Core Viewpoint - Audi has decided to abandon its plan to stop producing internal combustion engine vehicles by 2033, influenced by the strong rise of the Chinese automotive industry [4][8]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Major automotive companies, including Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, are also reconsidering their electric vehicle (EV) strategies, delaying their transition away from internal combustion engines [6][8]. - The initial push towards electrification by traditional luxury car manufacturers occurred in 2021, coinciding with the EU's stringent environmental regulations and China's burgeoning EV market [6][7]. Group 2: Market Performance - Despite the rapid growth of EVs, traditional automakers are facing challenges in the Chinese market, where their EV sales have not met expectations [8][10]. - In 2023, the sales figures for pure electric vehicles were relatively low: Mercedes sold 185,000 units (10% of total sales), Audi sold 164,000 units (10%), and BMW sold 427,000 units (17%) [10][11]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - The automotive giants are reassessing their timelines for phasing out internal combustion engines due to disappointing EV sales and profitability challenges [11][12]. - Companies like Audi and Mercedes are extending the production cycles of their internal combustion engine models while also planning to introduce new hybrid models [12][15]. Group 4: Hybrid Technology Focus - The shift towards hybrid vehicles is seen as a strategic response to market conditions, with companies planning to offer a mix of internal combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles [15][17]. - The market share for hybrids is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting that by 2025, hybrid vehicles could capture around 40% of the market [17][18]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Experts predict a future automotive market divided among pure electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles, with a potential balance of 30% each for electric and hybrid, and 40% for combustion by 2030 [18].

Group 1 - General Motors (GM) plans to invest approximately $4 billion in three U.S. factories located in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee over the next two years to expand production of its best-selling models in the domestic market [2][5] - The investment reflects a trend among multinational automakers to increase investments in the U.S. to avoid automotive tariffs [2][3] - GM's CEO, Mary Barra, emphasized the company's commitment to manufacturing in the U.S. and supporting American jobs, aiming to provide consumers with a diverse product lineup [2][3] Group 2 - Despite being the largest automaker in the U.S., GM's localization rate is lower than that of competitors like Tesla and Ford, with only about 52% of vehicles sold in the U.S. being assembled domestically [3][4] - In 2024, GM is projected to sell 2.6893 million vehicles in the U.S., a year-on-year increase of 4.3%, maintaining its position as the sales leader in the U.S. automotive market [3][4] Group 3 - The investment will involve relocating the assembly of gasoline versions of the Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox from Mexico to the U.S. and repurposing a large idle factory in Michigan to produce fuel SUVs and pickups by 2027 [5][6] - GM's strategy includes shifting some production capacity from Mexico back to the U.S. due to the impact of U.S. automotive tariffs [6][7] Group 4 - The U.S. government has imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and key components, which has significantly affected automakers' profits, with GM estimating a loss of $4 billion to $5 billion due to these tariffs [4][6] - GM plans to offset at least 30% of the tariff impact by increasing domestic production [4][6] Group 5 - The focus of GM's new investment is primarily on fuel vehicles, with plans to produce fuel full-size SUVs and light pickups in Michigan, rather than electric vehicles as previously planned [9][11] - GM's electric vehicle sales saw a significant increase of 94% in Q1 2025, selling approximately 32,000 electric vehicles, ranking second in the U.S. electric vehicle market [11]

