As the push for intelligence and decarbonization accelerates, the automotive industry is raising the bar for material performance, manufacturing efficiency, and product costs.

Materials—a cornerstone of automotive innovation—are shifting beyond traditional structural support and functional reliability toward lightweighting, high strength, multifunctionality, and sustainability. At the same time, advancements in advanced manufacturing and smart equipment are propelling new materials from the laboratory into engineering and mass production.

From Performance Gains to Functional Innovation: New Materials Redefine the Automotive Boundary

The rise of new energy vehicles is redefining the value of automotive materials. In body and structural engineering, balancing lightweighting with safety has become a critical challenge. High-strength steel remains a dominant material due to its strength, established manufacturing ecosystem, and cost advantages. Meanwhile, high-performance composites like carbon fiber offer new solutions to further curb vehicle weight and boost performance.

At the same time, the value of materials is extending from structural performance to functional attributes. As vehicles become smarter and electrified, materials with conductive, thermal management, energy storage, and display properties are finding new applications. The convergence of materials with electronics, optics, and energy technologies is driving the emergence of new functional forms in automotive products.

This implies that future competition in automotive materials will no longer be just about who is lighter or stronger. It will expand to include functionality, manufacturability, cost, and the ability to integrate with the overall vehicle system.

As material systems diversify, traditional manufacturing processes face new challenges. Different materials require distinct approaches to molding, joining, machining, and quality control, placing higher demands on precision, equipment capability, and production management. Compounding this pressure, the faster iteration cycles of new energy vehicles are forcing manufacturers to boost production flexibility and efficiency.

Against this backdrop, smart manufacturing and related equipment are gaining prominence. Automated production lines, advanced forming equipment, intelligent inspection systems, and digital manufacturing technologies are being integrated into the production process. By leveraging data collection, process control, and intelligent decision-making, these tools enhance precision and efficiency while helping manufacturers cut material waste and production costs.

Notably, embodied intelligence is accelerating its entry into smart manufacturing scenarios. Analysis by Gasgoo Automotive suggests that smart vehicles and embodied robots share a high degree of commonality in perception, computing, decision-making, execution, and mass production. As technological capabilities spill over, automakers are extending their expertise in autonomous driving, chips, and large models into embodied intelligence. Meanwhile, component suppliers are entering the space through perception and execution solutions, computing platforms, and smart production lines, making the automotive supply chain a key driver in the development of embodied intelligence.

For supply chain companies, developing new materials requires not just performance advantages but also solutions for cost, supply stability, processing, and consistency in volume production. Similarly, for smart manufacturing and equipment firms, developing more efficient and precise manufacturing solutions to enable new material applications has become a critical direction for technical innovation.

Consequently, innovation with genuine industrial value must do more than achieve breakthroughs in material properties or manufacturing techniques. It requires entry into defined application scenarios, successful engineering verification, and ultimately, stable volume production capabilities. As competition in the automotive sector intensifies, innovations that bridge the entire chain—from material R&D and process development to equipment manufacturing and product application—are poised to capture significant industrial value.

In the 2026 8th Gasgoo Awards, the "New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing" category will focus on innovative technologies and practices that drive improvements in vehicle performance, manufacturing efficiency, and industrial upgrades. Key areas includecarbon fiber, high-strength steel, new functional materials (such as graphene, OLED, and hydrogen storage alloys), as well as smart manufacturing and equipment.

Specifically, advanced materials like carbon fiber and high-strength steel will be evaluated for their innovative applications in lightweighting, safety, and structural performance. New functional materials such as graphene, OLED, and hydrogen storage alloys will be assessed for their new functions, scenarios, and commercialization progress within automotive products. In the realm of smart manufacturing and equipment, the focus will be on how advanced manufacturing gear, automation, digitalization, and intelligent technologies enhance production efficiency, precision, and the capacity for scale application.

This year's Gasgoo Awards will place greater emphasis on innovations with genuine industrial value and practical viability. Rather than mere breakthroughs in material properties or equipment features, the judging process will prioritize technologies that offer defined application scenarios, address real industry needs, and have completed engineering verification with proven capabilities for mass production and scale promotion. During the submission process, companies are encouraged to highlight tangible results in performance enhancement, lightweighting, cost optimization, and user value, supported by specific application cases that demonstrate technical innovation and commercialization progress. For emerging technologies in early stages, submissions should clarify technical advantages, future application scenarios, and industrialization potential.

Spotlight on the 2026 8th Gasgoo Awards and the "China Automotive Industry Innovation Casebook"

Launched by Gasgoo, the "Gasgoo Awards" upholds the mission of "discovering good companies, promoting good technologies, and empowering industry professionals." Focusing on the "Top 100 in China's Automotive New Supply Chain," the awards span core sectors including ADAS/AD, smart cockpits, smart chassis, automotive-grade chips, automotive software and AI, powertrainelectrification & charging/thermal management, bodyand interior/exterior trim, new materials and advanced manufacturing, and embodied intelligence & crossover technologies. We are dedicated to identifying and recognizing outstanding companies and frontier technologies to establish industry benchmarks and lead the high-quality development of China's automotive sector.

Meanwhile, leveraging a supply chain database covering 320,000 companies and years of accumulated industrial research and innovation cases from the "Gasgoo Awards," Gasgoo has officially launched the construction of the "China Automotive Industry Innovation Casebook." This library aims to systematically record the innovation trajectory of China's automotive industry, distill practical experience, and create a vital window to showcase China's innovation capabilities to the global market. Looking ahead, the library will prioritize "Chinese Solutions for the World," systematically presenting the innovation practices of Chinese enterprises in intelligence and electrification. It aims to propel Chinese technology, experience, and supply chain capabilities onto the global stage, fostering the joint development of the worldwide automotive industry.

Addressing the core concerns of overseas OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and investment firms, the case library delves into core tracks such as intelligent driving, electric drive, cockpits, and thermal management to systematically identify leading companies in each field. Through detailed profiles of enterprise scale, organizational structure, and cost composition, we reveal the strategic planning of domestic companies regarding R&D response mechanisms, dynamic adjustment strategies, and global layout. This not only answers the questions of "who does it best" and "where the standardized modules are," but also provides a data-driven, objective reference for supply chain companies expanding overseas, localizing technology, and navigating cross-cultural challenges—thereby accelerating the integration of Chinese technology into the global automotive ecosystem.

For more information and registration details, please scan the QR code below the image.

Gasgoo Munich- Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. was officially inaugurated on August 20 in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, according to Dongfeng Motor. The venture is backed by six investors—Dongfeng Motor, Stellantis, Changjiang Industry Group,  Wuhan Financial Holdings (Group),  Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone Industrial Investment Group, and  Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. (DPCA) —with a registered capital of roughly 8.2 billion yuan.

Image source: Dongfeng Motor

In terms of equity structure, DPCA holds roughly 24.1%, while Dongfeng Motor and Stellantis each take a 13.5% stake. 

The new company's scope covers vehicle R&D, industrial investment, and new-energy vehicle sales. Its initial roadmap includes four new models featuring both pure electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Designed for scenarios ranging from rugged off-roading to urban commuting and family travel, these vehicles are set to roll out starting in 2027.

Since its inception 34 years ago, DPCA has sold more than 6.5 million Peugeot and Citroën vehicles. It stands as both a witness to the growth of Wuhan's automotive sector and a key pillar of economic cooperation between China and France.

