The new iCar X25 has been revealed at media presentation in China ahead of planned public premiere for the new electric powered MPV off-roader at the 2024 Beijing motor show on 24 April. iCar is operated by Wuhu-based Chery Automobile.

Heavy news focus in Germany today on the reported €3.4 billion in subsidies provided by the Chinese state to BYD for EV development.

For perspective, the German government has promised Intel €10 billion in subsidies to build a microchip factory in the city of Magdeburg.

Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the EC: '... the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China ....'

Chinese car makers: 'No problem, we'll just build them in Europe'.

See previous tweet on Chery's plans.

Chery is planning to produce cars at a factory in Barcelona, according to the Spanish government and EV Motors, Spanish company that is leading negotiations with the Chinese car maker. Spain's industry ministry expects an official announcement will be made 'in the coming days'.

Chinese media reports BYD plans to unveil a second-gen lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery in August. It is claimed to boast an energy density of up to 190Wh/kg - a 27% increase on the 150Wh/kg of the first-gen Blade battery used in existing BYD models.

Voyah, the luxury electric vehicle brand operated by Dongfeng, has produced its 100,000 car, a Dreamer MPV, at its manufacturing plant in Wuhan, China. The production milestone comes less than four years after Voyah was officially launched in July 2020.

HiPhi saved? Chinese media reports Avatr Technology, an electric vehicle company operated by Changan with support from CATL and Huawei, has reached an agreement on a part acquisition of HiPhi. Word is production at HiPhi could recommence by the end of April.

CHANGAN

A compact crossover/SUV from Stellantis-backed Leap Motor has been spied in China. Codenamed A12, the new model is being developed for global sale, say insiders at Leap Motor's Hangzhou HQ. Possible production at Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Turin ...

Leapmotor

The second model from Chery's new iCar brand, a rugged looking off-roader planned to be sold with pure electric and petrol electric ranged extender drivetrains, has been unveiled in China. Codenamed V23, the new five seater is set to go on sale later this year.

Chery International

More #Robotaxi insight following Elon Musk's statement that Tesla will unveil one on 8 Aug: on 14 April 2023 DiDi unveiled the Neuron, confirming its robotaxi fleet numbered 200 vehicles and had completed 1020 days of 'continuous safe operations'. Planned public launch in 2025

Robotaxis are back in the news following Elon Musk's statement that Tesla will unveil one on 8/8. Zeekr, a Geely-owned brand, joined forces with Google's Waymo in 2021. They've developed the Zeekr CM2E and are testing it in the US and China with L4 tech ...

Geely Group
Waymo

BYD EV brand Denza, of which Mercedes-Benz holds a 10% stake, has previewed its upcoming four-door coupe/shooting brake on the Schlossplatz in the heart of Stuttgart. The new flagship Denza model is billed as a rival to the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo.

BYD
BYD Global

Porsche 911 Dakar not practical enough?

Toyota's new four-door Crown Crossover Landscape might be the answer ... mudflaps and all

Porsche
Toyota Motor Corp.

Germany: the country where it's illegal to wash your car or mow your lawn on a Sunday, but where you can buy 1T-LSD, a legal 1D-LSD derivative, from this machine at Stuttgart's Rotebühlplatz Stadtmitte U-Bahn station for €20 a hit. Crazy ...

Talent New Energy, a Chongqing-based battery start-up established in 2021, claims its latest 120Ah automotive-grade solid-state battery cell boasts an energy density 720Wh/kg. So, is this the turning point in efforts to dramatically reduce the weight of electric vehicles?

In Europe, Volkswagen is talking about introducing a €20,000 entry-level ID. electric model ... in 2027

In China, it's now offering the internal combustion engine Lavida at the equivalent of €10,200 ... with the sales tax waved

True People's Car?

Volkswagen
VolkswagenGroup

I recently met up with Nio's principal chief engineer, Danilo Teobaldi. Here's what he said about efforts to give its production models a 'European flavour' from an engineering centre based in England's 'Motorsport Valley' ...

NIO

autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-c… via Autocar

The first teaser image of the 2024-model-year Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan reveals it is set to adopt a traditional S-class like star upon its hood, as well as new metal look elements within its black panel grille.

Mercedes-Benz