Latest news with #Xpeng
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Life atop China's car market starts to look tough for BYD as sales stall
BYD's core domestic car deliveries fell 8% in June as rivals like Geely, Xpeng, and Xiaomi gained ground, even as overseas and commercial sales were excluded from the tally Bloomberg Life at the top is proving complex for China's leading automaker, and there are fresh challenges on the horizon. BYD Co.'s monthly sales have stagnated of late and with the summer months being a traditionally slower time for consumer purchases, that trajectory isn't expected to reverse any time soon. Discounting is also now being looked sternly upon by Beijing, with China last week pledging to rein in 'irrational competition' in the electric vehicle sector, reflecting authorities' wish to tackle the deflationary price wars that are threatening economic and industrial growth. Some of BYD's international forays are also proving more challenging than expected, raising the question, is China's No. 1 automaker on shaky ground? The Shenzhen-based behemoth currently looks like it will undershoot its annual sales target for 2025, in what would be a rare miss after a multi-year bull run. The number of electric and hybrid vehicles BYD needs to sell each month through December has hit 560,000 units, in excess of levels it could hope to achieve typically in a single month. The most vehicles BYD has ever sold in a month was just shy of 515,000, in December last year. Analysts are now doubting whether BYD can hit 5.5 million units in 2025. Consensus estimates continue to be downgraded. Deutsche Bank AG earlier this month said it now expects 5 million in wholesales, or deliveries to dealers, for this year, comprised of 4 million domestic units and 1 million overseas, while Morgan Stanley last month lowered its projection to 5.3 million, pointing to a smaller number of new models. Bloomberg Intelligence's Joanne Chen says BYD will need to sacrifice some profit and maintain its hefty discounting in the second half if it wants to stay on track. 'Regulatory scrutiny will temper direct cuts to vehicle sticker prices but competition isn't going away and retail promotions are still needed to sustain sales momentum,' she said. 'New model roll outs and steady tech upgrade are also crucial.' Bing Yuan, a fund manager at Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management, said many market watchers now realistically expect sales of around 5 million. 'My sense is that is the consensus,' she said. Stripping out overseas and commercial sales, BYD's core car deliveries in China are shrinking. In June, they slipped 8 per cent year-on-year as vehicles from brands like Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Xpeng Inc. and Xiaomi Corp. won over buyers. HSBC Holdings Plc data show that Geely was the largest gainer of market share in the first half, while BYD was among the biggest losers. Overseas sales are faring better and those are looking on target to reach BYD's forecast of 800,000. Indeed, BYD is already almost 60 per cent of the way there. But while higher margin international sales will help BYD offset aggressive domestic discounting, some foreign markets are presenting new difficulties. BYD has grand plans for Saudi Arabia, for example, hoping to triple its footprint after Tesla Inc. entered the country. But EVs account for just over 1 per cent of total car sales in the kingdom, with high costs, sparse charging infrastructure and extreme temperatures challenging EV adoption. India, a potentially huge market, has meanwhile consistently blocked BYD's efforts to expand and despite rapid growth from a low base in Europe, there are substantial tariff headwinds and increasing competition from legacy automakers that already have consumers' trust, not to mention more extensive after-sales networks. At home, regulatory scrutiny has also intensified around BYD as it continues to be at the fore of an EV price war. In late May, it slashed prices by as much as 34 per cent, triggering renewed sector-wide discounts. Its moves were later discouraged in a veiled warning by the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece the People's Daily, which slammed the 'rat-race competition.' Whether Beijing can actually stop price discounting by a privately held company is a point of debate. Tianlei Huang, a China program coordinator at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said authorities may resort to administrative tools such as price reviews or cost investigations to establish a de facto price floor, or coordinate a concerted capacity reduction among leading EV makers, although he acknowledged those measures won't be easy. Regardless, BYD must be careful. As the company gears up to release first-half results later next month and July sales data within weeks, analysts will have their spreadsheets at the ready, waiting to see whether those 2025 targets look even further in the distance.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla's New Model Y L Brings More Space and More Power - But Only for China
