China’s carmakers eye record sales, luxury model hits regulatory bump: 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. China carmakers eye record 12 million global sales in 2026 as EV demand surges

Chinese automotive groups have cause to celebrate their go-global strategy amid breakneck export growth in recent years, with deliveries in 2026 expected to beat expectations already buoyed by an international energy shock caused by conflict in the Middle East.

2. Brake-pedal failures in luxury Chinese EV draw regulatory spotlight

A safety failure spotted in tests of a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) made by a Huawei Technologies-backed luxury brand has raised doubts about the cars many consumers view as a source of national pride, and prompted regulators to step up policing of quality and reliability.

3. Booming EV fleet drives China’s highway charging demand to all-time holiday high

China’s EV charging volume on its highways hit a new high on the first day of the seven-day National Day holiday, as the country’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle fleet drives up demand for charging infrastructure.

4. China’s BYD considering lithium battery plant in Argentina, foreign minister says

BYD is studying whether to manufacture lithium batteries in Argentina, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said on Thursday after meeting Stella Li, the Chinese electric vehicle maker’s executive vice-president.

5. Why US bans on Chinese EVs are ‘severe self-harm’ for American carmakers

The United States should engage with Chinese carmakers and battery manufacturers “strategically”, using targeted safeguards instead of the current “wholesale restrictions”, which could lead US carmakers to lose global market share, according to experts.

6. As import curbs loom, Chinese carmakers hard to miss at Paris Motor Show

No Chinese carmakers were represented at a dinner on Sunday attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and around 60 European automotive industry players, but they were hard to miss when he visited the Paris Motor Show the next day.

7. Renault’s plan to build Chinese EV motors in French town sparks job loss fears

As EU-China trade talks neared, the Renault plant shows the hard reality of creating jobs in a shrinking industry, even with Chinese partners.