Car News from China
Car news and model launches from China - the world's largest and most innovative automotive market.
Lynk & Co has opened pre-orders for the 07 GT wagon in China, with four variants from ¥165,800 to ¥208,800 ($24,400–$30,700). The FWD versions offer up to 200 km of electric range and 1,422 km combined on CLTC; the AWD Ultra produces 530 hp and covers 170 km on electricity. Deliveries begin this month; Europe is confirmed for 2027.
SAIC-Volkswagen has released interior images of the ID.Era 5S sedan and confirmed its EREV powertrain details: a 1.5-litre petrol range extender and a 177 hp motor delivering 160 km of electric range and over 2,000 km combined on the CLTC cycle. Sales are planned in China before the end of 2026. Pricing has not been announced.
The second model from Xpeng's value Mona sub-brand is a coupe-styled crossover sitting above the M03 liftback. It offers a battery-electric version with up to 650 km of range (preliminary) and a range-extender, both front-wheel drive with a 249 hp motor. Chinese prices are expected near 150,000 yuan (about $22,000).
Geely has revealed the production Galaxy Cruiser 700, the first off-road SUV from its Galaxy sub-brand. The body-on-frame PHEV makes a combined 1,113 hp from a 2.0-litre turbo and three electric motors, with 350 km of CLTC electric range. China sales start by the end of 2026.
Li Auto has launched the second-generation L8 in China. It shares the flagship L9's 800V architecture and 571 hp EREV powertrain but is built strictly as a five-seater. A 72.7 kWh battery gives 430 km electric and 1,670 km combined on CLTC; 0-100 km/h takes 4.8 s. Prices run from ¥369,800 to ¥429,800.
Geely has shown its new Galaxy TT in official photos - a sporty C-segment electric sedan on the GEA platform with an 800V architecture and a CATL battery. Rear-drive cars make 333 hp; the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version makes a combined 578 hp. Media reports cite battery options of 52.4 to 75.2 kWh and 540 to 725 km of range. Prices are still to come.
Chery Jaguar Land Rover slashed the Range Rover Evoque L's price in China by 229,800 yuan (about $33,945), and dealers are now selling it from around 200,000 yuan (about $29,545). The cut comes as the joint venture prepares to end production by late 2026 and shift to its new Freelander brand.
The flagship Dynasty-family EV SUV opens at ¥239,900 ($33,400) in China. Three variants span 408 to 796 hp on 1,000V architecture; the mid-range RWD claims 950 km of CLTC range on a 130.1 kWh Blade 2.0 battery.
CATL posted a 20.7 billion yuan (about $3.06 billion) net profit in the first quarter, up 48.5% year-on-year. That single number was larger than the combined quarterly profit of seven of China's biggest automakers, the companies it supplies.
The Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture has revived the Freelander name, but not as a Land Rover. The Freelander 8 First Edition is a China-developed range-extender SUV with 221 km of electric range from a CATL battery and Huawei's ADS 5 driver assistance - the first product of a new homegrown brand.
Stelato - the BAIC and Huawei HIMA joint brand - published official photos of the G9, its second model after the S9 sedan. Two body lengths (5,206 or 5,377 mm), EREV at 594 hp / 75.4 kWh / 400+ km electric CLTC, and a BEV at 594 hp / 120 kWh / 700+ km. China sales expected before end of 2026; prices not announced.
BAIC has refreshed its entry-level electric hatchback barely nine months after it went on sale, renaming it the Arcfox Beta T1. The update brings a longer body, a redesigned rear, two battery options for 350 or 450 km of CLTC range, and a 550 km version to follow. Prices in China run from 62,800 to 79,800 yuan ($9,300 to $11,800).
Geely has opened orders for a full-hybrid version of its fifth-generation Emgrand sedan. The i-HEV system runs without a plug, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a quoted 3.83 l/100km on the WLTC cycle. Prices in China run from 87,900 to 97,900 yuan ($13,000 to $14,500).
BYD has published the full specifications of the Dolphin G, the DM-i plug-in hybrid hatchback it announced for Europe in May. The range opens with a 175 hp version on a 7.4 kWh battery and tops out at 212 hp with 18 kWh and up to 105 km of electric range. Total range exceeds 1,000 km. Prices in Italy and Spain run from 25,000 to 30,800 euros.
SAIC-Volkswagen has announced the ID.Era 8X, the third model in its China-only ID.Era family. It is a five-seat range-extender crossover positioned below the six-seat 9X, with a 1.5T generator and two motors for 503 hp, 51.1 or 65.2 kWh batteries, and around 340 to 400 km of electric range (WLTC). A full reveal comes later in 2026.
Geely's Galaxy sub-brand put the Starship 7 EV on sale in China on 11 June, a compact electric SUV with up to 605 km CLTC range, an 800V platform, and four variants from a guide price of 109,800 yuan ($16,200). A limited-time offer cuts entry to 99,800 yuan ($14,730) with subsidies.
smart's first sedan, the #6 EHD, is on sale in China. The plug-in-hybrid fastback is the brand's largest car yet, built on Geely's SEA platform with Mercedes-led design, a 435 hp powertrain, up to 285 km of electric range (CLTC), and a LiDAR unit as standard. Prices run from 179,900 to 229,900 yuan ($25,100 to $32,100).
In May 2026 not a single petrol or diesel model made China's top 10 - the first time combustion cars have vanished from the list. It says less about an EV boom than a fuel-car collapse.
Lynk & Co has shown official photos of the 07 GT, a wagon based on its 07 PHEV sedan. Built on Geely's CMA Evo platform with the EM-P powertrain, it adds roof rails, a large spoiler, carbon trim and standard lidar. An AWD option is expected. Premiere set for Q3 2026.