Breaking the traditional framework, this new joint venture model creates a synergy of "central state-owned enterprises, multinational giants, and industrial capital." Dongfeng Motor will spearhead core new-energy and intelligent connectivity technologies, Stellantis will contribute brand heritage and a global distribution network, and local industrial capital will leverage regional supply chain strengths. Together, the parties aim to advance a strategy of R&D in Wuhan, manufacturing in Hubei, and a global sales network.

Dongfeng Motor Chairman Yang Qing said the new company will leverage Dongfeng's proprietary technology, Stellantis's global resources, and regional supply chain advantages to drive a transformative leap. Stellantis Group CEO Antonio Filosa noted that Shenhong Technology will serve as a dedicated platform to support the development and global sales of new Jeep and Peugeot models. Liu Ziqing, a member of the Standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee, added that the establishment of Shenhong Technology will help consolidate Wuhan's status as a national automotive hub and explore new pathways for the transformation of joint-venture automakers.

Gasgoo Munich- On August 20, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (stock code: 9973.HK) released unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The report highlighted five key takeaways:

First, profitability continues to climb. During the period, Chery Automobile generated revenue of 143.28 billion yuan — a modest 1.2% year-on-year increase — while gross profit surged 25.1% to 23.04 billion yuan. The gross margin expanded from 13% a year earlier to 16.1%. Profit for the period hit 9.02 billion yuan, translating to a net margin of 6.3%, with profit attributable to owners of the company reaching 8.57 billion yuan.

Image Source: Chery Automobile

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics puts the profit margin for China's auto manufacturing sector at 3.8% in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reports that the average margin for domestic vehicle manufacturing sat at roughly 1.5%. Against this backdrop, Chery Automobile's 6.3% net margin stands out — a testament to the quality of its earnings.

Second, overseas revenue jumped 51%, marking a fresh breakthrough in its globalization strategy. Overseas market revenue reached 98.97 billion yuan during the reporting period. Bolstered by 12 major production bases globally — including three overseas — and a sales and service network spanning Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East, Chery Automobile is steadily strengthening its localized production and operational capabilities.

Third, new energy revenue surged by more than 60%. In the first half, revenue from the new energy business climbed 63.8% to 59.28 billion yuan. Its share of total revenue rose from 25.6% a year ago to 41.4%. As the revenue mix accelerates its transformation, new energy vehicles have become a critical engine for the company's growth.

Fourth, R&D spending rose 28.3%, with a sharp focus on electrification and intelligence. Chery Automobile invested 6.67 billion yuan in research and development during the period. The spending continues to target core areas such as electrification technology, automotive platform architecture upgrades, and solutions for both assisted driving and smart cockpits.

The company's five brands — Chery Automobile, Jetour, Exeed, iCAR, and Luxeed — are operating in synergy to cover diverse segments ranging from the mass market and high-end mobility to family off-roading, tech-focused Gen Z consumers, and smart driving.

Fifth, the financial structure is undergoing continuous optimization, bolstering resilience against risk. By the end of the reporting period, cash and cash equivalents stood at 63.4 billion yuan — a 35.1% increase since the end of 2025. At the same time, bank loans and other borrowings fell 37.2% to 10.00 billion yuan from 15.92 billion yuan, while financial costs dropped 62.1% to 549 million yuan from 1.45 billion yuan. Chery Automobile maintains its profitability among the industry leaders, with a balance sheet that continues to strengthen.

Looking to the second half, Chery Automobile plans to broaden its product lineup and move further upmarket. The automaker intends to ramp up investment in new technologies, accelerate its transition toward electrification and intelligence, and continue to consolidate and expand its global advantages.

 Gasgoo Munich- Foryou Corporation (Brand Name: ADAYO, Stock Code: 002906) released its semiannual report for the first half of 2026 on August 20. Revenue rose 30.36% year-on-year to 6.92 billion yuan. Net profit attributable to listed shareholders rose 17.55% to 401 million yuan, while net cash flow from operating activities rose 45.85% year on year to 352 million yuan.

Image Source: Foryou Corporation

By business segment, automotive electronics generated 5.06 billion yuan in revenue, up 33.64% and accounting for 73.13% of the total. Precision die-casting sales added 1.57 billion yuan, an increase of 21.81%. Gross margins for the two core divisions fell slightly year-on-year to 14.80% and 22.84%, respectively.

Third-party data shows Foryou's domestic market share for head-up displays (HUD) reached 29.8%, ranking first. The company ranked second and third for LCD instrument clusters and center console screens, respectively. New orders for HUD and cockpit domain controllers doubled. New products including PHUD and AIBOX secured design wins from automakers. International brands such as Stellantis, Ford, and Skoda added new designated projects.

Regarding capacity, the Jiangsu Zhongyi magnesium alloy die-casting expansion project has entered production. Construction began on the third phase of Changxing Foryou Precision's plant. The Foryou Thailand Industrial Park is under construction, with die-casting operations expected to launch within the year. In the precision die-casting sector, orders for AI-related projects not yet in mass production exceed 2 billion yuan. The robotics unit secured design wins for joint modules and head components from domestic embodied intelligence companies.

Foryou highlighted risks including reliance on the automotive sector, fluctuations in international trade tariffs and exchange rates, and uncertainty surrounding the price and supply of certain raw materials.

R&D spending reached 532 million yuan during the period, a 20.92% increase. The company holds 1,034 valid patents, 464 of which are invention patents.

Image Source: JAC

By business structure, commercial vehicles remain the revenue engine, generating 11.35 billion yuan in the first half. Passenger vehicle revenue reached 6.655 billion yuan, while buses brought in 1.604 billion yuan. On the sales front, the company moved 172,400 vehicles and chassis in total — comprising 49,100 passenger units and 123,300 commercial units.

The ultra-premium Maextro S800, developed in partnership with Huawei, saw cumulative deliveries top 19,000 units by the end of the reporting period. New energy passenger vehicle sales surged 24.35% year-on-year. Still, the company conceded that "aside from Maextro, product and brand competitiveness in the passenger vehicle segment is weak." It added that "geopolitical headwinds pose significant challenges to scaling up our passenger vehicle business."

On profitability, gross margin improved to 11.14% from 8.98% a year earlier. Yet cost pressures mounted: selling expenses jumped 68.97% to 1.223 billion yuan, driven largely by marketing spend for the Maextro brand. Financial expenses swung from a gain of 255 million yuan to a cost of 139 million yuan due to foreign exchange losses. Net cash outflow from operating activities widened 68.03% to 5.288 billion yuan, compared to a 3.147 billion outflow in the prior year, primarily due to increased payments for goods and services.

During the period, JAC completed a private placement raising 3.48 billion yuan, lifting net assets attributable to shareholders by 28.10% to 12.413 billion yuan. R&D spending hit 1.791 billion yuan, accounting for 8.10% of revenue. The company pledged to continue concentrating resources to ensure Maextro's commercial success.

Local suppliers continued to strengthen their advantages in hardware integration, system development, and ecosystem collaboration, taking leading positions in several segments. Meanwhile, the chip market remained highly concentrated, while the voice interaction market continued to be dominated by leading players. Overall, smart cockpit competition is shifting from standalone hardware performance toward comprehensive capabilities encompassing hardware-software integration, system development, AI, and ecosystem collaboration.