Core Viewpoint - Audi has officially retracted its goal for full electrification by 2033, indicating a shift in strategy under the new CEO Gernot Döllner, who plans to continue producing combustion engine vehicles until around 2035 or longer, while maintaining a parallel development of combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles until 2035 [1][2][3]. Group 1: Strategic Decisions - The previous CEO's aggressive electrification timeline is deemed outdated, leading to a more flexible approach to product offerings that includes combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles [1][2]. - Other German luxury car manufacturers, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz, have also adjusted their electrification plans, indicating a collective shift among major players in the industry [2]. - Audi's financial performance has suffered due to strategic missteps, with a projected revenue of €64.5 billion in 2024, a 7.6% decline year-on-year, and a significant drop in operating profit by 37.8% to €3.903 billion [3][11]. Group 2: Market Performance - Audi's electric vehicle sales have not met expectations, with global sales of pure electric vehicles at 118,200 units in 2022 and 178,000 units in 2023, accounting for less than 10% of total sales [5][9]. - The launch of the Q6 e-tron has been delayed due to software development issues, resulting in a projected delivery of only 15,000 units in 2024 [5][6]. - In 2024, Audi's global sales are expected to decline by 11.8%, with significant drops in major markets: China down 10.9%, the U.S. down 14%, and Germany down 21.3% [9][11]. Group 3: Operational Changes - Audi has initiated a series of reforms, including the closure of its Brussels plant, which produced 53,000 electric vehicles in 2023, representing about 30% of its total electric vehicle deliveries [9][13]. - The company plans to cut 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 and aims to reduce material costs by €8 billion and labor costs by €10 billion by 2030 [13]. - Audi's new CEO has emphasized the need for a more competitive product lineup, with plans to launch over 20 new models in the next two years, including the Q6 e-tron and Q3 [15][16].

Group 1: Industry Highlights - The domestic automotive market saw significant events last week, including the milestone achievement of Leap Motor, which announced cumulative deliveries exceeding 800,000 units as of June 18, 2023 [1] - Leap Motor's May deliveries reached a new high of 45,067 units, with a total of 173,658 units delivered from January to May, including over 17,200 units exported [1][3] - The new 2026 model of Leap Motor's C16 was launched on June 18, featuring a new five-seat version designed for family users, with innovative features for outdoor camping [3] Group 2: New Vehicle Launches - The ZunJie S800, a flagship sedan developed in collaboration between JAC Motors and Huawei, commenced mass production on June 18, with over 5,000 pre-orders within 19 days of its launch [4][6] - The new Buick electric E5 was launched on June 19, with a price range of 149,900 to 169,900 yuan, featuring a maximum range of 620 km [14][16] Group 3: Charging Infrastructure - Li Auto announced the establishment of its 2,500th supercharging station in Shanghai, which is the brand's first full 5C station, equipped with advanced charging technology [11][13] - The upcoming Li Auto i8 will feature 5C fast charging capabilities, allowing for a 500 km range increase in just 10 minutes of charging [13] Group 4: Market Trends - The China Passenger Car Association estimates that retail sales of narrow passenger vehicles in June will reach approximately 2 million units, representing a year-on-year growth of 13.4% and a month-on-month increase of 3.2% [18] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles is expected to reach around 55% in June, driven by intensified promotional efforts from manufacturers [18]

6月18日，奥迪全球CEO高德诺在接受外媒采访时，正式确认已撤回前任管理层制定的计划，包括 2026年推出最后一批新款燃油车、2033年停售燃油车实现全面电动化。奥迪目前不再设定明确的终止时 间表，将继续推出新一代内燃机和插电式混合动力车型。 高德诺的发言公布后随即引发轩然大波。次日奥迪中国迅速发布《关于电动化战略的回应性声 明》，就总部的决定进行解释。 奥迪给出的说法是，达成全电动化产品阵容是其长期目标，但全球市场的发展存在明显差异。"北 美地区的'拐点'目前正明显后移，而在中国，新能源汽车市场（含混合动力车型、增程式车型及纯电动 车型）的'拐点'已于去年达成。市场的这种波动性和多样性要求我们在未来几年内，以尽可能灵活且稳 定的方式提供差异化的产品组合，涵盖纯电动车型（BEV）、插电式混合动力车型（PHEV）以及内燃 机（ICE）车型。" 事实上，不止是奥迪，梅赛德斯-奔驰、宝马、保时捷等也持类似观点。率先做出这一决定的豪华 品牌是梅赛德斯-奔驰。该公司曾表示，计划2030年在主要市场实现全面电动化。不过，2024年2月，梅 赛德斯-奔驰宣布，推迟2025年电动汽车销量占比50%的目标，未来十年将继续更新内 ...

