BYD DAHAN FALLS SHORT OF XIAOMI IN HIGHWAY TEST
BYD’s DaHan achieved just 566.4 kilometres against its 1,008-kilometre CLTC rating in Autohome’s highway test, beaten by Xiaomi’s SU7 Pro at 678.6 kilometres despite having a larger battery, while Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range managed 527.8 kilometres. The results expose the gap between advertised and real-world motorway range, although BYD’s claimed nine-minute charging capability could change the rankings on longer journeys.
BMW STARTS NEW BATTERY PACK PRODUCTION IN CHINA
BMW has started producing sixth-generation battery packs in Shenyang for its China-built Neue Klasse iX3 and i3, using CATL and EVE Energy cylindrical cells that promise over 20% greater energy density, up to 30% improvements in range and charging, and targeted cost reductions of 40–50%. With Chinese sales down 24.8% in the third quarter, BMW is deepening its reliance on local suppliers, manufacturing and software expertise to compete with domestic EV brands.
IM LS9 SPIED WITH EXTRA DRIVING SENSORS
An updated IM LS9 extended-range luxury SUV has been spotted testing in Shanghai with additional cameras and LiDAR hardware, suggesting upgraded driver assistance for the SAIC and Alibaba-backed brand’s six-seat flagship. The prototype also features revised door handles, potentially addressing China’s incoming safety regulations requiring mechanical emergency access, although neither the new technology nor regulatory compliance has been confirmed.
AVATR 06 DROPS ENTRY TRIM AND ADDS ADS 5
Avatr has simplified its 06 saloon range to two rear-wheel-drive models, introducing Huawei’s ADS 5 driver assistance as standard while removing cheaper entry-level and dual-motor versions, with promotional prices starting around $30,800 for the range extender and $32,300 for the fully electric model. Despite larger batteries, claimed electric ranges remain unchanged at 230 and 650 kilometres respectively, making improved assistance technology and revised emergency door releases the main attractions.
BMW i3 COVERS 1,213 KM ON ONE CHARGE
BMW’s China-market i3 50L has travelled 1,213 kilometres on a single charge, exceeding its official range rating by 18% while consuming just 8.8 kWh per 100 kilometres from its 113.4 kWh battery. The long-wheelbase electric saloon, arriving in early 2027, also promises 400 kW charging capable of adding 400 kilometres in ten minutes, although its mixed-road demonstration cannot be directly compared with controlled highway tests.
XPENG MONA L05 OFFERS TWO POWERTRAINS AT ONE ENTRY PRICE
Xpeng has opened pre-sales for its Mona L05 family SUV at approximately $25,400, offering both fully electric and range-extended powertrains at the same starting price, with electric versions delivering up to 635 kilometres and the range extender promising 310 kilometres electrically or 1,310 kilometres combined. Launching on 29 October, the five-seat SUV combines standard adaptive suspension with optional advanced driver assistance as Xpeng targets more than 60,000 monthly deliveries in the fourth quarter.
XIAOMI SU7 ULTRA TEST CAR ADDS BIGGER REAR WING
A modified Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring with a larger rear wing and revised aerodynamics, potentially signalling another attempt to challenge Porsche’s production EV lap record of six minutes 55 seconds, compared with Xiaomi’s seven minutes 4.957 seconds. With only 50 Chinese insurance registrations in September, the 1,138 kW electric super-saloon increasingly serves as an engineering showcase, although Xiaomi has not confirmed whether the revised car will enter production.
CHINESE CARMAKERS FIND NO ITALIAN FACTORY TO BUY
Chinese manufacturers are shifting their European factory searches towards Spain and France after finding no suitable Italian plants available for acquisition, with BYD reportedly insisting on outright ownership rather than shared production facilities. While BYD plans further European manufacturing expansion, Geely is pursuing a joint venture with Ford in Valencia, highlighting different strategies for localising production as Brussels considers new European-content requirements.
CHINA OPENS MAEXTRO BRAKE PEDAL FAILURE PROBE
Three Chinese government agencies have launched an investigation after emergency-braking tests reportedly caused brake-pedal brackets to break in three Maextro V800 luxury people carriers, forcing testers to use an emergency stopping function. Huawei and JAC’s luxury brand disputes the relevance of the extreme testing conditions and cites successful laboratory results, but has promised upgraded components for existing and undelivered vehicles while investigators work to establish the cause.
