Chinese brands eye Europe; Geely joins Chery and BYD in profit slide: 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. From Beijing to Berlin: Chinese EVs turn heads as brands eye European marketsFor German consumer Erik Böhme, a first visit to the Beijing auto show was an eye-opener – the world’s largest car exhibition showcased a vast array of electric vehicle (EV) brands, many already gaining traction in Europe.2. BYD, Geely benefit from overseas orders amid Middle East energy shockChinese EV makers – including BYD and Geely Automobile – saw their sales stabilise in April, as exports and new technologies continued to help offset weakening demand at home.3. Malaysia’s EV import curbs to protect local sector criticised for inconsistencyMalaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim touches the first locally made electric vehicle, Proton’s e.MAS 7, at its launch in Kuala Lumpur on December 16, 2024. Photo: AFPMalaysia’s nascent electric vehicle market may be decimated before it gets up to speed, as business experts warn of a sharp drop in demand and delay in the renewable energy transition if the government imposes strict price curbs on imported units from July, in a move to protect the country’s vehicle makers.4. Geely joins Chery, BYD in profit slide as China car sales plungeGeely Automobile Holdings, Chery-automobile" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="38328" data-entity-type="organization">Chery Automobile and BYD, the most profitable listed Chinese carmakers last year, all reported double-digit declines in net profit in the first quarter, highlighting a squeeze at home amid reduced purchase incentives.5. Shifting gears: how foreign giants aim to catch up in China’s EV eraIllustration: Henry WongAt the close of his presentation at this year’s Auto China show, Li Fenggang, president of Beijing Hyundai Motor, surprised the audience by asking them to lift LED boxes placed on their seats.6. Lights, camera, traction: China’s EV race rolls out film-projecting headlightsChina’s latest EV innovations – from ultra-fast battery charging to headlights capable of projecting films – have drawn strong attention at Beijing’s Auto China show, underscoring how the country’s automotive technology is pulling ahead of global rivals.7. Hong Kong to ban new EVs with only electronic door handlesHong Kong is set to ban EVs equipped solely with electronic door handles, as authorities seek to align with mainland China’s decision to mandate physical manual releases on all new cars from 2027 to mitigate safety hazards.Further Reading