China Auto Thread

[Beijingwalker]

The Guardian: China exported more than 1 million cars in a single month for the first time​

Wonder how many cars China makes in a single month

 

[冖_冖]

Illinois students head to China after summer in battery manufacturing

A group of high school and college students from central Illinois will spend 10 days touring advanced battery manufacturing facilities, universities, and cultural landmarks across China—capping off a summer internship at Gotion Illinois' Manteno plant.

www.shawlocal.com

Illinois students head to China after summer in battery manufacturing​

July 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm CDT

A group of high school and college students from central Illinois will travel to China this week after spending the summer working in advanced battery manufacturing.

The 10-day trip, departing Chicago on Sunday, July 19, is the capstone of Gotion Illinois’ inaugural International Scholar Award Program. The students—from Herscher, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Clifton Central, Manteno, and Kankakee Bishop McNamara high schools, plus interns from UIUC, UIC, Rose-Hulman, Virginia Tech, Wheaton, and ITT—will visit manufacturing facilities, universities, and cultural landmarks across Shanghai, Nanjing, Hefei, and Beijing.

The internship introduced students to careers in advanced manufacturing: engineering, quality control, supply chain, operations, and research and development. Throughout the summer, they worked at Gotion Illinois’ Manteno plant, producing energy storage systems and electric vehicle batteries.

“This is a unique opportunity to see how our local community is connected to the larger world,” said International Scholar Emily Lyle.

The trip combines workforce development, STEM education, and cultural exchange. Participants will visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and technology-focused sites showcasing China’s advances in manufacturing and sustainable energy. For many students, it will be their first international trip.

“As a parent and a teacher, I see this as a way to showcase the value of STEM education and the ways students can connect what they learn in their classrooms to real-world opportunities,” said Tracy Lyle, a parent and educator on the delegation.

“The program reflects the company’s commitment to developing future leaders,” Vice President of Manufacturing at Gotion Illinois, Mark Kruesel, said in a news release. “We are proud to provide them with the opportunity to explore advanced battery manufacturing, connect with industry experts, and gain a broader perspective on the global technologies shaping their future.”

The company plans to expand the program next year, with tours and participation from Kankakee 111 and the Kankakee Area Career Center beginning in October during Manufacturing Month.

 

[Beijingwalker]

China's Auto Exports Are on Track to Top $100 Billion​

July 21 , 2026 22:47 BJT

Gasgoo Munich- In 2021, China's auto exports totaled $345 billion. Five years later, in just the first half of 2026, that figure has hit $918 billion, nearing the $100 billion threshold.

Rising from $345 billion to $918 billion in just six months, China's auto industry has traversed a path that took many nations decades—in only five years.

Automobiles Rewrite China's Export DNA

Data from the General Administration of Customs shows China's total merchandise trade exports reached $2,125.8 billion in the first six months of 2026, a 17% year-on-year increase. Within that, complete vehicle exports surged 54% to $918 billion, with June alone seeing a 70% jump to $182 billion.

Image Source: Huaban.com

In terms of volume, the achievements remain striking. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), auto exports hit 5.096 million units in the first half, up 65.3%—marking the first time semi-annual exports have breached the 5 million mark. June alone saw 1.037 million units shipped, a 75.1% surge and the first single-month exceedance of 1 million units.

Overall exports grew 17%, while auto exports jumped 54%. That near-threefold "scissors gap" signals a profound shift in China's export engine. Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the CPCA, summed it up: "Auto exports have performed exceptionally well in recent years, surging from $345 billion in 2021 to $117.4 billion in 2024, creating an explosive growth trajectory." The full year of 2025 reached $142.4 billion. With the first half of 2026 already at $918 billion, breaking the $150 billion mark for the full year is virtually certain.

Image Source: Huaban.com

It is not just automobiles rewriting the export landscape. Customs data shows lithium battery exports climbed 43% to $487 billion in the first half, while solar cell exports rose 24% to $329 billion. Together, the "New Three" exports increased 51.6% to $118.35 billion. Among them, electric vehicles posted the fastest growth, with cumulative exports reaching $52.1 billion—a 75.1% increase. Leveraging a first-mover advantage in new energy and intelligent innovation, Chinese autos have not only scaled up export volumes but have also become a key force driving global R&D and design innovation through deep integration with artificial intelligence.

From garments and home appliances to automobiles, lithium batteries, and solar cells, China's "starting lineup" for exports is being redefined. And automobiles are undoubtedly the absolute core of this new roster.

Who Is Driving This“Surge”?

The rising numbers in both volume and value are just the first layer of the story. The real question is: where is this growth momentum coming from?

