Yet another luxury automaker is looking to cash in on China’s EV tech boom. As legacy OEMs struggle to keep pace, more are turning to Chinese-made tech to help turn things around.
Luxury automakers are adopting China’s EV smart tech
It’s no secret by now that China is dominating the electric vehicle market, not only with lower prices, but often with more advanced tech.
According to Rho Motion, China led the global market last year with EV sales surging 40% compared to 2023. Led by BYD and other domestic brands, the Chinese market is not slowing down. Through the first two months of 2025, BEV sales in China are up 46% from last year.
With a wave of new models arriving, automakers are now looking overseas to drive growth. BYD alone has sold over 130,000 EVs overseas so far this year.
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Several luxury automakers are scrambling to catch up after losing significant market share in China. And now, they are starting to feel the heat in overseas markets.
Audi CEO, Gernot Döllner, with the Audi E concept (Source: Audi)
Audi partnered with SAIC last year to launch a new premium brand based on a China-specific EV platform. The first model, the Audi E concept, debuted last November.
Mercedes-Benz is reportedly the latest luxury automaker that will use China’s EV smart tech. A Source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Mercedes-Benz will use Hesai’s lidar sensors to develop smart driving cars.
Mercedes EQS modified with a solid-state battery (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
Unlike Audi though, Mercedes-Benz will sell vehicles with Hesai’s smart tech outside of China, a first time for a foreign brand.
According to the source, Mercedes reportedly debated it for months but eventually chose Hesai because it is cheaper and easier to scale.
Mercedes-Benz entry-level CLA EV under camouflage (Source: Mercedes-Benz)
A Mercedes said the company does not comment on speculation with suppliers. Meanwhile, just this week Hesai announced a new “multi-year Lidar contract” with a leading European OEM.
And German automakers are not the only ones. South Korea’s Genesis is reportedly looking to localize EV production in China.
Electrek’s Take
Although it may not seem like much, the decision, if true, could be big. With Trump threatening to slap more tariffs on the US’s biggest trade partners, global automakers will increasingly turn to China for more affordable, and in many cases, more advanced technology.
Hesai is already one of the largest lidar makers, accounting for over a third of the global market. In December, it became the first lidar company to deliver more than 100,000 units in a single month.
The company also competes with US-based Luminar. Trump’s threats are already doing more harm than good, with nearly every automaker warning they will put the US auto and tech industry behind. Which global automaker will be next to turn to China for EV resources?
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The latest addition to Orbea’s electric road bike lineup is here, and it’s designed to handle more than just pavement. The Orbea Denna, announced today, is a gravel-optimized electric road bike that builds on the company’s previous experience with models like the Gain and Terra. Featuring a mid-drive motor “tuned specifically for off-road conditions”, the Denna aims to blend power, range, and versatility for riders looking to tackle everything from steep climbs to loose trails.
At the heart of the Denna is Orbea’s RS Gen2 RC system, a customized version of Shimano’s EP platform. The RS (Rider Synergy) branding refers to Orbea’s firmware tweaks that aim to deliver a more natural ride feel by adjusting power delivery to match rider input.
The second-generation update increases the motor’s torque output to 85 Nm, giving it plenty of climbing ability, especially on rougher terrain.
The Denna offers two built-in power modes:
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• Gravel mode is tuned for smoother gravel roads, offering a more efficient power delivery at higher cadences.
• Gravel+ mode adjusts torque for looser terrain, delivering extra power at lower cadences to improve traction.
Riders can further tweak the assist settings through the Shimano e-Tube app, dialing in torque output to match their riding style.
Orbea designed the Denna with tire clearance up to 50c, allowing riders to customize their setup based on terrain. The frame geometry includes:
• A lower bottom bracket for stability
• Optimized chainstay length for balance between responsiveness and comfort
• A longer wheelbase to improve handling over uneven terrain
• A size-specific fork trail for consistent ride quality across all frame sizes
The OMR carbon frame and fork are built for both stiffness and compliance, allowing an interesting mix of vertical flex to absorb road vibrations while maintaining lateral rigidity for efficient pedaling.
The Denna is powered by a 420Wh battery, which Orbea claims can support up to 3.5 km (2.5 miles) of elevation gain in Eco mode. That’s not exactly the most common way to measure battery capacity, but most electric road bikes with similar sized batteries tout flat land ranges of 120-150 km (75-90 miles) per charge.
For riders who need even more range, an optional 210Wh range extender battery that is roughly the size of a water bottle adds extra distance without significantly increasing weight.
While range extenders are less common for everyday e-bikes, electric road bikes and gravel bikes are uniquely relevant candidates, as riders of these types of bikes often head out on extended rides covering significant distances.
Riders can switch between assistance modes using the left brake lever, and the system is compatible with multiple display options, including Shimano’s EN600 unit or a paired Garmin device for real-time battery and motor data.
For added utility, all Denna models include mounting points for fenders and two water bottle cages, making it adaptable for long-distance adventures.
Orbea is offering the Denna through its MyO customization program, allowing buyers to select components, colors, and finishes to match their riding style—whether that means a more road-oriented build or a full gravel setup.
