Latest from Yang Jian

Many Western brands continue to struggle in China as domestic automakers and startups field more competitive EVs with smart features, often at lower prices.

With China’s growing new-vehicle market in the throes of a price war, some automakers plan to build on their success with a wide array of electrified models.

In nurturing some formidable automakers, China has became a power hub of R&D, planning, sourcing and production across the auto industry, while playing a central role in the geopolitics and trade wars unfolding today.

Wholesale light vehicles shipped domestically advanced 14 percent to 2.06 million last month while light-vehicle exports dipped 3.2 percent to some 410,000, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said.

Magna, one of the world's biggest auto parts suppliers, started operations in China in 1996 and now oversees more than 60 plants in the country, with the number of local employees topping 30,000.

Following a comeback in 2024 after years of decline, the German auto giant blamed the latest drop, 7.1%, on 'the intense competitive situation in China.'

March retail sales of electrified vehicles including full-electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extended models reached 991,000 in China, an increase of 38 percent from a year earlier.

U.S. auto exports to China have dropped three consecutive years, and fell 13 percent to 109,356 in 2024, according to the China Automobile Dealers Association.

The two companies also plan to cooperate in developing autonomous driving technology as well as electric and electronic hardware and software for vehicles.

First-quarter sales of new-energy vehicles including full electric models and plug-in hybrids at GM's two joint ventures increased 53 percent from a year earlier, GM China said.