Latest news with #China-only
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘China's car market has lost all reason' – the country's largest western carmaker refuses to compete in Tesla and BYD's EV price war
Once China's dominant carmaker before being overtaken by fast-growing EV leader BYD, Volkswagen is now in a rebuilding year. VW Group China boss Ralf Brandstätter says he's willing to sacrifice market share during the price war to protect the equity of his company's car brands. Relief is due to come next year with a new range of affordably priced EVs built off the dedicated China-only 'CMP' platform. China's brutal EV price war waged between industry giant BYD, Tesla and now Xiaomi is increasingly squeezing the country's largest western carmaker out of the market. According to Volkswagen Group, there are 130 brands are competing for a share of the EV and plug-in hybrid sales. The result of such an oversaturated supply is that almost no one is able to earn a positive return. 'That means there's no money left over to invest in the future,' VW exec Ralf Brandstätter told German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview published Tuesday. 'China's car market has lost all reason.' Volkswagen is in the starting phase of a new EV product cycle it hopes will increase its total China sales by a third in the mid-term, allowing it to fully utilize its installed local capacity of 4 million cars annually. Leading that is Brandstätter, who is ultimately responsible for a portfolio of group brands including VW and Audi, as well as its China-only entry brand Jetta. The group may play a minor role in the United States, but it remains the world's second largest carmaker after Toyota. That's mainly thanks to its prescient bet on China, a market it dominated for nearly 40 years after becoming the first western car brand to successfully enter the market, in 1985. But ever since Beijing attempted to reel in an overheated real estate sector—in the process collapsing its property bubble—VW has steadily lost volume. In October 2022, several months after developer Evergrande defaulted on $300 billion worth of debt, Tesla first slashed vehicle prices in China. Its decision the next quarter to double down on this strategy with further rebates off the hood of Tesla cars helped cement the EV price war that still rages today. As a result, VW Group was eclipsed by fast-growing industry leader to BYD, which sold 4.21 million cars in China in 2024 to Volkswagen's 2.93 million last year. In 2019 just prior to the 'Three Red Lines' housing market reforms, VW's total China sales had hit a record of 4.23 million cars. While the prevailing prices for EVs in China are low, these aren't cheaply built econoboxes—China's market features the single greatest array of technologically advanced vehicles found anywhere on Earth. Even brands previously known for consumer electronics, such as smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, have launched their own high-tech EVs for a relative pittance. Despite the $30,000 price tag, its sporty SU7 sedan that debuted last year looked and performed so much like a European grand tourer that Xiaomi needed to defend itself from suspicions imitation took flattery to a whole other level. Given the brutal conditions in the market, VW has declared 2025 to be a year of transition. Only starting next year on does it expect to have attractive products that do not need to compete with the likes of BYD and Xiaomi on price alone. These begin with volume models built on the China-specific Compact Main Platform ('CMP'), potentially including a model sold under its Jetta brand for the equivalent of about €15,000 (about $17,500). The new cars continue in 2027 with more upscale models underpinned by the China Scalable Platform ('CSP'). Until then it won't chase after sales with ever increasing incentives just to move metal gathering dust on dealer lots. 'In such an unhealthy market environment, our share is not important,' Brandstätter claimed. 'Those only capable of selling their cars through rebates are damaging their brand.' Volkswagen serves as a litmus test of a legacy carmaker's desire to adapt and change with the times as demand shifts from gas-powered cars relying on mechanical innards like pistons and camshafts to EVs defined by their high-tech software features. Whereas 97% of GM's consolidated operating profit were earned in North America last year, VW continues to stake its claim to a leadership role across the entire global auto industry. This includes remaining relevant in the latest technological trends like autonomous ride hailing, where VW still harbors ambitions even after legacy rivals Ford and GM buried theirs. This story was originally featured on
Canberra Times
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
Toyota Kluger to gain range-extender EV option in China
While Toyota was an early proponent of petrol-electric hybrid drivetrains, and does development for it in-house, it has been slower to embrace electric vehicles. Although Toyota is using its own technology on EVs like the bZ4X, bZ4X Touring, Lexus RZ, and the new Lexus ES, it has launched a number of China-only EV models based on platforms from partners GAC and FAW, and using battery technology from BYD.
