Cars

Europe has done everything possible to prevent China from flooding us with its electric cars. The Byd solution: ships from Thailand

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The cheapest Chinese cars are a danger to the European industry. At least that is what our regulators consider who claim that if tariffs are not imposed, they will be competing in our soil. To solve it, they lifted commercial barriers that had to balance the situation. The Byd solution: Do not send your cars from China. The tariffs. So many things have happened in the last year that it seems that Chinese manufacturers have been paying for exporting their electric cars to Europe. However, it is a measure that It only applies since October 30, 2024. Shortly before, the European Union was applying the calls “Compensatory Rights” But everything ended up being defined as fixed tariffs a few months later. Those tariffs, however, are variable. Any importation of cars from the European Union pays 10%. To that money an additional rate was added depending on the brand because, according to European regulators, not all Chinese companies have received the same state favors. SAIC, who is a company of the Chinese state and did not want to collaborate with the investigations, has to add another 35.3% to the 10% flat rate. Byd, however, was the company that collaborated the most and that, in European eyes, less favor treatment has received. However, it was punished with additional 17%. Its impact. The impact of the measure has been obvious. Chinese electric cars are costing them to enter the market. Although it is its natural environment, the urban electric car still having a relatively high price. Especially if we understand that in many cases it can function as the only car since Outside the city can be eternalized. There, the Chinese electric car had the price of the price in its favor. If their offer was much cheaper than that of the rivals could gain a good part of the market. However, Registrations tell us that it has been absent. Even in a country like Spain that has the price as the main purchase value, there is only one Chinese car among the 10 best -selling electric (Byd Atto 3 in eighth position). Consequently, where China has really hurt so far it has been with the vehicles with combustion engines. There, the country does have a lot to win since European plug -in hybrids still have a high price but the Chinese offer Much more space and equipment at a much lower cost. Well, wait. There has been much talk about how Chinese manufacturers want to skip these commercial barriers. At the moment we know that Byd is raising a plant in Hungary and that he has chosen Türkiye as next destination. The plan seemed clear: development and assembly of the most expensive cars in Hungary (with greater margin of benefits) and production in Türkiye of the cheapest and most complicated cars to amortize. The strategy in fact was supported shortly after if we take into account that the European Union would have transferred Chery that his intention to Use Nissan’s factories in Barcelona and just use them to make the last parts soldier (cars arrive almost mounted on containers As if they were great pieces of a puzzle) It was insufficient. If you want to skip tariffs, Europe wants real investment. The Dolphin Surf. But all these byd plans point in the medium term. Before the company has to continue making its way on the market and wanted to make a dent with its fetish car: the Byd Dolphin Surf. This car that in China is known as Seagull It is clear about its appeal: hypercompetitive price, good performance and finishes far superior to competition. The car is a supervent in China to the point that they have managed to place in the market One million units in 27 months. There the car It is sold with the eye of God active. That is, it can circulate completely autonomously in fast roads … Although its price is just 9,000 euros to change. In Europe we could expect a much higher price but, yes, in Spain adding the aid of the MOVES III PLAN And the brand discount, it is possible to buy it for just 11,000 euros. A hypercompetitive price that already has the customer response (second best -selling electric car in July). Supported by Dolphin. Next to Dolphin Surf, the other electric car in which Byd has great hopes is the Byd Dolphinthe older brother of surfing. If surfing can harm markets such as Spanish, still reluctant to buy smaller electric ones if they do not have a great price, Dolphin is perfect for countries with greater purchasing power such as the United Kingdom or Germany. If we observe sales in Europeclearly Byd is on the rise and for them it is essential that these two models be hugged by the public if they want to be relevant actors in the industry. From Thailand to Europe. So, strengthened the brand in the first European markets, the company wanted to continue winning European market. After a dubitative start, has made structural changes in the direction and In July he already managed to overcome Tesla in sales And in market share although, yes, we must remember that byd sells plug -in hybrids. He is aware that the Dolphin Surf Byd is key and that he can do a lot of harm with his most affordable proposal. For that it is important to bring everyone who can and has found the way: send them from Thailand. This is stated Carnewschinawho say that the company is jumping European tariffs because the car is manufactured and sent from this country. And the tariffs? Tariff tariffs come from Thailand is 10%, the usual For all those brought from the outside. The only thing that is required is that the car has at least 40% of local components so it is not as simple as manufacturing in China and assembling the latest pieces in Thailand and then sending it. This practice, for example, It is the one … Read more

There are more and more and better plugs for electric cars but Tesla continues to lead. The recipe: cheap and reliable loaders

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Holy Week of 2024. Dozens of Tesla cars They queue in a Cañavate Atalaya charger (Cuenca) in the middle of any place. The situation went viral and because scenes were repeated in Mérida and Albacete. The waiting were 15 or 20 minutes in many cases but also exceeded the time in others. They all had something in common: Tesla Load Stations. Despite the jokes and despite the intention of ridiculing the owners, in Xataka We broke a spear in favor of those drivers And we count why they had happened. If Holy Week has taught us, it is not missing chargers for electric cars. What are missing are reliable plugs. So we titled. Year and a half later, things have changed. Not only in Spain, also in the United States. But, nevertheless, Tesla still has the best load experience. And that is still key when selling the car. Tesla chargers are still ahead The data this time comes from the United States but the situation is extrapolable to what happens in Spain. JD Powerspecialists in motor market analysis, has analyzed the status of the United States recharge network and its conclusion is very simple: there are more and more chargers available and increasingly spoil. But Tesla continues to lead, with much, satisfaction among electric cars when you have to recharge a vehicle. Keep in mind that the United States has a huge Loading deficit. Especially if we consider that distances are huge. If the country is wanted to embrace the electric car to a greater extent it is necessary to create a good network of loaders as fast as reliable. A good part of that network is now in the hands of Tesla, where most users load. They do not even have a Tesla. The latter is key to understand why satisfaction with the price of loaders and the load experience has fallen in the last year. According to their data, drivers are less happy with both points because they observe that, for them, prices are more expensive and the most rough experience than for Tesla users. Something curious occurs, therefore. According to JDPOWER, the level of failed visits (the charger does not work correctly or is out of service) is the lowest in four years and the number of drivers who have reported these failures (14%) is also lower than in 2024. General satisfaction, however, has fallen. The Tesla Network is so good compared to the competition that the users themselves have pressed to the manufacturers of other cars to the point that they have assumed the Tesla standard to load, modifying their own cargo ports. The best user experience In Spain (and Europe) that is not so because fast loaders are all (except for the first Japanese cars) CCS2. That is, the plugs are the same for everyone. But Tesla’s experience is still above. To understand it, we resume the case of Holy Week in 2024. This year the same have not been observed issues. Or not, at least, with the same seriousness as last year. It is logical, as we said that happened. Tesla has “kidnap” the owner of his cars in his own ecosystem. Tesla did something very intelligent since her birth. It was as simple as proposing their own load stations. Thus they guaranteed to give a confidence network to those who made the leap to a completely new company (and technology). They also took advantage, to create synergies of which the rest of the manufacturers have not arranged. First, his recharge were free. Now that is a thing of the past but their prices are still lower than those of the competition. This guarantees that, in the day to day, the Tesla user prioritizes the load in their stations. But saving a few euros on a very specific day is no reason for users to prefer to spend more than an hour stopped before recharging the vehicle. If those queues were formed, it is because the Tesla recharge network is very reliable. In fact, myself when I try the cars of any company for our reviews soil to prioritize Tesla plugs Because they have never left me. Only Zunder has offered me this same experience. With the rest of the companies I have had problems of malfunction or inoperance. It is logical, therefore, that if a Tesla driver has hurried the autonomy of his car is reluctant to go to another load point, consume a good part of the little percentage that remains reserved and risks that the plug of another company does not work. He will think: “Better wait here for an hour than to go to another place, Not being able to load and have to call the crane“ To this we must add that Tesla’s user experience is the best because they have eliminated small frictions that are very appreciated on a day -to -day basis. It is something similar to Apple’s ecosystem. Can you have a Mac, an Android phone and use some AirPods in the latter? Yes, but there are small barriers that the average or little advanced user will hurt especially. The same goes for the electric car. Tesla has one of the best software in the market and, probably, the best route calculator. Prioritize your chargers and show you in real time the occupation of it and advances a possible wait. When you arrive, the vehicle detects the loader, opens the load gate and plugs the hose in the car. When it is time to continue, the mobile phone warns you and as the car is associated with a credit or debit card, nothing must be done. The position will be passed. Simple. When one carries in Tesla supercargers with another car you have to Log in the mobile phone and select the load point you will use. You have previously had to register the card. Finally the position will be passed. This process has to repeat it with Each and every one of the companies … Read more