Top cockpit domain controller suppliers

Desay SV: 693,679 sets installed, 14.9% market share

Bosch: 356,162 sets installed, 7.6% market share

Huawei Technologies: 334,956 sets installed, 7.2% market share

ECARX: 298,937 sets installed, 6.4% market share

Honeycomb Electronics: 251,636 sets installed, 5.4% market share

Autolink: 250,976 sets installed, 5.4% market share

HARMAN: 245,092 sets installed, 5.3% market share

PEGATRON/Quanta (Tesla): 238,800 sets installed, 5.1% market share

Foryou General Electronics: 213,780 sets installed, 4.6% market share

Flextronics: 181,763 sets installed, 3.9% market share

Based on data from January–June 2026, China's passenger vehicle cockpit domain controller market remained highly competitive, with leading suppliers pulling ahead while multiple tiers continued to compete closely. Desay SV ranked first with 693,679 sets installed and a 14.9% market share, leading Bosch by 7.3 percentage points. Bosch and Huawei Technologies ranked second and third with market shares of 7.6% and 7.2%, respectively.

Competition was particularly tight among mid-tier suppliers. ECARX ranked fourth with a 6.4% share, followed by Honeycomb Electronics, Autolink, and HARMAN at 5.4%, 5.4%, and 5.3%. The presence of PEGATRON/Quanta (Tesla), Foryou General Electronics, and Flextronics in the top 10 further highlights the diversified supply landscape. Overall, competition is shifting from hardware supply toward system integration, software capabilities, and large-scale production.

Top brands of smart cockpit domain controller chip

Qualcomm: 3,401,271 units installed, 71.4% market share

Huawei Technologies: 355,119 units installed, 7.5% market share

SiEngine: 246,977 units installed, 5.2% market share

AMD: 242,889 units installed, 5.1% market share

MediaTek: 227,662 units installed, 4.8% market share

SemiDrive: 94,656 units installed, 2.0% market share

Samsung Semiconductor: 71,091 units installed, 1.5% market share

Renesas Electronics: 44,649 units installed, 0.9% market share

Texas Instruments: 37,078 units installed, 0.8% market share

AutoChips: 32,070 units installed, 0.7% market share

Based on data from January–June 2026, China's passenger vehicle cockpit domain controller chip market remained highly concentrated. Qualcomm dominated with 3.40 million units installed and a 71.4% market share, maintaining a clear lead over other suppliers. Huawei Technologies ranked second with a 7.5% share, followed by SiEngine, AMD, and MediaTek at 5.2%, 5.1%, and 4.8%, respectively, forming the main chasing group.

Local chipmakers are also strengthening their presence. Huawei Technologies, SiEngine, SemiDrive, and AutoChips all ranked among the top 10, with Huawei exceeding 350,000 units and maintaining second place. Overall, Qualcomm's dominance remains strong, while local suppliers continue to expand their presence in the cockpit domain controller chip market.

Top HUD suppliers

Foryou Multimedia: 633,533 sets installed, 29.8% market share

E-LEAD: 216,523 sets installed, 10.2% market share

New Vision: 213,583 sets installed, 10.1% market share

Crystal-Optech: 198,345 sets installed, 9.3% market share

DENSO: 173,199 sets installed, 8.2% market share

FUTURUS: 141,558 sets installed, 6.7% market share

AUMOVIO: 128,969 sets installed, 6.1% market share

FinDreams Precision: 117,985 sets installed, 5.6% market share

Huawei Technologies: 96,014 sets installed, 4.5% market share

Jiangcheng Technology: 50,854 sets installed, 2.4% market share

From January to June 2026, China's passenger vehicle HUD market remained dominated by local suppliers, with leading players competing closely. Foryou Multimedia ranked first with 633,533 sets installed and a 29.8% market share, maintaining a clear lead. E-LEAD and New Vision ranked second and third with shares of 10.2% and 10.1%, respectively, while New Vision also saw strong growth across both standard-fit and optional-fit markets, as well as overseas business. Crystal-Optech ranked fourth with a 9.3% share, keeping it within the core competitive tier.

The top four suppliers together accounted for 59.4% of the market, indicating continued concentration among leading players. DENSO, FUTURUS, AUMOVIO, FinDreams Precision, Huawei Technologies, and Jiangcheng Technology ranked fifth through tenth, with shares ranging from 4.5% to 8.2%, reflecting relatively active competition among the next tier.

Top AR-HUD suppliers

E-LEAD: 159,094 sets installed, 19.7% market share

Foryou Multimedia: 133,917 sets installed, 16.6% market share

New Vision: 117,172 sets installed, 14.5% market share

Huawei Technologies: 96,014 sets installed, 11.9% market share

FUTURUS: 93,048 sets installed, 11.5% market share

Crystal-Optech: 75,671 sets installed, 9.4% market share

Leapmotor: 33,031 sets installed, 4.1% market share

PUCHUANG: 27,359 sets installed, 3.4% market share

FinDreams Precision: 24,418 sets installed, 3.0% market share

Jiangcheng Technology: 21,054 sets installed, 2.6% market share

Based on data from January–June 2026, China's passenger vehicle AR-HUD market featured multiple strong players with narrowing gaps, with no clear market leader yet. E-LEAD ranked first with 159,094 sets installed and a 19.7% market share, followed by Foryou Multimedia and New Vision at 16.6% and 14.5%, respectively. The three suppliers each held more than 10% of the market, forming the leading tier. Huawei Technologies and FUTURUS ranked fourth and fifth with shares of 11.9% and 11.5%, respectively, with fewer than 3,000 sets separating them.

Crystal-Optech ranked sixth with a 9.4% share, while Leapmotor, PUCHUANG, FinDreams Precision, and Jiangcheng Technology ranked seventh through tenth, each with less than 5%. Overall, the top six suppliers accounted for 83.6% of the market, indicating relatively high concentration, while the small gaps among leading players point to intensifying competition.

Top suppliers of integrated center console display

Desay SV: 1,240,372 sets installed, 15.1% market share

BYD: 957,353 sets installed, 11.7% market share

Foryou General Electronics: 699,434 sets installed, 8.5% market share

HSAE: 521,694 sets installed, 6.4% market share

Innolux: 450,622 sets installed, 5.5% market share

HIWAY: 396,337 sets installed, 4.8% market share

FULSCIENCE: 305,148 sets installed, 3.7% market share

BICV: 288,931 sets installed, 3.5% market share

Panasonic: 266,325 sets installed, 3.2% market share

Ten Pao: 259,788 sets installed, 3.2% market share

Based on data from January–June 2026, China's passenger vehicle center display integration market remained dominated by local suppliers, with strong concentration among leading players and competition across multiple tiers. Desay SV ranked first with 1.24 million sets installed and a 15.1% market share, followed by BYD with 957,353 sets and an 11.7% share. Foryou General Electronics ranked third with a 8.5% share, further highlighting the strength of local suppliers.

HSAE, Innolux, and HIWAY ranked fourth through sixth with shares of 6.4%, 5.5%, and 4.8%, respectively, reflecting close competition in the second tier. FULSCIENCE, BICV, Panasonic, and Ten Pao rounded out the top 10, each holding around 3% of the market, underscoring the market's diverse supplier base.