The upcoming Tesla Model Y L is a longer, six-seat version of the standard Model Y. While the new variant hasn't gone on sale yet, Tesla has applied for a sales license with the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. That filing revealed full details about the new model, including its dimensions, power output, and three-row layout. For now, though, it's only confirmed for the Chinese market. Related: Tesla Model Y Aiming To Become A True Luxury Car This Year This isn't just a standard Model Y with a third row squeezed in. Tesla stretched the wheelbase by 5.9 inches to make room for a full set of second-row captain's chairs and a third row behind them. That brings the total length to 195.9 inches, which puts it just 4 inches shy of the full-size Model X. The roofline is also slightly taller, and the whole thing gains about 212 pounds, tipping the scales at just over 4,600 pounds. It's not just bigger; it's also more powerful. The Model Y L runs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, with 456 hp in total – about 80 more hp than the current dual-motor version. The biggest visual giveaway, however, is its new triple Y badge at the back. While Tesla hasn't shared any acceleration figures, the documents confirm a slightly pedestrian 125 mph top speed. China has been Tesla's strongest market for the Model Y. In 2024, the company sold over 480,000 units there, making the standard Model Y the best-selling car in the country. Nearly three-quarters of Tesla's Chinese sales came from that one model alone. But things have cooled off a bit. Since the refreshed Juniper version launched in early 2025, Model Y sales in China have dropped more than 17 percent year over year. And with local rivals like Xpeng, Deepal, and Zeekr heating up the competition, Tesla needed something new to hold attention. That's where the Model Y L comes in. Chinese buyers tend to favor long-wheelbase cars - it's a common trend, even with sedans - so adding more room and a third row could help Tesla stand out in a crowded EV space. There's no official word on whether the Model Y L will be offered outside of China. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if Tesla eventually rolled out something similar elsewhere. Three-row SUVs are always in demand in North America and Europe, but most options are either huge or expensive, often both. A stretched version of the Model Y could hit a sweet spot. It's cheaper and more efficient than a Model X, while still offering more flexibility for families or fleet buyers. But considering how many Chinese-exclusive cars never find their way across the pond, we wouldn't get our hopes up just yet. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Would you feel safe sharing the road with this self-driving scooter?
Chances are, you have never actually ridden a scooter like this, zipping around corners, but you have definitely seen them weaving through city traffic. Just when you thought scooters were already a wild card on the road, imagine one that drives itself. That is exactly what the Omoway Omo X promises. Developed by a team of former Xpeng engineers, this scooter is not just electric, it is packed with smart features that push self-driving scooter tech to a whole new level, offering far more than you would ever expect from a two-wheeler. At its recent launch in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Omo X made a statement by driving itself onto the stage. This scooter uses its Halo Pilot system, which combines sensors and artificial intelligence to handle complex tasks like parking, reversing and balancing at low speeds. Instead of watching a rider struggle to keep a scooter upright at a stoplight, you can now imagine a scooter that manages its own stability. The Omo X even removes the hassle of parking in tight city spaces by doing it automatically. When the battery runs low, it can drive itself to a charging station, adding a new level of convenience for scooter drivers. The company says that safety is a top priority for the Omo X. The scooter is packed with technology that helps it detect obstacles, monitor blind spots and apply emergency braking if something unexpected happens in traffic. These advanced features are common in modern cars, but the Omo X brings them to the world of scooters. With these systems, the scooter can react quickly to sudden changes on the road, helping to prevent accidents and offering peace of mind for both riders and everyone sharing the street. The Omo X stands out not just for its technology but also for its bold, futuristic design. The modular frame allows you to switch between different riding styles, so it can look and feel like a classic scooter or transform into a sportier motorcycle. The large dashboard screen makes it easy to control all the smart features, and wireless charging for your devices adds another layer of modern convenience. Omoway clearly wants the Omo X to appeal to a wide range of city residents, from tech enthusiasts to practical commuters. Set to debut in Asian markets in early 2026, the Omoway Omo X is expected to retail for around $3,800. This positions it above entry-level scooters but still significantly more affordable than high-end electric models like the BMW CE 04. The Omo X justifies its price with advanced features such as self-parking, AI-powered safety systems and a modular design, amenities typically reserved for much pricier vehicles. Currently, the Omo X is launching in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia. Production is based in China, and as of now, there are no official plans or a dedicated version for the U.S. market. Omoway is concentrating on Asian cities first, betting that urban riders will appreciate the convenience and innovation offered by this next-generation scooter. While the Omo X is launching in Asia, its technology points to a future that could soon reach American streets. If you've ever struggled to park a scooter in a crowded city or felt uneasy navigating traffic on two wheels, a self-driving model like this could change the game. Features such as auto-parking, emergency braking and obstacle detection are designed to take the stress out of riding. Think of it as bringing car-level safety to something the size of a bike. Even if this specific scooter doesn't make it to the U.S. soon, it's a clear signal that smart, self-driving mobility isn't just for cars anymore. The Omoway Omo X brings self-driving scooter technology to city streets in Southeast Asia. This electric scooter stands out with smart features and a bold look. Right now, there are no plans for a U.S. release. Still, the Omo X shows how fast self-driving scooter technology is moving forward. The big question is how it will handle real traffic and if people are ready for this new way to get around. Would you feel confident sharing the road with a self-driving scooter? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
