SAIC Motor deploys EI humanoid robot on mass production line On March 27, SAIC Motor deployed the Nengzai No. 1, its first embodied intelligence (EI) humanoid robot employee, on the battery mass production line for Buick’s Electra E7 SUV for key operations such as cell picking and loading. For both SAIC Motor and China’s automotive industry, this marks the first case where a humanoid robot is truly applied to a mass production line. Developed...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

CATARC breaks ground on R&D center, ancillary facilities in Tianjin On March 26, China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC) broke ground on a project on an R&D center and ancillary facilities in Dongli District, Tianjin. With a total investment amount of CNY 416 million, the project is developed to add a floor area of 62,987 square meters. Positioned as an aggregation hub for collaborative innovation of soft science, the p...

News  Updated at: 2026/04/01

Lucky Motor Corporation, Pakistan signs exclusive partnership with GAC Group, China On March 30, Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC) signed an exclusive partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group) to introduce GAC's NEV brands Aion and Hyptec in Pakistan. The deal covers GAC's full NEV portfolio, including vehicles built on its proprietary Magazine Battery 2.0 platform, which uses LFP, NMC, and next-generation solid-state battery technology...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

Umicore opens innovation center in Shanghai, China On March 31, Umicore inaugurated its innovation center in Shanghai, China, its first corporate research and development facility outside Europe. Located in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone and spanning approximately 3,600 square meters, the center will focus initially on fuel cell applications and recycling technologies and will expand to catalysis for renewable energy and stationary applications, ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

CNBM South Africa and Geely partner for charging infrastructure in South Africa On March 25, China National Building Materials South Africa (CNBM), a subsidiary of China National Building Materials Group, and Geely Auto South Africa Co., Ltd., signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement for South Africa’s New Energy Transition. The two companies will jointly develop an integrated ecosystem encompassing “new energy vehicles + solar and ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

GAC Toyota, FAW Toyota to recall around 560,000 vehicles in total On March 27, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced that GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (GAC Toyota) and FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (FAW Toyota) recently filed recall plans as follows. -          GAC Toyota: Recall number S2026M0036V: 317,990 Highlander models manufactured in China between August 7, 2021 and September 22, 2025, effective from Apr...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

company’s “Tech CHANGAN, Trusted Choice” direction, emphasizing technology, design, safety, and continued investment in Thailand. Official pricing will be announced at a later date. Changan has invested over THB 10 billion in its Rayong plant, its first integrated NEV production base outside China. The facility has begun producing the Deepal S05, with the NEVO Q05 to follow, supporting both domestic sales and exports under its “Made in T...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

on, up 142.0% y/y. In 2025, BYD sold a total of 4,602,436 New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), up 7.7% y/y; achieved a total sales volume of 396,556 vehicles from the Fang Cheng Bao, Denza, and Yangwang brands, up 109% y/y; sold a total of 1,049,601 passenger vehicles and pickup trucks in markets outside of China, up 145% y/y; and achieved a total export volume exceeding 1 million units, up 140% y/y. With a presence in 119 countries and regions, exported ...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

Baolong Automotive launches Topseal Auto Parts Thailand production facility Announced on March 30, 2026, Topseal Auto Parts (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturing site of China-based Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation, began operations at its facility in Wyncoast Industrial Park, located in Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province. The plant produces automotive rubber and metal valve stems. The launch marks a key step in strengthening Baol...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

ishi Motors posted double-digit growth in both Japan and overseas, reflecting the impact of new models. Its global sales fell for the first time in three months by 4.2% to 1,832,290 units year over year. Both global and overseas sales declined at seven companies, excluding Suzuki. In particular, in China, where price competition is intensifying, all five companies selling locally (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru) saw double-digit decline...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

methanol vehicles into operation and deployed over 1,000 methanol refueling stations. By the end of 2027, the number will reach 4,000 stations. By continuously deepening cooperation on the methanol refueling system, the two companies will boost the promotion and application of methanol EVs in North China’s cold regions to connect key links from green methanol production to final use. From a Geely Farizon press release...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

econdary battery manufacturer. In December 2025, the company signed a contract to supply 350,000 tons of electrolytes from 2026 through 2030, with mass production launch scheduled for June 2026. At present, the company is conducting quality tests at its Zaozhuang No. 1 Factory in Shandong Province, China, ahead of supply to CATL. Mass production is scheduled to begin after CATL completes sample evaluation and final approval, following the complet...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/31

Skoda to withdraw from Chinese market by mid-2026 According to multiple press releases dated March 26, VW China announced Skoda’s plan for withdrawal from the Chinese market. Local sales activities will last until mid-2026, after which all warranty and post-sales services will remain available to Skoda users. The reason for Skoda’s withdrawal is the failure to keep up with the electrification pace of Chinese automakers. In 2024, Skoda achieve...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

hich the first 600 Foton Motor pickup trucks will be shipped to South America. The JV will leverage COSCO Shipping’s global shipping operating system, global route resources, and comprehensive logistics services, as well as Foton Motor’s large export order quantity and market network outside of China, for resource integration. With this platform, Foton Motor will gain access to customized maritime services for finished vehicles, KD components...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

South Korea’s Solus Advanced Materials to start supplying battery copper foil to CATL Several South Korean media sources reported that a South Korean company, Solus Advanced Materials Co., Ltd., will begin mass producing and supplying copper foil for batteries in the January-June term of 2026 to two new customers, including CATL in China. In 2025, Solus Advanced Materials secured four new global battery manufacturers as its customers, and its c...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

GlobalData blog: China’s auto market achieved steady growth in 2025 2025 was a challenging year for global politics and the world economy. On one hand, regional conflicts erupted in multiple regions, posing challenges to global energy supplies and maritime supply chains. On the other hand, protectionism gained momentum, with tariff barriers proliferating worldwide, further straining the global economy. Although the “reciprocal tariffs” intr...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

Level 4 autonomous driving companies, namely, White Rhino Zhida (Beijing) Tech Co., Ltd. (Rino.ai), Zelos (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. (Zelos), and Neolix Huitong (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. (Neolix), with participation of Zhongshan Public Transportation Group, SF Express Zhongshan Branch, and China Post. Related services span various areas, such as express logistics, last-mile delivery, and food delivery. -          Rino.ai deploye...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/30

Global xEV sales down 17.3％ to 1.21 million units in February On March 27, MarkLines announced that global xEV (including BEV, PHEV and HEV) sales in February decreased 17.3% YoY to 1.21 million units. xEVs accounted for 29.6% of total sales in February, down 0.8% point from the previous month. Breaking down by powertrain, BEVs and PHEVs are largely affected by the continued sales decline in China since the beginning of the year. In February, C...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27

Zijin, China, to start lithium mining in Democratic Republic of Congo On March 24, multiple sources reported that Zijin Mining Group will start its Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in June 2026. The project will have an annual capacity of 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. It will reach full capacity in 2028. Based on multiple sources...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27

Equity Bank Rwanda and China Electric Vehicle Rwanda partner to make electric vehicles more accessible On March 25, Equity Bank Rwanda and China Electric Vehicle Rwanda (CEVR) launched a strategic green mobility partnership that makes electric vehicles accessible, affordable, and future-ready for all Rwandans. This collaboration combines innovative electric mobility solutions with flexible financing, enabling individuals, businesses, and transpor...

News  Updated at: 2026/03/27