Investigation

In the world of automotive innovation, Asia is making significant strides, with several companies announcing new electric and hybrid vehicles.

On August 16, BYD unveiled the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5, a new medium-sized rugged SUV. This vehicle is the first to carry BYD's new DM-O hybrid system and boasts a power output of over 500kW. The Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5 is expected to retail between 400,000-600,000 yuan (54,850 USD - 82,250 USD) and promises a comprehensive range of up to 1,200km. Deliveries for this new SUV are set to be made within the year.

Meanwhile, Changan Automobile has submitted an investment promotion application for an electric and hybrid vehicle production plant in Thailand. The proposed factory, located in Rayong, is expected to have an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 vehicles, initially focusing on electric cars and later expanding to plug-in hybrids. The investment for this project is 8.8 billion Thai baht (approximately 250 million USD), with an initial annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles.

In another development, Tesla stores in China have quietly begun accepting orders for the Model 3 Highland. There are two delivery options available, with one option offering only the current vehicle, while the other includes other models, such as the revamped Model 3. A prepayment of 1,000 yuan (140 USD) is required to secure a delivery slot.

On the same day, Geely Auto launched the Geometry E Firefly, offering three models with a guide price range of 69,800-89,800 yuan (9,550 - 12,300 USD).

Elsewhere, CATL released the ShenXing Super Charging Battery, the world's first lithium iron phosphate 4C supercharging battery. This battery can be charged in 10 minutes to provide a range of 400 kilometers. The ShenXing Super Charging Battery achieves a total range of over 700 kilometers, making it a promising solution for electric vehicles.

However, it's important to note that a previous claim by BYD regarding the speed of their Yangwang U9 has been found to be false. Despite claiming a top speed of 472.41 km/h, the vehicle did not set a new global EV speed record.

These developments underscore the growing emphasis on electric and hybrid vehicles in Asia, with companies investing heavily in research, development, and production to meet the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions.