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Is China’s appetite for new EVs starting to wane?

Both battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) markets saw volumes plummet in China during February. But what is driving these declines, and which models came out on top? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry explores the figures. Following a difficult January, BEV and PHEV markets in China plummeted for a second month, according to EV Volumes’ data. BEV deliveries declined by 39.2%, with 262,698 sales in the month. Meanwhile, PHEV registrations fell 40.5%, with just 169,699 units leaving showrooms. As a result, BEV sales were down by 29.7%, with 609,513 deliveries after two months of 2026. PHEV volumes suffered more, as the 390,576 tally was 37.9% down compared with the same period last year. Increased model diversity has impacted the popularity of 2025’s best-selling options so far this year. This also suggests the appetite for new EVs in China is starting to wane. Tesla leads the way in China The Tesla Model Y led China’s BEV market in February, with 25,136 sales in the month. The crossover SUV struggled in the second month of 2025, but bounced back this year, increasing 214% year on year. Tesla often prospers in the end-of-quarter months due to its reporting patterns. This result in February highlights the turbulence of the Chinese market. The Model Y accounted for 9.6% of all local BEV sales in the month, up by 7.7 percentage points (pp). Second was the Xiaomi YU7, which only began recording domestic sales in June 2025. The model was the most popular in China during January. However, its 20,086-unit tally in February was markedly down on this performance. It accounted for 7.6% of total BEV deliveries. The Li Auto I6 rounded out the top three. Another relative newcomer, it saw sales begin in September 2025. A total of 15,997 units made their way onto Chinese roads in February. China’s top three BEVs were split by an even amount of almost 5,000 units between each position. This contrasted with the dominance of the Xiaomi YU7 in January. The result suggests buyers may be looking around in a more diverse market. Last year’s leading models appear to be struggling, as the country’s market faces headwinds. Popular models struggle Tesla saw its Model 3 place in the Chinese top 10, taking fourth in the month. With 12,758 units sold, this was a 32% year-on-year slide. The US BEV was responsible for 4.9% of deliveries, and due to competitor declines, this was an increase of 0.6pp. Last year’s best-seller, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, only managed fifth in February, with its 11,906-unit total down by 58.4%. The model has seen a slower start to 2026, suggesting it may not be able to live up to its performance last year. Sixth was the Nio ES8, which saw volumes increase dramatically since September last year. Its 11,779 units marked a 2,359.1% increase compared to February 2025, while a 4.5% market share was up 4.4pp. A pair of BYDs followed, with the Dolphin seeing stable results in seventh. A total of 6,006 units represented a decline of 0.1%. In eighth was the BYD Seagull, which saw numbers plummet by 78.6%, as just 5,779 units were sold. Next came another pair of models, with the Wuling Bingo Plus seeing 5,263 sales, a 45.3% rise compared to the same point last year. Rounding out the top 10 was the Wuling Mini, the second-best-selling BEV in China last year. With 5,230 deliveries, volumes were down 76.3%. This was only good enough for a 2% market share, a drop of 3.1pp. Xiaomi proves popular February’s top three all featured in the top cumulative positions spanning the first two months of 2026. Thanks to its strong result in January, the Xiaomi YU7 led the way. With 58,010 sales, it held 9.5% of the market, a sizeable 14,802 units ahead of its nearest challenger. This was the Tesla Model Y, which started 2026 much stronger than last year. With 43,208 units, it represented 7.1% of BEV sales and ended the two-month period 10,335 deliveries ahead of third place. This position was taken by the Li Auto I6, recording 32,873 sales. It took a 5.4% share of the country’s BEV market between January and February. While these BEVs soared, both the Geely Geome Xingyuan and the Wuling Mini struggled. The Geely model took fifth after two months with 26,793 sales. Meanwhile, the Wuling Mini did not feature in the top 10, sitting 13th after two months of 2026. Fang Cheng Bao up top in China China’s PHEV market has been struggling for some time. However, while volumes were down year-on-year, there was some stability in model choice. For the second successive month, the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 led the way. The BYD subsidiary brand saw 11,078 units sold in February. It represented 6.5% of China’s PHEV volumes in the month. The BYD Song Pro took second, although its 9,307-unit total was 37.9% down year on year. While the domestic brand placed five models in the top 10 during the month, none of them managed to see volume increases. As a popular PHEV brand in recent years, this decline is likely contributing to the market’s struggles. Third went to the Aito M7, with the PHEV variant responsible for 3.8% of all deliveries, a 2pp rise. Its 6,479 sales were an increase of 24.5% compared to February 2025. BYD volumes plummet Both of last year’s top two models struggled in February. The BYD Qin Plus saw sales plummet 66.9% as just 5,252 units left forecourts. This was enough for a 3.1% market share, down 2.5pp. It was followed by the BYD Seal 6 with 5,159 deliveries, down 59.1%. A 3% hold of the PHEV total was down 1.4pp compared to 12 months prior. Sixth was the Zeekr 9X with 5,082 units sold, having only entered the market in September 2025. It also held a 3% market share. The Li Auto L6 was next. The medium SUV struggled in February, with its 4,746 sales down by 63.9% year on year. It claimed 2.8% of the market, a 1.8pp drop. Following it in eighth was the Wey Gaoshan. First recording sales in September 2023, its numbers started ramping up in the middle of 2025. Its 4,133-unit total was a jump of 1,105% compared to February 2025. Rounding out the table was another pair of BYD vehicles. The Song L suffered a 59.5% fall as 3,724 units were sold in the month. The BYD Qin L took 10th, with 3,603 units, a 77.8% fall in volumes. This was the biggest decline in the top 10. Close battle for PHEV models After leading the sales in both January and February, the Fang Chen Bao Tai 7 led the cumulative table. With 28,631 units delivered, it held 7.3% of the market, 10,251 units ahead of its nearest competitor. In second, after two months of 2026, was the Aito M7. It saw 18,380 units delivered in the period, taking a 4.7% market share. After a strong result in January, it slipped back towards the BYD Song Pro, which held third, but was only 423 units behind. The BYD model accounted for 17,957 units between January and February. This resulted in a 4.6% share of the market.
| Dealer

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What is an infotainment system?

Technological advances have rendered older in-car entertainment systems effectively obsolete. Now, carmakers combine entertainment and information as a central point of interior design. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the rise of the infotainment system. The rapid development of technology has replaced in-vehicle cassette and CD players with new systems. While music streaming meant losing bulky radio units, the need to display more driver information required bigger screens.   By combining information and entertainment, the infotainment system has been a step forward for interior vehicle design and functionality. These systems are now a staple of modern cars, but some developments have been a cause for concern.  https://youtu.be/yVLCP0bfm-0 Growth of the infotainment system  With the development of touchscreen technology, integrating displays into vehicles for data and control access is a logical step. These screens provide more than just music playback. They also offer access to a wide range of systems.  These displays can provide navigation, views from external-facing cameras, as well as battery charge and health in electric vehicles (EVs). Many also feature Bluetooth connection for calls and smartphone integration. This allows users to bring their own music, apps and personal settings into the car.   Meanwhile, the infotainment system can act as a control location for certain vehicle functions. Menus and sub-menus provide detailed access to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle customisation, driver profiles, and more.  Some carmakers have even opted to reduce or remove physical buttons for certain systems. This produces a cleaner and sleeker interior design, but can also lead to potential safety issues.  Are screens a distraction?  The ability of an infotainment system to house various vehicle controls can free up space inside a car. However, with some controls buried in sub-menus, out of easy reach of the driver, there are concerns around distraction.  Climate control, driving profiles, heated seats, and regenerative braking levels in EVs can be reduced from physical to digital buttons. But searching for these settings on a touchscreen can mean less focus on the road.   Research published by  TRL, on behalf of safety charity IAM Roadsmart in 2020, highlighted these concerns. Findings showed that driving performance was more negatively impacted when using touch controls compared with voice control.   Study participants were able to keep their eyes on the road more when using voice control than touch control. They were also more likely to identify stimuli that required attention. Despite this, most participants in the study reported using touch rather than voice control in their real-world driving.  Ensuring infotainment system safety  The concerns over driver distraction have led to Euro NCAP making a button-based request of carmakers for 2026. The safety body is asking manufacturers to either offer physical controls or dedicate a fixed portion of the cabin display to primary driving functions. This includes the horn, indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers and headlights.   So, the road ahead looks to be a matter of balance when it comes to infotainment systems. The technology will still need to support an increasing number of vehicle capabilities while also meeting higher consumer expectations. However, this will need to be levelled with control accessibility and driver attention.   
| Government

