Page 3 - Automotive
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April 03, 2025
BYD Dolphin 2023 vs 2024: What's New in China's Best-Selling EV?
Exterior Design
2023 Model: Features a sporty, dynamic design with flowing lines that exude youthful energy. The body maintains BYD's "Ocean Aesthetics" philosophy, presenting a fresh and vibrant appearance.
2024 Upgrades: The new model shows refined details with more elegant body lines and a sophisticated presence. Key changes include:
- Body-color integrated front bumper (removes black "whisker" accents)
- Redesigned rear license plate area and light clusters
- New low-drag alloy wheels
- "Dolphin" badging on rear
- Improved aerodynamics
Interior & Comfort
2023 Model: Minimalist yet premium cabin with high-quality materials offering comfortable surroundings.
2024 Upgrades: Significant ergonomic improvements and tech enhancements:
- New Dark Night black interior theme
- Added front seat heating/ventilation
- 50W wireless phone charging
- Built-in ETC system
- Easy-Going interactive system for intuitive controls
- Expanded storage solutions
Performance
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April 03, 2025
BYD Seagull 2025 vs. 2024: Key Upgrades for Global Buyers
2024 BYD Seagull
Exterior Design Refinements
The 2025 BYD Seagull features a simplified rear badge design, replacing the "BUILD YOUR DREAMS" text with a unified "BYD" logo for cleaner visual identity.
Wheel upgrades include new 16-inch Ice Crystal Dynamic alloy wheels for Freedom and Flyer trims, enhancing the car's sporty profile.
Technical Enhancements
New front-row Type A+C charging ports are added, with the Type-C port delivering 60W fast charging capability.
The 2025 model introduces smart power on/off functionality across all variants for improved convenience.
Interior & Comfort Improvements
The cabin receives upgraded fabric headlining that's both premium-looking and easy to maintain.
The Dune Pink interior option now features a monochromatic design for enhanced visual harmony.
Higher trims gain front seat heating and 6-way power adjustment for the driver's seat.
Safety & Features
Built on BYD's e-Platform 3.0, the Seagull
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April 02, 2025
China's Used Car Export Market Analysis: Africa Focus China's Used Car Export Market Analysis: Africa Focus
1. Overview of China's Used Car Export Market
The Chinese used car export market has experienced significant growth since its official launch in May 2019. By March 2024, the market was fully liberalized, with initial export operations starting in key regions including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Zhejiang (Taizhou), Shandong (Jining), and Guangdong.
From April 2019 to 2023, China exported a total of 367,000 used vehicles worth $8.74 billion. In 2023 alone, exports reached 274,500 units valued at $6.88 billion (approximately ¥43.9 million RMB at current exchange rates).
The market shows balanced exports between new energy vehicles (NEVs) and traditional fuel vehicles, with 138,000 NEVs and 136,000 fuel vehicles shipped. Notably, NEVs accounted for 60.6% of total export value due to their higher average prices.
Chinese used cars now reach over 160 countries and regions, with Belt and
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April 02, 2025
Zhongtong Bus Expands Global Footprint with Record Chile Order and Strong Overseas Performance
Major Export Orders
On March 26, 2025, Zhongtong Bus celebrated the shipment of the first batch of 895 pure electric buses to Chile, marking the largest single export order of Chinese buses to Chile in recent years.
This shipment represents Zhongtong's third "super order" in three years. Previous major contracts include:
- 1,000 buses to Kyrgyzstan (May 20, 2023)
- 1,022 buses to Saudi Arabia (February 21, 2024)
Global Market Presence
As one of China's earliest bus manufacturers and a pioneer in new energy vehicle R&D, Zhongtong has established strong presence across multiple markets:
- Portugal: Largest NEV bus supplier
- Egypt: Pure electric buses operating at the Pyramids
- Singapore: Double-decker electric buses for public transport
- Operations across Central Asia, Middle East, Africa, Americas, and Europe
Recent Market Performance
- Saudi Arabia became Zhongtong's first overseas market to exceed 10,000
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April 02, 2025
Changan Auto Enters European Market and the Global Outlook of "Made in Chongqing" Vehicles
Changan's European Market Strategy
Brand Launch and Market Expansion: On March 21, 2025, Changan Automobile held its European brand launch in Mainz, Germany, marking its official entry into the European market. The event showcased nine new models across its three brands (Changan, Deepal, and Avatr).
Market Plan: Changan plans to expand to at least 10 European regional markets by the end of 2025 and establish a comprehensive business presence across Europe by 2028. The company will set up its own national sales companies in Europe and plans to open up to 60 showrooms in the UK.
