China’s carmakers surge ahead of Europe and Japan in global EV race Chinese automakers are pulling ahead of Japanese and European rivals with AI-driven cars, battery advances, and growing global ambitions, as firms like BYD, Xpeng, and Xiaomi expand into Europe amid slowing domestic demand. Ilkhan Ozsevim
GAC confirms Mexico assembly plant will be operational in 2026 GAC will become the first Chinese automotive OEM to operate an assembly plant in Mexico when its new site becomes operational in the second half of 2026. James McLoughlin
At Hefei, VW draws new hope for its business in China In little more than five years, the Hefei plant has become VW’s pivotal hub for its long-awaited comeback in China. A key model, the ID.Unyx 08, is already rolling off the production line there. Thomas Geiger
Volkswagen and XPeng launch first joint electric model into series production Series production of the ID.UNYX 08 has started in Hefei. For Volkswagen, the model is more than just a new electric car for China. The SUV is intended to demonstrate that the group’s “In China, for China” strategy is genuinely bringing speed, local development and new electronics architectures into series production. Timo Gilgen
Xpeng unites manufacturing and design from day one AMS' sister publication, Car Design News, sat down with Xpeng’s design manager to discuss the influence of high-tech product design and why a close relationship with manufacturing gurus helps push feasible ideas through to production Freddie Holmes
Xpeng targets UK volume growth with 20,000 G6 refinements The Chinese EV maker unveils enhanced G6 SUV with dual-motor variant while preparing seven-seat X9 flagship for mid-2026 launch. Network expansion focuses on major metropolitan areas as brand accelerates European manufacturing strategy. Ilkhan Ozsevim
How automation and AI are powering Xpeng's EV production From fully automated bodyshops and in-house “smart brain” production control to high-pressure testing and rapid global expansion, Xpeng is using advanced manufacturing to scale at speed. Mark Smyth
Magna to build Xpeng and GAC EVs at Graz facility Magna expands its footprint in the electric vehicle (EV) sector with two major new contracts to assemble models for Chinese automakers Xpeng and GAC AMS Editorial