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The Automotive Update: What fleets learnt about electromobility at Flotte

Fleets flocked to Flotte in Germany, with industry experts taking to the stage to share vital insights. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus finds out what happened at the event in the latest Automotive Update podcast. In this episode, Dr Christof Engelskirchen, chief economist and director of professional services, Europe, JD Power, shared his Flotte insights. This includes electrification, the role of fleets, and the opportunities and risks for these businesses. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. Fleets and Flotte Taking place between 25 and 26 March in Düsseldorf, Germany, Flotte welcomes Germany’s fleet industry experts and decision makers. Among them was a team from JD Power, including Dr Christof Engelskirchen, who gave a presentation at Flotte. His session was titled ‘E-mobility in the headwinds – fleets as a beacon of hope and risk factor’. Speaking with Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus, he outlined some of the major points from this presentation. Of all the topics that could be presented to a room full of fleet professionals, one stood out: electrification. Fleets play an important role in the push towards electric vehicles, while the technology presents big risks and opportunities. Fleets behind the steering wheel In major EU new-car markets, electrification continues to be a subject in the headlights. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) currently make up under 30% of new-car registrations in each of Germany, France, Italy and Spain, according to ACEA. ‘That is a long way to go when you consider what the EU has been prescribing, which used to be a 100% tailpipe CO2 emission reduction by 2035 and is now becoming a 90% reduction,’ Engelskirchen said. ‘So, we have that gap that needs to be bridged.’ One of the biggest markets in the region, contributing heavily to the powertrain development, is Germany. With a large fleet industry making a significant proportion of registrations, these businesses will be vital to electrification. Weighing things up at Flotte There are sizeable opportunities for fleets within this transformation. Engelskirchen outlined that one of the biggest opportunities is the additional volume that is running through leasing companies and banks. Other buyers, such as private consumers and other companies, may not want to hold BEV asset risks. But this is not a result of disliking the powertrain. It is because it is not their core business to manage asset risks. Instead, this is the business of banks and leasing companies, Engelskirchen outlined. Leasing companies are now shifting their portfolios from what was 95% internal-combustion engine vehicles towards a greater balance. By 2035, it is conceivable that these fleets will have changed massively in favour of BEVs. However, this transition brings about its own risks. ‘You do need to get your head around the different residual value and depreciation profiles of electric vehicles. It is very dynamic,’ said Engelskirchen. ‘It certainly requires additional variables to consider in your risk management.’
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The Automotive Update: The changing fortunes of Chinese and European EV markets

How did the Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) markets perform at the start of 2026? Plus, which manufacturers are speeding up plug-in vehicle charging? Tom Hooker, Autovista24 journalist, presents the latest episode of the Automotive Update. In this episode, Autovista24 looks at the varying performances of the Chinese and European EV markets. Plus, how are carmakers speeding up EV charging? Also, an insight into which manufacturers are turning to robotics and AI for use in their production lines. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. China sees EV struggles China’s EV market recorded a decline of 27.1% in January, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. Both the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sectors saw sales decline year on year. The results were reflected in the best-seller tables, where mainstream models struggled. The Xiaomi YU7 was the leading BEV in January, with a dominant display. It  was some way ahead of the second-placed Nio ES8. The Tesla Model Y finished third. Meanwhile, the PHEV table saw BYD dominance slip away. Leading the charge was the Fang Chen Bao Tai 7, a BYD sub-brand and model. It was ahead of the Aito M7, while the BYD Song Pro finished third in the month. Europe’s EV market on a high Conversely, Europe’s EV sales grew, according to EV Volumes data. Sales were up 19.2% overall in January, with both BEVs and PHEVs seeing increases. PHEVs posted a 33.5% rise, while BEV deliveries increased by 12.7%. The Skoda Elroq was Europe’s best-selling BEV in January. It was followed by the combined results of the Renault 5 and Alpine A290, with the Tesla Model Y in third. In the PHEV market, two Chinese models led the way. The BYD Seal U came first, ahead of the Jaecoo J7. Both PHEVs were well ahead of the Volvo XC60 in third place. Even faster battery charging The Denza Z9GT, a model from BYD’s premium marque, is set to arrive in Europe later this year. It could enable quicker charging times of up to 12 minutes. According to Denza, the Z9GT delivers a 10% to 70% charge in only five minutes, and a 10% to 97% refill in just nine minutes. The carmaker also quoted a 20% to 97% recharge in 12 minutes, even in temperatures around -30°C. Meanwhile, Chery has revealed its all-solid-state battery that can achieve a range of over 1,500km, Electrek reported. A robotic future? Renault is using an AI-trained humanoid robot, called Calvin, to help it build cars. It was developed by French robotic firm Wandercraft. Renault plans to roll out a further 350 humanoid robots over the next 18 months, according to Auto Express. This comes as carmakers increasingly identify automation and robotics investment as a key response to rising costs and competitive pressures. A recent survey by ABB robotics revealed that 31% of vehicle manufacturers and suppliers felt this way.
An electric car that is currently charging.| Dealer

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What drove unusual Chinese EV results in January?