The ultra-luxury Maextro brand has shown the first official images of the V800, its second model and first minivan. A plug-in hybrid with 530 hp, AWD, a 63.2 kWh battery and 275 km WLTC electric range, in a 2+2+3 layout with Huawei electronics. Premiere imminent; pricing not yet set.
Xpeng's flagship six-seat SUV booked 25,000 paid orders within 12 hours of going on sale, with more than 80% of buyers choosing the top Ultra trim. Waiting times have stretched to eight months and Xpeng is restructuring production. The GX spans BEV and EREV powertrains on an 800V platform.
Chinese makers are aiming at one of the most closed niches in the Japanese market - kei cars. Two China-linked projects are preparing to launch in Japan: BYD's Racco kei microvan and EMTA, a new Chery-backed brand.
BYD has started sales of the Song Ultra DM-i in China. The plug-in hybrid SUV is near-identical to the updated Sealion 06 DM-i - same powertrains, same prices - with up to 310 km of electric range and 1,845 km combined.
AITO has updated the M9, the Huawei-Seres flagship SUV. The car grows in two body lengths and gains a new range-topping Ultimate trim with three motors and 903 hp. EREV and pure-electric powertrains carry over.
SAIC has launched the MG 4X in China. The compact EV SUV uses a semi-solid-state SolidCore battery developed by SAIC Qingtao. Launch price: from 92,800¥ ($13,700).
Wuling has opened pre-orders for the Starlight L in China. The flagship of the Starlight family is a six-seat PHEV SUV, 4,980 mm long, with a 1.5-litre engine, 231 hp electric motor, and 260 km EV range on a 37.9 kWh battery. From 122,800¥ ($18,100).
BYD has released the first official photos of the Dolphin G DM-i, a B-segment PHEV hatchback designed for export markets. Full reveal expected in weeks; dealer deliveries expected by end of summer 2026.
Li Auto's flagship six-seat EREV SUV moves to an 800V platform and adds steer-by-wire and four-wheel steering. 571 hp, 72.7 kWh battery, 420 km electric and 1,650 km combined CLTC. Two trims - Ultra from ¥459,800, Livis from ¥509,800. On sale in China.
Voyah released official photos of the Passion S - a youth-focused electric crossover with Huawei electronics. Price around 250,000¥ ($36,800). Full premiere expected mid-2026.
SAIC has released official images of the MG 07, the successor to the 2023 MG 7 and the brand's new China flagship. Fastback-liftback body, LiDAR mounted above the windscreen, PHEV and BEV powertrains confirmed, Momenta autonomous driving. Full specs and pricing to follow at the official launch.
The GT variant of the YU7 laps the Nürburgring in 7:22.755 - a record for electric SUVs - on its way to Chinese showrooms at $57,400.
SAIC-Volkswagen's second ID.Era model is a large PHEV sedan for China - 4,836 mm long, 1.5L petrol + 177 hp electric motor, 160 km CLTC EV range. Design matches the ID.Era 9X crossover but with semi-hidden door handles instead of retractable ones, and no LiDAR. Launch planned before end 2026. Pricing not announced.
China's state broadcaster CCTV aired an investigation into "battery lockdown" - OTA updates that covertly reduce battery capacity and charging speed to avoid warranty claims. 12,000+ complaints in March 2026 alone (+273% year-on-year). Eight automakers summoned; three under formal investigation; two have already recalled affected updates. New rules ban hidden OTA battery changes from 2026.
The third model from the HIMA Alliance (Chery and Huawei's joint brand) is a seven-seat MPV with a 53.4 kWh battery, 800V architecture, and screens totalling 80 inches of display area. RWD at 309 hp / 305 km CLTC; AWD at 520 hp / 285 km. Second-row seats rotate. Sales open now in China.
NIO's ONVO brand opens orders for the L80, a five-seat electric SUV on the NT 3.0 platform. 85 kWh, 900V, up to 615 km CLTC. RWD 462 hp or AWD 598 hp. Retail from ¥245,800 (~$33,900).
BYD's FangChengBao Tai 7 expands its lineup with new BEV versions, joining the existing PHEV range. Electric variants offer up to 700 hp (AWD), with the largest battery option of 105.7 kWh delivering up to 755 km CLTC. BEV pricing starts from ¥199,800 ($29,400).
BYD VP Stella Li said at the FT Future of the Car conference in London that the company is in talks to acquire multiple idle European plants, with Italian Stellantis assets the primary target. Maserati was named as a 'very interesting' acquisition candidate. BYD's Q1 2026 net profit fell 55% year-on-year.
BAIC's Arcfox S3 goes on sale in China from ¥96,800 ($14,200) - or from ¥68,800 ($10,100) with a battery rental scheme. Single motor, 216 hp, up to 65.8 kWh and 660 km CLTC.
Arcfox enters the premium MPV segment with the Wendao V9 - an EREV with a 309 hp electric motor and a 1.5T range extender. 2+2+3 seating, 21.4" ceiling screen, from ¥219,900 ($32,200) in China.
GAC unveiled the Hyptec S600 at the Beijing Auto Show. Three powertrain options: EREV with 180 km pure-electric range, plus 340 hp RWD and 503 hp AWD pure electric. Blind orders open; pricing from ¥189,900 ($27,800) expected.
Leapmotor is localizing B05 production at Stellantis's Zaragoza plant in Spain. Currently sold from €26,900 in Europe (imported from China); local production is expected to bring the entry price to around €19,500 after subsidies.
SAIC-Volkswagen unveiled the second AUDI-brand production model at Beijing Auto Show - the E7X, a flagship electric SUV on a new 900V platform.