Kevin Mak

Principal Analyst, Market Analysis-Automotive Electronics at TechInsights (Strategy Analytics)

[ChinaEV Home @CNEVhome]

The 2026 Arcfox βT1 has officially launched, holding its starting price steady at RMB 62.8K ($9.3K).

While the entry price remains unchanged, the range gets a solid bump. The base model now delivers 350 km of CLTC range, while all other variants step up to 450 km.

Arcfox also aggressively trimmed down the SKU lineup for this refresh. With the top-trim version topping out at just RMB 78.8K ($11.6K), the price war in this segment is getting wild.

#ChinaEV #Arcfox #BAICMotor

[Electrek.co @ElectrekCo]

Baidu Apollo Go wins Level 4 robotaxi approval in Switzerland as AmiGo https://t.co/wx8y9RMD8W by @fredlambert

[Electrek.co @ElectrekCo]

A growing market of $20 to $50 plastic doll heads is being sold in China, specifically to deceive Tesla's cabin-camera driver monitoring.

It raises real questions about how easily these safeguards can be bypassed.

Details 🔗 https://t.co/qcelzDJ5j3

[Kevin Mak @kmak_sa]

@Tesla Cybercab also has a 48 Volt primary network, #automotive #electricvehicle #robotaxi

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

New information about @Tesla's Cybercab has been revealed in public EPA documents.

• Front-wheel drive
• Battery capacity: ~48 kWh
• 219 horsepower
• Curb weight: 3,113 lbs
• GVWR: 3,730 lbs
• Motor power: 163kW
• Voltage: 326v

Equivalent All Electric Range is listed at 418 miles, with 375 miles of highway range, but the final EPA range rating is usually a decent bit lower. Tesla has previously stated the Cybercab has about 300 miles of range.

Filing: https://t.co/pyZCyl7pcm

[Lei 𝕏ing邢磊 @leixing77]

And Chang’an is the only centrally administered SOE among the five.

The China export fab five: BGGCC

[Kevin Mak @kmak_sa]

@techinsightsinc #report #Ambarella Tapes-Out 2nm #SoC and Moves into L4 #autonomous in its #AI #roadmap, from perception-focused #automotive and #IoT applications.
https://t.co/3vklKfzCig

[Tycho de Feijter @TychodeFeijter]

Stelato G9 - official photos - 120 kW battery

A new boxy, off-road-style SUV, with a lot of bling, a wide D-pillar, and stacked headlights.

- 5206/2050/1897, 3160. 5 or 6 seats.
- Curb weight: 2949 kg - 3062 kg.

- EV: 437 kW (160 front, 277 rear). Battery: 120 kW CATL NMC battery. Range: 700 km.

- EREV: 118 kW 1.5 turbo + 2 electric motors (160 kW front, 277 kW rear). Battery: 75.4 kWh. Range: 400 km electric, 1300 km combined.

- The top speed is limited to 220 km/h.

Launch in Q3. Stelato is a Chinese car brand under HIMA, a subsidiary of Huawei.

[Kevin Mak @kmak_sa]

#Consumers demand “eyes-off” #autonomous driving, but depends on reliable perception. Survey data from #Arbe (imaging #radar technology), shows strong willingness to pay and switch brands. @techinsightsinc #report #automotive #semiconductors #adas
https://t.co/WHKzW6ef0n

[Lei 𝕏ing邢磊 @leixing77]

Key messages from Wang Chuanfu at BYD's annual general meeting:

We want to maintain growth in the next 3-5 years, striving to become global No. 1 in vehicle output & sales by 2030;

Vehicle export this year should exceed prior target of 1.6 million units;

Vehicle sales this year are dependent on second-gen blade/flash charging battery production bottleneck, which is ramping at about 20,000-30,000 units increase per month, expect output to jump in 2027;

Ready and preparing for rollout of Level 3 automated driving once policies and regulations are in place.

Recap: January-May total vehicle sales were 1.4 million units, down 20%, exports were 614,000 units, up 64.7%.

[ChinaEV Home @CNEVhome]

Arcfox, the NEV brand under BAIC Group, has filed a new model with the MIIT, named the Alpha T7.

At first glance, honestly, it gives off a strong vibe of "borrowing" design cues from a certain other brand.

Quick spec check: dimensions come in at 5020mm * 1996mm * 1685mm, riding on a 3040mm wheelbase.

The model will offer both BEV and EREV powertrain options. The EREV variant pairs a 1.5L range extender (77 kW) with a 200 kW single rear motor, while the pure electric version steps up to a 277 kW single motor. Both versions run on battery packs supplied by EVE Energy.