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in China dropped dramatically in January, as the market started 2026 with a struggle. But how did different brands influence this result? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the numbers. China’s EV market started 2026 in disarray. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales were down compared to January 2025, according to EV Volumes’ latest data. Additionally, the top 10 best-selling models for both markets were mixed, with newcomers spread throughout. BEV deliveries fell by 20.4% in January, with 346,798 units reaching customers. This was the lowest total for the technology since February 2024. Meanwhile, PHEVs suffered an even steeper drop of 35.6% to 220,867 sales. The country’s PHEV decline was a recurring theme throughout the last half of 2025. However, the drop in BEV volumes is new. This comes after sales growth slowed towards the end of 2025. The country’s market will be hoping January’s drop is not the start of an ongoing trend. Mixed BEV results The top 10 best-selling BEVs in China included five models that were not on sale in January 2025. To highlight the diverse mix, only one model from Tesla and BYD featured, respectively. Both brands appeared to struggle at the start of the year. Even last year’s best-selling BEV in China, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, dropped deliveries compared to 12 months prior. Instead, a slew of newer models took advantage of the BEV market’s slowdown, entering the top 10. The Xiaomi YU7 headed the Chinese BEV table in January. This model began recording sales volumes in June 2025. It achieved 37,924 deliveries in the month and gained a 10.9% market share. The YU7’s delivery figure was a record for a single BEV in January. Although the model itself achieved higher sales in December 2025. The Nio ES8 achieved second with 18,513 units sold. The carmaker has ramped up deliveries, and January represented its third consecutive month of five-digit figures. Its market share jumped to 5.3%, up from just 0.1% a year prior. Rounding out the top three was the Tesla Model Y. With 18,072 units, its sales declined by 29.7% compared to January 2025. This was also reflected in its market share, which dropped 0.7 percentage points (pp) to 5.2%. Newcomers storm BEV chart Since first recording sales in September 2025, the Li Auto I6 ended January in fourth with 16,876 sales. This equated to a 4.9% market share, a positive performance for a newcomer. Last year’s best-selling Chinese BEV, the Geely Geome Xingyuan, ended January in fifth, with 14,887 deliveries. This was a 47.1% year-on-year decline, and the model’s lowest monthly sales since it started recording sales in September 2024. Sixth went to the Aito M7, with 13,129 sales. This was a record amount and the model’s first foray into five digits since its launch in September last year. With 6,772 deliveries, the combined total of the MG4 and MG4 Urban took seventh. These models were relaunched in the second half of 205 in China and achieved a 2% market share in January. The only BYD model in the top 10 was the Dolphin, which saw sales increase by 25.9% to 5,859 units. Its 1.7% market share was up 0.6pp. Eighth went to the Wuling Bingo Plus with 5,632 deliveries, a 103.5% rise compared to January 2025. It achieved a 1.6% hold of the market, a full percentage point increase. Rounding out the top 10 was the Toyota bZ3X. The Japanese model made its top 10 debut, just nine units behind the Wuling BEV. With 5,623 deliveries, it achieved an equal 1.6% market share. Struggles for BYD and Tesla Both Tesla and BYD have been staples of China’s BEV market, but January’s figures could suggest a difficult year ahead. Although the Tesla Model Y placed well, its sales decline was the second successive January drop. Meanwhile, the US brand’s Model 3 ended the first month of 2026 in 43rd place, with just 2,030 units making their way to customers. For BYD, its Seagull model, a constant BEV top 10 finisher last year, ended January 2026 in 11th. With just 5,525 sales, this was its worst monthly total since its first appearance in the Chinese market in April 2023. Meanwhile, the Yuan Up was 14th with 5,495 units. This also marked its worst volume since debuting in March 2024. Looking at both brands’ EV sales, January was a poor month. BYD saw a 61.6% decline to 77,209 plug-in units, compared to 201,017 deliveries a year prior. Tesla saw 20,116 deliveries, all of which took place in the BEV market. This was a drop of 40.4% compared to the same period in 2025. Fang Cheng Bao leads the way BYD’s woes continued in the PHEV market, a sector it dominated in 2025. Last year, seven of the best-selling top 10 came from the Chinese carmaker. In January, however, just three made it to the chart, and none saw sales growth. Instead, it was the carmaker’s sub-brand, Fang Cheng Bao, that took the top spot with the Tai 7. The SUV, which began mass deliveries in September 2025, has been slowly climbing the PHEV table. It dominated January’s chart with 17,553 units and a 7.9% market share. Second went to the Aito M7, with 11,901 deliveries, a 41% rise year on year. This meant a 5.4% share of PHEV sales in China, up by 2.9pp. The BYD Song Pro led PHEV sales for the brand in January. Its share sank by 0.7pp to 3.9% as it took third with 8,650 units. This was the model’s worst monthly total since July 2021. The BYD Qin Plus was next, with 7,527 deliveries putting it fourth, with volumes down 49.8% year on year. This too was a new low, with deliveries not hitting these depths since January 2023. Another new model, the Zeekr 9X, took fifth with 6,594 units and a 3% market share. The model started deliveries in September 2025. Mixed results for PHEVs The Aito M8 was the sixth-best-selling PHEV in China during January, with 5,316 units delivered. The model first recorded sales in April 2025. Coming in behind was the Li Auto L6, with 5,030 sales. This was a year-on-year drop of 64%. The figure was the model’s lowest since it hit the market in April 2024. It was good enough for a 2.3% market share, down by 1.8pp compared to the same point last year. The Aito M9 took eighth, the brand’s second appearance in the January top 10. However, its 4,821-unit tally was 47.5% down compared to January 2025. This meant its market share slipped by 0.5pp, to end the month at 2.2%. The Wey Gaoshan came ninth. Having previously moved lower numbers, the model had a stronger end to 2025. It appears to have continued this run into 2026. With 4,813 sales, it managed a market share of 2.2%, up by 2.1pp. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Seal 6 with 4,666 sales. This was a drop of 67.8% and was the model’s second consecutive month of four-digit deliveries. It was also its lowest volume since it first recorded sales in May 2024. Compared to 12 months prior, its share of the market was cut in half to 2.1%.
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How AI, data and telematics are transforming commercial vehicle fleet operations