What cars can circulate and which ones rest on August 23

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Saturday, August 23: Day to rest. Especially if your vehicle is subject to the restrictions of the program Hoy does not circulate Sabatino. And, as you know, some cars must remain stored at home during this day. This program, promoted by the CDMX Ministry of Environment (Sedema), The main objective is reduce pollutant emissions improving the quality of the air we breathe. The mechanics is simple: some vehicles, mainly those that generate the greatest pollution, must limit their circulation, but do not always apply to the same cars every Saturday. In areas where this measure exists, some cars must rest alternately. And where is it applied? Specifically in the 16 mayors in Mexico City and in the following conurbation municipalities of the State of Mexico: Atizapán de Zaragoza Coacalco de Berriozábal Cuautitlán Cuautitlán Izcalli Chalco Chicoloapan Chimalhuacán Ecatepec de Morelos Huixquilucan Ixtapaluca La Paz Naucalpan de Juárez Nezahualcóyotl Nicolás Romero Tecámac Tlalnepantla de Baz Tultitlán Chalco Valley What cars and plaques affect the Sabatino today Who are obliged to stay at home? The daily dynamics of the program is easy to understand, as can be seen in the explanatory graph, but on Saturdays it changes and not all cars have the same restrictions every week. Some vehicles can circulate without restrictions certain Saturdays, while other weeks face limitations. The categories for this day can be divided into: Cars that can circulate every Saturday Cars that have to rest every Saturday Cars that rest on a Saturday yes and another These restrictions govern only among the 05:00 and 22:00 hours. During the night the limitation is eliminated, allowing circulation without a risk of fine. In addition to knowing the essentials, it is important to highlight that the application of the program is not constant for all cars. Therefore, before leaving, it is important to verify three aspects: the calendar of the month, the type of hologram that the vehicle and the last digit of its plate has. For example, vehicles with hologram 2 have active restriction every Saturday, while those who have holograms 0 and 00 can circulate without restrictions every week. Those who have hologram 1 have alternate restrictions week by week. He Saturday, August 23, 2025which corresponds to the fourth Saturday of the month (torque), those cars with plates finished in even number must rest. The following week, corresponding to the fifth Saturday (odd number), the restriction will affect cars with plates that end in odd number. However, there are some exceptions that must be taken into account because those cars can move with total freedom: Those that work for electricity, natural gas or are hybrid Those who have disabled plate All those dedicated to urban transport services (includes funerals) Those who offer school or passenger transport Those for public safety and/or civil protection Those who fail to comply with fines that range between 20 and 30 times the unit of measure and update (UMA), which is equivalent to an economic sanction of between 1,924.40 and 2,886.60 pesos. Photo | Erik McLean In Xataka | Contamination is not only making you live less and worse. You are also making you darker

The self -employed cars promised to get rid of paying attention to them. At the moment they only achieve it every 9 minutes

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The Advanced driving assistance systemsor Adas, they have become an argument of Key sale for many car manufacturers. Functions such as Adaptive Cruise Controlmaintenance within the lane and Assistants for traffic jams They promise to relieve driving load, especially in dense traffic situations. However, A recent study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) returns us to reality: technology is useful, but the attention of the duct remains indispensable. A test in extreme conditions. The AAA chose one of the worst possible scenarios: Los Angeles highways in rush hour. For more than 16 hours, over 550 kilometers, five vehicles equipped with different level 2 ADAS systems (Those who attend, but do not assume total control) face the real world. The cars were instrumented with cameras and GPS to record every detail of their behavior. Less than 10 minutes of tranquility. Although these systems promise us to have great tranquility at the wheel (even if they are not self -employed at all), the reality is very different. On average, in this study it has been seen that every 9.1 minutes (or every 5.1 kilometers) a notable event was recorded that requires driver’s intervention. There are situations that are very frequent. Among these events that require a person to take control of the vehicle, the lane invasion stands out above all. This happens when another car gets into the lane in front of the vehicle, forcing the driver to intervene to adjust the appropriate safety distance to avoid collision in the face of speed decrease. But they stay here. Secondly, there is the inability of the car to stay perfectly focused on the lane, needing driver intervention in 72% of the occasions. This is very typical, especially when it comes to curves. But in addition to these, 71 more cases have been recorded in which the car did not resume the march after a total stop or 43 moments in which the car did not stop enough, being able to have caused an accident. There are differences between proven systems. One of the most interesting comparisons that was carried out in this regard was among the systems that require the driver to keep his hands in the steering wheel and the most advanced that allow them to remove them. Surprisingly, systems that do not require having their hands on the steering wheel are more reliable when requiring a driver intervention every 20.1 minutes. Instead, the most basic systems need human help with a frequency three times higher: every 6.7 minutes. Of course, the “hands -free” systems also asked the driver to take control every 15 minutes for security. The best security recommendation: to have common sense. Given these results, the AAA has launched a series of recommendations in the face of the proliferation of these driving aid systems and trust that can be deposited in them. They point to that the alert must always be maintained, since ADAS does not replace the driverdistraction must be avoided and above all know the car and how each system works before starting it actively. Right now, the goal ahead is to press manufacturers to make driving aid systems that are more reliable. And although driving technology advances by leaps and bounds, the human factor is still essential to guarantee security. The ADAS are already mandatory. Little by little, these systems are increasingly present in our day to day and without having to pay an extra in the car settings. Since 2022 all new approved vehicles They must include Smart Speed Assistant, Integrated breathalyzer or lane involuntary change alert. Images | Charlie Deets In Xataka | The new Mazda CX-5 has taken the physical buttons ahead. According to Mazda, it’s what we want

