Shanghai Puts Breaks on Bike Share Frenzy, Asks Mobike, Ofo To Temporarily Halt Bike Placement

The Shanghai government has asked six bike sharing companies including Mobike and ofo to temporarily suspend bike placement in the city’s central districts, saying shared bikes have reached saturation point in those areas. The move may put the breaks on a venture capital-fueled bike sharing frenzy taking place in China. It also highlights regulatory risks… Continue reading Shanghai Puts Breaks on Bike Share Frenzy, Asks Mobike, Ofo To Temporarily Halt Bike Placement

Global Smart Transport Market To Expand 50 Times To Reach $1.5 Trillion By 2030

The future mobility market, those providing self-driving smart electric vehicles and shared mobility, is likely to expand 50 times to reach US$1.5 trillion in market size by 2030, compared to today’s US$30 billion. Investors could benefit from companies in the electrification, autonomous driving, Internet of Cars (IoC) and shared mobility categories, according to a BofA… Continue reading Global Smart Transport Market To Expand 50 Times To Reach $1.5 Trillion By 2030

China’s FDG Electric Vehicle Hires Former Volvo China Head As COO

Chinese electric vehicle company FDG Electric Vehicles Ltd. has named Tong Zhiyuan, formerly the chief executive officer of Volvo Car Corporation China District, as its chief operating officer and executive director, effective immediately. Tong will act as the head of FDG’s electric vehicle division, and will oversee daily operation and management, research and development at… Continue reading China’s FDG Electric Vehicle Hires Former Volvo China Head As COO

AVIC Acquires Henniges Automotive From Littlejohn

Chinese state-owned aerospace and defense company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has acquired automobile parts maker Henniges Automotive Holdings, Inc. from U.S. private equity firm, Littlejohn & Co. Financial details are not disclosed, but a company announcement says the deal is one of the largest acquisitions by a Chinese company of a U.S.-based automotive… Continue reading AVIC Acquires Henniges Automotive From Littlejohn

Tencent Buys 5% Of Tesla In Deal With Potential Synergy Between Two Tech Giants

Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has bought a 5% stake in U.S. electric vehicle maker and renewable energy firm Tesla for US$1.78 billion. This is a deal that gives investors much to anticipate as the two could potentially partner in many areas. The combination is welcomed by investors, as Tesla’s shares were up 6.54%… Continue reading Tencent Buys 5% Of Tesla In Deal With Potential Synergy Between Two Tech Giants

Chinese Phone Maker OPPO Co-Leads $22M Round In EV Sharing Firm Ponycar

Chinese smartphone maker OPPO Electronics Corp. and investment firm Huiyou Capital have led a RMB150 million (US$22 million) funding round in Ponycar, a Shenzhen-based electric vehicle sharing start-up, with participation from Shenzhen-based investment bank China Peakedness. Founded in 2016, Ponycar provides hourly electric vehicle rental services allowing customers to use a mobile app to find… Continue reading Chinese Phone Maker OPPO Co-Leads $22M Round In EV Sharing Firm Ponycar

EV Charging Station Firm Chargerlink Secures $20M Venture Funding

Chargerlink, a Shenzhen-based start-up focused on providing charging station solutions for the electric vehicles (EV) sector, has secured US$20 million series A round, the largest venture funding in the EV services market in China. According to Chinese media reports, four Chinese investors participated in the round, which will be used to expand the company’s business.… Continue reading EV Charging Station Firm Chargerlink Secures $20M Venture Funding

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

Tencent Leads $85M Series C Round In Renrenche.Com

Beijing-based online used car marketplace RenRenChe.com has completed US$85 million series C financing led by Tencent Holdings Limited, according to an announcement posted on the company’s Weibi account. Existing investors Lei Jun, who is the founder of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc, as well as Ceyuan Ventures, Shunwei Capital, and Redpoint Ventures also participated in… Continue reading Tencent Leads $85M Series C Round In Renrenche.Com

Tencent Leads $600 Million Series E Financing Round In Mobike

Chinese bike rental firm Mobike has raised over US$600 million in a series E financing round led by Tencent Holdings Ltd., the largest financing round to date in the bike sharing space, the firm announced today. It brings the company’s total fundraising this year to nearly US$1 billion. The round was joined by existing investors… Continue reading Tencent Leads $600 Million Series E Financing Round In Mobike