China's pleasant climate surprise
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng displays its lineup of SUVs and sedans at an event in Hong Kong. PHOTO: REUTERS Start with China, the world's biggest emitter by far of greenhouse gases: 27% of the entire world's emissions, and more than twice that of the second-biggest emitter, the United States. In fact, it's more than all the emissions of all the other developed countries combined. Bad China. But wait. China is now installing wind and solar power at an unprecedented rate. It has just reached 1000 gigawatts of solar power, and the pace is still picking up: 93gW went on line in May alone. Beijing's official target was to reach peak emissions before 2030 and then start heading back down, but it may actually have peaked last year. China also leads the world in newly installed wind power, new nuclear plants under construction, electric vehicle production (half the vehicles made in China are EVs) and in the all-important field of battery storage, which is essential for stable, reliable power if your electrical grid is eventually going to be fossil-fuel-free. Not only that, but it's making a profit from it. Volume production and technical innovations have brought the price of solar panels down so low that it's exporting them in huge quantities even to developing countries. They simply beat all forms of fossil fuel on price: 90% of all new power capacity installed worldwide last year was renewable. Some countries are ahead of the game. Brazil, for example, already gets 88% of its energy from renewables (mostly hydro), but increasingly from solar as well. England, the first country to burn coal for industry and transport, closed down its last coal-fired plant last year. But for most countries, the great shift to clean energy only began in the past two years. There is, of course, the problem of the US, where Donald Trump is trying to go back to the 20th-century heyday of fossil fuels. (In May the Department of Energy even ordered a coal-fired plant in Michigan not to be retired as the owners had planned.) But the free market still more or less rules in the US, and fossil fuels just cost too much. Commercial enterprises have to make a profit, and they are often answerable to shareholders for their investment decisions. That is why solar power and battery storage alone are expected to make up over 80% of new energy capacity in the US this year. The US will lag further and further behind, but it will mostly follow the energy trend at a distance. Coal, gas and oil together account for about 75% of overall greenhouse gas emissions, so the fact that most other countries in the world are switching to cheaper renewable energy so fast is reason for rejoicing. We are being given a reprieve from the worst consequences of our carelessness with the planet, and we should use the time wisely. First, a few harsh realities. The average global temperature has been far higher than the models predicted for the past two years: well over 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average, compared with the predicted +1.2°C. If that continues, we will hit the "never exceed" level of +2.0°C within 10 years. If we're lucky, we won't get there until about 2040. But realistically, we will get there at some point. There's already too much carbon dioxide in the air, and too much more will be put there before our emissions fall steeply enough to make a real difference. That's a great deal more heat than is in the atmosphere now, which at the very least means bigger storms and forest fires, worse floods and droughts, more extreme temperatures both high and low. But it also means that we may cross one or several tipping points that will make things much worse. We are walking through a minefield, and the mines are the "tipping points" that will be activated when the planet reaches certain levels of heat. We don't know exactly what those levels are, but some could be just ahead, while most others would be tripped between +2.0°C and +3.0°C. And we do know that once we have set them going, we can't turn them off again. The tipping points can probably even cascade, one setting off another and delivering us rapidly to levels of heat that would be catastrophic, so our highest priority must be not to cross them. That means holding the heat down, even if we have to do it artificially. We can cut our emissions faster than we thought possible, but we also need to use that time to develop geoengineering techniques that will let us cool the planet directly. Those techniques seem feasible in theory and not even very expensive (as planetary interventions go), but there's a lot of work to do before they are ready. ■ Gwynne Dyer is an independent London journalist.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
China's Xpeng revises up 2025 planned hires to 8,000, founder says
BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng's planned hires for this year have been revised up to 8,000 from 6,000, founder He Xiaopeng said in an internal speech. With the added openings, Xpeng's workforce will be nearing 30,000 within this year, He said, according to a transcript of the speech seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The revision highlights ramped-up hiring in smart driving with a large number of openings in fields such as large artificial intelligence models, according to the company.