With only two electric cars, Xiaomi is getting out of the “Valley of Death.” Others cost more than a decade

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The Xiaomi Su7 has surprised the entire industry And he has led the company to do such rare things as telling its customers in a hurry that buy cars from competition. The play hides a strategy, but it is a great example of how good it goes to the company with its second car and bets on luxury, The Yu7. While they hope to make the leap to Europe in 2027, he has achieved kneel. Lost 800 million In his first year he sold cars. Great news that already pointed to what was coming later: the Break Even When losing $ 500 per car sold is good news. Xiaomi has presented the Financial Results of the Second Fiscal Quarterwith great news for your car section. The Auto Division has commercialized 81,302 vehicles in the period and lost 41 million dollars. It is a loss of $ 507 for each car sold. It is very good news for the speed at which the company is approaching profitability. The photo. In the last quarters, Xiaomi comes from losing, on average, 1,376, 905 and 507 dollars respectively, after coming from losses of 5,250 in the third quarter of 2024. That is, it now loses a tenth of what I lost until November. And it is not the only positive figure that the results bring along with sales growth: the gross margin has grown from 15.4% of the second quarter of 2024 to 26.4% of this year. This contributes to having launched the Su7 ultrawhose launch has helped the average sale price up 10% in one year. With him they wanted to eat Porsche in his field, And they got it. According to its financial results, Xiaomi is very close to starting to earn money with its car section. Why it is important. Tesla is the only pure manufacturers of electric cars that He has managed to get out of the “Death Valley” the initial period in which Startups They burn money to espuertas without hardly generating money. Brands such as Rivian, Lucid, or Ford (in their electric division) have accumulated losses exceeding 22,200, 11,000 and 10,500 million dollars respectively. That Xiaomi only loses 41 million dollars per quarter with such competitive prices speaks of the balance that has its commitment just over a year after having launched. How are they getting it. Not all companies have The support that Xiaomi has had In his car crossing. In this sense, according to Bill Russo, CEO and founder of Automobility, a determining factor of Xiaomi’s success has to do with its production agility, which has benefited widely from producing with Beijing Auto, a state company that already had a huge production scale before the arrival of Xiaomi. The company was able to access a production chain already components of high quality already available in the market thanks to investments made by the matrix and its founder for years in companies such as companies such as Momenta. Another of the keys, according to John Helveston, a professor specialized in the Chinese electric vehicles industry: it is an achievement to manufacture an electric in such a short time, but attention must be paid to evolution. “The car industry is hard and success is measured in years of resistance, not in the speed of the first launch,” he told us. Xiaomi has passed in a year of being present in 30 cities with 87 stores to be in 92 with 335 stores. Image: Xiaomi. Xiaomi had a long way carved. Yes, even being new in the electric car sector. On the one hand, although you can buy online cars, by its already extensive distribution network In China: 335 sales centers in 92 cities, and growing at a dizzying pace. It is no longer the company we met for selling extremely cheap technology. Although it maintains a part of that bet, in recent years too He has focused on the premium with the support of luxury brands such as Leica. It is much more path of of some brands when arriving in Spain. The challenge. Among such good news, Xiaomi faces a problem: long waiting times and limited calendar. This explains that in China, the Su7 be the king of resalecosting more than new and with up to 10 months of waiting. To a limited production they also faced for years fAbricante as Teslaand Xiaomi has the best example of how to grow. In 2024 he achieved sell 4 million vehicles (In front of the 350,000 that Xiaomi hopes to sell this year). Xiaomi has a plan factor growth for his future cars and be able to face international expansion. It will be a crucial moment, for example companies like Novo Nordisk knows well: the problems for Ozempic in the United States began When they could not deal with demand. Cover image | Xiaomi In Xataka | Intel is closer than ever to be chopped. A giant is interested in buying its chips factories