Android Authority
06-06-2025
- Android Authority
After using the vivo X200 Ultra for several weeks, I wish Samsung would copy its amazing cameras
vivo X200 Ultra The vivo X200 Ultra is a China-only release, so most buyers sadly won't be able to get their hands on one, but dedicated Android fans who want a top-notch camera experience and plenty of premium features should certainly add it to their wishlist. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is among the most popular camera phones around. But there's a strong argument to be made that Samsung's flagships (and to a lesser extent even Google's top Pixels) have stagnated as far as hardware is concerned. Samsung's base and Plus phones have effectively used the same camera hardware since 2022, while its most recent Ultra phones have offered upgraded ultrawide cameras and a switch to a more modern 5x 50MP camera. Nevertheless, the company is still sticking with a measly 10MP 3x camera on its $1,200 Ultra devices. However, the newly launched vivo X200 Ultra has shaken things up in a big way, and after using it extensively for several weeks, I really hope the likes of Apple, Google, and Samsung are taking notes for 2026 and beyond. vivo X200 Ultra 35mm main camera test and samples One of vivo's most notable camera-related moves is offering a 35mm main camera (50MP LYT-818, 1/1.28-inch). By contrast, 99% of smartphones on the market use a 24mm main camera, offering a wider field of view. The 35mm camera is equivalent to a 1.4x or 1.5x camera. vivo isn't the first manufacturer to do this, owing to ZTE's previous forays, but it still marks a major expansion for this tech. As colleague Rob Triggs observed, having a native 35mm focal length should reduce facial distortion compared to a standard 24mm lens. But more importantly, in my own experience, it allows for better framing. Check out this comparison between an older Pixel 7 Pro and the X200 Ultra to see the difference between a conventional 24mm smartphone shot and a 35mm snap. I didn't have to worry about the sheets above or people sitting too close to my friend. Pixel 7 Pro at 24mm vivo X200 Ultra at 35mm Furthermore, a native 35mm camera should theoretically deliver better image quality than a crop from a similar 24mm camera. However, I had to pixel-peep to spot any significant quality differences versus a 35mm crop. So it's not a night-and-day quality difference if you stick with a software-based 35mm mode, especially when some phones let you set the 35mm crop as the default. This main camera still holds up in a variety of lighting conditions, offering plenty of detail, wide dynamic range (see the fourth and sixth image in the gallery), and little noise. I do occasionally see some over-processing, particularly at night when vivo sometimes manages the feat of using too much noise reduction and too much sharpening in the same scene. I'm also glad to report that this camera doesn't suffer from glare like the X200 Pro's primary shooter. Ultrawide camera hardware that's closer to the main camera We've also seen the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy S25 Ultra embrace higher-resolution ultrawide cameras. These sensors are much smaller than the primary cameras, though. However, vivo has decided to use the same 1/1.28-inch camera sensor for both the main and ultrawide cameras. This also seems like the next logical step for more mainstream brands. Perhaps the biggest benefit I noticed with the X200 Ultra's ultrawide camera was the much-improved brightness. There isn't a big disparity between the ultrawide and main cameras. The improved light capture also means I was able to capture handheld astrophotography shots using the wider camera. That's particularly important as it means you can get more of the expansive night sky in your snaps. 1x Ultrawide I thought the X200 Ultra's ultrawide camera was far from perfect, though. There's still a lot of corner softness, in line with the X200 Pro's somewhat disappointing wide-angle shooter. I really feel like vivo could've reduced the field-of-view from the current 14mm to something more restrained to combat this problem and distortion. I also thought ultrawide shots were quite blotchy and soft in general compared to the main camera, with this problem being extremely apparent at night. Check out the comparison below. In any event, I think vivo definitely needs to improve the ultrawide image quality, but it's clear that the gap between it and the main camera has narrowed somewhat. It's not the first time we've seen smartphones use the same camera sensor for both main and ultrawide lenses (hello, OPPO Find X3 Pro), but I want to see Google and Samsung pull this off too. vivo has also taken the interesting step of defaulting to the ultrawide camera for video. It makes sense on paper as cameras with a narrower field of view, like the 35mm main sensor, tend to be less stable than wider cameras. You can still switch to the 35mm camera anyway, although it looks like vivo is shooting 8K/30fps videos exclusively via the ultrawide lens. In any event, I thought that video capture was at least on par with the already good X200 Pro, with smooth panning and good stabilization. But I did notice weird flickering on people's faces when filming portrait video in poor lighting. What about that 200MP zoom camera? 