Localization Strategy: Changan will promote localized product R&D and manufacturing in Europe. Its European R&D team will deeply participate in product design and optimization to ensure vehicles meet European consumer preferences. The company may establish local manufacturing plants in Europe to reduce costs and improve supply
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April 02, 2025
China-Kenya Economic Cooperation Reaches New Heights with Automotive Deals
Nairobi, Kenya - The recent China (Chongqing)-Kenya Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, with major automotive deals taking center stage.
Key Highlights
- 8 signed projects worth approximately 2.8 billion CNY (420 million USD)
- Over 200 participants from government, business, and media sectors
- Major automotive procurement agreements signed by leading Chinese manufacturers
- Commitment to enhanced manufacturing and infrastructure cooperation
Automotive Sector Takes Spotlight
The exchange yielded significant agreements in the automotive sector:
- Lifan Industry (Group) Import & Export Co. signed motorcycle procurement orders with Majindu Motor Vehicle Co. and Zimo Kenya Ltd.
- Chongqing Jinguan Automobile Manufacturing Co. entered into a special vehicle procurement agreement with Jiaohang Ltd. (Somalia-based company)
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
This year marks the
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April 01, 2025
Baidu's RoboTaxis Expand to Middle East: A New Era in Autonomous Driving Baidu's RoboTaxis Expand to Middle East: A New Era in Autonomous Driving
In a significant move, Baidu's autonomous driving platform, Apollo Go RoboTaxis (known as "蘿蔔快跑" in Chinese), has announced a strategic partnership with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch large-scale autonomous taxi services in Dubai. This collaboration marks the first time RoboTaxis will conduct extensive autonomous driving tests and services outside of China.
Deployment of Over 1000 Autonomous Vehicles in Dubai
As part of this agreement, RoboTaxis and RTA plan to deploy more than 1000 fully autonomous vehicles in Dubai. This initiative aims to test and refine the autonomous driving system in the complex urban traffic environment of Dubai, further validating its stability and maturity.
Collaboration with Autogo for Abu Dhabi
In addition to the partnership with RTA, RoboTaxis has also teamed up with Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous
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March 31, 2025
Saudi Arabia's Automotive Market in February 2025: A Mixed Bag for Chinese Brands Saudi Arabia's Automotive Market in February 2025: A Mixed Bag for Chinese Brands
Sales Overview and Brand Performance
In February 2025, the Saudi Arabian new light vehicle market saw a significant surge, with sales reaching 72,388 units, a 14% year-over-year increase. This growth continues the market's recovery trend observed since 2024. The cumulative sales for the first two months of 2025 totaled 140,311 units, representing a 10.9% increase compared to the same period last year[2][4%.
Key Drivers of Growth
The growth in sales can be attributed to several factors, including stable oil prices (projected to remain above $80 per barrel in 2025), increased government spending, and enhanced consumer confidence.
Market Dominance and Brand Performance
- Toyota: Led the market with a 26.2% market share, maintaining its strong position.
- Hyundai and Nissan: Followed closely, with Hyundai's Accent model showing a 36.9%
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March 31, 2025
China's New Energy Vehicle Market Reaches New Heights China's New Energy Vehicle Market Reaches New Heights: Key Takeaways from the 2025 China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum
The 2025 China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum, a pivotal event in the global new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, concluded on March 30, 2025. Here are the key highlights and future directions for China's NEV market, particularly relevant for overseas car buyers and investors in the Middle East and Africa.
Industrial and Information Technology Ministry: Advancing L3 Autonomous Driving
The Industrial and Information Technology Ministry announced plans to enhance support policies to solidify and expand the industry's competitive advantages. Technologically, the focus will be on accelerating the development of crucial components such as power battery materials, automotive chips, and high-efficiency hybrid power engines. In the area of autonomous driving, the ministry will promote the entry and road testing of intelligent connected
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March 30, 2025
DeepSeek AI Reshapes China Auto Market
Chinese Automakers Embrace DeepSeek AI to Revolutionize the Automotive Market Chinese Automakers Embrace DeepSeek AI to Revolutionize the Automotive Market
In recent months, the integration of DeepSeek AI technology into automotive systems has become a significant trend among Chinese automakers. This move is driven by the desire to stand out in a highly competitive market and to enhance the intelligent features of their vehicles.
DeepSeek AI: A Game-Changer in Automotive Intelligence
DeepSeek AI, developed by a Chinese startup, has garnered widespread attention for its advanced AI models, including DeepSeek R1 and DeepSeek V3. These models offer a high-efficiency, low-cost solution that is particularly appealing to Chinese automakers. Here are some key points about the integration of DeepSeek AI:
East Wind, BYD, and SAIC Lead the Charge
- East Wind Automobile: East Wind has been at the forefront, integrating the DeepSeek R1 model into its Lantu Knowsound