Mazda was the last redoubt in cars with physical buttons. The new CX-5 has taken them ahead

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From a few years to this part, the car industry has sought that The user perceives the car as a Gadget further. The huge touch screens have invaded the splashes of almost all brands and, at a very hard speed, to the simplest and most necessary actions (change the air conditioningfor example) have become a few touches on a screen. Mazda was one of the brands that resistance exercised Against this Invasion of screensmaintaining the useful and traditional buttons. But if we talk in the past it is for a reason: The CX-5 It shows that Mazda 6e It was no exception. And, according to Mazda, it is what we want. Look, without looking! At a point where practically all the competition was betting on screens, larger and more waiting for technology to be ready to turn the moon on a screenMazda was one of the last bastions in the industry that resisted that present. In the last generations, they continued to bet on the physical buttons and controls in the cabin. The decision was based on the Safety at the wheel (which, in the end, is the most important thing) and the user’s own experience. With the buttons, our muscle memory allows us to perform actions such as controlling music, GPS or air conditioning without playing a screen and diverting the road view. And, although the last Mazda had a small screen, it was out of reach, you had to press buttons and move dials. Mazda, you too… However, it seems that market pressure has ended up making a dent. We already saw it A few months ago with Mazda 6ethe 100% electric Berlina of the Japanese company that incorporated an extremely similar interior both to Tesla as a byd and other competitors. This is an diaphanous interior governed by a huge central screen. We could think that, okay, it was 100% electric and wanted to try a different philosophy. The problem is that it was not an experiment. Presented a few weeks ago, the new CX-5, eliminated the Mazda logo of the steering wheel (this hurts more than the disappearance of the buttons), but also incorporated a 15.6-inch screen in the center of the dashboard, with multimedia and air conditioning controls. Maintain certain buttons on the steering wheel, but to change basic things, the screen will have to be wearing. Goodbye, Mazda logo. Some buttons are maintained, such as the emergency or the moons. The rest, to the screen and behind the wheel What customers ask for. But it turns out that it is not only market pressure, but, apparently, what customers want. In an interview granted by Stefan Meisterfeld, vice president of operations to The Drivewith Google as an assistant in the car, many actions can be done through voice commands. In addition, they have designed the system to be “intuitive, easy to use and easy to drive at the same time.” Meisterfeld says that it has not been a whim of the brand, since “customer opinion has definitely been part of the decision -making process.” In addition, he has talked about the steering wheel: “It is a new design with physical buttons with which most of the critical functions can be controlled quite intuitively while driving, so you can keep your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road,” he says. Against. When the launch approaches, we will see what these “critical functions” are, but it seems clear that there is no back and that the new generations of the compact and rest of the range of SUV They will add to this new line of design and philosophy. And they will do it at a time when there is Users who show a ‘fedow’ for this type of tactile controls and most importantly: organisms such as Euro NCAP are against. It is the most relevant in Europe to evaluate vehicle safety and, after carrying out collision tests, From 2026 there will be a new exam. If you cannot select the flashing, activate the ‘Warning’ button, sound the horn, activate the windshield wiper or the Ecall emergency button From a button, the car will not have the five stars. Are they late? They are soft measures, but between those and user complaints, there are companies like Volkswagen that have reversed. Interestingly, one of the most enthusiastic with the screens, recently hit a flying with statements by his own design chief confirming that Cars “are not a phone”. In the end, fashions come and go, although some brands prepare the return of the buttons, seen in events such as the Shanghai Motor Show show us that Lso screens have come to stay, at least for a while. Is Mazda late to this new form of control? Seeing competition, it seems not. Now we will see what users think because Mazda 6E could be an experiment, but the rest of the majority ranges had buttons that made them models other than those of the competition, and the CX-5 has sought not to uncheck. Images | Mazda In Xataka | I have bought this car for a simple reason: I’m fed up with giant screens

