Mitsubishi Motors Exits China Engine Production Following Vehicle Manufacturing Withdrawal

July 24, 2025

Mitsubishi Motors has finalized its complete withdrawal from China's automotive production market by terminating its engine joint venture with Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi Motors Engine Manufacturing Co., citing the country's rapid shift toward new energy vehicles. The Japanese automaker announced the closure of its partnership with SAM on July 22, ending a collaboration that began in 1997 and once supplied engines to both Mitsubishi-branded vehicles and numerous Chinese manufacturers. At its peak, Mitsubishi's engine operations commanded a 30% share of China's domestic vehicle engine market. This decision follows the 2023 closure of GAC Mitsubishi, the automaker's vehicle manufacturing joint venture that peaked at 144,000 annual sales in 2018 before declining to just 33,600 units by 2022. The venture had become technically insolvent with negative net assets of 1.414 billion yuan by March 2023. Mitsubishi's exit reflects broader challenges facing traditional foreign automakers in China as domestic brands strengthen their position in the new energy vehicle era. The company joins GAC FCA, which facilitated Jeep's China operations, in declaring bankruptcy as the industry undergoes fundamental transformation. Corporate filings show SAM has been renamed and restructured under new Chinese ownership, marking the end of Mitsubishi's 50-year presence in China's automotive production sector.

automotive

GAC FCA Officially Exits Chinese Market as Bankruptcy Liquidation Concludes After Failed Asset Auctions

July 10, 2025

The Changsha Intermediate People's Court has formally declared Guangzhou Automobile Group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (GAC FCA) bankrupt, marking the end of what was once a promising 50-50 joint venture between Guangzhou Automobile Group and Stellantis. After five failed public auctions of core assets including manufacturing facilities and production equipment, the 14-year-old venture that brought Jeep manufacturing to China has found no buyers willing to continue operations. GAC FCA's journey from peak sales of 222,000 vehicles in 2017 to just 1,861 units in the first half of 2022 illustrates the dramatic shift in China's automotive landscape. This closure adds to a growing list of foreign joint ventures—including Changan Suzuki, Dongfeng Renault, and Changan PSA—that have exited the Chinese market in recent years. The trend reflects intensifying competition from domestic brands and the rapid transition toward electric vehicles, where Chinese manufacturers have gained significant technological and market advantages.

electronicvehicles

NIO to Develop and Supply Power Batteries for British Supercar Brand McLaren

June 11, 2025

Chinese EV pioneer NIO（09866.HK）just secured a prestigious contract to develop 4680 cylindrical batteries for McLaren's hybrid supercars. The deal was orchestrated by CYVN Holdings, NIO's largest shareholder, which recently acquired McLaren. This strategic move could finally validate NIO's years-long battery technology investments. This could be NIO's pathway from survival mode to sustainable profitability.

evs, nio, automotive, electronicvehicles, lithiumbattery

Audi Embraces Chinese Tech: Q6L e-tron Marks Strategic Shift for German Luxury

June 03, 2025

Audi's Q6L e-tron launch marks a strategic inflection point in the luxury EV market. By integrating Huawei's advanced autonomous driving technology with their PPE platform, Audi is pioneering a new model: traditional luxury brands actively embracing Chinese tech leadership. As Tesla's dominance wanes and Chinese EV brands ascend, we're witnessing a fundamental shift in automotive innovation dynamics. German precision engineering + Chinese AI capabilities may well define the next chapter of premium mobility. The question isn't whether traditional OEMs will adapt—it's how quickly they can integrate Eastern innovation while preserving their brand heritage.

sustainability, cleanenergy, cleantech, audi, huawei, evs, electronicvehicles

Another Legacy Automaker May Exit China: Chevrolet's Countdown to Departure

May 30, 2025

From 767,000 annual sales in 2014 to barely 1,000 units in March 2025. That's a 99.9% collapse. Chevrolet's potential exit from China isn't just another brand casualty—it's a textbook case of strategic miscalculation in the world's largest automotive market. The perfect storm: → Refused to adapt design language (customers called it "pretty boy" styling) → Stuck with "hard plastic aesthetics" while competitors went premium → Arrived 5+ years late to the EV party with subpar products → Competed on price instead of value, destroying brand equity Meanwhile, Chinese EV makers captured 50% market share with superior range and smart features.