Top suppliers of integrated LCD instrument cluster

Desay SV: 803,884 sets installed, 10.7% market share

Foryou General Electronics: 720,245 sets installed, 9.6% market share

DENSO: 699,520 sets installed, 9.3% market share

AUMOVIO: 628,899 sets installed, 8.4% market share

Tianyouwei: 611,433 sets installed, 8.1% market share

Visteon: 413,620 sets installed, 5.5% market share

XinTongda: 377,619 sets installed, 5.0% market share

BYD: 332,249 sets installed, 4.4% market share

HSAE: 309,751 sets installed, 4.1% market share

Innolux: 224,695 sets installed, 3.0% market share

From January to June 2026, China's passenger vehicle LCD instrument cluster integration market remained highly competitive, with no clear market leader. Desay SV ranked first with 803,884 sets installed and a 10.7% market share, but its lead was limited. Foryou General Electronics, DENSO, and AUMOVIO followed with shares of 9.6%, 9.3%, and 8.4%, respectively, forming a closely contested leading tier. The gap between Desay SV and fourth-placed AUMOVIO was just 2.3 percentage points.

Tianyouwei ranked fifth with an 8.1% share, remaining close to the leading group. Visteon, XinTongda, BYD, HSAE, and Innolux ranked sixth through tenth, with shares ranging from 5.5% to 3.0%. Overall, the top 10 suppliers accounted for 68.1% of the market, but no single supplier held more than 11%, making the segment more fragmented than cockpit domain controllers and HUDs.

Top smart speech solution suppliers

iFLYTEK: 3,191,818 sets installed, 42.4% market share

AISpeech: 1,856,416 sets installed, 24.7% market share

Cerence: 835,616 sets installed, 11.1% market share

DreamSmart: 616,799 sets installed, 8.2% market share

Baidu: 326,210 sets installed, 4.3% market share

Tesla: 238,800 sets installed, 3.2% market share

Xiaomi EV: 186,002 sets installed, 2.5% market share

Alibaba: 84,162 sets installed, 1.1% market share

XPENG: 70,348 sets installed, 0.9% market share

MegaRobo: 47,375 sets installed, 0.6% market share

China's passenger vehicle voice supplier market remained dominated by two leading players, with local suppliers holding a strong position and market concentration continuing to rise for the Jan. - Jun. period. iFLYTEK ranked first with 3.19 million sets installed and a 42.4% market share, followed by AISpeech with 1.86 million sets and a 24.7% share. Together, the two suppliers accounted for 67.1% of the market, forming a clear duopoly.

Cerence ranked third with an 11.1% share, making it the only foreign supplier among the top three, while DreamSmart ranked fourth with an 8.2% share, supported by its smart cockpit ecosystem. Baidu ranked fifth with a 4.3% share, maintaining a presence in smart cockpit and large-model applications.

Why does the pressure feel heavier even as total inventory declines? Behind these seemingly contradictory numbers lies the deep structural reality of the current auto market's inventory woes.

Declining Totals, Persistent Structural Pressure

In terms of volume, the 3.22 million units in inventory and the 55-day supply represent a clear retreat from previous peaks. Inventory had soared to 3.79 million in November 2025 and touched a high of 3.92 million in November 2023.

Image Source: Huaban

However, structural pressure hasn't eased in tandem with the overall drop. In July 2026, total inventory for NEV-only manufacturers held steady at 790,000 units. This figure has lingered at high levels, hovering between 780,000 in November 2025 and 790,000 in May 2026.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the CPCA, noted that NEV dealers and manufacturers are currently grappling with a market where retail sales are falling short of expectations, leaving the industry under significant inventory pressure.

Image Source: Doubao AI

The core issue lies in a mismatch between supply and demand. In July, national passenger car retail sales reached just 1.46 million, a 21% year-on-year drop. NEV retail sales fell 3.9% to 951,000 units. While the penetration rate climbed to a record 65.1%, sales volume is contracting. Clearly, production expansion hasn't stopped, but consumer capacity can't keep pace.

Meanwhile, data from the China Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) shows the dealer inventory warning index at 61.1% in July—up 3.9 percentage points both year-on-year and month-on-month—remaining above the boom-bust line. The comprehensive inventory coefficient stood at 1.48, a 9.6% annual increase. The elevated warning index signals that dealers are still grappling with capital tie-ups, financial costs, and operational stress, unrelieved by the slight dip in industry-wide inventory.

Passive Destocking and Market Divergence

This inventory decline is largely the result of "passive destocking" rather than active digestion driven by demand recovery, according to Cui. The reasons for July's persistent negative growth are manifold: the shock of high fuel prices, tighter regulations and shrinking subsidies for trade-in policies, and the ripple effect of upstream price hikes. But the deeper cause is low consumer purchasing power and willingness. Put simply: it's not that the industry doesn't want to sell more, but that consumers genuinely can't afford to buy.

This "passive" dynamic is evident in the production and sales data. Passenger car production in July hit 2.222 million units, down 1.6% year-on-year, while wholesale sales reached 2.252 million, roughly flat. Notably, wholesale growth outpaced retail growth by 20.7 percentage points—a gap almost entirely filled by exports. Passenger car exports surged 90% to 918,000 units, with their share of manufacturer sales jumping from 21% a year ago to 41%.

Explosive export growth absorbed significant capacity, keeping wholesale figures stable, but domestic retail weakness remains unchanged. The CADA projects the August market will continue to languish in the off-season, with scorching heat suppressing offline foot traffic and consumer sentiment showing little sign of improvement.

The CPCA forecast team's optimism for August slipped further to 12%, a historically low level. This suggests that, at least in the short term, a recovery in domestic demand lacks strong support.

The flip side of inventory pressure is a sharp polarization among brand camps. In July, production for domestic brands rose 12% year-on-year, while joint ventures and luxury brands slumped 35% and 21%, respectively. Domestic brands captured over 70% of the retail market for the first time. This divergence reflects shifting product competitiveness and means inventory pressure is distributed unevenly: while strong brands keep stock in check, weaker brands face severe channel pressure.

Conclusion

An industry inventory of 3.22 million units and a 55-day supply are, historically speaking, far from the worst levels. But when viewed alongside 17% market satisfaction, 12% August optimism, and a 61.1% dealer inventory warning index, a clear verdict emerges: the core contradiction in China's passenger car inventory isn't about the sheer volume, but the fact that demand-side recovery is lagging behind supply-side adjustments.

Exports have bought the industry time and space, but revitalizing domestic demand ultimately relies on the resilience of the local market. As NEV penetration hits record highs while total retail sales slip, and as inventory days improve even as dealer profits suffer, the industry needs to ask not just "where is the inventory?" but, more crucially, "where is the demand?"

Gasgoo Munich- SERES Group Co., Ltd. released its 2026 semi-annual report on August 19. First-half revenue came in at 57.49 billion yuan. The company swung to a net loss of 1.72 billion yuan attributable to shareholders, compared with a profit of 2.94 billion yuan a year earlier. Excluding non-recurring items, the net loss deepened to 2.38 billion yuan from a prior profit of 2.47 billion yuan.

Image Source: SERES Group

SERES attributed the downturn to a product transition for its flagship models in the second quarter, which prevented full utilization of capacity and sales scale effects. The company also pointed to temporary price hikes for core components like batteries and chips, alongside asset impairment provisions.

