Page 18 - China Auto Industry Insight
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April 03, 2025
2025 BYD Song Plus DM-i: The Pinnacle of Chinese Hybrid Technology
Fuel Efficiency: Benchmark-Setting Hybrid Performance
The 2025 Song Plus DM-i features BYD's revolutionary fifth-generation DM-i hybrid technology, achieving an industry-leading 1.2L/100km combined fuel consumption under WLTC standards. The pure electric range has been significantly upgraded to 150km (NEDC cycle), making it ideal for daily commutes.
Pro Tip: For short urban commutes with charging access, pure electric mode delivers maximum savings. During long-distance travel, the hybrid system still outperforms conventional gasoline vehicles in fuel economy.
Driving Dynamics: Precision Engineering Meets Power
1. Enhanced Steering System: The upgraded EPS electric power steering delivers feather-light handling at low speeds while maintaining stability at highway speeds.
2. Optimized Pedal Response: Engineers have refined both throttle and brake systems for more linear power delivery and natural braking feel, eliminating
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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 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
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 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
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 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 30, 2025
BYD 2024 ESG Report Highlights Tech Innovation
BYD Unveils 2024 Sustainability Report, Focusing on Innovation and Global Goals
On March 26, BYD Company Limited published its 2024 Sustainability Report, comprehensively detailing the company's strategic plans, achievements, and long-term commitments in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sectors. The report highlights BYD's dedication to sustainable development through technology innovation, significantly impacting green energy, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
In 2024, BYD elevated ESG strategies to the group's strategic level, establishing a board-level Strategic and Sustainable Development Committee. The company appointed Zhao Jianping as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and integrated ESG performance into the compensation assessments of executive directors and senior executives, accounting for 10% of their evaluations. This move demonstrates BYD's commitment to practicing ESG principles.
For decades, BYD
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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
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March 12, 2025
Essential Tips to Avoid Scams When Importing Cars from China
Tips for importing vehicles safely from China
Introduction:
Importing cars from China can be a profitable and rewarding experience. But it also comeswith risk and scam. This article describes the common scams, providing ways toavoid scammers, and also offer some tips for the trading safety, ensuring thesuccessful importing experience.
Common Scams in Car Exporting:
Learning different kinds of scams is the first step to protect yourself. You also needto pay attention to following common scams:
1.Non-Delivery Scam: After scammers receiving payment, they won’t deliver cars intime. They may provide fake documentations or excuse for delays.
2.Overpayment Scam: The scammer sends a fraudulent check for more than the agreedamount, then they will ask you to refund the extra money. If you refund themoney, the check will be invalid at the same time.
3. Condition Washing: Scammers alter the car's condition to hide its history of damage,