Polestar has broken a record of autonomy in electric cars circulating more than 900 kilometers. Obviously there is a trick

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935.4 kilometers without recharging the battery. That is the record that has achieved a Polestar 3 conventional – in its version of a single engine – thus demonstrating that it is possible to make very long trips without going through a recharge point. The secret is from the record is obvious, yes. Superdespace. For achieve all those kilometers The technique was simple: go very slowly. In fact, the average speed was less than 40 km/h, and took no less than 22 hours and 57 minutes to complete the task. The publicized autonomy by Polestar for this model in its unique motor version is 706 km, so here they managed to lengthen it 32.5%. Three professional drivers. The tests were performed in the United Kingdom, where three drivers specialized in efficient driving were turned to achieve that milestone. The final consumption reached was 12.1 kWh per 100 km, which represents a saving of about 40% compared to conventional driving. Without tricks. This Polestar 3 achieved that autonomy without using special equipment: both the car and the wheels were the same as one obtains When you get the concessionaire car. However, it is possible to go further if some modifications are made. If you also have the car, you can go even further. A few days ago Chevrolet modified A WT Silverado truck and put a huge 205 kWh battery (the Polastar 3 is 111 kWh). They also placed old wheels with overpressure and 40 drivers turned to drive it around Detroit. They managed to travel 1,704 km with a single load, and as in the case of Polestar 3 the average speed did not exceed 40 km/h. The consumption on that journey was 12.7 kWh at 100 km, an equally remarkable figure in which yes, influenced that they had the air conditioning without working for almost the entire route. Baja is also worth it. In July a Lucid Air Grand Touring He got his particular Guinnes record When traveling 1,205 kilometers with a unique load. The car has a battery with the same capacity as that of the Polestar 3 (111 kWh), and toured the distance between St. Moritz and Munich. Although the car was a conventional model, the lucid benefited from both efficient driving and the energy regeneration system in braking and slopes: that route was full of them, but it was also descending mostly. The key is not the battery, they are the consumption. Although obviously the battery capacity influences the autonomy of electric cars, further influences the consumption of each model. The Mercedes Vision EQXX for example achieved a record prior to the Tour 1,010 km without recharging at 79.4 km/h on average… and another 392 kilometers had left in those conditions. The secret is that this approval model 7.4 kWh consumption at 100 km, while for example a tesla 3 rear -wheel drive homologous 13.2 kWh at 100 km. Aerodynamics helps, but if things are added to consumption as an efficient driving and low speed, those figures rise significantly. Absurd records. Although all these records are striking, they are also a marketing exercise for companies that logically try the same thing: that they talk (well) of them. Here we have messages that are also even absurd: going at 40 km/h for 23 hours has its reward in this case, but in real life it would be absolute torture. The practical uselessness of these records – not only that of Polestar – is the same as the one who tells us about how The Xiaomi Su7 beat all its competitors In Nürburgring last year: none of us are going to those speeds or drive in those circuits, but speed records are always striking. Putting these vehicles to the limit is fine, but it is important to contemplate these records with perspective. Image | Polestar In Xataka | In 2017 Norway, it was proposed that 100% of the cars sold in 2025 were electric. Is about to get it

Leapmotor follows by the steps of Byd and already has a superbar to send 2,500 electric cars to Europe

