OEM Trends | Automaker News
Gasgoo: On Feb 27, NIO's all-new ES8 marked its 70,000th delivery in Wenzhou. Just on Feb 1, cumulative deliveries had crossed the 60,000 threshold. This means the new ES8 achieved a "ten-thousand-unit leap" from 60,000 to 70,000 in less than a month, signaling a clear acceleration in delivery pace.
IT Home: On Feb 27, BYD's Denza brand officially announced that the all-new Z9GT boasts a pure electric range of 1,036 kilometers, making it the model with the longest pure electric range globally. According to previously released images, the new car continues the family design language, retaining the signature "dual star crown" headlight cluster and a sporty front bumper design.
Jiemian News: On Feb 27, according to a statement from South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Hyundai Motor Group will invest 9 trillion won (about $6.3 billion) in artificial intelligence, robotics, and hydrogen energy businesses in the Saemangeum region. The group signed the investment agreement with the government on the 27th. Plans include spending 400 billion won on a robot manufacturing plant, 5.8 trillion won on an AI data center, 1 trillion won on water electrolysis facilities for green hydrogen production and supply, and 1.3 trillion won on solar power generation facilities.
Gasgoo: Recently, Mercedes-Benz China and Momenta signed an upgraded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Beijing, declaring that their strategic cooperation in future mobility has entered a new phase. This latest MoU marks a new high in eight years of deep mutual trust and collaborative innovation between the two parties.
cls: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi recently announced that it has supervised Tesla in completing road tests of its latest autonomous driving technology in the region, under driver supervision. Tesla's testing project in Abu Dhabi aims to advance mobility innovation within an approved regulatory framework, establishing a testing model for advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving technologies in the UAE, while seeking a careful balance between safety requirements and the encouragement of modern innovation.
Fast Tech: Recently, Stellantis, the world's fourth-largest automaker, released its full-year 2025 financial results, posting its first annual loss since the merger. Financial data shows a net loss of 22.3 billion euros for the year, with a net loss exceeding 20 billion euros in the second half alone. Over the same period, net revenue came in at 153.5 billion euros, a 2% year-on-year decline. The massive loss stems primarily from high costs associated with strategic adjustments for the electrification transition. Stellantis recorded 25.4 billion euros in related charges due to deep strategic shifts and a changing regulatory environment, with 22.2 billion euros in charges arising solely from business adjustments in the second half of 2025.
Supply Chain News
Gasgoo: On Feb 27, Bosch released an official statement announcing that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with NIO. The signing took place during German Chancellor Merz's first official visit to China. Under the agreement, cooperation will span NIO's three brands—NIO, ONVO, and firefly—focusing on deep collaboration in core smart EV technologies. Key areas include wire-controlled chassis and battery management, covering braking control, steering systems, drive systems, as well as body electronics and perception modules.
Gasgoo: On Feb 27, according to an official announcement from CATL, the company recently signed a cooperation MoU with the BMW Group in Beijing. The two parties will focus on deep cooperation in two main areas: cross-border data pilots for battery passports and collaborative carbon reduction across the supply chain. According to the MoU, they will explore scenario-based applications for battery passports to enhance digital management and data interaction levels in the global power battery supply chain, strengthening their ability to jointly address relevant global regulations.
Gasgoo: On Feb 27, Tianjin Ruixin Chang Technology Co., Ltd. announced a plan to acquire a 51% equity stake in Wuhu Deheng Automotive Equipment Co., Ltd. from a total of 10 counterparties, including Tong Xiaoping and Zhang Yapeng. The acquisition will be conducted through a combination of share issuance and cash payment. Additionally, the company plans to issue shares to no more than 35 eligible specific investors, including Huangshan Kaitou Lindun Venture Capital Investment Co., Ltd., to raise supporting funds for the transaction.
Gasgoo: Recently, SKF announced that its automotive business will operate under the name SKF Vertevo following its spin-off as an independent company. This announcement marks a significant step for SKF in advancing the demerger of its automotive operations to create two more focused and independent business entities. The move aims to accelerate profitable growth and create long-term value for customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
Industrial Economy Focus
Jiemian News: On Feb 27, the rare earth permanent magnet sector showed volatile strength. BAO GANG UNITED STEEL hit the daily limit up, while Lizhong Group surged by over 10%. Northern Rare Earth, China Rare Earth, and JL MAG Rare-Earth followed the upward trend.
cls: On Feb 27, the National Energy Administration released data on national electric vehicle charging facilities for January 2026. Data from the National Charging Facility Monitoring Service Platform shows that as of the end of January 2026, the total number of EV charging infrastructure units (connectors) in China reached 20.698 million, a year-on-year increase of 49.6%. Of these, public charging facilities totaled 4.801 million units, up 31.2%, with a total rated power of 226 million kilowatts and an average power of about 47.01 kilowatts. Private charging facilities numbered 15.897 million units, up 56.1%, with a reported installed power capacity of 138 million kilovolt-amperes.
Gasgoo: Embodied intelligence company Zhongke Fifth Era recently completed two consecutive financing rounds—Pre-A and Pre-A+—raising a total of several hundred million yuan. The Pre-A round was led by HongShan, with participation from Oriental Fortune Capital. The Pre-A+ round was co-led by Xinneng Capital and Youshan Capital, with Qingkong SinoKing Capital participating.
Personnel Changes | Executive Moves
Sina Auto: On Feb 26, Audi China adjusted its personnel and named a new management team for the China region. Effective April 1, 2026, Daniel Weissland will succeed Michael Arndt as General Manager of FAW-Audi Sales Co., Ltd. Arndt will transition to the role of Managing Director of the Volkswagen Passenger Car Brand in Korea. Additionally, effective June 1, Matthias Schepers—currently President of Volkswagen Group (Japan) and Managing Director of Audi Japan—will assume the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Audi China.