The answer lies in the explosion of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

CAAM data reveals NEV exports reached 2.355 million units in the first half, up 1.2 times year-on-year, accounting for over 46% of total auto exports. In June alone, NEV exports hit 523,000 units, a 1.6-fold increase. Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of CAAM, stated at a monthly briefing that auto exports in the first half "exceeded expectations, forming a stable support."

Specifically, passenger vehicle exports reached $14.5 billion in June, an 84% year-on-year surge and a 658% jump compared to June 2021. NEVs are the "main driving force" pulling this rapid expansion. With 2.355 million units exported in the first half—up 1.2 times and claiming over 46% of the total—the sector is dominant. China's NEV supply chain, from mineral processing and battery manufacturing to vehicle integration, has formed the world's most complete and cost-competitive closed loop. If past exports relied on value for money, today they compete on technological superiority.

Many industry observers judge that Chinese autos are crossing a critical threshold from "scale expansion" to "value export," shifting from a focus on affordability to leveraging technological gaps. The supply chains for NEV core systems—battery, motor, and electronic control—and intelligent features now offer stronger product competitiveness overseas
The diverging landscape of export markets further confirms this trend. From January to May 2026, Brazil surpassed Russia to become China's largest export market, shipping 372,000 passenger vehicles—a 178.7% year-on-year increase. Russia followed closely with 351,000 units, up 139.8%.

Together, the two nations account for over 40% of China's top ten passenger vehicle export destinations. Markets like the UK, Belgium, Italy, and Australia also maintained rapid growth. An analysis by Gasgoo Auto Research Institute notes that the European market is "blooming across the board; counting Russia, Europe's share of China's passenger vehicle exports has now exceeded half."

On the new energy front, Brazil topped the list of top five destinations for Chinese NEV passenger exports from January to May with 283,000 units, followed by Belgium and the UK. Exports to Italy and Germany exploded by 365.3% and 211.2% respectively—Chinese NEVs have successfully penetrated the heartland of traditional automotive powers.

Meanwhile, the global map of Chinese auto exports is being reshaped. The Latin American market is polarized: Brazil saw a sales surge driven by a rush to buy ahead of expected tariff hikes in July, while Mexico saw exports plunge 40% due to earlier tariff increases and tightening North American trade policies. Middle Eastern markets like the UAE also entered an adjustment period, falling 32.6%. This divergence suggests to some extent that Chinese auto exports have moved from a "swarm" style of extensive expansion into a new stage of refined operation.

Image Source: Chery Auto

Changes at the corporate level are equally noteworthy. CPCA data shows that among the top ten exporters in the first half, Chery Auto led with 931,500 units, up 70.9%, followed closely by BYD with 769,300 units, a 73.6% increase. Together, the two account for nearly 40% of the top ten's total. Geely Auto exported 472,500 units, up 158.3%; SAIC Passenger Vehicle shipped 404,200; Great Wall Motor 256,000; and Tesla China 229,000.

Even more telling is the export ratio. Chery's exports account for 74.3% of its total sales—meaning over 70% of its cars are sold overseas. BYD's overseas sales share exceeds 40%, while Great Wall Motor's export ratio has reached 50%. In the first half, auto exports accounted for 37% of domestic sales, up from just 19% a year earlier. "Going global" has shifted from an elective for a few companies to a required course for the entire industry; overseas markets are moving from being "icing on the cake" to constituting "half the sky."

Undercurrents and the Path Forward Amidst the Boom

The high-growth figures are undoubtedly inspiring, but the unavoidable structural contradictions hidden beneath the data also deserve attention.

The most prominent issue is the "ice and fire" disparity between complete vehicles and parts. While complete vehicle exports jumped 54% to $918 billion in the first half, parts exports grew a mere 7% to $51.3 billion. The "scissors gap" is obvious.

Chen Jingjing, secretary-general of the Automobile Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, noted in an interview that auto parts export destinations "are mostly traditional automotive powers, represented by the US and EU, where restrictive measures against Chinese exports are continuously landing." This stands in stark contrast to complete vehicle exports, which "basically don't go to the US."

Chen further warned that Chinese auto exports "have bid farewell to the purely trade-driven stage and must shift towards localized, systematic deep cultivation." She pointed out a common weakness among domestic companies: "emphasizing sales while neglecting after-sales service." Short-term volume surges only overdraw the brand, she argued; after-sales service, spare parts, customer repurchases, and local reputation are the core lifelines for long-term overseas growth. Cui Dongshu was more direct, stating, "We must follow the development of independent automakers."

The high growth of vehicle exports is certainly welcome, but if parts lag behind for too long, the "autonomy and controllability" of China's auto export sector risks becoming hollow.