Commercial fleets have access to more accurate data, stronger system integration, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) applications. How exactly will this improve efficiency and enhance fleet decisions? Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker investigates. The face of global light-commercial vehicle (LCV) fleets is changing rapidly and becoming increasingly technological. Today, fleets have multiple data points, software systems and AI tools at their disposal. At this year’s Commercial Fleets Summit 2026, industry experts focused on the different ways these technologies can benefit businesses. This ranged from enabling predictive maintenance to AI-based driver coaching. However, unless developments like these actually resolve key fleet concerns, they will remain inconsequential. So, can a more connected fleet really improve on important metrics such as return on investment (ROI), productivity and uptime? Fleet productivity and the wider ecosystem For some, the future of connected fleets is about much more than the vehicle itself. ‘Today is not about having the best van. It is about having the integration of the whole system,’ explained Jeronimo Saiz, head of fleet operations at Kia Europe. ‘You need to look at not only purchasing the van, but also having the telematics, a fantastic upfit and the best financing partner. It is a huge advantage. You are going to save money with energy consumption, route planning, how and where you service the vehicle, and how you forecast,’ he added. From left to right: Ben Varey, commercial fleet expert at Nexus Communication. Jeronimo Saiz, head of fleet operations at Kia Europe. Thomas Herzog, head of key account management international, MAN Truck & Bus AG. Thomas Unger, chief marketing officer at Sortimo. Steven Schoefs, head of strategic relations at Nexus Communication For this advantage to come to fruition, fleet connectivity across the whole ecosystem is vital. Telematics partners, maintenance partners, and the vehicle itself all need to work together. However, for many, that potential is yet to be realised. ‘Most of the large fleets are not yet fully connected. We are not getting the very best out of what we could. Connectivity, together with AI, should drive savings, more efficiency and better fleet management,’ projected Saiz. Yet any advantages may not just appear in the balance sheet. With the help of AI, a more connected LCV fleet may present other material benefits. ‘When you talk about normal wear and tear, this is what I think could be the biggest advantage of AI, to reduce [unnecessary] stops,’ highlighted Thomas Herzog, head of key account management international, MAN Truck & Bus AG. ‘Yes, we make revenue in our workshops. But if we can reduce it and help to have the van only stop working once per year, then that is beneficial for all of us,’ he added. ‘What we are facing is the chance with AI to escape from routine work and daily routines to have more time and capacity to interact with customers.’ AI agents in fleets Some of the most advanced fleets are using AI to help operations. However, the effectiveness of these agents is still reliant on data from the field. ‘How do we see fleet management in the future? At the centre, there should be an AI agent that brings the data of various systems together,’ stated Fabian Seithel, associate vice president of sales and business development EMEA at Geotab. Fabian Seithel, associate vice president of sales and business development EMEA at Geotab ‘Today, data is siloed far too much. That makes it very difficult for AI to act. A lot of it depends on input. So, the future should be an AI agent acting independently but supervised by a fleet manager who sets the tone for the agent,’ he commented. A clear shift This marks a clear shift away from using multiple telematic systems and towards more unified and automated operations. ‘Telematics started with track and trace a long time ago. Then it moved to data extraction: I want to know the fuel level [of a van in my fleet] or a fault code. But now, we are in the AI-powered phase,’ Seithel said. These systems can observe, plan, act and evaluate. For fleets, this means they can identify a problem, decide what to do and trigger the next step. Seithel cited maintenance as a clear example, outlining Geotab’s analysis of data from 5.8 million vehicles. The aim was to understand breakdown patterns and engine faults, providing an actionable risk model for fleets. ‘So, we quantify the risk of breakdown, such as 50%, then a fleet can use those predictions. Some fleets are more risk averse then others. For example, maybe in December, a delivery fleet takes the risk of a 50% breakdown to get as many parcels out as possible. We cannot drive the decision, but we can quantify the risk and explain it using contextual data,’ he explained. Another use case presented was a video-based AI coach. Observing driver behaviour, the coach could give instructions in real-time. For example, it can suggest removing a distraction or taking a break. Goldmine of fleet data Some experts argued that a major issue commercial fleets face is getting concrete value from multiple data points. ‘Every fleet is sitting on a goldmine of data. The issue we have across the industry is getting the value out. That data is a challenge for us, because the industry keeps calling what we call faster clipboards,’ said Danielle Walsh, founder and CEO of Clearly. ‘Back in the day, we held a physical clipboard and wrote down what was wrong with our fleet and how it could be managed. We then moved to the electronic age, putting data into a spreadsheet or an electronic form,’ she said. ‘That moved into the connected age, with a lot of connectivity, and we created dashboards or spreadsheets in the cloud. Now, we are in the intelligence era, and we are stuck,’ Walsh stated. She highlighted that on paper, a vehicle may appear to be in an acceptable condition. Yet, once maintenance, fuel, and finance data are combined, the story can change. Perhaps the vehicle needed servicing, not replacement, for example. ‘You can do three things when you connect your data. First, you can see what drives your cost. Is it across driver behaviour, the maintenance or the asset? Second, you know when to replace the asset, not when the lease says so. Instead, drive the decision by data. Third, make decisions on data, not policy,’ said Walsh. Ultimately, better fleet data should not just confirm prior assumptions but inform what decisions are made. Tactical fleet electrification After fleet managers discover the recommended outcomes, the next step is to act. However, when it comes to electrification, there are barriers to overcome in building confidence in these decisions. ‘The fleets responsible for ordering the vehicles have environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets, net-zero targets, or regulations asking them to electrify faster,’ outlined Alfred Richard, co-founder and CEO of Nelson. Alfred Richard, co-founder and CEO of Nelson ‘However, you have an operations manager slowing down the entire process because they are afraid of the productivity loss. How do you convince managers at the head office level and site level?’ he questioned. The solution may be connected fleet software. With more transparency and openness, the gap between aspirational fleet managers and hesitant site teams could be bridged. Before making decisions, Richard argued that fleets need to simulate real-world scenarios using a digital twin. Driver profiles, charging needs and route patterns all matter. ‘Simulation is a powerful thing. When you know what is happening, when you can control your current usage, you may anticipate what comes next. Thanks to all the existing data layers, you can build a digital twin of your fleet and simulate scenarios,’ he said. This can also help avoid oversimplified fleet strategies. Richard warned that when talking about the transition to electric LCVs, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. ‘You can run scenarios on the digital twin and see what the priority is. The goal is to know your fleet’s EV suitability at a global scale, but also have information driver by driver. It is not about electrifying everyone. It is about electrifying the suitable drivers,’ he said. Connected fleets are moving into a more active and autonomous phase. Fleet managers still want control, but less clutter. Accessing actionable insights coming from one unified source will be key. Those who can achieve this will have a distinct advantage over others.
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The Automotive Update: EU reveals Industrial Accelerator Act proposal

What can be expected from the much-anticipated Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)? Plus, an exclusive report from the Commercial Fleets Summit. Tom Geggus, Autovista24 editor, presents the Automotive Update podcast. This episode takes a look at the recently unveiled IAA and what it could mean for the European automotive industry. Also, Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker dials in from the Commercial Fleets Summit, hosted in Brussels. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. EU reveals the Industrial Accelerator Act The European Commission has proposed the long-anticipated Industrial Accelerator Act. Central to the legislation is the enhancement of localised EU industrial competitiveness and promotion of low-carbon production methods. The IAA aims to increase local value creation and strengthen the region’s industrial base. This comes amid perceived unfair global competition and dependencies on non-EU suppliers. The act will look to boost manufacturing's share of EU GDP to 20% by 2035. However, the IAA also outlines that the EU should remain open to outside investment. A Q&A published by the European Commission highlighted that low-carbon requirements will be created for steel and aluminium used by the automotive industry. ‘Made in the EU’ standards will also apply to aluminium. Provisions will also apply to electric vehicles and their components. The proposal builds on previous EU legislation, further streamlining the deployment of clean technologies across numerous European industries. For the automotive sector, the proposal follows last year’s Automotive Package announcement. The IAA will be negotiated by the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, before its adoption.  Commercial Fleets Summit reveals The Commercial Fleets Summit is a two-day international event held in Brussels. It focuses on a wide range of key issues and trends impacting the global commercial vehicle sector. Several key themes have already emerged at this year’s event, centred specifically on light-commercial vehicles. These included environmental regulation, fleet electrification, plus the incorporation of connected vehicles and use of artificial intelligence (AI). In terms of electrification, discussions centred on issues surrounding charging infrastructure efficiency. ‘There is less talk about if fleets are going to electrify. Instead, it is more about how fast, and how they are actually going to achieve that,’ stated Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker, from the event. ‘Charging infrastructure is being seen as both a bottleneck and an opportunity. You then obviously have the interaction with the electricity grid, and this is certainly emerging as a new consideration,’ he added. The event also touched upon the future for commercial fleets. Looking ahead, these could be further integrated with digital ecosystems, with brand loyalty becoming less of a factor. Instead, digital-led frameworks could become increasingly important when selecting vehicle type and brand. Additionally, technology and AI will play an increasingly crucial role. ‘I think one of the first AI use cases will be helping fleet operators to manage and reduce fuel costs,’ Hooker said. ‘This, in turn, is having a high return on investments in some other areas. One thing I think I will hear more about later, is route optimisation and energy efficiency gains.’
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The Automotive Update: What does China’s slowing EV market mean for global sales?