Core Viewpoint - Increasing number of multinational automakers are shifting their focus from pure electric vehicles to hybrid technology, following Toyota's lead, due to slowing growth in the electric vehicle market [2][3][6] Group 1: Company Strategies - Honda announced a shift in its electric vehicle strategy, reducing its investment from 10 trillion yen to 7 trillion yen and lowering its target for electric vehicle sales to below 30% by 2030 [3][10] - Ford plans to introduce hybrid versions of all its gasoline models by 2030 and has postponed the launch of some electric models due to ongoing losses in its electric vehicle division [4][5] - Mercedes-Benz and other automakers have also abandoned their aggressive electric-only strategies, opting for a diversified product lineup that includes hybrids [5][6] Group 2: Market Trends - In Q1 of this year, global sales of hybrid vehicles surpassed those of pure electric vehicles, with hybrids accounting for 16% of the market compared to 14.5% for pure electric [6][7] - In Europe, hybrid vehicle sales are projected to reach 4.06 million units in 2024, a 20% increase year-on-year, while sales of pure electric vehicles are expected to decline by 1.3% [7][8] - The U.S. market is also seeing a significant rise in hybrid vehicle sales, with a 36.7% increase year-on-year, contributing to overall new car sales growth [7][8] Group 3: Policy and Economic Factors - Changes in U.S. policy under the current administration have created uncertainty in the electric vehicle market, leading to a reassessment of electric vehicle strategies by automakers [8][9] - In Europe, the EU has softened its emissions targets and regulations, allowing for more flexibility in the transition to electric vehicles, which has influenced automakers' strategies [9][10] Group 4: Financial Performance - Ford's electric vehicle division reported a pre-tax loss of $5.1 billion in 2024, prompting a reevaluation of its electric vehicle strategy [11][12] - In contrast, Toyota's hybrid vehicle sales grew by 23.6% in the last fiscal year, contributing to a record net profit of 4.765 trillion yen [12][13] Group 5: Technological Developments - Hybrid technology is evolving, with companies like Toyota and Honda investing in new systems that improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs [14][15] - The rise of plug-in hybrids and range-extended vehicles is gaining traction, particularly in the Chinese market, as automakers adapt to changing consumer preferences [15][16]

Group 1: Industry Trends - The automotive industry is experiencing intense competition in 2025, characterized by consolidation, elimination, and systemic transformation [1] - The rise of electric vehicles is accelerating industry reshuffling, prompting companies to consider mergers and collaborations to enhance competitiveness [3][8] Group 2: Ford's Joint Ventures in China - Recent rumors about the merger of Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford were denied by Jiangling Motors, indicating no current plans for asset restructuring [2][4] - Both joint ventures, Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford, have faced declining sales, with Changan Ford's sales dropping by 16.43% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, and Jiangling Ford's passenger vehicle sales falling to 35,000 units in 2024 [3] Group 3: Renault-Nissan Alliance Changes - Nissan announced plans to reduce its stake in Renault, coinciding with the resignation of Renault's CEO Luca de Meo, highlighting a shift in the traditional capital-binding alliance model [5][6] - The reduction of cross-holding from 43.4% to below 10% marks a transition to a "low-binding, high-autonomy" phase for the Renault-Nissan alliance [5][7] Group 4: Strategic Shifts and Challenges - Nissan's new CEO emphasized that funds from the stake reduction will be used for new vehicle development, aligning with its "Re: Nissan" revival plan [6] - Renault's leadership change raises concerns about the continuity of its electric vehicle strategy and the stability of the alliance with Nissan [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The news reflects Ford's strategic confusion and survival desire in the Chinese market, highlighted by rumors of merging its joint ventures, Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford, amidst operational pressures [2][4]. Group 1: Merging Rumors and Responses - On June 18, rumors emerged that Ford China was integrating Jiangling Ford into Changan Ford, with actions already taking place at the sales and channel levels [3]. - Ford China responded to the merger rumors on June 19, emphasizing its commitment to building a sustainable sales service network as a core part of its long-term strategy in China [4]. Group 2: Historical Context and Challenges - Jiangling Ford and Changan Ford are both joint ventures of Ford in China, with Changan Ford established in 2001 and Jiangling Ford in 2021, complicating any potential restructuring due to intertwined shareholding [5]. - Previous attempts at channel integration, such as the establishment of a national distribution service agency in 2018, faced resistance from dealers and ultimately led to the cancellation of plans for a unified sales company [6]. Group 3: Current Market Dynamics - The Chinese automotive market is undergoing a brand restructuring wave, with various companies, including SAIC and BYD, integrating their operations to enhance efficiency [8]. - Ford's sales in China peaked in 2016 at 957,400 units but plummeted to 184,000 units by 2019, prompting strategic adjustments including capacity cuts and a focus on exports [9]. Group 4: Future Strategies and Adjustments - In 2024, Changan Ford's sales reached 247,000 units, a 5.97% increase, primarily driven by overseas markets, indicating ongoing challenges in the domestic market [9]. - Lincoln China is also undergoing channel reforms, including reducing the number of 4S stores to ensure efficient resource allocation [10]. - Ford's electric vehicle strategy has faced challenges, with limited model availability and mismatched sales channels, complicating its market position [10]. Group 5: Conclusion on Integration Efforts - While channel integration may not resolve fundamental issues, it could help eliminate unnecessary obstacles for Ford's future actions in the Chinese market [11].

