With ZXZC Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Webasto names new president for China operations

Zhang Lihua; photo credit: Webasto

The Germany-headquartered automotive supplier Webasto stated on Dec. 15 Zhang Lihua will assume as Webasto China acting president from Feb. 1, 2022, directly reporting to Freddy Geeraerds, a member of the group’s Management Board.

NavInfo's subsidiary to supply HD map to Volvo Cars

Chinese leading digital map supplier NavInfo announced on Dec.15 that its wholly-owned subsidiary NAV2 Shanghai Co.,Ltd. has inked an agreement to provide its HD map products for Volvo Cars’ models sold in China over the three years.

New BYD Song Pro DM-i to hit market on Dec. 22

The 2022 BYD Song Pro DM-i has been available for preorder and will go on sale on Dec. 22. Coming with five trim levels, the new model is priced between 135,800 yuan ($21,340) and 162,800 yuan ($25,590) in presale.

FAW-backed auto parts supplier FAWAY to work with FAW’s self-owned car brand Bestune

On Dec. 14, FAW Group's two subsidiaries, Changchun FAWAY Automobile Components Co., Ltd. and Bestune, signed a framework agreement under which the former plans to offer its high-quality low-cost auto parts to the latter.

JD Logistics, Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. forge strategic partnership

The light truck unit of Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. (DFAC) on Dec. 14 reached a strategic cooperation with JD Logistics on logistics transport, pre-production logistics, complete vehicle and after-sales component logistics, product promotion, digital technology, and urban goods delivery service.

Hesai, SAIC-backed UTO Pilot to co-work on boosting volume production of self-driving CVs

Chinese LiDAR supplier Hesai Technology and UTO Pilot, a CV-focused smart driving technology developer backed by SAIC Motor, announced on Dec. 15 their newly-built strategic partnership.

Per the agreement, Hesai Technology will offer UTO Pilot its high-performance LiDAR sensors for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving. The duo will also co-work on the mass production of automotive-grade solid-state LiDAR.

CATL forges partnership with power management solution provider Eaton

On Dec. 14, CATL entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Eaton Power Quality (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd. (called “Eaton Shanghai” for short), a Shanghai-based branch of the global leading power management solution provider Eaton Corporation, according to a post on CATL's WeChat account.

Gotion High-Tech, Qinghai Salt Lake intend to build JV for energy storage battery production

Gotion High-Tech Co.,Ltd. on Dec. 13 inked a framework agreement with Qinghai Salt Lake Industry Co.,Ltd., Chinese state-owned fertilizer maker, to team up on fields like new energy lithium battery, technical R&D, lithium-magnesium material, and talent cultivation, the battery manufacturer announced via its WeChat account.

Sogou's Wang Xiaochuan replaces Li Auto's Li Xiang as independent director of NavInfo

Li Xiang, the founder and CEO of Li Auto, will no longer serve as independent director of China’s leading navigation company NavInfo, replaced by Wang Xiaochuan, the founder of named search engine Sogou, according to corporate database, Qichacha.

Chinese premium NEV market welcomes new startup NIUTRON

NIUTRON, a newborn auto brand founded by Li Yinan, who established electric two-wheeler company NIU Technologies, was launched on Dec. 15, indicating a new startup player joining Chinese premium smart NEV market.

FAW Hongqi said to launch first MPV model in 2022

FAW Hongqi's first MPV model has started cold region test and calibration and is said to start mass production and delivery in 2022, according to a local media outlet. The new model's photos were leaked online.

Volkswagen Group China soon to become Gotion High-Tech's biggest shareholder

Gotion High-Tech Co.,Ltd., announced on Monday will make a non-public issuance of 384,163,346 shares to Volkswagen (China) Investment Co.,Ltd. (called "VW China" for short), and it has completed registration for the new stocks to be issued, which will be put into the public market for transaction on Dec. 15.