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The Great Tianjin is about to leave August 19 Shanghai towards Europe Loaded with 2,500 electric cars from Leapmotor. At first glance, it might seem one more shipment. But this trip marks something deeper: Leapmotor is part of the group of Chinese manufacturers that no longer depend only on traditional international logistics. It is a trip that takes place within the framework of the Leapmotor International agreement with the Grimaldi shipping company, that since 2022 assures you Fixed capacity for monthly transport of thousands of vehicles from Asia to Europe. That means that you do not need to compete for space in foreign ships: its transport is insured and planned months in advance. The young manufacturer who wants to become global. Leapmotor is a Chinese manufacturer of electric cars founded in 2015 in Hangzhou. Until recently he had a low profile out of his country, but that has changed. In the first seven months of 2025 has sold more than 270,000 units149 % more than the previous year. And he is not alone: behind is Stellantis, The world’s largest automobile group in the world. Both companies created Leapmotor International in 2023a joint venture based in Amsterdam in which Stellantis has 51% of control. The objective: distribute Leapmotor’s models outside China, starting with Europe. The Great Tianjin is not owned by Leapmotor. Grimaldi, one of the largest shipping companies on the continent, has commissioned seven new PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) to reinforce that route. They are Ro-Rro ships specifically designed to transport vehicles on wheels-from cars to trucks-that enter and leave ramps and are stored in garage covers. The big tianjin is the first in the series, built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), with Ammonia-Ready notation and capacity around 9,000 cars per trip. The leading model of this shipment. The leading model of this first shipment is Leapmotor B10, a compact electric SUV built on the new Leap3.5 platform and is available with two battery options: one with up to 361 km of autonomy and another that reaches 434 km. It offers fast charge and 17 advanced driving assistance systems. Byd marked the path that Leapmotor now follows. In January 2024, he threw his first megabuque, Explorer No.1with capacity for 7,000 vehicles, and premiered by sending thousands of electric to Europe. Since then, its fleet has grown with new portacoches, including the Shenzhen Bydthe largest in the world in its category, capable of transporting 9,200 cars per trip. The strategy is evident: reduce costs, accelerate deliveries and have total control over exports. Not only byd and Leapmotor. SAIC, owner of MG, The Anji Ansheng has already thrown outwith capacity for 9,500 vehicles, and the Anji Soundness, which covers routes to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Its objective is to operate with 22 ocean ships by 2026. Geely, Chery and Nio too They have shown interest in commissioning their own portacoches or in charting exclusive routes, consolidating a trend in which Chinese brands increasingly control their maritime logistics. For Chinese electric car manufacturers, ensuring their own ships or filled routes is a strategic goal rather than a luxury. With this they seek: Reduce transport costs. Dodge bottlenecks in very busy ports and routes. Cut the delivery times to dealers and clients. Guarantee a stable export flow even at times of greater demand. In a market as competitive as the European, speed and logistics predictability can make the difference between selling and staying out. Images | Stellantis In Xataka | There are those who believe that being rich is a sufficient requirement to have a Ferrari. The most important thing is something else: Ferrari fell well

Tell your customers in a hurry to buy competition cars

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Xiaomi has received 240,000 orders of his new Electric SUV YU7 In just 18 hours. The waiting time has shot until 14 months for the base model. Lei Jun, founder and CEO of the company, has made an unusual decision: recommend that buyers acquire rival brands if they are in a hurry, according to Bloomberg. The situation is as absurd as usual when the desire is high and the immediate offer is low: It costs more to buy a second -hand yu7 today than a new one when there is availabilitysomething we have seen in the technological world. For example, with the shortage of the PlayStation 5 in its launch. Why is it important. This recommendation breaks all traditional marketing schemes. A CEO publicly suggesting that customers buy competition products – including the Tesla Model andagainst which it competes directly – represents a radical turn in Chinese business communication, where brand loyalty is sacred. “If you need to buy a car soon, other electrical models produced in China are quite good,” said Lei in Weibo. Has specifically mentioned three models as viable alternatives: Xpeng G7. Li Auto i8. Tesla Model and. The context. Xiaomi has recently completed the second phase of Your factory in Beijingbut the productive capacity remains limited. It is taking two months to reach 10,000 units per month with a new production line, and five months to reach 20,000. Right now “only” delivers 1,590 weekly units of YU7. The base price of 253,500 yuan (about 30,300 euros) and its benefits —835 kilometers of autonomy, 80% load in 13 minutes – have created a demand impossible to meet in the short term. Between the lines. Lei Jun’s play hides a strategy. By openly recognizing productive limitations and recommending alternatives, builds an unusual transparency and honesty image in the automobile sector. This apparent vulnerability paradoxically reinforces the attractiveness of the brand: if the CEO is willing to lose sales rather than lying on the deadlines, the product must deserve the penalty. In Chinese business culture, where Mianzi (Reputation and accumulated social prestige) It is everything, admitting limitations in public is an act of courage. Maybe calculated. Lei bets that consumers will assess this honesty more than the usual empty promises of the sector. What is happening. The phenomenon transcends Xiaomi. Tesla went through You wait up to three years for Model 3 In 2016. Toyota registered delays of Four years for Land Cruiser in Japan For 2022. The difference lies in the answer: no CEO of these brands ever suggested buying a rival vehicle. On the Chinese platform 12365auto.com, 95 complaints have been registered about Yu7 in July, mainly for waiting times. The 240,000 Yu7 reserves approach the 265,400 units that Tesla has sold in China throughout the first semester. The alarm signal. Xiaomi’s success in cars –Where Apple had to fold candles– Shows that the war for the electric car has definitely moved to China. Chinese technological brands not only compete in price: they offer real innovations in autonomy, load time and user experience that traditional brands take years to implement. Lei Jun’s recommendation is the confirmation that Xiaomi can afford the luxury of sincerity because his product speaks for himself. And besides, it does so in a market saturated with unfulfilled promises. Outstanding image | Xataka In Xataka | Byd did not go to the Shanghai Auto Salon to show cars. Went to exhibit power