Estimates show a standalone net loss of roughly 2.47 billion yuan in the second quarter. During the period, SERES booked impairment losses of 1.86 billion yuan, which is expected to shave about 1.75 billion yuan off net profit attributable to shareholders.

Profitability may be under pressure, but SERES is flashing positive signals on sales and R&D. New-energy vehicle sales climbed 3.87% year-on-year in the first half to 178,800 units, with AITO brand deliveries jumping 10.2%. The flagship AITO M9 held the top spot in the 500,000-yuan segment for two straight months, pushing total deliveries past the 300,000 mark. The new-generation M9 and the AITO M6 also hit the market during the period. According to Brand Finance's 2026 Global Auto Brand Value 100, AITO broke into the top ten global luxury brands with a valuation of $3.45 billion.

R&D spending surged 34.8% to 7.01 billion yuan in the first half. By the end of the reporting period, cash reserves topped 73.15 billion yuan — representing 57% of total assets — while interest-bearing debt made up just 3.2%. The company acknowledged near-term headwinds but insisted its operational resilience remains intact, noting that growth momentum should pick up in the second half as new models roll out.

Gasgoo Munich- Linkerbot has struck a strategic partnership with Orbbec, a specialist in robot and AI vision. The two companies will co-develop benchmark products and solutions focused on "hand-eye coordination" in embodied intelligence, aiming to drive dexterous manipulation and visual perception from isolated capabilities to deep integration.

The collaboration builds on an existing foundation. Orbbec has long provided 3D visual hardware for Linkerbot’s embodied intelligence projects, while Linkerbot has leveraged its experience in dexterous manipulation to define model and data requirements for the industry. This new agreement marks a comprehensive upgrade of their previous cooperation.

Image Source: Linkerbot

Specifically, Linkerbot will leverage mass production capabilities and real-world scenarios—such as flexible manufacturing, embodied retail, and logistics sorting—to continuously accumulate high-quality dexterity data. Orbbec’s fully self-developed 3D vision modules will provide robots with precise, reliable 3D spatial perception. By fusing these elements within a "hand-eye coordination" framework, the partners aim to close the loop of "visual perception—dexterous manipulation—data feedback," thereby lowering the barrier to developing and deploying these systems.

On the hardware front, Linkerbot covers the three mainstream technical paths: tendon-driven, linkage, and direct drive. It has built a product matrix under the Linker Hand series that caters to diverse needs, ranging from research and industrial applications to humanoid robotics.

In terms of software and data, the company has established full-stack, self-developed capabilities spanning low-level drivers, core sensors, control algorithms, and embodied AI large models. Its product ecosystem integrates the Linker Hand dexterous hand, the Linker Open TeleDex teleoperation system, the LinkerSkillNet skill library, and the Linker Genesis model. Notably, it launched UMI-Dex, the industry’s first open-source dexterous manipulation data collection scheme centered on "isomorphic end-effectors, multimodal alignment, and native tactile sensing."

Orbbec, for its part, is dedicated to building an industrial platform for robot and AI vision—effectively serving as the "eyes" of the robot. Based on proprietary chips and full-stack system technology, Orbbec not only provides high-performance robot and AI vision modules and solutions but also offers flexible, reliable CM and JDM services for complete machines or components to clients across intelligent hardware sectors.

In the realm of embodied data collection, Orbbec offers hardware platforms that are efficient, high-precision, customizable, and software-secondary-developable. These body-agnostic platforms serve data collection providers, large model developers, robot manufacturers, and ecosystem partners in haptics and gloves, providing a range of services from standard products and white-labeling to full customization and contract manufacturing.

To date, Orbbec serves over 5,000 enterprise clients globally, including 1,600 robotics companies.

Gasgoo Munich- Pony.ai recently released its second-quarter financial report for 2026. Total revenue for the quarter hit 246 million yuan, up 68.8% year-on-year, while first-half revenue climbed to 478 million yuan — a 98.9% surge that nearly doubled the previous year's figure. Notably, Robotaxi business revenue reached 81.92 million yuan, soaring 691.2%. For the first time, this segment accounted for one-third of total revenue, with passenger fare income jumping 849.3% to mark the highest quarterly gain on record.

Image source: Pony.ai (same below)

The debate over whether Robotaxi commercialization is viable has raged for years, hinging on two questions: Is deployment fast enough? Are users actually paying? This earnings report offers a clear answer: nearly 2,000 vehicles are on the road, overseas deployment plans for over 4,000 units are locked in, and operations have expanded from pilot zones like Nansha into downtown Guangzhou. The tipping point for large-scale commercial landing seems to have arrived.

Fare Growth Outpaces Revenue, Passing the Payment Test

For autonomous driving companies, revenue figures are just the surface; the real substance lies in whether end passengers are willing to open their wallets. B2B project-based revenue can be propped up by big contracts, but C2C fares are paid by users one ride at a time — you can't fake that. This metric "directly reflects the genuine willingness of end users to pay."

Pony.ai's Q2 growth structure warrants a closer look. While overall Robotaxi revenue surged 691.2%, passenger fare income jumped 849.3% — outpacing the former by a significant margin.

The report cites three drivers for this growth: the deployment of seventh-generation vehicles, the expansion of commercial operations, and progress in joint fleet partnerships. The fact that fare growth is outstripping overall growth suggests C2C payments are carrying more weight, signaling that the commercial loop is maturing.

Zooming out, Pony.ai's Robotaxi revenue for the first half of the year totaled 140 million yuan — already surpassing the full-year total for last year. The company set a target at the start of the year to grow Robotaxi revenue by more than 3.5 times. CEO James Peng stated in the earnings call that he is confident they will exceed this goal.

That confidence stems from fleet and operational data. As of June 30, Pony.ai's Robotaxi fleet numbered 1,975 vehicles. The seventh-generation Robotaxis, based on models from BAIC, GAC, and Toyota, are all in daily operation, with a year-end target of exceeding 3,500 units.

More critical than the fleet count is where they are running. Pony.ai continues to scale up fleet size and density in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Progress in Guangzhou is particularly symbolic: services have expanded from Nansha District to four central urban areas — Haizhu, Tianhe, Huangpu, and Panyu. The downtown operational area has grown by over 300 square kilometers since the start of the year, covering a population of more than 7 million.

Shenzhen, meanwhile, is focusing on transport hubs. The service network covers Bao'an International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Port, and Shekou Cruise Home Port, handling high-value travel scenarios such as daily commuting, cross-border travel, and airport transfers.

User numbers are also climbing. As of August 2026, registered users on the Pony.ai app in China surpassed 1.5 million, up from 1 million in March of this year. Adding 500,000 users in five months suggests Robotaxi is no longer just a novelty for tech enthusiasts, but is entering the daily transportation choices of ordinary people.

Peng Jun revealed another key signal on the call: Pony.ai has achieved positive unit profitability in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. He also outlined a more specific domestic expansion roadmap, aiming to cover over 20 cities by year-end. Beyond deepening presence in Tier-1 cities, the company plans to enter Changsha, Hangzhou, and more cities in the Greater Bay Area this year.

Peng noted that Tier-1 cities account for a significant share of national ride-hailing demand and have the most mature regulatory frameworks. The company will prioritize the highest-value markets before gradually expanding outward.

Underpinning all of this is the joint fleet model. The technology provider supplies the autonomous driving solution, while operational partners handle execution. This allows fleet scale to ramp up quickly while keeping capital investment in check. Pony.ai stated that this model has validated the reliability of 24/7 operations and the unit profitability model in China's Tier-1 cities, providing a strong endorsement for replication in more cities and overseas markets.