Joseba Arizaga, Orbea’s Road Product Manager, summed up the company’s vision for the Denna:
‘’We are thrilled to be launching Denna today. It represents the next evolution of eRoad riding—where power, range, and capability come together to break down barriers and redefine what’s possible. With our Rider Synergy concept and gravel-specific tuning, Denna provides a seamless, natural ride feel that enhances every adventure, whether on smooth tarmac, rugged backroads or both. It’s not just about assistance; it’s about expanding the ride, unlocking new routes, and pushing further than ever before.”
Last but not least (definitely not least), prices can be found below. They range considerably for the different models that feature higher spec loadouts of key components.
Euros (EU)
Dollars (US)
Pounds (UK)
M10i
9,999
9,999
8,999
M11e
9,999
9,999
8,999
M20i
7,599
7,599
7,299
M31e
6,999
6,999
6,399
M20
5,899
5,999
5,699
M30
5,499
5,599
5,199
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Tesla’s policy team sent a letter to the US government to complain about potentially being the target of retaliatory tariffs amid Trump’s trade war.
The automaker was right, as Canada is already targeting Tesla directly with a few policy changes.
On Tuesday, March 11, Tesla’s policy team sent a letter Jamieson Greer, President Trump’s top US trade representative, to warn them the current trade war, started by Trump, could make Tesla’s target of retaliatory tariffs (via Reuters):
“As a U.S. manufacturer and exporter, Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices.”
The automaker didn’t elaborate on why it thought that, but it’s likely because its CEO, Elon Musk, is one of the Trump’s top advisers, and he contributed more than $250 million to the President’s campaign.
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Many people see Musk as a sort of “shadow president,” and therefore, some of the backlash of the administration’s policies falls on him and, in turn, on Tesla.
Musk has been Trump’s biggest supporter. He has praised virtually all of Trump’s policies and even said that he loves Trump “as much as a straight man can love another man.” That’s an actual quote.
However, there’s one of Trump’s policies that Musk has stayed completely silent on: the sense less trade war that he started with US allies, including Canada and Mexico.
For some reason, he appears to have completely forgotten about it and keeps claiming that Canada and Mexico are “screwing over the US” with this deal. He even asked several times “who negotiated this deal?”
Musk is most likely quiet about it because he knows it bads for the US and its allies, as well as himself and Tesla.
The automaker’s policy team was right to worry about reliatory measures over the trade way.
Just today, B.C. Hydro, which offers rebates for installing EV charging stations, announced that it is excluding Tesla products from the program in response to U.S. tariffs.
BC Energy minister Adrian Dix commented on the move (via CBC):
“I thought they [Tesla products] shouldn’t be made available on a public subsidy program right now. I don’t think anyone in British Columbia needs to be told why, and I think most people would support their removal from that list,”
The province is also considering removing Tesla from the $4,000 rebate program at the purchase of electric vehicles.
That’s just the beginning. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who could be part of the new Canadian government if a coalition is formed after the upcoming elections, vowed to implement a 100% tariffs on Tesla vehicles coming from the US.
I really wouldn’t want to work for Tesla’s policy team these days. They are walking a difficult line. The president’s policies are hurting the company, but the company’s CEO is his best buddy.
So they have to write things like “Tesla encourages USTR to consider the downstream impacts of certain proposed actions taken to address unfair trade practices” instead of “You are killing us over here with these schizophrenic trade policies!”
Generally, I would have issues with policies singling out a specific company, but we are talking about the US breaking a free trade agreement over false pretends and opposing ridiculous tariffs with the hope of crippling the country’s economy and force them to be annexed by the US, which Trump hasn’t been shy about as of late.
It’s unacceptable, especially for an ally, and therefore, everything is on the table, including trying to hurt Trump’s top financial backer.
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ChargePoint has brought five new DC fast charging stations online in upstate New York, supported by key funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
ChargePoint’s fast charging stations are in Cortland, Waterloo, Lake Placid, Niagara Falls, and Ripley. With ChargePoint’s mobile app, EV drivers can find, use, and pay for charging at the new locations.
“ChargePoint’s collaboration with NYSERDA demonstrates the critical role that public-private partnerships will continue to play in the build out of charging infrastructure, particularly at the state level,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “When all types of institutions work together to defray costs, much-needed EV charging infrastructure can scale at an accelerated pace.”
NYSERDA’s support, through its Clean Transportation program, enables the build-out of critical EV charging infrastructure across New York State, reducing the capital investment needed to deploy public charging sites. This includes building out access in underserved communities, defined as disadvantaged communities by New York State’s Climate Justice Working Group. Fifty percent of the fast-charging stations funded through this program will be located in communities designated as disadvantaged.
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Electrek’s Take
The Trump administration is actively working to dismantle federal support for the buildout of the NEVI program and DC fast charger rollout in general. That’s pretty dumb, considering EV adoption is surging, and the electric vehicle industry has already created thousands of American jobs up and down a rapidly expanding supply chain.
But states and utilities are stepping up with their own incentives, and this partnership between ChargePoint and New York State is exactly the kind of success story that keeps the momentum rolling. Trump might tap the brakes on federal support for DC fast chargers, but he can’t derail the progress completely. States like New York that are serious about building out EV charging infrastructure are moving forward – no matter what.
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