Gasgoo Daily: Li Auto to introduce 2024 Li L7, L8 models with CDC sport suspension maintained

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.

Li Auto to introduce 2024 Li L7, L8 models with CDC sport suspension maintained

Since March 1, in response to feedback from some users who wished to retain models equipped with the "CDC Sport Suspension" (coil springs + CDC dampers) on the Li L7 and L8 models, Li Auto has decided to introduce 2024 models of the Li L7 and L8 with the "CDC Sport Suspension", the carmaker said on Tuesday. These models will continue to use the "Air" naming convention. The two new models are scheduled to hit the market and start deliveries in May this year. Until the delivery of the new Air models, the 2023 Li L7 Air and Li L8 Air equipped with the "CDC Sport Suspension" will continue to be available for purchase.

2024 Li L7; photo credit: BYD

At the same time, Li Auto will adjust the current model lineup for the 2024 Li L7 and L8, shifting from Air, Pro, Max to Pro, Max, Ultra. The naming of the 2024 Li L9 Max will also be updated to L9 Ultra.

Dongfeng Motor signs strategic cooperation agreement with CHINALCO

On March 11, Dongfeng Motor and the Aluminum Corporation of China ("CHINALCO") held a strategic cooperation agreement signing ceremony in Beijing. Both parties will focus on the automotive industry trends of lightweight, intelligent, and low-carbon development, strengthening joint innovation and collaborative growth along the industrial chain, and enhancing the development and application of non-ferrous metal new materials.

JETOUR Traveler model's PHEV edition named JETOUR Shanhai T2

The PHEV edition of Chery's JETOUR Traveler model has been officially named the JETOUR Shanhai T2 ("Shanhai" translating to "Mountain-Sea"), according to the automaker. The new product is set to hit the market around the Auto China 2024 this April.

NaaS, CSCEC Third Bureau team up on EV charging network development

On March 11, Newlink NaaS ("NaaS"), a leading figure in China's charging service sector, and China Construction Third Bureau First Engineering Co., Ltd. ("CSCEC Third Bureau") inked a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Wuhan, according to former's press release.

This partnership signifies a deep integration of resources and a comprehensive collaboration in the realms of new energy and infrastructure development. It aims to create a novel partnership model of mutual platforms, mutual clientele, and reciprocal empowerment, collectively advancing the layout and development of new energy charging networks.

China's power battery sector faces YoY, MoM drop in Feb. 2024 output, sales, installed capacity

In February, the installed capacity for power batteries in China was 18 GWh, marking an 18.1% decrease year-over-year and a 44.4% drop from the previous month, according to the data by the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA). Of this, ternary batteries contributed 6.9 GWh, accounting for 38.7% of the total installation volume, with a slight increase of 3.3% year-over-year but a month-over-month plunge of 44.9%. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries saw an installed capacity of 11 GWh, representing 61.3% of the total, with a year-over-year decrease of 27.5% and a month-over-month slump of 44.1%.

Geely Holding, Sinopec seal deal for green energy advancements

On March 9, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely Holding") paired up with China Petrochemical Corporation ("Sinopec") in Beijing to sign a strategic partnership framework, setting the stage for an ambitious collaboration, according to a post on Geely Holding's WeChat account.

BYD introduces another three NEV models in UAE market

Recently, Chinese leading new energy vehicle (NEV) maker BYD held a product launch event in Dubai, UAE, officially introducing three new energy vehicle models to the UAE market: the BYD SEAL, SONG PLUS, and QIN PLUS, according to a post on BYD's WeChat account. This move further strengthens BYD's brand image as a provider of comprehensive solutions that meet the diverse needs of local consumers.

EXEED Yaoguang C-DM hits market, starting at 159,800 yuan

On March 11, Chery's EXEED brand officially put the Yaoguang C-DM plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) on to the global market with a starting price of 159,800 yuan.

Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle to be launched on March 28

On the morning of March 12, Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun took to Weibo to announce the official release date of the Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle model, which was set on March 28.

Pony.ai signs MoU with Luxembourg government to advance autonomous driving technology

Recently, autonomous driving solution provider Pony.ai announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, aimed at fostering the development of autonomous driving vehicles and technologies in Luxembourg.

SAIC MAXUS V80 light commercial vehicle features ZTE's 4G communication module

SAIC MAXUS and ZTE have recently announced the successful mass production application of ZTE's in-car 4G communication module in the SAIC MAXUS V80, a wide-body light commercial vehicle model.

Unmanned mining solution provider EACON bags over 300 million yuan in C++ financing

On March 12, Chinese unmanned mining solution developer EACON announced the recent completion of its C++ round financing, raising over 300 million yuan.