Core Insights - Stellantis is evaluating the potential divestiture of its luxury brand Maserati amid significant pressures from rising import tariffs in the U.S. and competition from Chinese electric vehicle brands in the global luxury car market [1][2] - Maserati's global deliveries have plummeted to 14,725 units in 2024, nearly halving from 26,689 units in 2023, indicating severe market challenges [1] - The decline in Maserati's sales is attributed to underperformance of its core model Grecale, a structural shift in demand from Chinese consumers, and a slowdown in product updates [1] Company Strategy - Stellantis has engaged McKinsey & Company to develop new strategic plans for its luxury brands, including Maserati and Alfa Romeo, during a transitional period under Chairman John Elkann [1] - Official representatives from Stellantis have denied rumors regarding the sale of Maserati, but the company has not provided further details on the strategic evaluation [1] Industry Context - The automotive industry is facing challenges related to accelerated electrification, geopolitical risks, and the need to optimize brand portfolios and improve operational efficiency [2] - The future direction of Maserati may serve as a case study for how multinational automotive companies respond to global industry changes [2]

Core Viewpoint - Several multinational automotive companies are slowing down their electrification efforts and are betting on a multi-powertrain strategy to adapt to market variability and consumer preferences [1][3][5]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing different growth rates globally, with China having surpassed a 50% penetration rate for new energy vehicles, while North America and Europe lag behind [2][5]. - Audi has acknowledged the need for a flexible product mix that includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and internal combustion engine (ICE) models to cater to diverse market demands [1][3]. Group 2: Strategic Adjustments - Audi plans to maintain the appeal of its ICE models until the end of their product life cycles, with a goal to fully transition to electric vehicles by 2033 [3][4]. - Honda has revised its investment in electrification from 10 trillion yen to 7 trillion yen, anticipating that its global EV sales share will drop from 30% to around 20% by 2030 due to market expansion slowdowns [4][5]. Group 3: Consumer Preferences - Consumers are showing a preference for hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles over fully electric options due to concerns about charging infrastructure and vehicle reliability [5][6]. - The shift in consumer logic emphasizes the importance of smart technology and user experience, prompting traditional automakers to enhance their offerings in the hybrid segment [2][5]. Group 4: Regional Strategies - Audi is focusing on strengthening its market position in China and North America by launching new models tailored to these markets, including the Q6L e-tron and other localized electric vehicles [6][7]. - The company aims to create a sustainable business model in China, emphasizing long-term growth rather than short-term gains [6]. Group 5: Financial Outlook - Audi anticipates a challenging financial year in 2025, projecting sales revenue between 67.5 billion and 72.5 billion euros, with an operating profit margin of 7% to 9% [7].