With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.
XPeng Targets Driverless Robotaxis in 2027
XPeng is moving closer to commercializing driverless Robotaxis in China.
At its Q2 earnings call on August 24, Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said the company's mass-produced Robotaxi, powered by its second-generation VLA model, has completed more than 2,000 internal test rides in Guangzhou and gone through the full process for passenger demonstration operations.
XPeng has also developed a cloud-based remote takeover platform and aims to launch passenger services without onboard safety drivers in 2027.
Beyond Robotaxis, XPeng is expanding its Physical AI technology globally. Its second-generation VLA driving model has completed localization testing in Germany, with the company working to adapt a single model to both Chinese and European road conditions. XPeng has also set up a group-level business development team to bring its AI chips, VLA model, Robotaxi and humanoid robot technologies to global markets.
In Q2, XPeng's revenue rose 8% year over year to RMB 19.74 billion, while vehicle deliveries reached 103,295, up 64.8% sequentially. Gross margin rose to 20.7%, while R&D spending increased 32.1% to RMB 2.91 billion.
Leapmotor, FAW Group Deepen Strategic Partnership
Leapmotor and FAW Group signed an agreement in Changchun on August 24 to deepen their strategic partnership.
The two companies will collaborate across a broad range of areas, including capital investment, new energy vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, powertrains, batteries, intelligent chassis, vehicle manufacturing equipment, lightweight components, embodied AI robots and financial services.
The two companies will collaborate across a broad range of areas, including capital investment, new energy vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems, powertrains, batteries, intelligent chassis, vehicle manufacturing equipment, lightweight components, embodied AI robots and financial services.
The partnership will combine Leapmotor's capabilities in EVs and intelligent technologies with FAW's industrial and market resources. The two sides aim to build a broader cooperation model spanning capital, industry, products, technology and ecosystems, while pooling resources to accelerate innovation and strengthen their market competitiveness.
The deal highlights a growing trend in China's auto industry, as traditional automakers and EV startups increasingly join forces to accelerate the development of electric and intelligent vehicles.
Gotion High-Tech H1 Profit Jumps 278%
Chinese battery maker Gotion High-Tech reported a sharp increase in profitability in the first half of 2026.
The company posted RMB 27.78 billion in revenue, up 43.2% year over year, while net profit attributable to shareholders surged 278% to RMB 1.39 billion. Its return on equity rose to 4.68%, while operating cash flow increased 31.7% to RMB 428 million.
Power batteries were the main growth driver. Revenue from the business jumped 61% to RMB 22.6 billion. Gotion's global power battery installations reached 28 GWh, up 43.3% year over year, giving it a 4.6% global market share and a fifth-place ranking worldwide. In China, its installations reached 20.75 GWh, with a 6.19% market share, ranking third domestically.
Gotion is also expanding rapidly overseas. Revenue from international markets, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, rose 48.1% to RMB 9.48 billion, outpacing domestic growth of 40.8%. Overseas operations generated a gross margin of 18.05%, significantly higher than the 14.34% recorded in China, highlighting the growing importance of Gotion's global business.