automotive

Xiaomi Unveils YU7: A Tech-Forward SUV Challenging Tesla's Model Y Dominance

May 23, 2025

At their 15th anniversary event, Xiaomi unveiled the YU7 SUV with specs that are frankly audacious. Xiaomi is democratizing premium features typically reserved for flagship models. Zero-gravity seats, advanced driver assistance, and that revolutionary HyperVision display come standard—not as expensive options. This suggests Xiaomi is planning something disruptive when they launch in July. With Tesla Model Y starting at $36K in China and dominating with 480K+ units sold last year, Xiaomi needs more than great specs—they need a compelling value proposition.

automotive, sustainability, xiaomi

BYD's Record-Breaking "Shenzhen" Vessel Inaugurates New Era in Global EV Maritime Logistics

April 30, 2025

The world's largest automobile carrier, BYD "Shenzhen," departed from Jiangsu's Taicang Port on April 27, 2025, carrying over 7,000 BYD new energy vehicles to Brazil. Built by Jinling Shipyard, the vessel features 16 decks accommodating 9,200 standard vehicle units—equivalent to 20 soccer fields of parking space. This fourth specialized carrier in BYD's fleet represents a critical component of the company's aggressive global expansion strategy, which targets 5.5 million total vehicle sales in 2025, including 800,000 international deliveries—a 91% year-on-year increase. The shipment marks China's largest single-batch automotive export to date.

cleanenergy, sustainability, cleantech, byd, electronicvehicles

Toyota Secures Foothold in China's EV Market with New Lexus Factory in Shanghai

April 22, 2025

Toyota Motor Corporation has signed a strategic agreement to establish its first wholly-owned factory in China, marking a significant milestone following Tesla's manufacturing presence. Located in Shanghai's Jinshan District, the facility will focus exclusively on Lexus electric vehicle production and battery R&D. Set to begin operations in 2027 with an initial capacity of 100,000 vehicles annually, this investment represents Toyota's accelerated pivot toward electrification in the world's largest automotive market. The strategic location leverages the Yangtze River Delta's comprehensive supply chain ecosystem and Shanghai's manufacturing infrastructure. This development comes as Lexus seeks to strengthen its position amid growing competition in China's premium EV segment.

electronicvehicles, cleanenergy, automotive, sustainability

U.S. Tariff Policy Takes Effect, Sending Shockwaves Through Global Auto Industry

April 09, 2025

This article examines the far-reaching impact of the Trump administration's new tariff policies on the global automotive industry. With tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% on imported goods and a specific 25% tariff on imported vehicles and components, the policy has triggered significant market turbulence. Stock prices of major automakers have plummeted, with Japanese, Korean, and European manufacturers particularly affected. The tariffs threaten to disrupt established supply chains across North America, potentially increasing vehicle costs by $3,500-$12,000 per unit and reducing U.S. annual vehicle sales. While creating short-term challenges for all industry participants, the policy may accelerate supply chain localization and regional economic realignment, fundamentally reshaping the global automotive landscape.

electricvehicles, globaltrade, tariff, automotive

Pony.ai's 2024 Results Highlight Autonomous Driving's Commercialization Challenges

April 08, 2025

Pony.ai's 2024 financial results tell an interesting story about the autonomous vehicle industry's current state. Despite 4.3% YoY revenue growth to $75M, net losses expanded 120% to $275M. The surprising insight? Despite positioning as a Robotaxi leader, their autonomous ride-hailing business generated only 10% of revenue, while Robotruck operations drove over 50% of income with 61.3% growth.As Frost & Sullivan projects China's autonomous taxi market reaching $39B by 2030, while the AI space captures headlines, we're still waiting for autonomous driving's true breakthrough player to emerge.

automotive, sustainability, artificialintelligence