Tag Archives: China

News

BMW May Bring Back the Range Extender—And China Might Be the Reason Why

BMW, a company that once swore off the range extender after the quirky i3 REx, might be preparing for a comeback tour. Early reports hinted that the next-generation X5 could get a gasoline-powered generator, and now Bloomberg is echoing the same message—BMW is actively evaluating range-extender variants for upper-tier models like the X5 and 7 Series, according to insiders familiar with the brand’s long-term planning.

If you’re wondering why BMW would dust off a technology it abandoned years ago, the answer comes down to a single word: China.

China’s EREV Surge Is Too Big to Ignore

BMW’s grip on the Chinese market isn’t what it once was, but the region is still the automaker’s most important. In 2024, nearly one-third of all BMW Group sales—29.2%—went to China, outpacing the U.S. and Germany combined. And unlike Europe and North America, China has developed a serious taste for extended-range EVs (EREVs).

According to data from the China Passenger Car Association, EREV sales jumped almost 50% in the first five months of 2025 alone. Homegrown brands like BYD (with the Yangwang U8), Aito’s M9, and Li Auto’s runaway-success L9 are dominating the segment. Their formula is simple: electric driving for everyday use, plus a compact, fuel-sipping generator for when the battery runs dry.

Sound familiar? That’s essentially the same recipe BMW cooked up with the i3 REx—just scaled up for massive luxury SUVs.

Why BMW Might Be Revisiting the Idea

The pitch makes sense: a next-gen X5 or 7 Series that delivers pure EV performance most of the time, but with a compact engine humming along at a constant rpm to juice the battery on long highway runs. No wheel-driving from the engine, no hybrid complexity—just a generator smoothing out the road-trip anxiety that comes with big EVs and big distances.

And it’s not just China showing interest. In the U.S., range-extender thinking is quietly gaining traction in the heavy-duty segment. Ram will use a generator-supported electric powertrain in its upcoming Ramcharger, and the reborn Volkswagen Scout lineup is expected to offer something similar. It’s a way to keep towing capability and road-trip freedom without going back to a full gas-powered drivetrain.

Europe throws another wrinkle into the mix. Regulators are still tweaking what the 2035 combustion-engine ban will and won’t allow. Depending on how “emission-neutral” rules evolve, future EREVs might skate through as compliant, creating yet another reason for BMW to keep its options open.

Inside the Engineering Playbook

Should BMW pull the trigger, the likely blueprint remains close to the i3’s:

  • The engine never drives the wheels.
  • It runs at an optimal, fixed rpm to maximize efficiency.
  • It acts purely as a generator, feeding electricity back into the pack.

BMW already has a suite of compact, highly efficient gasoline engines ready to adapt for generator duty. Combined with the company’s EV-first platforms and existing battery know-how, development time wouldn’t be as long as it was a decade ago.

But Don’t Get Too Excited Yet

Officially, BMW isn’t confirming anything. When Bloomberg reached out, a company spokesperson stuck to the corporate script: BMW is “continuously analyzing usage patterns, customer needs, and market developments” and “reviewing the market potential of various technologies.”

Behind the scenes, the story is even murkier. Sources tell us no range-extender programs have been formally approved. Nothing is locked in. Not yet.

But the signals are getting harder to miss. China’s appetite for EREVs is exploding. U.S. buyers are warming to generator-backed electric trucks and SUVs. Europe may soon carve out regulatory breathing room for the format. And BMW has two large, spacious platforms—the X5 and 7 Series—that could take the hardware without compromise.

If the range extender is coming back from the dead, BMW might be the brand bold enough to resurrect it.

Source: Automotive News

NEW CARS

2026 Nissan Teana (China) — A Tech-Forward Family Sedan Gets the Huawei Treatment

Nissan used the stage of the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 21 to send a clear message: in China’s tech-obsessed sedan segment, it’s ready to compete on the home team’s turf. The company announced that the newly updated Teana—built by joint venture partner Dongfeng Nissan (DFN)—will debut with Huawei’s latest in-car interface, HarmonySpace 5.0, standard across every trim. Pricing lands between 139,900 and 167,900 RMB, positioning the Teana as a tech-loaded, value-focused midsize contender.