Additionally, the continuous escalation of trade barriers presents another real pressure. Since October 2024, the EU has imposed definitive anti-subsidy duties on Chinese pure electric vehicles for five years, adding extra tariffs ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on top of the 10% base duty. BYD, Geely, and SAIC were hit with additional rates of 17%, 18.8%, and 35.3% respectively. In June 2026, the European Commission plans to extend these anti-subsidy duties to plug-in hybrid vehicles. Xinhua Finance reported that the new rules could reference pure electric standards, pushing the maximum combined tariff above 45%.

Non-tariff barriers are also escalating. The EU plans to introduce a "Supply Chain Diversification Instrument" and the "Public Procurement Act" in September 2026, proposing that companies in sensitive sectors establish diversified supply channels in key areas and cap procurement from a single supplier at 30% to 40%.

Meanwhile, Brazil has uniformly raised import tariffs on electric vehicles to 35% starting July 1. Thailand has implemented a "production capacity wagering" mechanism, requiring automakers to exchange export volumes for localization production quotas. Tariff and non-tariff barriers are converging to tighten the screws.

Facing the increasingly high "walls," Chinese automakers are answering not by detouring, but by digging in—moving from "trade exports" to "industrial exports."

For example, a domestic NEV maker's factory in Brazil serves as a typical sample. The plant celebrated the rollout of its 100,000th NEV in July. The first phase plans an annual capacity of 150,000 to 200,000 units, with a long-term goal of expanding to over 500,000 units. It also plans to raise the localization procurement rate to 50% by early 2027.

Image Source: Chery Auto

In Europe, Chery's layout is equally significant. In June 2026, the factory jointly operated by Chery and Spain's Ebro Automotive Group in the Barcelona Free Trade Zone activated its new M1 production line. Spanning 696 meters with 97 workstations, the line has a production cycle of approximately 75 minutes per vehicle. Rafael Ruiz, president of Ebro, stated that choosing a Chinese firm as a technology partner aims to "introduce new technologies and industrial experience in the automotive sector to Spain, transforming them into local industrial capacity and employment opportunities."

From product exports to the full-chain localization of capacity, brand, and supply chain, this shift is becoming the necessary path for Chinese autos to move from the "first half" to the "second half" of their global journey—a trend the industry summarizes as "ecosystem exports." Driven by advantages in new energy and intelligent technology, the form of Chinese auto exports is evolving: automakers are the first to deploy overseas capacity, followed closely by supply chain companies, while overseas warehouses for parts and after-sales service networks are being simultaneously perfected.

Product export is only the first step; the comprehensive localization of capacity, brand, and supply chain is the key to determining whether Chinese automobiles can truly gain a foothold overseas.

Based on the export volume of 5.096 million units in the first half, breaking the 10 million mark for the full year is almost a foregone conclusion. International professional institutions predict that China's auto exports will grow 41% year-on-year in 2026 to reach 10 million units, making it the first country in the world to export 10 million vehicles—about 2.5 times Japan's export volume.

Conclusion

Looking back at 2021, China's auto exports were less than $350 billion—a mere footnote in the global trade map. Five years later, in just half a year, they are approaching the $100 billion magnitude at $918 billion. Behind this lies the systematic eruption of decades of accumulation in Chinese manufacturing and a historic window for reshuffling the global industrial landscape.

Yet beneath the halo of numbers, structural concerns are clearly visible. The "disconnect" between parts and vehicles, the full convergence of trade barriers, and the real test of localization capabilities—each is a threshold that cannot be bypassed. The road from "trade exports" to "industrial exports," and from "scale expansion" to "value deepening," has just been paved, but it is far from flat.

$918 billion is both a report card and an admission ticket. For Chinese autos to truly move from "big" to "strong," the decisive chapter is yet to come.

https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/chinas-auto-exports-are-on-track-to-top-100-billion-2079579257348005889

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

More than 200 Thousand GAC Aion S Car Batteries Allegedly Have Problems

More than 200 Thousand GAC Aion S Car Batteries Allegedly Have Problems

voi.id

More than 200 Thousand GAC Aion S Car Batteries Allegedly Have Problems​

GAC Aion S is in the spotlight after many vehicle owners reported serious problems with the battery system. A number of cases mention that the battery is swollen, leaking, and even bursting, which in some cases causes the vehicle to lose power while driving.

Citing a report by Jiemian News, which was reported by Carnewschina, Wednesday, July 22, the majority of cases were found in vehicles that had traveled between 150,000 km to 300,000 km. Based on data from consumer complaint platforms, such as 12365auto and Black Cat, 182 reports were recorded in just half a month.

