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

Venture-Backed Yidao Yongche Partners With Haier On Financial Leasing Services

Beijing-based car rental service provider Yidao Yongche has established a strategic partnership with Haier Financial Services China Co., Ltd. to provide financial leasing services to Chinese small and medium sized car rental firms, according to Chinese media reports. Haier Financial Services China, a financial leasing arm established by Chinese consumer electronics maker Haier Group in… Continue reading Venture-Backed Yidao Yongche Partners With Haier On Financial Leasing Services

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

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

Faraday Future Reportedly Seeks $1B To Protect Itself From LeEco Cash Crunch

Faraday Future, a Los Angeles based smart electric car company backed by Jia Yueting, founder of Chinese technology conglomerate LeEco, is reportedly seeking a new funding round of US$1 billion from large-scale investors including sovereign wealth funds, according to media reports citing insiders. Jia Yueting, who previously injected roughly US$500 million of his own money… Continue reading Faraday Future Reportedly Seeks $1B To Protect Itself From LeEco Cash Crunch

Ceyuan, Shunwei Lead $20M Series B In RenRenChe.Com

Beijing-based used car online transaction platform RenRenChe.com has completed US$20 million series B financing led by Ceyuan Ventures and Shunwei Capital, according to the company’s Weibo account. Existing investor Redpoint Ventures also participated. The latest round values the company at US$150 million. Founded in April 2014, RenRenChe.com received US$5 million series A from Redpoint at… Continue reading Ceyuan, Shunwei Lead $20M Series B In RenRenChe.Com

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

China’s Geely To Acquire US Flying Car Company Terrafugia

Chinese automotive manufacturer Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the parent company of Volvo Cars, has agreed to acquire the operations and assets of Terrafugia Inc., a U.S.-based firm developing flying cars. No financial details were disclosed in an announcement released by Terrafugia yesterday. The company said the deal has received approval from all relevant regulators including… Continue reading China’s Geely To Acquire US Flying Car Company Terrafugia

Hillhouse Leads $50M Series B In India’s CarDekho.Com

Asia-focused alternative investment management firm Hillhouse Capital Management has led US$50 million series B financing round in Indian automobile classified ads web platform CarDekho.com, according to a company announcement. Tybourne Capital and Sequoia Capital also participated in the round, which increased the valuation of CarDekho’s parent company, Girnar Software, to approximately US$300 million. “We see… Continue reading Hillhouse Leads $50M Series B In India’s CarDekho.Com

Five Chinese Electric Vehicle Start-Ups That Could Rival Tesla

Across China’s 9.6 million square kilometers of land, there was never a shortage of ambition. So too with the electric vehicle revolution. Despite being a late comer to the EV craze, the country’s start-ups are not shy about aiming high. At least half-a-dozen Chinese EV start-ups – not including traditional car makers going green –… Continue reading Five Chinese Electric Vehicle Start-Ups That Could Rival Tesla