What is happening in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market? How much is Uber investing in autonomous vehicle charging hubs? Can Europe build its own EV batteries? Tom Geggus, Autovista24 editor, discusses these points in The Automotive Update podcast. In this episode, Autovista24 analyses China’s slowing EV market and reveals the best-selling models in the country. Plus, how has Tesla avoided suspension of its dealer and manufacturer licence in the US? Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. China’s slowing EV market Globally, China accounts for 59.1% of battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales and 70.3% of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) deliveries. But despite dominating the figures, the country saw its total EV numbers struggle in December. Figures rose by just 0.5%, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. Despite total plug-in sales increasing between January and December last year, this was not helped by the country’s PHEV market. It experienced a run of monthly declines from July onwards. One reason for this poor performance was the decline of BYD. The brand accounted for 33.3% of total EV sales in China during 2025 and dominated the PHEV market. Yet its sales were down 9.9% across the year. However, with new players entering the PHEV market, 2026 will see more brand diversification. This could help boost figures, while new BYD models will also help impress buyers. BEV sales rose by just 4% in December 2025 following a run of double-digit improvements. China’s carmakers will be hoping this is not the start of a new trend, especially if the PHEV market continues to struggle. Tesla avoids suspension Tesla has avoided a 30-day suspension of its dealer and manufacturer license in California. This follows the brand halting its use of the term ‘Autopilot’ in its vehicle marketing in the state. The Department of Motor Vehicles adopted a decision that the use of the term is ‘misleading and violates state law’. This is linked to Tesla’s use of Autopilot to describe its advanced driver-assistance systems. Uber invests in autonomous charging Uber Technologies will invest more than $100 million (€84.9 million) into autonomous vehicle charging hubs, according to Reuters. The company will deploy DC fast charging stations at its fleet depots and other locations throughout priority cities. This is expected to begin in the Los Angeles Bay Area as well as Dallas, before hitting other hubs. Uber will also work with charge point operators to establish ‘utilisation guarantee agreements’. This will support the rollout of hundreds of new chargers in cities across the world. EV charging offer in the Netherlands Leasing provider, Ayvens, has launched a new EV charging offering. Ayvens Power promises customers in the Netherlands access to over one million charging points across Europe, spanning different operators. Drivers will get real-time availability and pricing details before arrival. Meanwhile, a fleet portal will provide charging insights, cost visibility and reporting tools. The solution is due to roll out in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the UK later in 2026. Can Europe build EV batteries? Yann Vincent, CEO of the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), has questioned who will make batteries for Europe’s domestic carmakers. ‘One crucial question remains: who will manufacture the batteries for European cars?’ Vincent asked. ‘Asian players, particularly Chinese giants, as is already the case for 99% of them? At the risk of putting the strategic independence of European car manufacturers solely in the hands of BYD, CATL, LG, etc?’. The CEO also confirmed that the ramp-up of ACC’s gigafactory in Hauts-de-France is taking longer and costing more than expected. This is weakening the company’s financial position. He also stated the goal of building the factory was ‘too close to give up on.’
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Which EVs came out on top in China’s slowing market?

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market struggled in 2025, but could December’s results suggest a slowing battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the market and the best-selling models of 2025. China’s electric vehicle (EV) market ended 2025 with growth. But the BEV and PHEV results in December suggest that 2026 could prove to be a difficult year. In total, 8,097,866 BEVs were sold across 2025, a rise of 27.6% year on year, according to EV Volumes’ latest data. Meanwhile, 5,072,986 PHEVs made their way to customers in China, an increase of 4.2%. A slowdown in the plug-in hybrid market across 2025 altered the powertrain dynamics in the country. During December alone, PHEV sales fell by 4.2%, with 558,513 units leaving dealerships. This was the sixth monthly decline in a row, according to the latest EV Volumes figures. Yet the BEV market also slowed in December. With 788,471 units delivered, volumes increased by 4% year on year. This was the lowest growth since June 2024. This meant the combined EV market recorded 1,346,984 deliveries, a rise of just 0.5% compared to the same month in 2024. So, BEVs accounted for 61.5% of all EV sales last year, an increase of 4.9 percentage points (pp). This meant PHEVs took 38.5% of the market, down from 43.4% a year prior. With PHEV sales in decline, the country’s EV market will be hoping December is not a precursor for what is to come. China’s best-selling PHEV: the BYD Qin Plus BYD dominated China’s slowing PHEV market in 2025. The carmaker placed seven models in the country’s top 10, however, only one of these achieved year-on-year growth. The best-selling PHEV in China last year was the BYD Qin Plus. Having placed second in 2024, it jumped to the top of the chart with 281,413 sales in 2025. However, this was down by 17.6% compared to its volumes in the previous year. The result was good enough for a 5.5% market share, a drop of 1.5pp. In December, the BYD Qin Plus topped the PHEV chart with 40,000 sales in the month. This was an increase of 31.1% compared to December 2024. The result was good enough for the model to achieve a 7.2% market share, up by 2pp. In second place at the end of 2025 was the BYD Seal 6, which achieved 188,525 sales across 12 months. This was a 2.6% decline year on year, while its market share of 3.7% was down 0.3pp. December saw the model suffer its worst volume result since it first recorded sales in May 2024. Just 6,111 units were sold, a 77.1% decline year on year. This left it in 27th position, while the Qin Plus increased its lead in the annual chart. Changing times in China Third in 2025 went to the BYD Song Pro as it recorded 180,661 sales. This was a drop of 28.3% year on year. The model took fourth in December, as 18,373 units made it to Chinese roads, a decline of 27.6%. The Song Pro was helped in the annual chart by a terrible month for the fourth-placed BYD Song Plus. It ended December 44th in the monthly chart, with just 4,000 sales, an 88.3% volume decrease. This was in stark contrast to its performance in Europe. Known in the region as the Seal U, it topped both December’s and the annual best-selling PHEV chart. In China, the Song Plus achieved 166,764 deliveries between January and December. This was a decline of 51.4%, the worst percentage drop recorded in the PHEV top 10. Having won the title in 2024, its market share of 3.3% was down by 3.7pp. The first non-BYD model was the Li Auto L6 in fifth. With 166,174 deliveries, it ended the year just 590 units behind the BYD Song Plus. However, its volumes were down by 13.6%. This gave the model a similar 3.3% market share. The L6 was helped by a ninth-place finish in December’s table, although the 12,334-unit tally was down by 55.6%. Making their mark The BYD Qin L recorded 162,817 sales across 2025. It was another BYD model to see sales drop, down by 29.1% year on year. In December, the model finished 13th with 10,000 sales. The newest model in the 2025 top 10 was the Aito M8 in seventh. With sales first recorded in April 2025, it achieved a total of 148,934 deliveries, to grab a 2.9% market share. It was helped by a sixth-place finish in December, with 17,123 sales. The BYD Song L took eighth. It was the only model from the brand in the top 10 to record growth. Furthermore, it was only one of two PHEVs in this list to see its sales increase at all. With 141,686 deliveries, it achieved a 16.5% improvement year on year. December saw the model finish eighth as well, with 13,000 deliveries, although this was down by 42.1%. The BYD Destroyer 05 jumped to ninth, with 127,509 sales, a 40.5% decline. Having started the year strong, sales slipped from March onwards. Although the 123,137-unit total for 2025 was 496.7% up compared to 2024. The Galaxy Starship 7 was not helped by a 32nd-place finish in December. Just 5,190 units were delivered, the model’s worst volume total since its launch. Having started the year strongly, declining fortunes across 2025 meant it finished 10th in the annual table. New models fight for places Many of the 2025 top 10 secured their place in the chart thanks to strong performances early in the year. But five different models made the table in December alone, suggesting 2026 could see more competition than ever. Finishing second was the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7, with 34,086 deliveries. It was followed in third by the Aito M7, with 26,468 units delivered, a 97.3% year-on-year increase. Fifth went to the BYD Sea Lion 6, with 17,380 units sold. The BYD Seal 5 was seventh with 16,484 deliveries in just its third month on the market. Rounding out December’s table was the WEY Gaoshan, with 10,846 sales. This was a record result for the model, which has been on the Chinese market since September 2023. It was also the second time it achieved a five-digit volume in its history, following another impressive performance in November. China’s best-selling BEV: The Geely Geome Xingyuan China’s best-selling BEV in 2025 was the Geely Geome Xingyuan. With 471,410 deliveries, it powered to the top spot in its first full year on sale. It comfortably beat 2024’s BEV leader, the Tesla Model Y, taking back the market for domestic brands. It achieved a 5.8% market share across 2025. In December, the Geely Geome Xingyuan placed second with 41,619 deliveries, a rise of 152.4% year on year. This was good enough for a 5.3% market share, up 3.1pp. Taking second in the annual table was the Wuling Mini, with 431,617 sales. This was an increase of 65.3% compared to 2024, while its 5.3% market share was up 1.2pp. The model had a rollercoaster 2025, with strong results in the last months of the year. It topped monthly sales tables in September, October and November, helping it take second in 2025. This run ended in December, as the Mini placed sixth with 19,076 deliveries, down 49.5% year on year. Rounding out the top three last year was the Tesla Model Y. After taking the best-selling BEV title in 2024, it slipped down the rankings with 425,337 sales, a drop of 11.4%. This meant its 5.3% market share was down by 2.3pp compared to 2024. Yet the US BEV did claw back some of its gap to the second-placed Wuling Mini in December. It topped the monthly sales, with 65,874 units, a rise of 6.5%, in line with its usual end-of-quarter delivery peak. However, results earlier in the year left it battling the domestic brands across 2025. BYD Seagull fails to fly The BYD Seagull, which took second in 2024, fell to fourth place last year with 310,956 sales. This was a drop of 29.7%. It was responsible for 3.8% of all BEV deliveries in China last year, down from the 7% achieved in 2024. December was a difficult month for the Seagull, with 18,307 units taking to Chinese roads, a 62.5% decline. The Xiaomi SU7 was the fifth-best-selling BEV in China last year, with 258,065 sales. This was an 85% increase compared to 2024, with a 1pp jump in market share to 3.2%. Its position was not helped by a 16th-place finish in December’s table, with 11,024 deliveries, its worst volume of the year. In sixth was the BYD Yuan Up, with 217,814 deliveries between January and December. This was an increase of 61.5% compared to 12 months prior, bucking the trend of BYD declines. It achieved a 2.7% hold of China’s BEV total, a rise of 0.6pp. December saw the model finish in seventh, with 18,766 deliveries, a 1.2% rise. The Tesla Model 3 ended 2025 in seventh with 200,361 units making their way to customers. This was an increase of 13.3% compared to 2024, although its market share fell 0.3pp to 2.5%. The US BEV was helped by a strong December, where it placed fourth with 27,969 sales. This was a 32.9% improvement on the year prior. Strong positions despite poor results The Xpeng M03 took eighth in 2025 with 177,150 units. This was a 264.7% rise against 2024’s figures. Its 2.2% market share was up from 0.8% the year before. The model had a steady year in 2025, although it placed 12th in December with 14,183 sales. The Geely Panda Mini was the ninth-best-selling model of 2025, with 162,108 deliveries, an improvement of 23.2%. However, with increased competition, the model’s market share fell 0.1pp to 2%. This was despite placing just 54th in December’s sales chart, with 4,373 units, its lowest volume recorded in a month since January 2023. However, this was not enough for the BYD Dolphin to take advantage. The model jumped into the annual top 10 with 160,745 sales, up by just 0.1%. Ones to watch in 2026 Four models made December’s top 10 best-selling BEVs list, while not entering the yearly table. Leading this group was the Xiaomi YU7 in third, with 38,927 sales. The model has proven popular since its launch in June 2025. The Nio ES8 achieved a record result, despite deliveries starting around March 2018. December saw the model record 20,354 sales, a 1,933.4% increase year on year. It was only the second time the ES8 had recorded five-figure deliveries after November’s tally. Having started deliveries in August 2025, the ArcFox T1 made its top 10 debut in December, with 17,170 sales. This was good enough for ninth. Meanwhile, the Li Auto I6 took 10th with 16,080 deliveries in its fourth month on the market.
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What was the best-selling EV brand in China in 2025?