The detection rate of the disturbance reached 4.7 percent of the approximately 213,000 affected vehicle units. The investigation led to the use of 177Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells produced by CALB as the main source of the problem.

As public attention increased after an investigation conducted by the Chinese state-run media, Xinhua News Agency, GAC Aion together with CALB on July 18, 2026 apologized and announced a handling step. GAC Aion extended the battery warranty to eight years or up to 300,000 km for affected vehicles.

The company also promises inspections and battery replacements at no cost, and provides subsidies to vehicle owners if the repair process takes more than five days. Meanwhile, CALB stated that it was ready to provide free inspection and maintenance services.

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CALB battery issues trigger massive failures in GAC Aion S fleet

CALB battery defects trigger failures in GAC Aion models after 150,000 km.

carnewschina.com

CALB battery issues trigger massive failures in GAC Aion S fleet​

The CALB company. Credit: CALB
https://db.carnewschina.com/get-full-access
A significant quality crisis has emerged involving the GAC Aion S series, with a large number of owners reporting severe battery issues, including swelling, leakage, and cell ruptures. These defects have led to power failures while driving, raising serious safety concerns.

As reported by Jiemian News, the issues are concentrated in vehicles that have travelled between 150,000 km and 300,000 km. Data from consumer complaint platforms, including 12365auto and Black Cat, shows 182 complaints in just half a month, with a fault detection rate of 4.7% across a scale of approximately 213,000 affected vehicles. The problem has been traced back to a specific component: the 177Ah lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell supplied by CALB.
In response to the growing public pressure following an investigation by China’s state media Xinhua News Agency, GAC Aion and CALB issued apologies and remediation plans on July 18, 2026. GAC Aion has extended the battery warranty for affected vehicles to 8 years or 300,000 km, promised free inspections and replacements, and offered subsidies for vehicles requiring more than five days of repairs. CALB has also committed to providing free inspection and maintenance services.

GAC Aion S. Credit: Xcar
Industry experts suggest to Jiemian News that these are not isolated incidents but point to systemic manufacturing defects. Analysts have noted potential issues such as improper electrolyte system design, substandard assembly precision, and a lack of rigorous ageing test verification.

The financial implications of this crisis are substantial. While GAC Aion and CALB have opted for an extended warranty and repair program rather than a formal recall, the scale of the issue – affecting over 213,000 vehicles – poses a significant financial burden. For context, a previous battery-related dispute between Geely’s VREMT and Sunwoda resulted in a settlement of 2.314 billion yuan (approx. 340 million USD). Given that the current incident involves a much larger number of vehicles, the potential costs could exceed this figure, placing immense pressure on both GAC and CALB, especially considering their recent financial performance.

According to CALB’s financial report, its total profit for the full year of 2025 was 2.095 billion yuan (308 million USD), while GAC recently issued a profit warning for the first half of the year, with an expected net loss of 4 to 4.5 billion yuan (588 to 662 million USD).

CALB is the fourth-largest battery manufacturer by installation volume, with a market share of 6.3% – putting it on par with Gotion High-tech and trailing only battery giants CATL and BYD.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

XPeng to get around any Chinese road mapping security concerns for self-driving cars in Europe by using Google Maps.

XPeng L03 ships Google Maps Auto SDK — a first for an APAC automaker

XPeng's new L03 becomes the first APAC automaker to ship Google Maps Auto SDK, a year after Rivian did it first — and it will power NGP driving overseas.

electrek.co

XPeng L03 ships Google Maps Auto SDK — a first for an APAC automaker​

XPeng used the global launch of its new L03 in Munich to announce that the electric SUV coupe is the first vehicle from any Asia-Pacific automaker to ship with Google Maps’ Auto SDK built in.

The integration replaces XPeng’s overseas navigation stack with Google Maps data and, more importantly, feeds map data into its NGP and XPILOT ASSIST driver-assistance systems outside China.

What XPeng actually shipped​

The Auto SDK lets automakers build their own navigation interface on top of Google’s underlying technology rather than embedding the standard Google Maps app or mirroring a phone. XPeng says drivers “will continue to use the familiar XPeng map application,” with the interface, rendering, and interactions designed in-house, while Google supplies real-time traffic-aware routing, place search, and EV energy and trip estimation underneath.

Practically, that means no app download and no smartphone screen-mirroring — the maps live natively in the car, alongside existing XPeng features like voice control and cross-screen display transfer.

“Over 2 billion users turn to Google Maps each month, and we are pleased to bring our industry-leading technology to more drivers in Europe and beyond,” said Jorgen Behrens, VP/GM of Google Maps Automotive, who added that XPeng deployed the refreshed experience “in less than a year.”