4,000 Overseas Deployments Locked; Tech Reuse Opens New Growth Avenues

With its domestic model proven, Pony.ai is taking it global, moving from isolated pilots to the phase of implementing batch deployment plans.

The most significant development in Q2 was this: through the joint fleet model, Pony.ai has locked in partners across multiple global markets, formally securing overseas deployment plans for a total of over 4,000 Robotaxis. The partnership with Uber is the largest, with plans to deploy more than 2,000 vehicles in five core European cities — accounting for half of the overseas total.

Uber's value is self-evident: it possesses a mature global mobility network and user operations system capable of feeding stable orders to autonomous driving services. The division of labor is clear: Pony.ai provides the full-stack autonomous driving technology and operations system, Uber supplies the traffic and users, and local operators handle on-the-ground execution. It creates a "tech provider + platform + operator" synergy.

The advantage of this model is high capital efficiency. There is no need to build a full ecosystem from scratch in every overseas market; instead, local partners can be leveraged to bypass policy and market barriers.

The monetization logic of the joint fleet was also clarified on the call. CFO Lawrence Wang explained that Pony.ai earns revenue shares or technology licensing fees under this model, generating higher-margin recurring revenue throughout the vehicle's operational lifecycle.

The earnings report confirms this: the revenue contribution from the joint fleet model increased quarter-over-quarter in Q2, becoming a new growth engine.

Overseas implementation is blooming in multiple locations. Peng revealed that Pony.ai has become Uber's largest autonomous driving partner in Europe, and the two have launched Europe's first commercial Robotaxi service in Zagreb, Croatia, in collaboration with Verne.

In June, Pony.ai began Robotaxi testing in Luxembourg with Bolt and Stellantis; in Singapore, services were opened to the public via ComfortDelGro's Zig app; operations in Qatar, the UAE, and South Korea continue to deepen. From Europe to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, this isn't a piecemeal showcase approach, but a systematic, region-by-region progression.

The ability to push globalization this quickly relies on technical generalization capabilities. The industry has long worried that entering a new city requires massive localized R&D, preventing marginal costs from dropping — meaning the bigger the scale, the bigger the loss.

Pony.ai's World Model 2.0 was designed to address exactly this. CTO Lou Tiancheng stated that the World Model 2.0 allows the company to deploy fleets in multiple countries and cities simultaneously with fewer R&D resources, without needing to increase engineering investment proportionally. At the same time, technology-driven operational optimizations are reducing per-vehicle operating costs.

The dividends of technology reuse extend beyond Robotaxi.

Pony.ai's Robotruck business generated Q2 revenue of 90.44 million yuan, up 40% year-on-year and 30.7% quarter-over-quarter, attributing growth to deepened cooperation with Sinotrans.

Pony.ai's fourth-generation autonomous heavy trucks have entered mass production as planned and completed automotive-grade validation. They are being deployed in high-value scenarios such as trunk line logistics, bulk commodity transport in the Northwest, and port horizontal transport. Currently, the company is working with China Merchants Port at Shenzhen's Mawan Port to launch commercial deployment of fourth-generation heavy trucks, achieving mixed fleet operations between autonomous trucks and human-driven vehicles.

A fully automotive-compliant, fully redundant L4 autonomous light truck for urban distribution scenarios was released in April. It fully reuses Robotaxi technical capabilities and targets B2B urban delivery scenarios like express sorting and supermarket restocking. It is currently in preliminary testing. Pony.ai plans to deploy nearly 1,000 autonomous heavy trucks in the next 2-3 years, and 100,000 autonomous light trucks by 2030.

The intelligent solutions business continues to provide stable revenue, with Q2 income of 73.4 million yuan, up 3.9% year-on-year. Clients cover low-speed delivery, intelligent sweepers, logistics, and humanoid robots. First-half deliveries of autonomous driving domain controllers more than doubled, demonstrating the value of technology spillover.

The financial position can sustain long-term investment. As of June 30, Pony.ai held cash equivalents and short- and long-term wealth management investments totaling 9.435 billion yuan. Net loss narrowed by 14.9% year-on-year and 15.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q2. CFO Lawrence Wang noted that the growth rate of operating expenses is far lower than revenue growth, with operating leverage continuously improving. The company will maintain a prudent capital strategy.

For an autonomous driving industry still in a period of scaled investment, expanding scale while narrowing losses indicates that self-sustaining capabilities are forming. The path to commercialization is becoming increasingly solid.

Gasgoo Munich- Pateo (02889.HK) revealed in a voluntary filing on August 19 that it has been selected by a leading new-energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer to supply its 8397 cockpit platform for next-generation models.

Image Source: Pateo

The 8397 has been formally designated as a standardized platform configuration for the leading automaker. Combined with Pateo's existing supply of 8295 platforms, the company now covers the OEM's entire cockpit lineup — marking a comprehensive upgrade to a multi-platform partnership. Pateo noted that this collaboration will eventually extend to mainstream, best-selling models.

As Qualcomm's fifth-generation cockpit computing platform, the 8397 offers a powerful computing foundation capable of supporting cutting-edge capabilities like multi-modal perception and local large model inference. Pateo will use this platform to build a next-generation interaction system featuring Physical AI and intelligent agents, enabling functions such as real-time environmental deduction and proactive travel services.

Pateo is one of the few core smart cockpit solution providers in the industry deeply integrated with both the Huawei and Qualcomm ecosystems, having achieved a scaled layout across three core platforms: Qualcomm's 8295 and 8397, and Huawei's Kirin 9610A. The company believes this project nomination signals that its technical solution — building Physical AI and in-vehicle intelligent agent systems based on high-end cockpit platforms — has gained wide recognition from mainstream automakers.

The implementation of this project will continue to consolidate Pateo's market share in the new energy passenger vehicle sector and strengthen its leading edge in advanced, scenario-based AI applications. Since listing in September 2025, Pateo has secured multiple significant contracts for high-end smart cockpit projects.

Gasgoo Munich- The "Inside FAW Hongqi" Innovation Technology Exhibition wrapped up on August 18. Hosted by FAW Group's Supply Chain Management Department and co-organized by Gasgoo, the event served as more than just a showcase of core industry technologies and innovation applications. It built a bridge between top-tier suppliers and the OEM, offering a pragmatic platform for deep dialogue and precise matchmaking.

The expo brought together 26 leading suppliers, centering on four key pillars: electric power systems, intelligent chassis, body interiors and exteriors, and lightweight new materials. Through a range of core products and innovative solutions, the event demonstrated the technical prowess driving the automotive supply chain.

The electric power segment highlighted automotive-grade high-precision alloy resistors, high-power shunts, and battery PACK dispensing systems. The body and interior zone featured a full suite of safety products, including side curtain and central airbags, alongside the global debut of luminous fiber, rubber seals, aluminum rivet nuts, and ultrasonic welding fasteners. Intelligent chassis offerings included face-tooth electromagnetic claw clutches, active dampers, and professional suspension testing equipment. Meanwhile, the lightweight materials sector showcased non-toxic, eco-friendly bio-functional materials that align with the industry's push toward decarbonization.

The full list of exhibitors follows. For more details, visit the Gasgoo Global Automotive Industry Big Data Platform (autodata.gasgoo.com).