New electric vehicle (EV) sales in China continued to grow in 2025. Did a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) slowdown affect the country’s biggest brands? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest figures. China’s EV market endured a challenging end to 2025, but finished the year with further growth. According to EV Volumes’ data, plug-in sales ended 2025 up by 17.5% year on year. In total, 13,170,852 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and PHEVs were delivered, an increase of 1,960,139 units. However, this was down from the 34.3% growth recorded across the first half of 2025. Since then, China’s PHEV market has slowed, recording its first declines since February 2024. This impacted the share balance between the two electric powertrains. BEVs ended 2025 with a 61.5% hold of the Chinese EV market. This was an improvement of 4.9 percentage points (pp) compared to 2024. Meanwhile, PHEVs fell to a 38.5% share. The PHEV slowdown impacted EV results in the final quarter of the year. While BEV volumes increased by 4% between October and December, PHEV sales declined by 4.2%. This left the overall EV market with a 3.6% increase in the period, as 4,020,708 units made their way to customers. BYD leads despite decline BYD sold the largest volume of EVs in China during 2025. The carmaker achieved 3,170,489 sales across the 12-month period, with the market representing 79.9% of its total global deliveries. This equated to a dominant 24.1% market share in its domestic market. Despite its comfortable lead, BYD had a troubled 2025. Overall sales were down 9.9% compared to the previous year, as the brand increased its focus on global exports. The carmaker’s market share fell by 7.3pp compared to 2024. Yet, BYD’s BEV deliveries grew by 2.8%. This was led by the Seagull with 310,956 deliveries. The model made up 9.8% of BYD’s EV sales and was the carmaker’s most popular. PHEVs made up 52.8% of BYD’s sales in China. However, its deliveries of the technology declined 18.9% year on year, despite the marque’s popularity in the market. The BYD Qin Plus was BYD’s second-best-selling model of the year, and its leading PHEV. It achieved 8.9% of the brand’s sales between January and December. Following this was the Yuan Up BEV, with 6.9% of BYD’s total. The Seal 6 and Song Pro, both PHEVs, accounted for 5.9% and 5.7% of deliveries, respectively. BYD may be hoping for a stronger 2026. Despite its dominant position in the PHEV market, other carmakers saw impressive figures across the year. The carmaker would need a catastrophic period of results to see its 15.2pp market share lead wiped out. Yet competitors are clearly maintaining momentum at present. Geely impresses in China One of the most improved carmakers in China during 2025 was Geely. The marque took second place in China’s EV market, thanks to the performance of its Geely and Galaxy models. In total, 1,177,257 plug-in models made their way to customers across the year, an improvement of 156.8% compared to 2024. The carmaker was the only other brand to sell over one million models. Geely’s market share more than doubled last year, up 4.8pp to reach 8.9%. Geely owes this record-breaking performance to its prowess in the BEV market. All-electric sales accounted for 66.9% of the carmaker’s total. The Geome Xingyuan was comfortably the brand’s best-selling model, making up 40% of Geely’s total sales. With deliveries only starting in September 2024, this was quite an achievement. The brand’s second and third best-selling models were also BEVs. The Geely Panda Mini took 13.8% of the carmaker’s overall total, while the Galaxy E5 held 10.6%. These models helped Geely to increase its BEV volume by 156.8% in the year, directly matching its overall EV improvement. Meanwhile, the marque’s PHEV sales grew by 156.8% compared to 2024. In the last quarter of the year, Geely saw a 63.5% increase in sales, as 340,955 units made it to China’s roads. This was enough for an 8.5% market share, up 3.1pp. Wuling bets on BEVs The third biggest EV seller in China last year was Wuling, incorporating Baojung models. With 897,582 sales, it saw volumes rise by 33.3% year on year. This was good enough for a 6.8% share of China’s EV total, a rise of 0.8pp. Wuling was driven by BEV sales in 2025. The technology represented 93.7% of the manufacturer’s deliveries, while its top seven best-sellers were all-electric models. The brand’s dominant leader was the Wuling Mini, which contributed to 48.1% of sales. The BEV’s 431,617-unit total was almost three times higher than the Wuling Bingo in second, with 147,841 units. This was enough for a 16.5% hold of the carmaker’s total. Wuling’s BEV sales increased 40.7% year-on-year. This came at the expense of its PHEV market, however, which experienced a 25.1% decline. The carmaker’s best-selling PHEV was the Xingguang S, with 18,518 sales, placing eighth in the brand’s best-sellers list. Tesla struggles in China After a third-place finish in 2024, Tesla slipped to fourth in China’s EV top-sellers list, ending the year with 626,498 sales. This was a drop of 4.9% year on year. The US carmaker recorded a 4.8% share of the market, down by 1.1pp compared to 2024. While Tesla suffered declines in both halves of 2025, its second half of the year was stronger. The marque’s 6.5% drop from January to June reduced to a 3.7% dip from July to December. Leapmotor placed fifth, with 530,891 sales. This was an 85.7% increase compared to 2024, and gave the brand a 4% market share, up 1.5pp. The Leapmotor C10 led its sales, with 108,376 units. Aito took sixth, with 453,037 deliveries. This was enough for a 17.1% year-on-year increase, while the marque was responsible for 3.4% of China’s EV sales. However, with increased competition, this was a drop of 0.1pp compared to 2024. Aito’s M8 model led its EV sales, achieving 148,934 deliveries. Impressive results Seventh went to Xiaomi, which saw the biggest year-on-year volume increase out of the top 10 EV sellers. With 411,323 sales, the carmaker achieved an improvement of 194.9% year on year. This was good enough for a 3.1% share of the EV total, up from 1.2%. The result was even more impressive considering Xiaomi only fielded two models, both in the BEV market. The SU7 led the way with 258,065 sales, while the YU7 achieved 153,258 deliveries. Li Auto slipped to eighth in 2025 after placing fourth in 2024. With 408,059 sales, volumes dropped 18.5%. This meant its market share fell by 1.4pp, to 3.1%. Ninth went to Xpeng, with sales jumping 122.5% to 385,529 units. It held 2.9% of the EV total, up 1.4pp. Chery rounded out the top 10, with 313,763 deliveries. This was a 10.3% improvement year on year, and gave the marque a 2.4% share. However, with increased competition, this was 0.1pp down compared to 2024.
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China’s PHEV sales drop for the first time since 2020