Design: Clean Lines, High Tech Glow

Nissan didn’t reinvent the silhouette, but the new Teana leans into a sleeker, more mature presence. A long, flowing roofline and subtle surfacing give the car a premium stance, further sharpened by the new “star ring” LED signature that wraps from the grille into the headlamp housings. The twin-projector LED units—which Nissan claims can throw light an impressive 230 meters—are among the longest-reaching in the segment.

Two exclusive colors, Sandstone Gray and Phantom Purple, add some luxury flair without shouting for attention. Think restrained premium, not boy-racer flash.

Cabin: Soft-Touch Everywhere and a Smartphone on Wheels

Step inside and Nissan’s priorities become obvious: comfort, quiet, and digital polish. According to the company, roughly 90 percent of the cabin surfaces are soft-touch, and the lighting system offers 256 ambient hues, enough for every mood from “Zen commute” to “Cyberpunk night drive.”

But the real headline is the new HarmonySpace 5.0 cockpit, anchored by a massive 15.6-inch Huawei display. The interface behaves like a tablet—fast, bright, and fluid—with full-cabin voice control, OTA updates, and a learning-based AI assistant. Nissan isn’t being shy: this is a car meant to feel like your living room and your phone fused into one rolling device.

Powertrain: The VC-Turbo Still Impresses

Under the hood, Nissan sticks with its standout engineering party trick: the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo, with its variable compression technology. Output remains healthy at 243 horsepower and 371 Nm of torque, giving the Teana plenty of muscle for a family sedan. Power delivery is smooth and confident, which pairs well with the car’s mission of effortless commuting rather than sport-sedan theatrics.

The model also comes with Level 2 driver assistance, further rounding out its suite of premium features.

Comfort: Massages, Memory, and a Footrest—Yes, Really

Nissan is leaning hard into comfort, perhaps harder than any mainstream midsize sedan in China right now. Both rows offer generous space, but the front seats steal the spotlight with spinal support, ventilation, memory functions, and even massage capability. A fully adjustable footrest adds a near-lounge-like experience—something once reserved for far pricier executive sedans.

Audio: HUAWEI SOUND Turns the Teana Into a Mini Theater

Every grade of the Teana comes standard with a 15-speaker audio system co-developed with HUAWEI SOUND, while the top-spec variant bumps that count to 17. Expect strong bass, smooth mids, and crisp treble, helped by the cabin’s dual-layer soundproof glass on all doors. Nissan claims highway cruising approaches “theater-like” quietness—and in China’s competitive market, that’s not just marketing fluff; it’s a necessity.

The Takeaway

The new Teana may not chase sportiness, but it doesn’t need to. Its mission is clearer and more modern: deliver premium comfort, cutting-edge tech, and whisper-quiet cruising at an accessible price. With Huawei’s HarmonySpace 5.0 onboard and a plush interior that punches above its class, Nissan is positioning the Teana as a tech-centric alternative to the usual Japanese and joint-venture crowd.

For buyers in China who want a smartphone-like sedan that pampers, the Teana is suddenly a serious contender—maybe even the class’s new benchmark.

Source: Nissan

News

Audi Goes All-In on China: Five New Models, a New EV Brand, and a High-Voltage Vision for 2026

Audi didn’t just show up to Auto Guangzhou this year—it planted a flag. With five market-specific launches in the back half of 2025 alone and two major joint ventures firing on all cylinders, the brand is deep in the midst of what it calls the largest product initiative in its history. And judging by what rolled into Guangzhou, China is not merely Audi’s biggest market—it’s the center of gravity for its future.

The strategy is aggressive and unusually complex: two partner companies (FAW and SAIC), two product lines (Audi and the China-only AUDI brand), and a dual-powertrain push spanning both cutting-edge EVs and highly efficient combustion engines. The message is simple: whatever China wants, Audi plans to build—locally, quickly, and with technology that speaks directly to Chinese buyers.

