J A M E S
Articles by this author on 42HOW Auto, including co-authored stories.
Li Auto says self-developed battery strategy is not a backup plan
Li Auto executives told 42HOW Auto that the company's in-house battery development is a core strategic direction, not a contingency. The automaker claims its current 5C battery products match supplier quality while offering deeper vehicle integration and data control.
Horizon Robotics CEO Yu Kai: After 15 Million Chips, the Goal Is to Be an Open Computing Platform
Following the shipment of its 15 millionth autonomous driving chip, Horizon Robotics founder and CEO Yu Kai outlined a vision for the industry's endgame, predicting that only two or three core technology suppliers will remain globally. He detailed the company's dual business model of selling chips and licensing IP, while noting its rising market share in China's domestic ADAS sector.
Maextro V680 and V800 Launch: First Owners Define New Standards for Ultra-Luxury MPVs
Following the August 5 launch of the Maextro V680 and V800, 42HOW Auto’s research into first owners reveals a shift in ultra-luxury MPV expectations. Buyers prioritize comprehensive capabilities—autonomous driving, ride quality, and privacy—over traditional brand prestige, with many making rapid purchase decisions without competitor comparison.
Saidou Technology Unveils AIVA Brand and Concept Car, Proposing 'AI Defines the Car' Paradigm
Saidou Technology, a joint venture by Seres, CATL and other investors, launched the AIVA brand and its AIVA Origin Concept car in Beijing. The company outlines a production strategy where AI architecture precedes vehicle design, with the first mass-production model, AIVA ME7, scheduled for release later this year.
How Chinese EV Speed Is Reshaping Qualcomm's Automotive Roadmap
At the 2026 Qualcomm Automotive Technology and Partnership Summit, executives stated that China's rapid vehicle iteration cycles and aggressive cost targets are forcing Qualcomm to accelerate its chip development and adopt cockpit-driving fusion architectures.
Robotaxi and Humanoid Robots: How Is NVIDIA Capturing the Physical AI Market?
At the 2026 GTC Taipei conference, NVIDIA announced the launch of its 32-billion-parameter Alpamayo 2 Super autonomous driving model and an open humanoid robot reference platform based on Unitree hardware. The company also expanded L4 autonomous driving partnerships with Foxconn, VinFast, Uber, and HUMAIN.
Li Auto CTO Xie Yan Details MACH M100 Chip Development, Aims for Apple-Style Vertical Integration
In a detailed interview with 42HOW Auto, Li Auto CTO Xie Yan outlines the development of the company's self-developed MACH M100 autonomous driving chip. He explains how the dataflow architecture aims to deliver three times the effective compute of NVIDIA's Thor U at a lower cost, enabling Li Auto to pursue vertical integration similar to Apple.
NVIDIA’s Wu Xinzhou on His Long-Term Commitment to Autonomous Driving
In an interview, NVIDIA Global Vice President Wu Xinzhou discusses his transition from XPENG to NVIDIA, the company's software-revenue partnership with Mercedes-Benz, and its strategic pivot toward L4 autonomous driving.
Horizon Robotics Unveils Cabin and Driver Assistance Fusion Chip
Horizon Robotics has launched the Starry 6 series chip, integrating cabin and driver assistance domains to reduce memory costs. The solution will debut on iCAR vehicles in Q3 alongside HSD V1.6 and the KaKaClaw operating system.
Sunwoda EVB Unveils 15C Fast-Charging Battery and Sodium-Ion Cells for TWh-Grade Storage
Sunwoda EVB released a full-scenario battery portfolio featuring a 15C lithium iron phosphate cell that charges from 5% to 95% in nine minutes, alongside sodium-ion and LFP cells targeting the growing energy storage market.
NIO Reports First Quarterly Profit After Seven Years, Revenue Hits Record High
NIO posted a net profit of RMB 283 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking its first quarterly profit since listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The company also reported record revenue of RMB 34.65 billion and a gross margin of 17.5%, while setting an annual Non-GAAP profitability target for 2026.
9 Minutes to Full Charge, 20,000 Self-Built Stations by Year-End: How BYD Is Disrupting Electric Vehicles
BYD has launched its second-generation Blade battery with flash charging technology, claiming a 97% charge in just nine minutes. The company also announced plans to build 20,000 flash-charging stations by year-end to support the rollout of ten new models.