Articles by Adrian Leung

Technology

BYD Sealion 06 breaks 100k production mark in 100 days, sets BYD record

BYD has marked a milestone with its Sealion 06 SUV, achieving 100,000 units produced just 100 days after its market introduction. The model, launched on July 24, 2025, replaces the outgoing Sealion 6 and now holds the record for the fastest BYD model to reach 100,000 units across all segments. The Sealion 06 is priced from 139,800 yuan to 163,800 yuan (approx. 19,300 to 22,620 USD), depending on configuration. It is offered in both all-electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants, sharing the same exterior design across powertrains. The SUV measures 4,810 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. It adopts BYD’s Ocean series design language, featuring a closed front face, split-level headlamps, a wavy rear light bar, and semi-recessed door handles. The electric variants are built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture and include 400V and 800V systems. The entry-level EV features a 65.28 kWh battery, producing 170 kW and 330 N·m, which provides a CLTC range of 520 km. Higher-end 800V EVs carry a 78.72 kWh battery, 180 kW motor output, and a 605 km CLTC range. Charging is supported up to 237 kW in 800V models, and the vehicles consume approximately 12.5 kWh per 100 km. PHEV variants use BYD’s fifth-generation DM-i system, pairing a 1.5-litre engine rated at 74 kW and 126 N·m with a 160 kW electric motor. Battery capacities range from 18.3 kWh to 26.6 kWh, with electric-only CLTC ranges between 121 km and 170 km, and combined ranges up to 1,670 km. The hybrid setup also features the company’s “seven-in-one” power domain control. The Sealion 06 comes standard with BYD’s God’s Eye intelligent driving system and advanced safety features, including seven airbags and more than 30 safety functions. Inside, the SUV offers a 15.6-inch floating infotainment display, a digital instrument cluster, ventilated front seats, and a 1.73-square-meter panoramic sunroof. The cargo capacity reaches 1,630 litres with the second-row seats folded. The Sealion 06’s rapid production milestone underscores BYD’s continued expansion in the mid-size SUV segment and its strategy of offering both EV and PHEV options in a unified design package.

3 days ago

Technology

BYD Q1–Q3 revenue hits 79.5 billion USD, R&D spending exceeds net profit as global EV sales surge

BYD reported strong results for the first three quarters of 2025, with revenue reaching 566.27 billion yuan (approximately 79.5 billion USD), up 13% year‑on‑year and setting a new record for the same period. Q3 revenue was 194.99 billion yuan (approximately 27.4 billion USD), and net profit stood at 7.82 billion yuan (approximately 1.10 billion USD), a 23% increase from Q2. Gross margin improved by 1.6 percentage points, according to Securities Daily. During the first three quarters, BYD’s R&D expenses amounted to 43.75 billion yuan (approximately 6.14 billion USD), a 31% increase year‑on‑year. This exceeded the net profit for the same period by 23.33 billion yuan (approximately 3.28 billion USD). BYD remains the highest R&D‑spending A‑share automaker, with cumulative investment surpassing 220 billion yuan (approximately 30.9 billion USD). The company reported global vehicle sales of 3.26 million units in the first nine months, up 18.64% year-over-year, reaching 70.87% of its 4.6 million-unit annual target. Models equipped with their God’s Eye driver-assistance system have sold over 1.7 million units to date. In overseas markets, BYD delivered 701,600 units between January and September, representing a 132% year-over-year increase, and covered 117 countries and regions. Cumulative exports exceeded 700,000 units, effectively achieving its annual overseas sales doubling target ahead of schedule. In the pure‑electric segment, BYD sold 1.61 million units, versus 1.22 million reported for Tesla in the same period. On October 9, BYD produced its 14 millionth new‑energy vehicle at its Brazil plant, where Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva became a Song Pro owner. At the Tokyo Motor Show, BYD unveiled the Japan‑specific K‑car BYD Racco and introduced its first Japanese market plug‑in hybrid model, the Sealion 6 DM‑i SUV, signalling a dual “pure‑electric + hybrid” product strategy in Japan. In line with regulatory requirements to shorten payment cycles for suppliers, BYD announced in June that it standardised payment terms to within 60 days. The Q3 report shows a reduction in both accounts payable and notes payable, as well as a further shortening of the average payment cycle to suppliers. Central international investment banks remain bullish on BYD’s outlook. Citigroup’s latest research projects BYD’s sales to reach 4.67 million units in 2025 and 5.39 million in 2026, citing growth in premium branding, plug‑in hybrid technology, a broader product line‑up and rapid overseas expansion as core drivers.

