Domestic News - Tesla's Shanghai factory achieved a record high export of nearly 30,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in April, marking the highest monthly export volume in the past 12 months. The total registrations of Tesla vehicles in South Korea increased by 80% year-on-year since entering the market at the end of 2023 [7] - WeRide launched eight autonomous driving service demonstration routes in downtown Guangzhou, establishing a 24-hour autonomous ride-hailing service network covering major landmarks and transportation hubs [8] - Zeekr officially launched its luxury SUV, Zeekr 7X, in the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, with prices ranging from €52,990 to €62,990 (approximately 425,000 to 505,000 RMB) [9] - Geely entered the Polish market through a partnership with Ample Auto, planning to sell its all-electric SUV EX5 starting in Q3 2025 [10] - Chery released its "Guardian" smart safety system, showcasing its commitment to safety technology through various crash tests [11][12] - Avita delivered over 100 vehicles in the UAE, achieving a market share of 8.25% since its launch in January 2025 [13] - GAC Group is restructuring its R&D system to enhance product development success rates, aiming for 2 million sales of its self-owned brands by 2027 [14] - Top Group completed a strategic acquisition of Wuhu Changpeng Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. for 330 million RMB, enhancing its competitiveness in automotive interior and NVH fields [15] International News - Hyundai broke ground on its first manufacturing plant in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles, including electric and internal combustion engine models, set to begin in Q4 2026 [16] - Vermont, USA, paused its electric vehicle sales requirements, reflecting concerns over the feasibility of California's zero-emission regulations [17] - General Motors partnered with LG Energy Solution to commercialize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) square batteries for future electric trucks and full-size SUVs [18] - HCL and Foxconn received approval for a joint chip factory project in Uttar Pradesh, India, with an investment of approximately $435 million, aiming to produce display driver chips [19] Commercial Vehicles - Geely and partners established a new company focused on alcohol-hydrogen electric commercial vehicles, with a registered capital of 100 million RMB [20] - Daimler Trucks reported strong performance in Q1 2025 despite macroeconomic uncertainties, with adjusted EBIT of €1.11 billion and a sales return rate of 9.6% [21] - Shandong Heavy Industry's Weichai Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with CRRC to collaborate on vehicle and key component development [22] - Foton successfully shipped its first batch of 300 Truck Mate micro trucks to the South African market, expanding its product offerings in the region [23]

Core Viewpoint - Ford is actively developing a disruptive battery chemistry, the Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR) battery, aimed at achieving lower costs and longer range for electric vehicles by 2030 [6][10][23]. Group 1: Battery Development and Innovation - Ford initially offered Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries and later introduced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries in 2023, with LMR batteries being the next significant advancement [6][12]. - The LMR battery is expected to provide higher safety, stability, and energy density compared to nickel-based batteries, leading to longer driving ranges [8][19]. - Ford's Ion Park research center in Michigan is focused on innovative battery materials and manufacturing processes, aiming to reduce costs across all aspects of battery technology [12][14]. Group 2: Market Position and Goals - Ford's overarching goal is to address two major barriers to electric vehicle adoption: high purchase prices and range anxiety [10][23]. - The company aims to achieve unprecedented cost reductions with the LMR battery, which is crucial for achieving price parity with gasoline vehicles [8][20]. - Ford's electric vehicle sales increased by 11.5% year-over-year in Q1 2025, indicating a strengthening momentum in the electric vehicle market [21]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Challenges - The LMR battery technology is seen as a potential game-changer, with the possibility of reducing or eliminating the need for cobalt, thus lowering procurement costs [20]. - Other companies are also researching similar battery formulations, but Ford claims to have addressed key challenges such as voltage decay and gas generation that have hindered LMR commercialization [27][29]. - Despite the advancements, experts remain cautious about the LMR battery's long-term viability due to historical challenges in energy density and thermal stability [26][32].