OEM Trend
Gasgoo: On July 16, Yang Dayong, executive vice president of Changan Automobile, revealed the brand's latest sales planning and product strategy to Gasgoo. Yang stated that Changan Qiyuan delivered a total of 173,822 units in the first half of the year, with the AQ series surging 102.6% year-on-year. Yang acknowledged that capacity constraints prevented the company from fully unleashing its potential in the first half. However, with the official commissioning of the Nanchang plant, production bottlenecks are set to ease. The sales target for the second half is set at 300,000 units, with the company aiming to charge toward 400,000 for the full year, further driving up Changan's new-energy penetration rate.
IT Home: On July 16, GAC Group announced the rollout of its 30 millionth vehicle — an overseas version of the M8 PHEV. Following FAW Group, SAIC Motor, Dongfeng Motor, and Changan Automobile, GAC becomes the fifth domestic automaker group to reach the 30 million-unit production milestone.
Gasgoo: Recently, BYD marked a significant milestone in the Thai market as cumulative new-energy vehicle deliveries officially topped 130,000 units. Coinciding with the second anniversary of its Rayong WHA Industrial Park plant, the company also unveiled the new BYD SEALION 5 DM-i. The facility, BYD's first overseas passenger vehicle production base, has a designed annual capacity of 150,000 units.
Gasgoo: Recently, authorized IM Motors dealerships in cities like Kunming and Zhuhai have reported operational anomalies, with some customers unable to take delivery after paying in full and facing difficulties obtaining refunds. In response, IM Motors immediately dispatched a special task force to Kunming and announced a bailout plan: for users who have paid but not received vehicle certificates, the manufacturer will advance full funds to redeem them; for those with orders yet to be delivered, original pricing and benefits will be preserved while coordinating nearby dealerships to complete handover. IM Motors stated that due to the large sums involved and the need to coordinate with multiple institutions, resolving the issue will take time, adding that efforts are being accelerated to address reasonable user demands.
IT Home: Recently, American Honda announced it will integrate Google Gemini into more models equipped with built-in Google features, including the Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Pilot. Once logged into their Google accounts, Honda owners can interact naturally with Gemini without relying on precise commands or repeating previously provided information.
Supply Chain News
Interface News: On July 16, SVOLT released its first hybrid solid-liquid 6C ultra-fast charging cell at its Global Partner Summit, featuring a capacity exceeding 150Ah. Corresponding to a 120+ kWh battery pack, it offers a range exceeding 750 km and an energy density of 233 Wh/kg. With a peak charging rate of 8C, it can achieve a 10%-80% state-of-charge (SOC) in just 7 minutes. According to SVOLT, the battery is slated for mass production in the third quarter of 2027.
Gasgoo: On July 16, Huawei Qiankun released a set of key operational data. Regarding ecosystem partnerships, Huawei Qiankun has established deep cooperation with over 20 OEM brands, with the total number of launched models exceeding 50. The model matrix comprehensively covers segments including sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and off-road vehicles, while supporting pure electric, hybrid, and traditional fuel powertrains.
Gasgoo: On July 16, PIA Automation announced it will showcase the world's first BMS (battery management system) autonomous mass-production verification line featuring collaborative multi-robot embodied intelligence at the upcoming 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).
IT Home: On July 16, Goer Dynamics, IMAX, and IMAX China announced a strategic partnership to launch the world's first IMAX in-car entertainment system. Designed exclusively by Goer Dynamics and IMAX, the first systems are expected to achieve industrial implementation by the end of 2026. The companies will jointly promote the system to high-end Chinese automakers.
Gasgoo: CATL recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Alfen N.V., a leading European renewable energy integrator. The two plan to deploy 5 GWh of Tianheng sodium-ion energy storage systems in the Netherlands and other Western European countries starting in 2027. This collaboration marks the first large-scale deployment of the Tianheng sodium-ion storage system in the European market.
IT Home: The $5 billion battery joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and South Korean battery maker SK On in Bartow County, Georgia, has officially begun production. Announced in 2022 and originally slated to start mass production last year, the facility will have an annual battery capacity of 35 GWh at full capacity — enough to power approximately 300,000 electric vehicles.
Industrial Economy
Cailian Press: Data from the China Industrial Innovation Alliance for Power Battery Technology on July 16 showed that domestic power battery installations reached 76.5 GWh in June, up 6.4% month-on-month and 31.5% year-on-year. For the first half of the year, cumulative installations totaled 335.6 GWh, representing a 12.0% year-on-year increase.
On July 16, influenced by renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran and a rapid rise in risk-aversion sentiment in the global crude oil market, international oil prices rebounded significantly. China's next refined oil price adjustment window will officially open on July 17 at 24:00. Calculations by several industry monitoring agencies indicate this round of price increases will be around 250 yuan per ton, translating to a rise of about 0.18 yuan per liter. Once implemented, domestic refined oil prices will see their ninth increase of the year. Based on current projections, filling a 70-liter tank will cost about 13 yuan more, while a standard 50-liter tank will add roughly 9 yuan. The final official adjustment will be subject to the formal notice from the National Development and Reform Commission.
Policy Situation
Xinhua News Agency: At a regular press conference on July 16, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce responded to questions regarding progress on resolving issues related to Nexperia, stating that over the past decade since China and the Netherlands established an open and pragmatic comprehensive cooperative partnership, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has continuously deepened. On July 7, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Geoffery van Leeuwen visited China, where he and Minister Wang Wentao co-chaired the 18th meeting of the China-Netherlands Joint Economic and Trade Committee, exchanging views candidly and in-depth on China-Netherlands and China-EU economic relations. Both sides agreed that their governments should create a favorable environment to encourage enterprises to resolve disputes through consultation and ensure the safety and stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.
Personnel Changes
Gasgoo: Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recently resigned from his parliamentary seat to join BYD, where he will oversee external relations and the expansion of new business sectors. In a social media post on July 15, Szijjarto stated: "BYD is one of the most successful examples in the automotive industry over the past twenty years and a leading global electric vehicle manufacturer. Starting today, I will serve as a group executive, coordinating external relations and the development of new business sectors."
