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‘China Inside’: Chinese EV Tech Becomes Backbone of Global Auto Design

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In 2021, Audi executives were stunned when they saw the Zeekr 001, a long-range Chinese EV with sleek European styling. The moment marked a turning point: if global carmakers wanted to stay competitive, they would need to adopt Chinese EV technology.

Fast-Track to Market

To speed its lineup, Audi partnered with SAIC to build the Audi E5 Sportback in just 18 months, using Chinese batteries, powertrains, software, and driver-assist systems. The $33,000 EV begins deliveries in China this month.

Audi is not alone:

  • Toyota is co-developing EVs with GAC.

  • Volkswagen is working with Xpeng on China-dedicated models.

  • Renault and Ford are exploring building global models on Chinese EV platforms.

This marks a shift where Western automakers license Chinese EV intellectual property — saving billions of dollars and years of R&D — while Chinese companies earn revenue abroad amid a fierce price war and trade tensions at home.

‘China Inside’ Strategy

The approach echoes Intel’s 1990s “Intel Inside” branding, but for EVs. Chinese firms package EV platforms — batteries, chassis, and software — for ready-to-build models, even for low-volume players.

  • Leapmotor is licensing technology to Stellantis.

  • Renault’s Dacia Spring was built on a Dongfeng platform.

  • CATL has licensed battery tech to Ford and is expanding its Bedrock EV chassis in Europe.

  • Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings used Nio’s chassis and software to build its own EV, even while leveraging the McLaren brand it acquired.

Why Legacy Automakers Need China

Traditional brands often struggle with slow development cycles. Chinese EV makers, inspired by Tesla, built modular platforms that cut costs, speed updates, and lower barriers to entry. “They are quick learners from Tesla,” said former CATL executive Forest Tu.

Analysts argue that leveraging China’s rapid innovation allows Western firms to leapfrog the EV curve. “You get a much more quality-proof product in the market in a shorter timeframe,” said Oliver Wyman’s Marco Santino.

Risks of Dependency

But some warn of over-reliance. Former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer cautioned: “In the long-term you’re screwed because you’re just a retailer.” Analysts say global brands must blend Chinese technology with their own to preserve brand differentiation.

The Big Picture

As automakers from Europe to the Middle East adopt “China Inside” EVs, Chinese firms gain global influence. The question is whether this win-win model will remain sustainable — or whether traditional automakers risk trading independence for speed.

CATL Develops 10 EV Models with Swappable Batteries, Aims for Mass Adoption

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Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it has co-developed 10 new electric vehicle (EV) models with automakers, all featuring swappable batteries. This development aligns with CATL’s strategy to promote battery swapping as a key alternative to traditional gasoline stations and standard EV charging methods in China.

Battery Swapping Revolution

Yang Jun, CEO of CATL’s battery-swapping brand EVOGO, revealed plans to launch the first EV equipped with its “choco-swap” battery this month, with additional models to follow in the coming months. CATL also aims to establish 1,000 battery-swapping stations next year and is seeking partnerships to accelerate station deployment.

CATL envisions battery swapping as a transformative solution, predicting that 30,000-40,000 swapping stations could replace one-third of China’s 100,000 gasoline stations in the future. Yang projects that by 2030, battery swapping will account for one-third of EV power-up solutions, alongside home and public charging options.

The “choco-swap” battery is designed for quick replacements, allowing drivers to swap depleted batteries in just one minute. CATL’s battery-swapping service is offered on a subscription basis, starting at 369 yuan ($51) per month. The company is also standardizing battery sizes to encourage broader adoption among automakers.

Collaboration and Expansion

CATL has partnered with state-owned automakers Changan Auto and FAW to integrate the battery-swapping technology. Since the launch of its EVOGO service in 2022, CATL has been piloting battery-swapping stations in select Chinese cities.

Robin Zeng, CATL’s chairman, emphasized the role of green energy in powering the swapping stations and highlighted their potential to stabilize power grids. Additionally, CATL is diversifying into areas like micro power grids and skateboard chassis as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Growing Competition in Battery Swapping

Chinese automaker Nio has been a major player in the battery-swapping space, with over 2,800 stations built as of early December. Nio’s technology allows EV batteries to be replaced in three minutes, offering another fast alternative for EV users.

The battery-swapping trend addresses critical infrastructure bottlenecks, a key challenge slowing global EV growth. While China leads in battery-swapping adoption, companies like Nio and Xpeng are also exploring extended range hybrids to cater to overseas markets with limited EV charging and swapping facilities.

Market Outlook

CATL’s aggressive push for battery swapping reflects its confidence in this technology as a scalable solution for EV energy needs. By enabling faster recharging and enhancing grid stability, CATL aims to position battery swapping as a mainstream option for both domestic and global markets.

 

Tesla Rival Nio Slashes Price on New Onvo-Branded L60 SUV

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Nio, Tesla’s Chinese rival, has announced a price cut for its new Onvo-branded L60 SUV, intensifying competition in the electric vehicle market. The L60, Onvo’s first car, is now priced at 149,900 Chinese yuan ($21,210) when purchased with a battery subscription starting at 599 yuan per month (approximately $1,000 annually). Alternatively, buyers can opt for a model with both the car and the battery for 206,900 yuan. Deliveries are set to begin on September 28.

Nio’s shares briefly surged by more than 3.5% in U.S. trading after the L60’s price drop announcement. When the Onvo brand was first introduced in May, the L60 was priced at 219,900 yuan, already lower than Tesla’s Model Y, which sells for 249,900 yuan in China.

Nio CEO William Li, in an exclusive interview, hinted at plans to launch Onvo in Europe next year, although no specific timeline was provided. Li emphasized that Onvo is intended to target a different market segment than Nio’s premium vehicles, and he expects no significant overlap in customer bases. Li also noted that Nio’s deliveries have improved since the Onvo brand’s announcement, signaling the new brand’s potential to capture a broader audience.

China’s electric vehicle industry is fiercely competitive, with several companies aiming to challenge Tesla’s market share. Geely-backed Zeekr is set to launch its first midsize electric SUV, the Zeekr 7X, priced at 239,900 yuan, while Xpeng recently introduced its mass-market Mona brand, with the M03 electric coupe starting at 119,800 yuan. Tesla’s cheapest offering in China, the Model 3, costs 231,900 yuan, even after an April price cut.

Chinese electric car manufacturers have increasingly set their sights on expanding overseas, particularly in Europe. However, the European Union is on the verge of increasing tariffs on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles, which could further challenge these automakers. Nio is cooperating with the EU’s investigation into Chinese EV subsidies, and its vehicles will face a 20.8% duty, higher than the tariffs imposed on competitors Geely and BYD.

Nio plans to begin deliveries in the United Arab Emirates during the fourth quarter, according to Li, who shared these details during a recent earnings call. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Europe’s tariffs but noted that Nio is still committed to its existing markets and continues to build infrastructure, such as power swap stations, in Europe. Nio also opened its “Nio House” in Amsterdam earlier this year.

Li expects monthly deliveries of the L60 to reach 10,000 by December, with a goal of 20,000 per month by 2024. The company anticipates a 15% vehicle margin on the Onvo-branded cars and aims to have over 200 stores in China by the end of this year, with more than 100 already open. Additionally, Nio is preparing to launch its even lower-priced Firefly brand internationally next year.