China’s Tencent Reported To Lead $1B Round In Chinese EV Firm NIO

Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has led a new funding round worth over US$1 billion in NIO, a Shanghai-based electric vehicle company founded by a top Chinese automobile executive. A number of investors including U.K.-based Baillie Gifford, American Lone Pine Capital, China’s CITIC Capital and China Asset Management Ltd. also participated in the round,… Continue reading China’s Tencent Reported To Lead $1B Round In Chinese EV Firm NIO

Source Code Capital Joins $22.5M Series C Round In Auto O2O Player eBaoyang

Source Code Capital has joined a RMB150 million (US$22.5 million) series C round of financing in automobile after-sales O2O (online-to-offline) service provider, eBaoyang, Chinese media reported. The round is led by Yihao Capital, an entity that currently lacks any available identifiable public information. Founded in 2014, eBaoyang completed a US$20 million series B financing led… Continue reading Source Code Capital Joins $22.5M Series C Round In Auto O2O Player eBaoyang

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

Joy Capital Participates In Tuhu’s Series C Round

Shanghai-based automobile after-sales products and services e-commerce platform Tuhu has completed its series C funding round from Joy Capital, Welkin Capital Management, Far East Horizon Limited, and Haitong Securities Co., according to a company announcement. The company raised approximately US$100 million in the latest round, says a company representative. Existing investors Legend Capital and Qiming… Continue reading Joy Capital Participates In Tuhu’s Series C Round

Chinese Bike Rental Firm Ofo Increases Bike Deposits To RMB199 From RMB99

Beijing-based bike rental company ofo today increased the deposit new users must pay to borrow bikes to RMB199 (US$29) from RMB99 (US$14.5) previously. Despite the increase, ofo’s deposit price remains significantly less than the RMB299 deposits required by rival Mobike. ofo can charge a smaller deposits because its bright yellow bikes are relatively cheap to… Continue reading Chinese Bike Rental Firm Ofo Increases Bike Deposits To RMB199 From RMB99

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’s Leo Group Joins $121M Capital Injection In Electric Vehicle Start-Up

Shenzhen-listed mini-pumps and garden machines maker Leo Group Co., Ltd. has agreed to join seven other investors to inject RMB780 million (US$121 million) in a smart electric vehicle start-up established by Li Xiang, the founder of New York-listed Autohome Inc. In a securities filing (in Chinese), Leo Group says it will invest RMB350 million to… Continue reading China’s Leo Group Joins $121M Capital Injection In Electric Vehicle Start-Up

Beijing Considers Tighter Rules On Bike Sharing Deposits

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Financial Work is considering tighter regulations over the management of deposits collected by bike sharing companies, in order to protect consumers and reduce financial risk in the industry. Bike sharing companies registered in Beijing may be asked to put all bike deposits they have collected into a special bank account… Continue reading Beijing Considers Tighter Rules On Bike Sharing Deposits

Zhongding To Invest $200M In EcoMotors

Allen Park, Michigan-based next generation internal combustion engine maker EcoMotors has secured an undisclosed series D round of financing led by Chinese auto parts maker Anhui Zhongding Holding (Group) Co., Ltd., says a company announcement. Even though the total amount of EcoMotors’ funding round is not disclosed, the company says that Zhongding has agreed to… Continue reading Zhongding To Invest $200M In EcoMotors

GO Scale Capital Teams Up With SPI Energy To Invest In EV Battery Projects

GO Scale Capital, an investment fund sponsored by China-focused GSR Ventures and U.S. venture capital firm Oak Investment Partners, plans to partner with Chinese solar firm SPI Energy Co., Ltd. to back electric vehicle battery projects, says a company announcement. The two parties have signed a non-binding framework agreement, in which SPI Energy will issue… Continue reading GO Scale Capital Teams Up With SPI Energy To Invest In EV Battery Projects