GM’s China joint venture sold over 100,000 EVs last year
GM’s joint venture in China, SAIC-GM, delivered over 100,000 EVs in 2023, more than doubling from the previous year.
GM’s China joint venture EV sales double in 2023
With 18,911 EVs handed over in December, GM’s China joint venture saw a 312% surge in deliveries over last year.
SAIC-GM sells EVs under GM’s Buick, Chevy, and Cadillac brands in China. The automaker currently builds and sells five electric models in the region.
The first Ultium-based Buick Electra E5 electric SUV was revealed in November 2022, followed by the Electra E4 two months later. Meanwhile, the brand launched its new Velite 6 last summer, starting at only $15,500 (112,800 yuan).
Cadillac introduced its first EV in China, the Lyriq, in December 2021. Between the Buick Velite, Electra E5, and Cadillac Lyriq, SAIC-GM sold over 86,000 EVs alone.
Sales of the Buick Velite reached 45,538, the Electra E5 had 35,129, and 5,400 Lyriqs were handed over last year.
The automaker plans to launch eight electrified vehicles (including PHEVs) over the next two years as it looks to build momentum. SAIC-GM has two dedicated EV plants in Shanghai and Wuhan, where it builds Ultium models. Its third factory, in Yantai, is set to come online in the first half of 2025.
Meanwhile, SAIC-Volkswagen has now sold over 10,000 ID electric models for six consecutive months, led by the VW ID.3 electric hatch. SAIC Group was China’s second-largest NEV maker (including PHEVs) behind BYD. That said, BYD overtook Tesla in EV volume in Q4.
SAIC introduced a three-year new energy action plan last year. It says joint venture brands have focused on “new tracks, moving forward and making strong efforts.” This year, the plan will accelerate as SAIC’s NEV business enters a “stage of rapid development.”
SAIC-GM was also the first automaker in China to gain access to Tesla’s EV charging network. Cadillac and Buick EV owners will have first access to the chargers.
Electrek’s Take
Although GM is picking up the pace in China, it’s scaling back EV plans in its home market. In the US, GM sold 75,883 EVs last year, up 93% over 2022. That includes its commercial Brightdrop electric delivery vans.
Although the Bolt EV and EUV models accounted for over 62,000, or nearly 82% of GM’s 2023 EV sales, the automaker ended production in December. The move comes as GM ramps up its Ultium-based electric models.
GM has already pushed back production of the Equinox EV, Silverado RST EV, and GMC Sierra Denali EV.
With the Bolt being phased out, GM risks falling further behind in the US as the market shifts to electric. The automaker was topped by rival Ford in EV sales last year, but both were far from Tesla’s over 1.8 million EVs delivered.
Source: Automotive News, SAIC-GM
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Environment
BYD Yangwang launches ultra-swanky U8L SUV with 24k gold emblems (don’t worry, this one floats too)
BYD’s ultra-luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, launched its fourth all-electric model in China, and it’s another design marvel. Like its U8 predecessor, the Yangwang U8L SUV has “Emergency Float Mode.” Plus, this one can tank turn, is powered by four motors, and has 24-karat emblems. Check out one of the most expensive new BEVs in China.
Yangwang, which directly translates to “looking up” or “admire,” is an ultra-premium brand under the BYD umbrella introduced in 2023. The luxury-centric marque turned some heads out of the gate at the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled the U8 SUV, which can go amphibious in emergencies and crabwalk.
Since then, Yangwang has followed up with a 1,200-horsepower electric supercar called the U9, hands down the most beautiful vehicle I saw during my visit to the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show.
In early 2024, Yangwang unveiled its first sedan, the 500-mile range U7, to complete an initial trio of flagship models. By August, we learned Yangwang was hard at work on a fourth model – a third-row variant of the U8 SUV called the U8L – which promised to be longer and even more luxurious.
Today, Yangwang officially launched the U8L in China, beginning in a single “Dingshi Edition” trim that starts at RMB 1.28 million ($179,800) – debuting as one of the most expensive models amongst all Chinese automakers.
Yangwang U8L offers Rolls-Royce-style luxury
Today’s launch marks Yangwang’s deeper push into the luxury SUV market in China, looking to compete against brands like Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover. Yangwang’s new U8L takes the U8 to another level, offering more space and other comforts.
For example, the Yangwang U8 measures 5,319 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, and 1,930 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm. In comparison, the new U8L measures 5,400 mm long, 2,049 mm wide, and 1,921 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm.
The longer length and wheelbase allow for a new third row atop BYD’s e4 platform, which also houses four electric motors. That powertrain configuration combines for 880 kW (1,180 horsepower) and peak torque of 1,280 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Not bad for an SUV.
Per Yangwang, the U8L also comes equipped with BYD’s DiSus-P body control system—the Chinese automaker’s most advanced version, enabling premium comfort and stability on any terrain. The U8L also features BYD’s most advanced ADAS, “God’s Eye A.” In the images above, multiple sensors are visible above the windshield.
Other features include emergency flotation mode, blown tire stability, tank turns, and a crabwalk. Plus, fully reclining seats, window privacy curtains, and a rear storage fridge for your Cristal. Due to its size, the Yangwang U8L’s all-electric CLTC range is only 200 km (124 miles), but it features a hybrid range extender that boosts its overall range to 1,160 km (700 miles).
What do you think about this SUV?
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The bZ7 is about the size of a Tesla Model S and way nicer than you’d expect. Toyota’s new flagship EV is not only stunning-looking, it’s also loaded with advanced tech.
Meet the bZ7, Toyota’s new flagship EV
Toyota’s joint venture in China, GAC-Toyota, unveiled official images of the bZ7 this week, its new flagship all-electric sedan.
The bZ7 is 5,130 mm long, which is slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and BYD Han L. Although it has Toyota’s updated “hammerhead” front end design, like the new Camry and Crown, the flagship EV is a big step up from the Toyota vehicles we see on the road today.
Toyota said its new EV has “a luxurious and elegant figure,” and we’d have to agree. From the side, it has a sleek, fastback design that blends sporty and elegant. The long, triangular side windows open up the interior.
The bZ7 is also Toyota’s most advanced EV yet. It will be the first vehicle to feature Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, which unlocks new functions such as controlling smart home appliances directly from the vehicle’s infotainment system or your smartphone.
Forgot to set the air? Xiaomi’s smart tech allows you to control it on the go. During its tech day event in June, Toyota announced new partnerships with Xiaomi, Momenta, and Huawei, or what it called the “car industry bigwigs,” for the latest tech and software.
The bZ7 has a Lidar installed on the roof, which will be used to support Momenta’s latest smart driving system, Momenta 6.0. It’s expected to be offered on higher trim options.
On the inside, the cabin is a step change from most Toyota models with a minimalist, elegant layout. It features a floating central touchscreen, a driver display screen, and a wireless phone charger.
Toyota’s flagship EV will also use Huawei’s electric motors and its new HarmonyOS cockpit system. According to Li Hui, the General Manager of Toyota China, “To deliver cars that people want in China, we need Chinese brains and hands involved in development.
We will learn prices, battery specs, and range closer to the bZ7’s official debut, which is expected later this year. Toyota’s new flagship EV will join the bZ3X and bZ4X as it fights for its spot in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.
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This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from British bike maker Boost, Dahon launching an IPO, the NYPD may soon confiscate non UL-certified e-bikes, Honda has a new e-motorcycle coming, and more.
The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):
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