Inside China’s EV and smart-driving ecosystem. Real-world testing, interviews and reporting from the ground.
Shanghai, China
Joined July 2015
- Tweets8.6K
- Following557
- Followers4.4K
- Likes2.7K
Our view: in our testing at 42HOW, G-Pilot has so far trailed China's leading driver-assist systems. If Volvo's China comeback depends on a Chinese stack, how good that stack is will matter as much as what it costs. We'll test the first China-tailored Volvos when they arrive.
Volvo hasn't named an ADAS supplier. But Geely-affiliated Qianli Technology, co-developer of Geely's G-Pilot (千里浩瀚), said on Oct 22 it has reached a new cooperation with Volvo. Scope not disclosed. G-Pilot already ships on Geely, Zeekr and Lynk & Co models.
The bigger shift: six China-tailored models with Geely, the first two due to be revealed and enter production in mid-2027, "with a Chinese tech stack with the latest ADAS technologies." CEO Håkan Samuelsson told CNBC that without this, "I think you cannot sell cars in China."
The response: another SEK 5bn in cost cuts and ~2,500 fewer jobs (2,000 in Sweden). Europe was the only positive contributor, with BEVs at 45% of Volvo's Q3 European sales. volvocars.com/intl/media/pre…
Volvo Cars' Q3 is a clear read on how China has changed for legacy premium brands. Adjusted EBIT: SEK -3.7bn (-5.6% margin). Revenue in China: down almost 50% YoY, which Volvo puts down to "hypercompetition from new Chinese alternatives" and severe pricing pressure. 🧵
On Oct. 23, NIO delivered its 160,000th all-new ES8 in Xi’an, continuing to set delivery records among premium pure-electric SUVs in the RMB400,000 class. The model topped its class in September sales.
New spy shots of the “Pingshan Ghost” suggest a 5.5 m-class body and coach doors; it is expected to debut in the UAE and could impress affluent buyers.
LI’s 2026 i6 RWD completed an official 18-hour, no-recharge Lake Tai test, covering 811.4 km—104% of its 780-km CLTC range—at 11.8 kWh/100km. It launches October 28 with unchanged pricing.
Firefly adds a 60 kWh CATL NMC battery, rated at 560 km CLTC. BaaS starts at RMB79,800 plus RMB599/month; outright purchase starts at RMB136,800. Range versions weigh 1,492 kg and consume 10.9 kWh/100 km.
The 30,000th LUXEED V9 rolled off the production line today. It has led the MPV market priced above RMB 400,000 in sales for four consecutive months, with notably strong commercial performance.
Official images of the 2027 Lynk & Co 03 have been released, featuring a factory wide-body kit and a large rear wing.
CATL reported Q3 revenue of CNY 165.221bn, up 58.58% YoY, and net profit of CNY 21.246bn, up 14.54%. Nine-month revenue and profit rose 56.19% and 31.60%, respectively.
LI says 5C offers route planning, all self-built stations above ground, 13-second starts with 99.9% success, and i9 charging in 12.12 minutes during this year’s holiday periods, versus 21.64 minutes at third-party stations.
Tesla and Alipay signed an in-car assistant agreement on Oct. 20. Tesla China plans to add smart parking payments via future software updates; more in-car convenience features are under development.
CATL’s Tianxing II offers five battery variants, including a 760-kWh, 800V underfloor pack rated for 600 km and 300 km added in 20 minutes; CATL says swapping is the only efficient replenishment solution.
CATL expects China to have 400,000 electric heavy-duty trucks by 2027, with battery-swapping models accounting for 50%. It has launched its Tianxing II battery-electric range-extender product, touting faster payback, higher earnings and residual values.
XiaoMi filed eight automotive trademarks early this year, including SU7 LUX, SU9 LUX, YU9, SU9, SU8, YU8, SU7 GT and GT. The filings are protective and do not confirm launches or names.
On Oct. 20, China’s MIIT sought comments on five mandatory auto standards, including rules banning text displays in exterior lamps except illuminated badges and setting blue-green ADS marker-light requirements.
FAW Volkswagen ID.AURA T6 locked in over 33,022 orders in its first sales month; lidar variants exceeded 90%, while nearly 80% came from first-time Volkswagen buyers.