85mm 85mm snapshot mode 85mm 85mm 170mm 85mm vivo was the first smartphone brand to adopt a 200MP zoom camera on a smartphone, debuting the feature on the X100 Ultra in 2024. It has since become a fixture on high-end phones like the HONOR Magic 7 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and the X200 Ultra returns with a 200MP 3.7x periscope camera (f/2.27). This zoom camera delivers image quality that's close to the main camera, featuring a good level of detail, consistent colors, and dynamic range, and very little noise. Image quality does fall sharply from 10x to 15x, though, with 20x shots being a gamble. But more than anything else, I'd like to see Google and Samsung take a similarly ambitious route with their zoom cameras. I'd love to see a Pixel 11 Pro with a 200MP tele camera or a giant 50MP periscope lens. 35mm 85mm Much like the X200 Pro and X100 Ultra, the X200 Ultra edges out Google when it comes to the number of ways you can use the periscope camera. There's the expected macro focus and 4K/120fps slow-motion options, as well as portrait video with automatic focus switching (like iPhones), a stage mode, and higher-resolution active stabilized video. There's also local support for 8K video and night video capture. I thought there was still room for improvement here, though. vivo does some sketchy processing at long focal lengths, as I noticed in my hands-on with the X200 Ultra's crazy external lens. During my time with the lens, I noticed that the phone actually seemed to airbrush balcony railings out of a very long-range zoom snap, while the picture taken with the lens kept it intact. There's also a very shallow depth of field when taking close-up images or full-blown macro shots (e.g. food or bugs). So you have to move back if you want everything in focus. Still, this depth of field comes in handy for portrait snaps. vivo X200 Ultra verdict: A great camera phone with one dealbreaker Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Thankfully, the vivo X200 Ultra also ticks many boxes for a 2025 flagship device. There's the all-powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 6,000mAh battery that usually delivers two days of regular usage, 90W wired and 40W wireless charging, and a bright, 6.82-inch QHD+ OLED screen. Other notable vivo X200 Ultra features include IP68/IP69 ratings, an Apple-style Camera Control button, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth 6.0, and Wi-Fi 7. So, the vivo X200 Ultra has a cutting-edge set of cameras that could be a sign of things to come, a ton of performance, a large battery, and plenty of premium extras. So far, so good, right? The vivo X200 Ultra is another great camera phone from vivo that most people can't buy. There is one major caveat, though. Unlike the excellent vivo X200 Pro ($749.99 at Giztop), the Ultra is limited to China only. This restricted availability severely reduces your purchase options if you're interested in the device. You'll just have to pay the ~$1,049 fee to import the phone from storefronts like Giztop. The China-only nature also means you miss out on Quick Share, although Google Wallet works fine, and it supports Android Auto. Another galling absence from China-only phones is eSIM support. There are eSIM adapters that bring this support to phones without the tech, but it's still a notable omission here. In any event, I really hope Google and Samsung embrace technologies like a 35mm main camera, an ultrawide camera with a flagship sensor, and more ambitious zoom cameras. Because it certainly looks like the rest of the industry will adopt or has adopted this tech. vivo X200 Ultra Optional external lens • 35mm camera • Top-notch performance MSRP: $1,099.99 One of 2025's best camera phones The vivo X200 Ultra has an optional external camera lens that delivers great long-range zoom. Other notable features include a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, high-quality rear cameras, and fast wired/wireless charging. See price at Giztop Positives Smooth performance Smooth performance Unique camera hardware Unique camera hardware Great video capture Great video capture Fast wired/wireless charging Fast wired/wireless charging Long battery life Cons China-only release China-only release No eSIM No eSIM Ultrawide images could be better
