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CATL Unveils Five New Battery Technologies and Super-Swap Network to Defend Market Share
Amidst intensifying competition from BYD and a shifting market landscape, CATL launched five new battery products and an expanded super-swap charging network at its 2026 Technology Day, aiming to address diverse consumer needs and maintain its leadership in the global power battery industry.

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.

Talking to Li Auto Owners: Does It Really Matter Whether You Choose Range-Extended or Pure Electric? | 42Talk Vol.34 Transcript
In a 42HOW Auto discussion, Li Auto L6 and i6 owners share their experiences with range-extended and pure electric vehicles, revealing that daily usage needs and charging convenience often outweigh powertrain preferences in purchase decisions.
48:4942Talk Vol. 34: Do Li Auto Owners Really Care About Range-Extended vs. Pure Electric?
In the latest episode of 42Talk, we speak with Li Auto owners to explore whether the choice between range-extended and pure electric powertrains truly matters in their daily driving experience.

NIO ES9 Pre-Prices Start at RMB 420,000 for Battery-as-a-Service Version
With pre-prices starting at RMB 420,000 for the battery-as-a-service (BaaS) version and RMB 528,000 for the buyout version, NIO’s new ES9 flagship SUV aims to bring full active suspension technology below the RMB 500,000 mark while showcasing the company's integrated hardware and design strategy.
8:13North America's Top Two Autonomous Driving Systems: How Big Is the Experience Gap?
An evaluation of the driving experience differences between Tesla and the leading robotaxi operator in North America.

The Xiaomi SU7 Looks Unchanged, But It's Actually a Different Car
Xiaomi has launched the refreshed SU7 electric sedan, raising prices by RMB 4,000 across all trims while adding standard 800V architecture, NVIDIA Thor chips for driver assistance, and significant interior and chassis upgrades.
8:20Can the New AVATR 12 Climb Chongqing's 'Akina' Mountain Roads at Night?
42HOW Auto tests the new AVATR 12 on Chongqing's winding 'Akina' mountain routes after dark, evaluating its handling and autonomous driving capabilities with the newly introduced 896-line LiDAR.

Lotus For Me: A 'Compromise' for the Obsessive?
Lotus has launched the For Me, a plug-in hybrid SUV featuring a 2.0-liter turbo engine and dual motors producing 952 Ps. Priced at RMB 528,000 to RMB 588,000, it introduces plug-in hybrid power to the brand’s current electrification strategy.

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.
12:10Helicopter Versus Car Race: Which Reaches the Finish Line First?
A comparison of a helicopter and a car in a speed challenge to determine which vehicle arrives at the destination first.

Huawei's 2026 Start: 896-Line LiDAR Goes to Production, SAIC SHANGJIE Z7 Launches This Month
Huawei has officially released its new 896-line dual-optical path image-level LiDAR, available as an option on the Maextro S800 and Aito M9. The company also unveiled the SAIC SHANGJIE Z7 and Z7T shooting brake models, which are scheduled for official launch at the end of the month.
1:39Dreame's 'Starry Sky Plan' for Automotive Entry: The Logic Behind Its Global Marketing Blitz
Amid its aggressive global marketing strategy described as a 'blitzkrieg,' Dreame is advancing its automotive ambitions through the Starry Sky Plan, raising questions about the business logic driving this expansion.
47:48What Defined the 2025 Driver Assistance Landscape?
An overview of the key developments and technological shifts that shaped the driver assistance sector in 2025.
10:15From Driver Assistance to Automatic Parking, the Hongqi HS6 Has Plenty of Surprises
From Driver Assistance to Automatic Parking, the Hongqi HS6 Has Plenty of Surprises
2:58Why Battery Swapping Is the Preferred Winter Charging Solution
An analysis of why battery swapping technology offers superior convenience and efficiency for electric vehicle owners during cold weather conditions compared to traditional charging methods.

China’s Auto Market Slows in Early 2026: Why Buyers Are Waiting
Most Chinese automakers reported month-on-month sales declines in January 2026, a typical seasonal pattern exacerbated by consumers delaying purchases due to new tax policies, anticipated price cuts, and upcoming model launches.
14:39Huawei ADS 4.1 Arrives for Chinese New Year: What Has Improved?
What improvements does Huawei ADS 4.1 bring for Chinese New Year?

Li i8 Tops C-IASI Safety Ratings: Engineering a Short-Overhang EV for Maximum Protection
Li Auto's i8 achieved top marks in the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index, overcoming the structural challenges of its short-overhang design through advanced body engineering and standard-fit safety systems.