On February 24, XPeng Motors announced ambitious plans to accelerate its globalization efforts, aiming to expand its reach to 60 countries and regions by 2025. The company has set an audacious goal to become one of the top three exporters of new energy vehicles globally by 2027, with plans to achieve half of its sales from international markets by 2033.
XPeng is also getting set for the global adaptation of its AI driving system, called Touring, which will leverage ten years of smart driving expertise from China. XPeng recently dispatched the first batch of 300 XPeng X9 vehicles, equipped for right-hand driving, to the Thai market, with delivery set to commence upon arrival.
Meanwhile, BYD has teased the upcoming release of its BYD Chen L EV model, sharing images and confirming accessibility through the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology registration. This new vehicle is expected to embody family aesthetics reminiscent of the 'Dragon Beauty' design language and could include the company’s smart driving system, DiPilot 100. Visually, the Chen L EV features a closed front interface accentuated by silver strips and dynamic ventilation openings.
With dimensions of 4720 mm long and 1880 mm wide, the Chen L EV’s design focuses on dynamism and elegance, featuring distinctive Chinese knot-shaped rear lights. Powertrain options will reportedly include single-motor variants producing up to 160 kW, paired with lithium iron phosphate battery packs promising ranges of 470 to 545 kilometers.
The ZEEKR brand has also made headlines with its ZEEKR 007 GT, the second model based on the 007 platform and set for global release in the second quarter of this year. With similar front-end designs to its sedan sibling, major modifications reside at the rear optimized for aerodynamics and style. This new model will showcase advanced autonomous driving capabilities supported by laser radar technology.
Measuring 4864 mm long and sporting a battery platform capable of supporting 800 volts, the ZEEKR 007 GT offers two battery options, with ranges projected up to 825 kilometers under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standard.
On another front, GAC Trumpchi has officially launched the Trumpchi Xinguan S7, which will hit the market following its debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year. This state-of-the-art vehicle is positioned as GAC Trumpchi's first production model utilizing its new EV+ energy platform, leveraging advanced autonomous driving capabilities with AI framework L2++.
Notably, the S7 promises enhanced passenger comfort with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, along with technology including AI chipsets from Qualcomm and voice recognition. Sales are expected to begin via press conference on March 7.
Annual performance reports from UNT (United Nova Technology) also outline their ambitious growth targets, projecting total revenue of approximately 6.509 billion yuan for 2024, marking a 22.25% increase from the previous year. Despite confronting challenges, such as ChipLink facing over 50% decline in net profit, the company forecasts significant gains, particularly from its automotive sector.
UNT is heavily investing in R&D across key growth areas including automotive, consumer electronics, and AI, anticipating its automotive revenues to reach about 3.253 billion yuan by the end of 2024.
Finally, the tech sector of the automotive industry witnessed the noteworthy hiring initiatives by Fuyao, which is aggressively recruiting top talents, particularly focused on AI, with salaries reaching as high as 75,000 yuan monthly for experienced candidates. This follows their projection of significant advancement by establishing collaborations with over 17 local universities for training and development purposes.
Under the leadership of CEO Lou Fang, Fuyao emphasized taking bold actions toward integration of smart driving solutions across its vehicle categories by 2025, exploring synergies with Huawei to innovate on future models.
The evolution of the Chinese automotive industry continues to garner attention, shaped by strategic growth initiatives, innovative designs, and enhanced technological integrations, reinforcing China's role as a key player on the global automotive stage.