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.

Li Auto plans to deploy 300 charging stations along expressways by 2023

Li Auto plans to deploy 300 charging stations along expressways in China cumulatively by the end of 2023, which will cover all of the four economic belts, namely, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing city cluster, the NEV startup said this week at a quarterly earnings call. The number is expected to grow to 3,000 by the end of 2025.

Li L8; photo credit: Li Auto

Audi SQ7 likely to be introduced to China at end of 2023

The Audi SQ7 is likely to be introduced to China at the end of this year with an expected price range of 1.08 million yuan to 1.1 million yuan, according to a media outlet.

China Mobile, CATARC form strategic cooperation

China Mobile and China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) signed an agreement on May 10 to conduct strategic cooperation in the fields like communications informatization, automotive intelligent connectivity, automotive big data, the construction of standard system for IoV (Internet of Vehicles) industry, industrial research, and investment, etc.

Hesai Technology inaugurates European office in Stuttgart, Germany

Chinese LiDAR maker, Hesai Technology, officially inaugurated its European office in Stuttgart, Germany on May 11. This move is aimed at expanding Hesai's presence in the European market and accelerating its global strategic layout.

China's auto output, sales encounter MoM downturn in Apr. 2023

In the fourth month of 2023, China produced 2.133 million vehicles in total, representing a 17.5% drop over the previous month, but reflecting a 76.8% surge over the previous year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). At the same time, China's monthly auto sales amounted to 2.159 million vehicles, decreasing 11.9% from a month ago, but shooting up 82.7% from the year-ago period.

China Chengtong Ecology to recycle power batteries from WM Motor’s NEVs

On May 10, Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) startup WM Motor and China Chengtong Ecology Ltd. (CCTE) signed a framework agreement to forge a strategic partnership, according to a post on CCTE's WeChat account.

China’s power battery installed capacity in Apr. 2023 surges YoY, but drops MoM

In Apr. 2023, China's power battery output reached 47GWh, jumping 38.7% year on year, but dipping 8.3% month on month, according to the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA).

EVE Energy to build power battery factory in Hungary

EVE Power Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Chinese battery maker EVE Energy, on May 9 announced the plan to build a battery factory in Debrecen, Hungary, to supply German carmaker BMW's plant in the country with its cylindrical power batteries, according to a post on EVE Energy’s WeChat account.

Volvo Cars unveils new design studio in Shanghai

On May 10, Volvo Cars unveiled its new design studio in Shanghai, one of the mega cities in Asia, meaning the automaker’s global design footprint has been further expanded in addition to its existing studios in Gothenburg and Camarillo.

Shell, FAW Jiefang step up cooperation for higher energy efficiency, lower carbon emissions

Shell (China) Limited and FAW Jiefang, the truck manufacturing company of FAW Group, on May 10 signed an agreement to cement their strategic cooperation in five areas, namely, integrated energy solution, new energy commercial vehicle, multidimensional technology innovation, a super concept truck project, as well as overseas business, according to a post on Shell’s WeChat account.

Baidu, Shanghai Jiading District team up to build smart digitalized city

Baidu signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai's Jiading District government on May 10. Leveraging Jiading's regional advantages and industrial expertise, along with Baidu's accumulations in artificial intelligence (AI), the two parties will collaborate comprehensively in intelligent connected vehicle services, smart transportation optimization, and enhancing urban governance efficiency.

Changan Automobile boasts 57.23% YoY leap in Apr. 2023 sales

In April 2023, Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Automobile) posted a double-digit year-on-year surge in monthly sales.

In the fourth month of 2023, Changan Automobile sold 181,980 vehicles in total, representing a 57.23% surge over a year ago. Among the vehicles sold last month, 22,496 units were new energy vehicles (NEVs) under Changan Automobile's wholly-owned brands, shooting up 111.77% year on year.

Li Auto sees both quarterly revenue, deliveries hit new high in Q1 2023

Chinese new energy vehicle startup Li Auto announced its first-quarter (Q1) 2023 financial results on May 10, revealing record-high quarterly revenue and delivery volume.

In Q1 2023, Li Auto's total revenues reached RMB18.79 billion (US$2.74 billion), surging 96.5% year on year, while also rising 6.4% quarter on quarter.