CEO Gernot Döllner said it plainly: “We are moving at a swift pace.” For once, that feels like an understatement.

A6L Enters the Electric Era

For decades, the A6L has been the bedrock of Audi’s premium presence in China, the long-wheelbase sedan preferred by executives, officials, and buyers who consider rear-seat comfort as important as horsepower. Now, for the first time, the nameplate goes fully electric: the Audi A6L e-tron.

Developed on the PPE platform and built by the Audi FAW NEV Company in Changchun, the A6L e-tron is uniquely customized for the Chinese market. It packs:

  • A 107-kWh battery, larger than the global-spec variant
  • Up to 770 km of CLTC range
  • 800-volt charging enabling quick, high-power stops
  • A wheelbase stretched an extra 132 mm for maximum rear comfort
  • A China-specific infotainment system running Audi’s E3 1.2 architecture

Audi didn’t just electrify a legacy model—they reengineered it for local tastes, with advanced driver-assistance features and digital functions developed alongside Chinese tech partners. It’s a clear play: keep the A6L dominant in both combustion and EV forms.

Series production of the A6L e-tron, along with the Q6L e-tron and Q6L Sportback e-tron, all kicked off within a single year. Even for Audi, that’s unusually rapid scaling.

AUDI Brand, Take Two: The E SUV Concept Arrives

Then there’s AUDI—yes, all caps—a China-exclusive sister brand launched with partner SAIC. If the original E concept shocked Guangzhou in 2024, this year’s follow-up, the AUDI E SUV concept, shows how quickly the brand is evolving.

The numbers alone are formidable:

  • 5,057 mm long, 2,042 mm wide
  • 3,060 mm wheelbase
  • Dual motors producing 500 kW
  • 0–100 km/h in ~5 seconds
  • A 109-kWh battery
  • 700+ km CLTC range
  • Up to 320 km of range added in 10 minutes via 800-V fast charging

But the hardware is only part of the story. Built on the Advanced Digitized Platform (ADP)—co-developed with SAIC—the E SUV concept is designed around China’s hyper-connected digital expectations. The AUDI 360 Driving Assist System is purpose-built for local highway behavior, dense urban traffic, and the parking challenges of megacities.

Its design language is strikingly different from global Audi models: monolithic surfaces, upright stance, short overhangs, dramatic LED graphics, and an unmistakably bold front fascia. It’s futuristic, yes, but also clearly aimed at a market that wants presence, space, and tech-forward luxury.

Its production version lands in 2026 as AUDI’s second model, following the E5 Sportback’s successful launch earlier this year.

Why China Matters—More Than Ever

Audi’s dual-brand strategy acknowledges something the industry has been whispering for years: China’s premium market is no longer simply buying global products. It is defining them.

Southern China in particular—anchored by Guangzhou and Shenzhen—has become a hot zone for premium EV adoption, high-tech mobility, and digital-first car culture. The Auto Guangzhou show itself continues to grow: 100+ brands, 1,000+ vehicles, and over 220,000 square meters of exhibit space. It’s no longer just a regional event; it’s a global stage.

Audi’s response? Build locally, design locally, and innovate locally.

Audi Is Betting Big—and Betting Smart

While many global automakers struggle to keep pace with China’s fast-moving EV landscape, Audi appears to have decided that the only path forward is full immersion. Deep partnerships with FAW and SAIC, a China-dedicated brand, market-exclusive models, and electric architectures built in-country—it’s a commitment few foreign automakers have matched.

The A6L e-tron shows that Audi is willing to electrify its most sacred nameplates.
The AUDI E SUV concept shows it’s equally willing to reinvent itself for a new audience.

Five new models in half a year is impressive.
The real test comes in 2026, when Audi’s dual-brand strategy fully blooms.

For now, though, Auto Guangzhou gave us a clear headline:
Audi isn’t just participating in China’s EV future—it’s building it.

Source: Audi