up roadblocks. Can cooperation clear the way?

This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The latest story in our series examining ties between the two powers focuses on intensified competition in the auto industry, a bedrock sector for Europe and an area where China has made enormous strides, particularly in electric vehicles and other hi-tech advancements. When Volkswagen engineers...

Politics

8 d. ago As China’s EV boom makes the EU anxious, is it too late to work together?

This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The latest story in our series examining ties between the two powers focuses on intensified competition in the auto industry, a bedrock sector for Europe and an area where China has made enormous strides, particularly in electric vehicles and other hi-tech advancements. When Volkswagen engineers...

Politics

8 d. ago Chinese robotaxi firms Pony.ai, WeRide on road to Hong Kong IPOs

Pony.ai and WeRide, two leading robotaxi operators in mainland China, have taken their first steps towards share offerings on the Hong Kong stock exchange by filing fundraising plans with the securities regulator. They will join a clutch of mainland companies seeking to tap global investors’ growing interest in China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry as the key players accelerate their global expansion plans. According to documents published by the China Securities Regulatory Commission on...

Economics

1 week ago Shanghai to scrap all foreign investment limits on manufacturing

Mainland China’s commercial and financial hub Shanghai has pledged to remove all regulatory hurdles for foreign investors to set up manufacturing businesses, as authorities move to shore up confidence in the local and national economies despite rising US-China trade tensions. Mayor Gong Zheng said on Sunday that deepened reforms had been carried out to grant overseas companies in the fields of electric vehicles, value-added telecommunications services, biotechnology and hospitals full access to...

Economics

1 week ago 6 steps democracies must take to match China on climate action

Global energy investment is projected to reach US$3.3 trillion this year, with some US$2.2 trillion directed towards clean technologies, double the amount flowing into fossil fuels. Yet beneath these impressive figures, a crisis of confidence is unfolding. During the first half of this year alone, companies cancelled or scaled back more than US$22 billion in clean energy projects in the United States. These included high-profile battery facilities, storage systems and electric vehicle factories,...

Politics

1 week ago How China is engineering Asia’s rise as the world’s leading EV factory

After years of rapid expansion, Chinese carmaker BYD saw sales fall for the first time in over five years in the third quarter of this year on an annual basis. Amid fierce competition at home, BYD’s vehicle sales in September alone fell by 5.5 per cent year on year. This comes after a 30 per cent profit drop in the second quarter. The company’s sales and profit drops reflect the fortunes of many other Chinese carmakers as domestic demand for electric vehicles slows. But what does this mean for...

Politics

1 week ago Leapmotor delivered record 66,657 vehicles in China last month

Leapmotor delivered record 66,657 vehicles in China last month  Electric Cars Report

Politics

1 week ago China says foreigners are using its rare earth exports for military purposes

China has accused unnamed foreign organisations and individuals of processing its rare earths for military purposes as it announced further export controls on Thursday. The new curbs announced by the Ministry of Commerce will ban the provision of technology and services for mining and processing the minerals without permission. China is the world’s leading producer of rare earth elements, which are crucial to the production of a wide range of products, from electric vehicles to spacecraft,...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Affordable’ Model Y and 3: Tesla drops Steve Jobs turtleneck for Walmart hoodie

Tesla rolled out “affordable” versions of its bestselling Model Y SUV and its Model 3 sedan, but the starting prices of US$39,990 and US$36,990 were too high, some said, to attract a new class of buyers to the electric vehicle (EV) brand. CEO Elon Musk has touted the car as a way to tap a wider swathe of buyers, saying last year that a price below US$30,000, after incentives, was the key. Tesla is trying to reverse falling sales of its ageing line-up amid rising competition in Europe and China,...

Events

2 w. ago China joining South American bloc boosts AI and EV industries: analysts

China has formally joined a South American trade bloc as an observer in a move analysts said would strengthen its strategic foothold in the region and help power industries ranging from artificial intelligence to electric vehicles. Xinhua reported last week that China had been formally accepted as an observer state of the Andean Community, a regional organisation comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. China has engaged with the Andean Community since 1999, when the two sides reached an...

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