Chinese Provinces Race For Lead In Electric Vehicle Innovation

Provinces across China are vying to attract electric vehicle companies and projects, positioning themselves to benefit most as China aspires to become a world leader in electric vehicle innovation. The latest region to score big is the Guian New Area, a 1,795 square kilometer economic zone located near Guiyang city in sleepy Guizhou province. China’s… Continue reading Chinese Provinces Race For Lead In Electric Vehicle Innovation

China Fines For Foreign Automakers Raise Regulatory Risks

Investigations by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) into anti-competitive behavior in the autos sector have raised regulatory uncertainty and risk for international car makers, says credit rating agency Fitch Ratings. The potential fines likely to be levied are not expected to have a material impact on corporate stability. However, it is unclear whether… Continue reading China Fines For Foreign Automakers Raise Regulatory Risks

After Three Years In China: What Are Tesla’s Hits And Misses?

After opening its first showroom in Beijing in November 2013, Tesla has been expanding in the Chinese market for three years. Its Model S and Model X are regularly seen on the streets of Beijing and Shanghai, and Tesla Supercharger stations have dotted major cities in the country. Despite falling way short of company chief… Continue reading After Three Years In China: What Are Tesla’s Hits And Misses?

KKR-Backed Rundong Automobile Group Plans $138M HK IPO

Jiangsu province-based Chinese automobile dealership company Rundong Automobile Group is planning an IPO in Hong Kong to raise as much as US$138 million, according to an official prospectus. Rundong plans to sell 268.62 million shares at HK$3.58 to HK$3.98 per share, to raise as much as HK$1.07 billion (US$138 million). The proceeds will be used for acquisitions,… Continue reading KKR-Backed Rundong Automobile Group Plans $138M HK IPO

3i Group Sells Auto Parts Maker To China’s AVIC

London-headquartered middle-market private equity firm 3i Group plc says it has sold its portfolio company Hilite International, a global supplier of highly engineered automotive engine and transmission components, to Chinese state-owned aerospace and industrial company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), according to an announcement made by 3i. The US$18.5 billion-under-management 3i Group will receive… Continue reading 3i Group Sells Auto Parts Maker To China’s AVIC

Chinese Car Maker Geely To Acquire 30% Of Danish Financial Firm Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank Group, a Danish multi-asset trading and financial-technology firm, has received an offer from Geely International Hong Kong, a subsidiary of Chinese car maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd, to become a major shareholder in Saxo, enabling the bank to capitalize on global growth opportunities, especially in China. Lars Seier Christensen, co-founder of… Continue reading Chinese Car Maker Geely To Acquire 30% Of Danish Financial Firm Saxo Bank

Tencent-Backed EV Start-Up Future Mobility Eyes $1.7B Nanjing Plant

Future Mobility Corporation, a Chinese electric car start-up backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Foxconn Technology Group, announced plans yesterday to invest RMB11.6 billion (US$1.7 billion) to build a new factory in Nanjing to manufacture its self-developed electric vehicles. The planned project is expected to have the capacity to produce 300,000 cars a year eventually,… Continue reading Tencent-Backed EV Start-Up Future Mobility Eyes $1.7B Nanjing Plant

Chinese Bike Firm Ofo Hires Former Uber Product Chief Michelle Chen As CPO

Beijing-based bike sharing company ofo has hired Michelle Chen (pictured), former head of product at Uber China, as chief project officer to handle the company’s product design and data research. She will report directly to the company’s founder and CEO, Dai Wei. Chen joined Uber Technologies Inc. in 2015, and was responsible for the U.S.… Continue reading Chinese Bike Firm Ofo Hires Former Uber Product Chief Michelle Chen As CPO

Sequoia, Joy Capital Joins $500M Round In NextEV

Shanghai-based Chinese electric vehicle maker NextEV has reportedly raised US$500 million from Sequoia Capital, Joy Capital and unnamed investors. Chinese media reports say the company plans to produce a more economical and environmentally friendly electric vehicle to rival Tesla in the U.S. China Money Network cannot verify the news and the financing deal value. Founded… Continue reading Sequoia, Joy Capital Joins $500M Round In NextEV

Ofo Partners With China Telecom, Huawei To Improve Smart Bike Tech

Beijing-based bike sharing firm ofo has formed a partnership with China Telecommunications and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. to improve technology related to smart bikes, which has swept across the nation by storm lately. China Telecom will provide nationwide wireless Internet coverage for ofo, while Huawei will equip ofo bikes NB-IoT (narrow band Internet of Things)… Continue reading Ofo Partners With China Telecom, Huawei To Improve Smart Bike Tech