#ChinaEV #BAIC #Arcfox

[ThinkerCar @thinkercar]

🚨BYD confirms Hungary plant to launch production in Q4 2026, suspends Turkey project and searches for second European manufacturing base
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li told Reuters in an interview at the company's UK headquarters in London that its first European factory in Szeged, Hungary, will start full vehicle assembly in the fourth quarter of 2026. The launch is approximately one year behind the original late-2025 schedule for the Dolphin Surf model, and equipment installation is still in progress at the site.
Hungary remains BYD's absolute top priority in Europe, with finding a second production location on the continent as the second strategic priority. Meanwhile, the previously planned $1 billion factory project in Turkey has been officially suspended. No construction has begun, and no revised production timeline has been set.
BYD continues its explosive growth in Europe: sales jumped 270% YoY to nearly 188k units in 2025, and surged 144% YoY to exceed 100k units in the first five months of 2026. Localized production in Europe will enable BYD to circumvent EU tariffs imposed on electric vehicles manufactured in China.
#BYD #BYDEurope #EVFactory #Hungary #Turkey #ElectricVehicles #GlobalExpansion #AutoIndustry

[Tycho de Feijter @TychodeFeijter]

Hongqi G919: 2.0 turbo + four electric motors, 3150 kg curb weight

The Hongqi G919 is a new ultra-badass Chinese SUV with an EREV powertrain.

It combines a 160 kW 2.0 turbo with four electric motors. The electric motors put out 620 kW and 1320 Nm. Somewhat disappointingly, the top speed is limited to only 180 km/h. It can tow 2500 kg. Battery: EVE 64.1 kWh NMC (nickel-cobalt-manganese), for a 220 km electric range.

The G919 also features a body-on-frame design and a mechanical differential lock on the front and rear axles, so it'll do nicely off-road. It also has all-terrain tires, size 275/60 R20.

Size: 5135/2050/1950, 2900. And now the panda in the room: a 3150 kg curb weight. That's a new record for China. No wonder it ain't very fast...

[Tycho de Feijter @TychodeFeijter]

Volkswagen ID.ERA 8X in here!

VW is launching cars faster than many Chinese brands. What a sudden speed for the staid Germans!

The Volkswagen ID.ERA 8X is a new mid-size five-seat SUV with a modern design an and EREV powertrain.

- 5020/1997/1750, 2970.
- Curb weight: 2485 kg.
- EREV RWD. 105 kW 1.5-liter range extender ICE + a 220 kW electric motor.
- EREV AWD: 105 kW 1.5-liter range extender ICE + 2 electric motors with 380 kW (160 kW front and 220 kW rear).
- Top speed is limited to 200 km/h.
- Battery: SAIC-CATL NMC.
- ADAS with lidar.

The manufacturer is SAIC-VW. Launch in Q3.

[Hilton Holloway @hiltonholloway]

Can they be sure that local network can provide that amount of power on demand?

[Tycho de Feijter @TychodeFeijter]

BYD Da Han unveiled in China: 270 km/h

The BYD Da Han (大汉) is the upcoming flagship sedan of BYD's Dynasty series. It is long, low, and wide, with a high-tech look and huge wheels.

- 5256/1999/1510, 3130.
- Curb weight: 2505 kg (EV) and 2210 kg (PHEV).
- EV RWD: 570 kW (200 front, 370 rear). Top speed: 270 km/h.
- PHEV RWD: 115 kW 1.5 turbo + two electric motors with 400 kW combined (200 front, 200 rear). Top speed: 225 km/h.

- Second generation BYD Blade LFP batteries.
- Flash Charging.
- Range of the EV: 880 to 1008 km.
- Electric range of the PHEV: 370 km.
- DiPilot 300 L2 ADAS with lidar.

Launch in Q3.

[Michael Dunne @dunne_insights]

BYD exports account for 30% of total sales YTD, up from < 10% just two years ago.

[Tycho de Feijter @TychodeFeijter]

New Chinese brand: AIVA

Today, AIVA presented a concept car called the Origin, previewing an upcoming sporty SUV. The design is fine, but not overly distinctive. The wheels look cool, and the camera mirrors are super small.

The production version will be called the AIVA ME7. AIVA will offer EV and EREV versions. It is aimed at, what else, the Xiaomi YU7 SUV.

The AIVA ME7 will launch within this year, with a base price of about 220.000 yuan ($32 K).

AIVA stands for "Artificial Intelligence Voyage Ahead". The brand slogan is "Live Alive". The Chinese name is Saidu (赛豆).

The owner is Saidu Technology. The main shareholders are Chongqing-based locally-state owned investment funds, Seres, and CATL.

Bytedance will provide cloud-services and AI-based smart-cockpit software, but Bytedance is not a shareholder in the company.

[Kevin Mak @kmak_sa]

A single driver monitoring #camera becomes the sensing platform for all occupant monitoring applications, new @TechInsights #report on the #Aptiv #AOC threatens a $587 Million a Year seat sensor market, #automotive #sensors #airbag #safety #adas
https://t.co/rWk7OqF3YE

[tphuang @tphuang]

Chery has been selling really well in UK. In fact, it has 6% local mkt share since entering w/ Jaecoo & Omoda in 2024.

It's also licensing its EV platform to Tata. Chery's oversea profile is definitely something else. Getting like 2/3 of its sales outside of China. By far the highest ratio among Chinese automakers.

[Michael Dunne @dunne_insights]

A Japanese company will build Chinese cars in England.

Chery now has 6% of the UK new car market, up from zilch three years ago.

Nissan signs deal with China’s Chery for Sunderland car production https://t.co/rWP1zADDxS via @ft