The upgrade will roll out across “most” of XPeng’s overseas markets, with L03 buyers first in line before it reaches other models. It does not apply in China, where XPeng runs its own mapping.

XPeng is first from APAC — but not first, period​

XPeng is careful with its wording here, and so should we be. The company is the “first automaker from APAC to ship a vehicle with Google Maps Auto SDK integration” — not the first automaker to do it at all.

That distinction belongs to Rivian, which launched its Google Maps-based navigation using the same Auto SDK in July 2025, a full year before XPeng. Rivian used the SDK to keep its own UI and charging-focused features while swapping in Google’s routing, ETAs, and place data — the same playbook XPeng is running now.

Google has said it is in talks with additional automakers about Auto SDK implementations, so XPeng joining is less a coup than a sign the standard is spreading. What’s notable is the geography: a Chinese automaker leaning on Google’s map stack specifically because it is expanding into Western markets where its own navigation lacks coverage and freshness.

The real point is autonomy, not navigation​

The map integration matters most for what sits on top of it. XPeng explicitly ties the Google Maps deal to the overseas rollout of NGP (Next Generation Pilot), its full-scenario assisted-driving system, and the next-generation VLA 2.0 architecture powering XPeng’s NGP.

“The future application of NGP (VLA 2.0) in overseas markets must rely on map data and navigation maneuvers,” the company said, calling the Google Maps data integration “a key upgrade that clears the path for NGP (VLA 2.0)’s international growth.”

In other words, XPeng can’t bring its assisted-driving system to Europe without a map layer it trusts across dozens of countries — and it’s outsourcing that layer to Google rather than building it market by market.

The L03 itself is built for that expansion. XPeng launched it simultaneously in China and roughly 64 other markets from Munich, and every trim carries the company’s in-house Turing AI chip with up to 1,500 TOPS of compute to support the second-generation VLA system. When XPeng revealed the Mona L03 with 650 km of range for around $20,500, the aggressive pricing was the story; the Google Maps deal is how it plans to make the software travel.

Electrek’s Take​

This is a smart, unglamorous move, and it tells you something about how the China-to-Europe EV push actually works.

Chinese automakers are strong on hardware and increasingly strong on assisted-driving software — but navigation and map data across 60-plus countries is a genuinely hard problem that takes years and enormous data collection to solve. Rather than fight that battle, XPeng is renting Google’s answer. The Auto SDK approach lets it do that without surrendering its cabin experience, which is the right call: drivers keep the XPeng interface they know while the routing and place data underneath quietly get better.

The more interesting thread is the autonomy tie-in. XPeng is being honest that NGP can’t scale internationally without a reliable map backbone, and it’s choosing Google over trying to replicate its China mapping stack abroad. That’s a pragmatic admission that assisted driving in the West runs on someone else’s map data — the same dependency that shapes how far and how fast any of these systems can expand.

The open question is how much of NGP’s China capability actually survives the translation. A polished nav screen is easy to demo in Munich. Delivering full-scenario assisted driving across dozens of European regulatory regimes, on Google’s map layer, is the part worth watching.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Chinese cars are just unstoppable, quickly taking over the global automobile market everywhere.
US can try, but it will definitely fail, US cars are just so hopelessly uncompetitive.

US Senate panel approves bill to crack down on Chinese vehicles​

By Reuters
July 22, 202611:41 PM GMT+8Updated July 22, 2026

A drone view of new cars lining up at an export terminal at the port in Shanghai, China July 14, 2026. China Daily via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-senate-panel-approves-bill-crack-down-chinese-vehicles-2026-07-22/

 

[Beijingwalker]

 

[Beijingwalker]

 

[Beijingwalker]

 

[Beijingwalker]

Chinese brand Jetour, Proton drive Malaysia's auto sales as rivals stumble [WATCH]​

By Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan, Asila Jalil
July 23, 2026

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Chinese brand Jetour, Proton drive Malaysia's auto sales as rivals stumble [WATCH] | New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Beneath Malaysia's modest growth in vehicle sales in the first half of 2026 lies a market undergoing a rapid shake-up, as fast-growing brands gain ground while many established marques struggle to maintain momentum.

www.nst.com.my

 

[Beijingwalker]

China's EV industry is mind-blowingly advanced, and miles in front of the competition | ABC NEWS

Jul 21, 2026

China's electric vehicle industry is world-leading, after the government decided over two decades ago it wanted to be a powerhouse.After over $328 billion in investment, the scale and technological progress is mind-boggling.

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