On site, suppliers engaged in in-depth discussions with FAW Hongqi's procurement and R&D teams, focusing on the adaptability, application scenarios, and optimization of various technical solutions. The active exchange of contacts and the precise identification of potential opportunities laid a solid foundation for future collaboration.

With the conclusion of the "Inside FAW Hongqi" Innovation Technology Exhibition, Gasgoo is poised to continue leveraging its platform resources. Moving forward, the company plans to partner with FAW Hongqi and other leading domestic OEMs to organize high-precision, professional matchmaking events. By strengthening connections between automakers and parts suppliers, Gasgoo aims to drive joint R&D and the mass adoption of core component technologies, supporting the high-quality, sustainable growth of China's new energy vehicle supply chain.



Gasgoo Munich- RobotEra, a leading embodied AI company with roots at Tsinghua University, is planning a listing on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to raise between $800 million and $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The company has already engaged advisors to prepare for the offering, though details are still under discussion.

RobotEra has not yet publicly responded to the reports.

Founded in August 2023 and incubated by Tsinghua University's Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, RobotEra is the only embodied AI firm in which the university holds a direct stake. Its founder, Chen Jianyu, serves as an assistant professor and doctoral supervisor at the institute.

Image source: RobotEra

Strategically, RobotEra is focused on building a general-purpose brain and universal robot through full-stack, in-house development that integrates software and hardware—spanning the "embodied brain" and the "humanoid body." To that end, the company has developed a comprehensive, AI-native system capable of performing real work, covering everything from brain processing and motion control to data, dexterous five-fingered hands, and the humanoid body itself.

Specifically, RobotEra has built a full-stack hardware system—spanning components like core motors, drivers, and reducers to assemblies and complete units—with an in-house development rate exceeding 95%. Its core product lineup includes the XHAND series of direct-drive dexterous hands, the full-size bipedal humanoid RobotEra L7, and the commercial service robot RobotEra Q5.

Beyond hardware, RobotEra has developed a full-stack embodied intelligence solution for the logistics sector. The system is already in regular operation at more than a dozen logistics centers across China, partnering with industry leaders SF Express and China Post.

On the capital front, RobotEra has raised nearly 5 billion yuan in 2026 alone. In early March, the company announced the completion of a 1 billion yuan strategic round; by late April, it secured another new financing round exceeding $200 million; and in early July, it revealed an additional 1 billion yuan funding round.

According to data from Qichacha, RobotEra has completed a total of 9 funding rounds since its inception.

Gasgoo Munich- Gasgoo Embodied Intelligence has learned that the National‑Local Joint Innovation Center for Humanoid Robots has officially released the Linglong L2.0, a self-developed fire-fighting humanoid robot. The unit is slated to make its debut at the 2026 World Robot Conference with a dynamic demonstration of a closed-loop rescue scenario.

Billed as the world's first fire-fighting humanoid, the Linglong L2.0 features a 1.73-meter bionic frame with 42 active degrees of freedom. It hits a stable top running speed of 3 m/s and can navigate complex fire-ground obstacles like rubble and stairs. Its perception system integrates visible-light HD cameras, infrared thermal imaging, LiDAR, and a multi-parameter gas sensor array—allowing it to map the environment accurately even in thick smoke.

Image Source: National‑Local Joint Innovation Center for Humanoid Robots

Operationally, the Linglong L2.0 can autonomously identify and shut down hazards such as gas valves and electrical switches, mitigating explosion and electrocution risks at the source. By visually locating fire sources, it can independently operate extinguishers to suppress flames. It also uses thermal imaging to search for trapped personnel, simultaneously transmitting live video, gas data, and hazard markers to support long-range reconnaissance and rescue path planning.

On the technology front, the Linglong L2.0 achieves several proprietary breakthroughs. Its on-board computing power peaks at 560 TOPS, supporting real-time perception and local model deployment. A custom high-temperature suit insulates against temperatures up to 1,000 degrees, ensuring electronic components remain stable in extreme environments. Notably, over 95% of the hardware is domestically sourced, with the core motion control model and control units developed in-house.

Furthermore, the National‑Local Joint Innovation Center for Humanoid Robots has established a "Fire Loong" robot fleet. The Linglong L2.0 works in tandem with the Weilong M2 fire-fighting wheeled robot and the Xunlong fire-fighting quadruped scout, forming an integrated "reconnaissance-disposal-transport" rescue chain that spans the entire fire response process.

Gasgoo Munich- The "Inside SAIC Innovation Technology Exchange Forum and Showcase," jointly hosted by Gasgoo and SAIC Motor, concluded successfully on August 18. Using the exhibition as a launchpad, the event highlighted core technological achievements and innovative applications across the industry. It built an efficient bridge connecting top-tier suppliers with OEMs, helping both sides pinpoint precise directions for collaboration.

Notably, the event drew several senior executives from SAIC Motor to the exhibition floor. During their tour, they engaged in in-depth discussions with exhibitors about products and technologies—sharing insights and exploring potential opportunities for partnership.

As the centerpiece of the event, the technical showcase brought together nearly 29 premium suppliers spanning body interiors and exteriors, smart chassis, intelligent cockpits, and autonomous driving. These companies engaged in face-to-face dialogue with SAIC Motor’s R&D and procurement teams.

Specifically, the body and interior track focused on carbon fiber components and structural parts, aluminum extrusions, bumper beam assemblies, and rocker panel assemblies; the smart chassis sector featured AI chassis control systems, domain controllers, integrated PTC controllers, and various intelligent sensors for control and actuation.

The smart cockpit domain highlighted temperature-sensing modules and innovative applications of deep ultraviolet technology for medical-grade in-cabin health systems. Meanwhile, the smart driving segment showcased environmental perception and decision-making hardware, including 4D imaging radar, in-vehicle ISP chips, and regulatory engines for Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving. Other displays covered cellular communication and V2X modules, radar, autonomous driving middleware, and simulation testing—along with other system-level solutions. For the full list of exhibitors or more details, visit the Gasgoo Global Automotive Industry Big Data Platform (autodata.gasgoo.com).

During the event, SAIC Motor held in-depth, face-to-face talks with numerous supply chain firms and exchanged contact details—stockpiling high-quality resources for future technical selection and supply chain optimization. At the same time, a group of technically proficient small and medium-sized enterprises used the platform to make their mark, securing valuable opportunities to enter the supply chains of mainstream automakers.

With that, the Inside SAIC Innovation Technology Exchange Forum and Showcase has drawn to a successful close. Looking ahead, Gasgoo aims to leverage its platform resources to strengthen ties with SAIC Motor and other leading domestic automakers. The goal is to host more targeted, professional, and pragmatic technical exchanges—smoothing the flow of resources between OEMs and parts suppliers, driving joint R&D and industrial application of core technologies, and contributing to the high-quality, sustainable development of China’s new energy vehicle supply chain.

