#chinese-cars

#chinese-cars

In recent weeks, China approved the world's first commercial brain-computer interface medical device and unveiled a five-ton class electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that has already completed a public flight.

On average, fuel prices are up almost a dollar per gallon, or 25 percent, according to AAA. For a nation as addicted to the automotive as we are, that's bad news. Except, of course, for electric vehicles.

BYD, the world's biggest car seller, unveiled a new battery giving its latest electric models more than 600 miles of range. Remarkably, the Chinese motor-maker said 250 miles of range could be injected into its new batteries in just five minutes. If true, the last remaining advantages of petrol cars—long range and quick refuelling—are beginning to disappear.

Honda has slashed the price of the 2026 Prologue by $7,500 across the board, essentially replacing the lost tax incentive and making the crossover a much better deal among its peers.

A "guidance document" released by the EU on Monday gives instructions for Chinese EV manufacturers on making price offers for battery EVs, including minimum import prices and other details. The EU had imposed tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EV imports in 2024 following an anti-subsidy investigation. The EU said that minimum import prices must be set at a level "appropriate to remove the injurious effects of the subsidization." Chinese EV manufacturers' plans for investments within the EU will also be considered, it said.

After years of rapid growth, EV sales in China grew a modest 1% in January, mainly due to the expiration of subsidies in December and the introduction of a new purchase tax in the new year. BYD, the country's dominant automaker that spearheaded China's EV boom, was hit the hardest. Its sales dropped 30% year over year to just over 210,000 units due to changing EV policies and rising competition.

Cars, parts and the manufacturing of both are closely tied together on both sides of the border, so what's been good for one country has long been considered good for the other. But that partnership saw its biggest breakdown yet this week as Canada struck a deal to reduce its 100% tariffs on Chinese-imported electric vehicles, opening North America's deeply intertwined auto industry to a whole new level of competition.

For most, this stuff feels like some far-off future envisioned by tech bros and Wall Street guys, not something they'll ever really have to deal with day-to-day. But amid the last few months of news, including the headlines at CES 2026 and even some key features of the Volvo EX60's recent debut, it's clear that artificial intelligence is pretty much the name of the game right now.