China’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market experienced its first monthly decline for some time as the sector’s slowdown continued. But are battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) also experiencing troubles? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the figures. November 2025 saw China’s PHEV market suffer its first decline in monthly sales since June 2020. BEV growth also slowed, although overall volumes remained high, according to the latest data from EV Volumes. PHEV deliveries declined by 3.4% in November, with 527,751 units sold during the month. The country has experienced a dramatic slowdown in deliveries since July. Results are being compared with increased demand in 2024 and a decline in sales of popular BYD models. Meanwhile, BEV sales increased by 11.9% in the month. With 852,945 deliveries, this was the second-highest volume of the year. PHEV slowdown impacting results Between January and November, PHEV deliveries grew by 15.9%. In total, 4,971,816 units were delivered in the timeframe. In the first half of 2025, PHEV sales in China increased by 35.7%. However, in the five months between July and November, deliveries only increased by 1.5%. The PHEV market saw increased competition across the first 11 months of 2025. While BYD continued to dominate, unit totals for a number of its models were down year on year. Meanwhile, other brands, such as Galaxy, Aito and Fang Cheng Bao impressed. This indicated the potential of a more diverse market, albeit one with fewer sales. The BEV market continued its strong growth. It recorded 7,454,241 sales equating to a rise of 33.4% in the 11-month period. BYD leads but others impress The BYD Qin Plus ended November as the best-selling PHEV in China. The model amassed 33,000 sales, equating to a 21.7% year-on-year rise. With a 6% market share, it increased its hold by 0.9 percentage points (pp) on November 2024. Continuing an impressive run in only its fourth month on the market, the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 placed second in November. With 24,019 deliveries, it was not far behind the leading BYD model. The PHEV achieved a 4.4% market share in the month. Taking third was the Aito M7, which bounced back with strong results in both October and November. It achieved 22,892 deliveries in the 11th month of the year, an improvement of 70.6%. This total helped the M7 secure 4.2% of total PHEV sales in the month, up by 1.7pp. A dominant run BYD managed to secure fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth spots to keep its top 10 domination intact. The first model in this run was new to the market. The BYD Seal 5 achieved 21,002 sales in its first month, hinting at a strong future for the model. The total was enough for a 3.8% market share. The BYD Seal 6 followed after suffering a 49.4% drop in volumes year on year. Its 14,901-unit total was enough for a 2.7% market share, down 2.9pp. The Seal 06 has struggled in recent months when compared with its initial popularity. Sixth went to the BYD Song Pro. With 12,973 deliveries in November, its sales fell by 37.1% compared to the volume recorded a year prior. This was enough for a 2.4% market share, dropping by 1.5pp year on year. Galaxy’s PHEV making a mark Chinese brand Galaxy secured seventh and eighth in November’s PHEV market. The new Galaxy A7 took the higher of the two positions in its sixth month on the market. With 12,899 units hitting Chinese roads, it held 2.4% of the market and was just 74 units away from the BYD Song Pro. The Galaxy Starship 7, which started the year strongly, ended November in eighth. With 12,001 deliveries, the model achieved a 2.2% market share. The last BYD in the top 10, the Song L, saw a 54.3% drop compared to the previous year, with 11,029 sales. The 2% hold of the PHEV total was down by 2.6pp, highlighting the carmakers' uneven market performance. Galaxy secured the final spot in the top 10 with its M9 model. It achieved 10,639 sales in its fourth month on the market, with a 1.9% share of the total. BYD holds firm The cumulative top 10 table for 2025 remained mostly unchanged between October and November. Despite various models struggling, BYD’s market dominance was still apparent, as it held the top five spots and seven of the 10 placings. Continuing to lead the pack after 11 months was the BYD Qin Plus, with 251,509 units and a 5.1% market share. This was followed by the BYD Seal 06, with 190,478 deliveries and a 3.8% hold of the PHEV total. Following this was the BYD Song Plus, with 177,377 sales and a 3.6% market share. This is thanks to a strong start to 2025, with deliveries stagnating across the year. Between August and November 2025, the model only appeared in the monthly top 10 chart once. Fourth went to the BYD Song Pro with 166,974 units, and a 3.4% share of the PHEV total. Rounding out the top five was the BYD Qin L, with 158,380 sales and a 3.2% hold. This is despite the model not featuring in November’s top 10. Early results matter Another model that relying on earlier 2025 results was the Li Auto L6. After a slower October and November, its 153,840 sales kept it in sixth after 11 months of 2025. This was enough for a 3.1% market share. Seventh went to the BYD Song L, with 133,058 sales between January and November, it took a 2.7% hold. Following it was the Aito M8 which did not feature in November’s charts. With 131,811 sales, it secured a 2.7% share of the PHEV market after 11 months of 2025. The Galaxy Starship 7 jumped one place to ninth after November’s results with 122,156 deliveries and a 2.5% share. This was at the expense of the BYD Destroyer 05, which rounded out the top 10 thanks to 116,767 sales, and a 2.3% hold of total PHEV volumes. Wuling comeback continues For the third month in a row, the Wuling Mini topped the BEV monthly table, continuing a comeback after a period of slower sales. The model achieved 56,756 deliveries in November, a 63.2% year-on-year improvement. Its 6.7% market share in the month was an increase of 2.1pp. For the first time in 2025, the Tesla Model Y experienced growth outside of an ‘end-of-quarter’ month. November saw the US car achieve 47,132 sales, a 5.7% rise. However, with increased competition, its market share declined by 0.3pp. The Geely Geome Xingyuan ended the month in third with 42,038 deliveries. This was a rise of 109.8%, although November 2024 represented the model’s third month on sale. Its market share climbed by 2.3pp to 4.9%. Taking fourth was the Xiaomi YU7. In its sixth month on sale, it achieved 33,729 deliveries. This meant it took a 4% share of the market. Meanwhile, in fifth was the Tesla Model 3. With 26,013 deliveries in China, it saw a 10% decline in volumes compared to November 2024. This was enough for a 3% hold of BEV totals, a drop of 0.8pp compared to 12 months prior. BYD ups its pace BYD’s place in China’s BEV market continued to grow in November. The brand secured four spots in the monthly top 10, with a run between sixth and eighth. Topping the BYD model placings in sixth was the Sea Lion 6 with 22,093 sales. This was good enough for a 2.6% share of total BEV deliveries in November. Following this was the BYD Seagull, with 21,807 deliveries in the month. This was another steep decline for the model, with volumes down by 61.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Its 2.6% share was a drop of 4.8pp, as increased internal competition played a part. In eighth was the BYD Yuan Up, with 20,628 models taking to Chinese roads, a drop of 3.6%. Its market share fell slightly, from 2.8% in November 2024 to 2.4%. The Wuling Bingo S continued an impressive show of form. The model entered the top 10 in October, its first month on sale in China. In November, it remained in the chart, taking ninth with 17,959 sales and a 2.1% market share. Rounding out the top 10 was the BYD Dolphin. It saw 17,320 deliveries, a 3.8% year-on-year rise. However, with increased competition, its 2% share of the BEV total was down by 0.2pp. Geely leads as gap closes After 11 months of 2025, the Geely Geome Xingyuan still held the lead in the cumulative top 10 table. With 429,791 deliveries, it had a market share of 5.8%. However, the competition gained ground. Following its impressive run of results, the Wuling Mini sat second. It recorded 404,876 units and a 5.4% share of the BEV total between January and November. This meant its gap to first place sat at 24,924 units. In third was the Tesla Model Y, with 359,463 sales in the 11-month period. This was good enough for a 4.8% market share. Despite its struggles, the BYD Seagull held fourth place in the cumulative table, with 304,547 deliveries in China. The model took 4.1% of the BEV market. Following in fifth was the Xiaomi SU7, despite not having appeared in monthly charts since September. With 247,041 units taking to Chinese roads, it held 3.3% of the market. Ups and downs The BYD Yuan Up held sixth after 11 months of 2025. It recorded 199,048 deliveries, equating to a 2.7% hold of the BEV total. Taking seventh was the Tesla Model 3, with 172,392 sales and a 2.3% market share between January and November. This was at the cost of the Xpeng M03, which has not made a monthly top 10 chart since August. The Chinese model achieved 163,082 sales in the first 11 months of 2025, equating to a 2.2% hold of the BEV total. Ninth went to the Geely Panda Mini, which leapt one position despite not featuring in November’s top 10. However, 11th place in November was enough to secure a boost over the 10th-place Changan Lumin. The Geely model sold 157,735 units for a 2.1% market share between January and November. Meanwhile, the Lumin saw 153,907 deliveries, and a similar 2.1% share.
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The Automotive Update: Carmakers accelerate AI applications at CES 2026

