China Commentary

Guest commentary: Can Chinese car brands sway skeptics?

New brands offer greater choice for customers, and fresh impetus to a stagnating EV market. But for the established hierarchy, they bring fresh challenges.

February 25, 2025 03:00 PM
Column: Honda, Nissan ill-suited for merging despite China threat

The global auto industry may be heading for a seismic shake-up, but marrying Nissan Motor Co. to Honda Motor Co. looks unlikely to succeed in a game of survival of the biggest.

December 19, 2024 07:09 PM
Ford, Kia gain some traction in revamping China operations

Most global automakers, unable to match or catch up with China’s rapid shift to electrified vehicles, and losing market share, still seem to have no idea how to respond other than cutting production.

September 19, 2024 03:12 PM
Huawei attracts more automakers as ambitions become clearer

With greater transparency, the technology giant is winning more customers among domestic automakers as a supplier for smart, electrified vehicles. 

August 29, 2024 04:00 PM
Column: GM’s core China joint venture faces existential crisis

SAIC-GM in June cut production by 70 percent to below 28,400, with year-to-date output slipping 54 percent to just under 210,000.   

July 18, 2024 03:45 PM
Column: China is pressuring EU to halt anti-subsidy EV tariffs

After the EU announced provisional punitive tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on China-made EVs, the Chinese side has kicked off what seems to be an all-out campaign to pressure the trade bloc  to withdraw the tariffs, with results remaining to be seen. 

June 20, 2024 01:08 PM
Plug-in hybrids, range-extended EVs gain traction in China

While overall vehicle sales are losing steam in China, demand for electrified vehicles remains robust. But that doesn’t mean China will ditch fossil fuel-powered engines any time soon, given the traction that plug-in hybrids and range-extended EVs are getting. 

May 30, 2024 04:57 PM
Beijing’s threat to hike import tariffs to challenge key U.S. brands in China

Beijing may raise tariffs to 25 percent from 15 percent on imported vehicles with engine sizes above 2.5 liters, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said this week, posing a threat to Detroit's efforts to sell its most profitable vehicles in the biggest car market.  

May 23, 2024 04:37 PM
Why China's EV market may remain fragmented for years

To outsiders, China’s electrified-vehicle sector begs for consolidation given the high level of fragmentation and pricing battles that have only intensified this year. But reality indicates otherwise.

March 21, 2024 04:14 PM
Sober voices, eyeing profitability, rise amid EV hype

With profits scarce, more Chinese automakers are injecting a dose of reality and prudence in a market tilting more and more toward EVs. 

March 14, 2024 03:41 PM
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