European cars manufacturers promised them happy with the hydrogen battery. Reality has hit them

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In search by Eliminate fossil fuels From cars, electrification seemed the best option. Have 100% electric, hybrids and plug -in. However, some companies They seemed not to be convinced at all with the electric ones, so they began to boost the development of cars moved by ‘pilas’ of hydrogen. Some are getting off the shipand the last one is a Stellantis that has been closely to the controversy These last years. BMW has another opinion and defends that the hydrogen battery is a strategic alternative for Europe. Against what? Against China. Short. In a brief releaseStellantis (which, remember, is the megacompañía that arises after the Fusion of Fiat, PSA and Chrysler) He confirmed a few weeks ago that he interrupted his hydrogen fuel cell technology development program. They affirm that “the hydrogen market remains a niche segment, without perspectives of economic sustainability in the medium term.” And this affects all the divisions they were developing: Cars. Small vans. Large vans. Next steps. The company comments that the personnel who were doing R&D work related to hydrogen technology will be redirected to other projects and that now what it is to focus on what it sells: hybridization and conventional electric batteries. “We must make clear and responsible decisions to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers, as well as continue with our offensive of electric vehicles and hybrids of both passengers and light commercials,” explains Jean-Philippe Imparato, Chief Operating Operating Officer for Enlarged Europe. Issues. The main argument that underwent the hydrogen strategy, with cars on the street such as the Hyundai Initium or the Mirai de ToyotaIt was the speed of loading. If the electric took some dozens of minutes to achieve a decent autonomy, one of hydrogen was closer to the times of a gasoline/diesel. The problem is that it is not entirely true. Toyota has been one of those who More has driven the hydrogen batteryeven competing with hydrogen -driven cars, such as GR LH2 Racing Concept or the Gr yaris rally2 h2 concept For rallies, but in everyday use, hydrogen looks like everything except practical, away from that more classic “plugging and reproducing” liquid fuel. The reason? GR LH2 Racing himself needs a cryogenic system at the cargo station that maintains hydrogen at -253 degrees Celsius. This implies advanced isolation and advanced manipulation, which makes it very little practical out of a very specialized competitive environment. Among other thingssince the energy density of hydrogen is almost nine times lower than that of gasoline and storage is complex. Without ‘hydrogeneras’ there is no FCEV. Returning to Stellantis, the group was not working with the hydrogen pile for the distant future, but immediately. This year they were going to launch a new range of vans, the Pro one fed by hydrogenthat evidently will not see the light. And although there are still companies that keep some hope for the hydrogen pile, the truth is that without refueling points, technology seems unsustainable. In the United States, Toyota has faced collective demand by Mirai owners who ensure that the brand lied to ensure that reposting would be as simple as in a gasoline. There are practically no load points, with just a thousand open hydrogeneras worldwide for public use. And last year they began to close in Germany because they were not used. BMW and his “hold me the cubata”. Trucks are another song. The numbers are there, With strong consecutive falls in 2023 and 2024 that seem to have punctured, at least for now, that fever for the hydrogen pile for conventional cars. However, the turn comes from BMW. The German company has publicly defended that hydrogen is an opportunity for Europe not to depend so much on the China’s battery industry. And others like Volvo maintain projects Hydrogen for trucks. It has been the CEO who has insisted that Europe must bet on multiple roads and that, in a scenario in which China controls the production of Rare earth Essential to create batteries, and they are also the most manufactured batteries, Europe must have a BM plan, BMW has no car with a hydrogen battery and is working on a SUV that They will launch at some point in 2028. We will see how the market is then. Image | H2 Mobility In Xataka | Nikola had everything to revolutionize the world of hydrogen trucks. Now is on the verge of bankruptcy

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