Click the text below to review past highlights:

Into Adient | Exploring Innovation in Automotive Seats and Smart Cockpits

Into Foton | Gathering Strength for Win-Win Cooperation, Exploring New Paths for Commercial Vehicle Tech Transformation

Into BAIC BluePark | "Global Fusion · Wisdom Opens New Territory" Innovation Tech Forum and Forward-Looking Tech Exhibition Concludes

Into BAIC BluePark | Global Fusion · Wisdom Opens New Territory, Exploring New Paths for Tech Development

Into BAIC | "AI · Leading the Future with Wisdom" Innovation Tech Forum and Forward-Looking Tech Exhibition Concludes

Into BAIC | Building a Diversified Industrial Ecosystem, Exploring New Paths for Intelligent Transformation

Gasgoo Munich- Acorn Robot, an embodied manipulation startup, has closed an angel round led by CM Venture Capital and NIO Capital, with participation from the Shuimu Tsinghua Alumni Seed Fund, according to Gasgoo Embodied Intelligence. Coming just four months after a nearly 100 million yuan seed round in March, the company has now raised several hundred million yuan in total. The new capital will fuel R&D for robots designed for flexible industrial production, alongside brand building and market expansion.

Image Source: Acorn Robot

On the same day, Acorn Robot officially unveiled the "Natus AGE-0 Embodied Instinct Model." Described as the world's first general-purpose manipulation foundation model centered on tactile perception, it replicates human manipulation mechanics while discarding the industry's standard data pre-training paradigm. Unlike conventional models, it does not rely on massive labeled datasets or specific robot hardware, nor is it limited to fixed materials or scenarios. Instead, leveraging the underlying principles of tactile perception and contact mechanics, the system grants robots an innate manipulation instinct—enabling zero-shot generalization across different bodies, materials, and operating conditions.

Founded in late 2024, Acorn Robot's core team hails from Tsinghua University and Harvard University, bridging mechanical engineering, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Founder Jiang Yao, an associate researcher at Tsinghua's Department of Mechanical Engineering, first proposed the "instinct-driven" technical roadmap back in 2017. The startup positions itself as the world's first general-purpose embodied intelligence firm to adopt "instinct-driven" technology as its core paradigm.

The industry's dominant Vision-Language-Action (VLA) approach relies heavily on massive demonstration data and computing power, trapping players in a paradox: immature models cannot access real-world operating data, yet without that data, models cannot iterate. Acorn Robot has chosen a different path—one that decouples task planning from execution. By relying on real-time tactile feedback to drive actions, the system eliminates the need for training data and annotation.

On the commercial front, Acorn Robot is targeting flexible industrial production. It has already completed a proof-of-concept (POC) at a leading global cosmetics ODM, moving from signing to verification—and generating revenue—in just two months. The company is currently refining a standardized dual-arm flexible production unit and exploring a "Manufacturing-as-a-Service" model tailored for fast-moving consumer goods, daily chemicals, and food sectors, where production involves multiple SKUs, small batches, and rapid iteration.

About "Seeds Discovery":

Gasgoo's "Seeds Discovery" column aims to build a service platform connecting startups, ecosystem partners, investors, and local governments to deeply empower the automotive supply chain. Since its inception, the column has sought to identify exceptional companies, technologies, and business models that inspire and lead the industry amid the wave of intelligent transformation, driving the growth of innovative forces. According to Gasgoo, nearly every startup featured in "Seeds Discovery" has successfully connected with resources across the industrial ecosystem.

Gasgoo Munich- Black Sesame Technologies has officially signed a framework agreement with Guangdong Meichuangxi Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Midea, according to a report by Gasgoo Embodied Intelligence.

Under the agreement, Black Sesame will leverage its established chip development, production capacity, and supply chain resources to provide domestic chips tailored to Meichuangxi's robotics and home appliance needs.

The partnership will initially focus on industrial and humanoid robots, working to adapt and validate chip solutions for real-world scenarios. The goal is to provide high-performance, reliable edge computing power for robotics, while simultaneously addressing chip demands for home appliances and accelerating the substitution of domestic semiconductors across multiple use cases.

Image source: Black Sesame Technologies

Leveraging its experience in developing and mass-producing automotive-grade chips, Black Sesame is systematically expanding into the embodied intelligence arena. The company has launched its SesameX multi-dimensional embodied intelligence computing platform, featuring the Kalos, Aura, and Liora computing module series. These cover a computing range from 48 TOPS to nearly 600 TOPS, fully supporting the diverse processing needs of service, industrial, and humanoid robots.

Centered on the SesameX platform, Black Sesame has forged strategic partnerships in the robotics sector with dozens of industry leaders, including COSCO SHIPPING, Lenovo, and Joyson Electronics. Related solutions have already achieved commercial deployment in various complex environments.

As Midea Group's core platform for chip applications, Meichuangxi brings deep expertise in robot product development, smart appliance upgrades, and industrial implementation. With stable procurement needs and mature end-use scenarios, the subsidiary offers a vital channel for validating and scaling domestic chip applications.

Looking ahead, both parties will prioritize the deployment of chip solutions in the embodied intelligence sector while expanding their collaborative reach into home appliances.

Gasgoo Munich- Gasgoo Embodied Intelligence has learned that the Beijing Securities Regulatory Bureau recently disclosed filing information for listing guidance. RealMan Intelligent Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. has signed an agreement with Guotai Haitong Securities, officially launching its A-share listing process with plans to list on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange's ChiNext board.

Founded in 2018, RealMan has centered its mission on "bringing robots into every industry and every household," building three foundational capabilities: hardware, data, and a remote operation network.

Image source: RealMan

On the hardware front, RealMan has achieved full-stack in-house development of four core components—controllers, drivers, motors, and reducers. It has also bridged the entire product chain, from power joints to robotic arms and complete robot systems.

The company's self-developed integrated joint modules boast a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 50,000 hours and have secured CR L3 certification. At its Changzhou Embodied Intelligence Super Factory, annual capacity for these modules has hit 500,000 units, with the company marching toward million-unit scale.

In terms of robot platforms, RealMan recently unveiled two wheeled humanoid robots globally: the RealBot-S2 and RealBot-L2. Unlike some industry offerings designed primarily for showcase purposes, these new models were engineered from the ground up for sustained, long-duration operation, ensuring they remain constantly at work in real-world scenarios.

Image source: RealMan

Moreover, both robots share a unified technical foundation comprising self-developed joint modules, the GLN platform service network, and a real-world data closed loop. They address spatial adaptability for "getting the job done" through two distinct dimensions: "folding" and "lifting."

On the data front, RealMan has established data training centers in Beijing and Changzhou, storing over 10,000 hours of high-quality real-world robot data. The company plans to deploy nearly 100 robots to the front lines of industry shortly to "do real work and gather real data."

RealMan's GLN remote operation network enables cross-city teleoperation of robots. At the previous WAIC 2026, an operator at the Beijing Humanoid Robot Data Training Center controlled a robot at the Shanghai booth in real time. With millisecond-level latency, the robot precisely executed tasks such as warming the cup, adding tea leaves, pouring water, and serving the tea.

On the capital front, RealMan closed a strategic funding round of nearly 500 million yuan in March, backed by top-tier institutions including Ecovacs, CM Capital, and Yunqi Capital. Launching listing guidance just five months later underscores the company's commercial maturity and its resolve to go public. In May, RealMan formally completed its joint-stock restructuring, clearing structural hurdles for its capitalization roadmap.

With Unitree Robotics poised to list on the STAR Market and Mecadmi completing filings for a Hong Kong IPO, RealMan's move to initiate ChiNext guidance adds to the momentum. The embodied intelligence sector is entering an explosive phase of capitalization across the entire supply chain, accelerating the shift from concept hype to tangible industrial value.