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nvidia will release cheaper Blackwell AI chips in China to avoid U.S. restrictions, report says
Nvidia's (NVDA) delicate dance in China continues. Amid U.S. export restrictions on its advanced AI chips, the chip giant valued at $3.3 trillion is reworking its product line — again — to maintain its hold on one of its most important markets without crossing Washington. Reuters (TRI), citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported that the company is preparing to release a stripped-down version of its popular Blackwell AI chips that have been specifically designed to comply with U.S. export rules. The news comes days before Nvidia prepares to release its first-quarter 2025 earnings. The Blackwell-based, China-only chip will reportedly cost from $6,000 to $8,000 and use conventional GDDR7 memory, a step down from the high-bandwidth tech in Nvidia's flagship models. The previous H20 chips offered in the country sold for between $10,000 and $12,000. This coming chip also would ditch packaging in technology from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) An Nvidia spokesperson told Reuters that the company is looking at its 'limited' options: 'Until we settle on a new product design and receive approval from the U.S. government, we are effectively foreclosed from China's $50 billion data center market.' This isn't Nvidia's first regulatory rodeo. After the U.S. blocked chip exports to China in 2022, the company responded with watered-down versions. When those got swept up in restrictions in late 2023, Nvidia developed chips with further reduced performance to comply with regulations. And that regulatory merry-go-round has continued. In April, Nvidia took a $5.5 billion charge after the U.S. government moved to block exports of the company's H20 AI chips to China. Now, Nvidia is hoping that this China-specific chip variant will thread the needle. CEO Jensen Huang has been increasingly vocal about his frustrations with U.S. policy. At an event earlier this month, he called the export controls 'a failure,' saying they've only accelerated China's push to develop domestic AI hardware — sidelining U.S. players in the process. Tech has become the next battleground in the trade war between the U.S. and China. As a result of Nvidia's export restrictions, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is gaining ground with its AI chips, which are quickly becoming the preferred alternative for Chinese tech firms. Nvidia's market share in China has reportedly fallen from 90% to around 50% since 2022. But China remains a huge market for Nvidia, accounting for 13% of its sales in the past financial year. And this new chip is expected to help the company keep pace overseas despite its market share loss — because as good as Huawei is becoming, Nvidia is still considered better. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NZ Autocar
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Leapmotor C10 in for bigger battery and motor?
The C10 electric SUV by Leapmotor hasn't long been on the market here. Despite that, it might be in for an update with a new electric motor and battery pack. There's also additional technology. But it looks like the C10 fully electric model is in for a power and range boost. That's thanks to moving from a 400v to 800v architecture. A more potent electric motor outputs 220kW, up 60kW from the existing unit. It is not yet clear whether this change will apply to the global version of the C10 or is a China-only model. One other change to the C10 is the addition of a 75kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack (up from 70kWh). It is said to offer range in excess of 600km. However, that figure is derived from the Chinese CLTC lab-test standard. The bigger motor certainly improves performance claims. Updated C10 with 220kW is capable of cutting out the 0-100 acceleration test in 5.9sec. That's down by 1.6sec on the existing model. There are no changes to the C10 range-extender plug-in hybrid model, at least for power output or battery size. Figures remain at 158kW and 28.4kWh, respectively, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as a generator. Other changes to the Leapmotor C10 include an updated Qualcomm Snapdragon '8295P' processor for its infotainment system, and a new purple exterior colour. There are also power-operated exterior door handles, and a faster 50-watt wireless phone charger. This year, almost 50 examples of the C10 have sold new in New Zealand, just over half EVs and just under half the new range-extender PHEV. We have asked Auto Distributors whether the updated C10 is due here at some stage, and await an answer.