3 days ago

Technology

Li Auto-backed Sunwoda unveils 400 Wh/kg solid-state battery with 1,200-cycle lifespan and 1,000 km range

Li Auto-backed, Chinese battery maker Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd. unveiled its next-generation polymer all-solid-state battery, branded Xin·Bixiao (欣·碧霄), at the 2025 New Energy Battery Industry Development Conference in Beijing, as reported by First-Finance. The company claims the battery achieves an energy density exceeding 400 Wh/kg and a cycle life of more than 1,200 cycles at low external pressure, positioning it as a potential breakthrough for long-range electric vehicles (EVs). Sunwoda says the Xin·Bixiao battery surpasses current mainstream ternary lithium-ion cells, which typically offer 250-350 Wh/kg, by 14%-60%. This higher energy density could allow EVs to achieve ranges over 1,000 km, addressing consumer range concerns. With over 1,200 cycles and capacity retention above 80%, the battery could support vehicle usage over a decade, assuming annual driving of 20,000 km. The company has also developed a laboratory sample using a lithium-metal anode that reaches 520 Wh/kg, marking a potential next step beyond polymer solid-state technology, with preliminary safety testing already completed. The performance of the Xin·Bixiao battery relies on a combination of a cross-linked polymer electrolyte and a gradient-coated lithium-metal anode, which together improve ionic conductivity and reduce dendrite formation. Sunwoda notes that this approach avoids reliance on more expensive sulfide electrolytes, potentially lowering material costs. To move toward commercialization, Sunwoda plans to complete a 0.2 GWh polymer solid-state cell pilot line by the end of 2025. Small-batch production is expected in 2026, with GWh-scale output targeted by 2027. The company says construction and equipment procurement are nearly finished. Sunwoda is also engaging with several new-energy vehicle startups and legacy luxury automakers, with some reportedly planning to use the Xin·Bixiao battery in flagship models from 2026 onward. China Association of Automobile Manufacturers deputy secretary-general Chen Shihua commented that mass production of solid-state batteries could reshape the competitive landscape for EVs and boost China’s technological position. Independent sources indicate that while Sunwoda has supply relationships with automakers including Li Auto, Nio, Xpeng, SAIC, GAC, and Dongfeng, no publicly confirmed contract yet exists specifying a production vehicle using the Xin·Bixiao battery. The company also signed a materials-focused partnership with XTC New Energy Materials for all-solid-state battery development.

Oct 23, 2025

Technology

Huawei’s HIMA surpasses 48,500 firm orders during China’s National Day holidays

Huawei‘s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) recorded strong order figures during the 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period from October 1 to 8, with cumulative firm orders across all models exceeding 48,500 units, according to data shared by automotive blogger @我鸿 on Weibo, China’s version of X. Daily statistics showed steady growth throughout the eight-day break. On October 1, orders surpassed 8,000 units; by October 3, the total had reached 18,500 units, including 5,800 for the Aito M7, 2,700 for the Luxeed R7, 2,100 for the Shangjie H5, and 1,500 for the Stelato S9T. The figure continued to climb to 30,000 by October 5 and 41,300 by October 7, before closing the holiday period above 48,500. The newly launched Aito M7 was the primary contributor, securing over 15,000 orders, which accounted for roughly 31% of the total volume. The model is built on the same platform as the M8 and M9 and features a 3,030 mm wheelbase for increased interior space. It is equipped with Huawei’s ADS 4.0 intelligent driving system, with most variants including lidar for city-level map-free driving. The model lineup also offers adaptive damping control (CDC), dual-chamber air suspension, multiple infotainment screens, and upgraded seating configurations. Other models also made significant contributions to the total. The Aito M8 recorded 8,934 orders (23% share), the Luxeed R7 achieved 6,551, the Shangjie H5 5,388, the Aito M9 3,933, and the Stelato S9T 3,810. The National Day results followed a strong performance in September, when Harmony Intelligent Mobility delivered 52,916 vehicles and achieved more than 110,000 firm orders, setting a new monthly record. Cumulative deliveries across all models have now exceeded 950,000 units, bringing the brand closer to the one million milestone.

Oct 9, 2025