Automaker Dynamics | OEM Trends
Gasgoo: Reports suggest Li Auto is launching a new organizational restructuring, splitting its research and development system into three core teams: base model, software entity, and hardware entity. The centerpiece of this shake-up is the dismantling of its autonomous driving unit. Insiders reveal that Lang Xianpeng, former senior vice president of autonomous driving, will lead the hardware entity—shifting his focus to robotics development under President Ma Donghui—and step away from autonomous driving responsibilities. Concurrently, the autonomous driving team will be absorbed into the software entity managed by Gou Xiaofei, vice president of Li Auto Smart Space, who will now oversee both smart cockpit and smart driving development and report to Ma Donghui. Separately, Zhan Kun will helm the base model team, coordinating VLA and proprietary chip integration, reporting to CTO Xie Yan. A Li Auto representative confirmed the restructuring to Gasgoo.
IT Home: XPENG's Chairman He Xiaopeng announced that the electronic and electrical architecture developed with Volkswagen has successfully launched, with the first equipped model—ID. UNYX 07—officially rolling off the production line. Over the past 18 months, our teams have fought side by side to deliver the project on time and with high quality. This marks our first joint achievement, and I believe that with a foundation of openness, mutual trust, and shared success, XPENG and Volkswagen will bring better technology and products to consumers worldwide.
Cailian Press: On January 29, Tesla revealed during its earnings call that it is streamlining its vehicle lineup while planning to invest $20 billion this year to pivot toward robotics and autonomous driving. The automaker intends to upgrade select factories to boost capacity, build AI infrastructure, and ramp up production of its Optimus humanoid robots and Robotaxi fleet.
Gasgoo: Voyah recently unveiled its product roadmap, announcing plans to launch four new models spanning SUV, FUV, and MPV categories—all equipped with standard Level 3 smart driving hardware.
Gasgoo: Avatr announced that the first batch of right-hand-drive Avatr 07 vehicles has rolled off the production line and is being shipped immediately to Thailand. The model made its overseas debut in Thailand in November 2025.
Kuaikeji (Mydrivers): Porsche China CEO Alexander Pollich emphasized in a recent interview that the brand treats quality, safety, and reliability as non-negotiable baselines during R&D and product iteration, refusing to treat consumers as "guinea pigs" for testing products. Pan acknowledged the advantage of "China Speed" in shortening development cycles but insisted on the principle of "getting it right before getting it fast." During vehicle development, the brand conducts extensive reliability testing to ensure products meet Porsche engineering standards before market launch. Regarding the trend of drastically shortening product cycles among some automakers, Porsche remains cautious, stressing the need to find the optimal balance between speed and quality, with customer responsibility as the top priority.
Cailian Press: Hyundai Motor reported fourth-quarter sales of 46.84 trillion won, missing estimates of 48.5 trillion won. Operating profit came in at 1.70 trillion won, well short of the 2.7 trillion won forecast, while net profit totaled 1.03 trillion won against an estimated 2.49 trillion won.
Supplier News | Supply Chain News
Gasgoo: CATL recently signed a tripartite strategic cooperation agreement with the Kunming Municipal Government and the Yunnan Dianzhong New Area Management Committee. The partnership focuses on deepening collaboration in four areas: new energy batteries, green energy, green transportation, and the low-altitude economy. Plans include constructing a green smart manufacturing base for lithium batteries in the Dianzhong New Area, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Cailian Press: Regarding a recent patent lawsuit filed in South Korea, Sunwoda representatives clarified that the litigation targets its joint venture with Geely in Shandong—Shandong Geely Sunwoda—not the parent company, and will not impact Sunwoda's overseas expansion. According to industry reports, on January 26, Tulip Innovation, a patent management entity jointly established by LG Energy Solution and Panasonic Energy, alleged that Sunwoda's lithium-ion battery cells and a hybrid SUV supplied to Geely infringed on a patent within its battery licensing program. The Korea Trade Commission has initiated an investigation based on Tulip Innovation's complaint.
Cailian Press: Jiuzhi Intelligent and Cainiao's unmanned vehicle unit have agreed to a deep strategic integration of their autonomous delivery operations. Cainiao has become a shareholder in Jiuzhi by injecting its unmanned vehicle business and making a cash investment. Following this partnership, Jiuzhi will receive a license to use the "Cainiao Unmanned Vehicle" brand and operate under a dual-brand strategy, while Cainiao Unmanned Vehicle retains its status as an ecosystem enterprise incubated by Alibaba. Additionally, Cainiao's management and technical leads for the unmanned vehicle business will join Jiuzhi Intelligent to assist with future strategic planning and operations.
Industrial Focus | Industrial Economy
IT Home: A spokesperson for the Department of Transport Services announced at a State Council press conference that as of the end of 2025, a total of 71,500 EV charging connectors had been installed at highway service areas nationwide. With 20,000 new additions in 2025 alone, charging service capabilities have seen a marked improvement.
Policy Updates | Policy Situation
Cailian Press: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that the mandatory national standard "Technical Requirements and Test Methods for Automatic Emergency Braking Systems for Light Vehicles" (GB 39901—2025) will officially take effect on January 1, 2028.
Beijing Daily: On January 29, an AFP reporter asked China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson about reports that China has approved the import of the first batch of Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips. The reporter sought confirmation and asked what signal this move sends for China-US relations. "We have responded to relevant questions many times; regarding specific issues, we suggest asking the competent Chinese authorities," the spokesperson replied.
Personnel Changes | Executive Moves
Interface News: On January 29, Sun Baigong's personal Weibo account displayed verification as "Vice President of Avatr Technology." Media reports indicate Sun has assumed the role of vice president at Avatr, overseeing marketing, product operations, and marketing system construction, reporting directly to the company's president. Public records show Sun joined Huawei in 2005 and previously served as President of Honor Middle East and Africa. In January 2024, he was appointed vice president at Li Auto.
Gasgoo: On January 29, Porsche announced that effective February 1, 2026, Tobias Sühlmann (46) will succeed Michael Mauer (63) as Head of Brand Design. Mauer, who has led Porsche's design department for over two decades, is stepping down as the design team enters a new leadership cycle.