Which carmakers and technology companies are betting big on artificial intelligence (AI), and how do they plan to use it? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus picks out key talking points from this year’s CES in The Automotive Update podcast. Major automotive companies are integrating AI into their vehicles. This means technology companies such as Nvidia are becoming integral partners in this seismic industry shift. However, they are not alone, as automotive suppliers are looking to keep up. Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music. Mercedes-Benz leans into AI with Nvidia Mercedes-Benz used CES 2026 to confirm that the new CLA will feature the AI-powered Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). This advanced driver-assistance(ADAS) technology is powered by Nvidia’s full-stack drive software, AI infrastructure and compute power. This could assist over-the-air updates (OTA), including planned upgrades to the MB.Drive drive-assistance technology. This is aimed at enabling advanced SAE Level 2 capabilities in complex urban settings.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tJMYyVaOSw Mercedes-Benz confirmed its electric GLC will utilise MB.OS, as well as AI from Microsoft and Google in its infotainment system. The model is set to arrive in the US in the second half of this year.  ‘As the automotive industry embraces physical AI, Nvidia is the intelligence backbone that makes every vehicle programmable, updatable and perpetually improving through data and software,’ said Ali Kani, vice president of automotive at Nvidia. Nvidia is also working on a collection of open-source AI models called Alpamayo family, designed to accelerate autonomous vehicle development. Plus, the company announced that its Drive Hyperion ecosystem will expand to include more automotive companies. This comes as it embraces advanced SAE Level 4 and full self-driving technology.  Afeela and AI assistants Sony Honda Mobility brought a new vehicle to CES 2026, the Afeela Prototype 2026. A production version of the model could launch in the US in 2028. Its predecessor, the Afeela 1, has been available for reservations in California since January 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMkmiZS0brQ Delivery hubs are set to open this spring in the US state. Arizona will see sales in 2027, with Japan due to see deliveries in the first half of that year. Sony Honda Mobility also unveiled the Afeela personal agent, an interactive, conversational AI. It will use Microsoft Azure OpenAI to provide personalised dialogue.  BMW gave a demo of its AI-powered personal assistant. Built on Amazon’s Alexa+ technology, the assistant was presented within the Neue Klasse debut model, the BMW iX3.  Users can interact with the car’s large language model to control in-vehicle operations. The assistant also has access to information beyond the car, allowing it to answer a broad range of questions. This technology will be gradually rolled out in Germany and the US in the second half of 2026.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JQu-H-iJqg Ford also announced it will roll out an intelligent assistant. It will be available on users’ phones before it reaches their cars. The Ford and Lincoln apps will support the technology beginning in the first half of this year. The carmaker said it plans to reach up to eight million customers.  The Ford AI Assistant promises to be capable of providing contextually useful information, such as vehicle storage capacity. This technology looks set to arrive in Ford and Lincoln vehicles by 2027.    Source: Ford Architecture and autonomy Geely brought its full-domain AI 2.0 to CES 2026. This unified vehicle-wide architecture utilises a central intelligence engine, capable of operating all vehicle functions. The autonomous driving system, Geely Afari Smart Driving, uses AI and large-scale real-world driving data. It features high-performance sensors, plus hardware for confident and safe driving.  ‘AI is reshaping the automotive industry in many ways, from powertrains and components to a systematic reconstruction of mobility ecosystems and lifestyles,’ said Jerry Gan, CEO of Geely Auto Group. Lucid confirmed a union with Uber and physical-AI company Nuro to produce vehicles for a global robotaxi service. Autonomous on-road testing began in December, ahead of an expected launch in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year. Source: Lucid Suppliers starring at CES Bosch showcased an all-in-one, personalised, AI-based cockpit. Life-like communication appears possible via large language model. Meanwhile, a visual language model can interpret what is happening inside and outside the vehicle.  Qualcomm confirmed it is working with ZF to deliver scalable ADAS solutions. Leapmotor’s D19 will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite platform. It combines cockpit, driver assistance, body control and connectivity into one system. The supplier also plans to expand its collaboration with Google to develop software-defined vehicles while accelerating in-vehicle, agentic AI technology.   ‘As the automotive industry rapidly evolves into an AI-powered, software-defined future, our continued collaboration is more critical than ever,’ said Patrick Brady, vice president, engineering at Google. LG’s Mobility Display Solution turns the windshield into an intelligent interface. The Automotive Vision Solution enhances safety and delivers context-aware information via Vision AI.  The In-Vehicle Entertainment Solution provides personalised content recommendations, memory-based media, plusreal-time translation.  ‘We are bringing our future mobility vision to life by embedding AI across our solutions – many of which, including in-cabin sensing, are already in production with global OEMs,’ said Eun Seok-hyun, president of the LG Vehicle Solution Company. ‘By accelerating these innovations to market, we aim to pioneer the era of AI-driven vehicles in the years ahead.’

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