On December 17th, Eastern Standard Time, the three main US stock indices concluded the trading day with a collective downturn. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 0.47%, the S&P 500 index plummeted by 1.16%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled by 1.81%. Leading tech giants, known for their large market capitalizations, experienced a broad decline. Tesla, Nvidia, and Google each saw their shares drop more than 3%, while Apple and Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) witnessed declines exceeding 1%. Amazon and Microsoft also registered losses for the day. Among Chinese American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), the majority followed suit with downturns. NIO, Li Auto, and XPeng each fell over 3%, Pinduoduo dropped 3.69%, and Alibaba saw a 1.47% decrease. Oracle, in particular, faced a significant setback, with its shares plummeting over 5% due to hurdles in its data center financing initiatives.

During the first three quarters of 2025, the sales rankings within the U.S. automotive market were officially released, shedding light on consumers' strong inclination towards pickup trucks and SUVs. Among the top ten models, pickup trucks dominated five positions, while compact SUVs claimed three spots. The Toyota Camry stood out as the sole sedan to break into the top ten, earning the title of the best-selling sedan in the United States. Both General Motors and Toyota showcased their strength, each having three models featured on the list. Here is the detailed ranking of the top ten best-selling car models in the United States for the first three quarters of 2025: the Ford F-Series led the pack with sales approaching 600,000 units, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado with 422,685 units, the Toyota RAV4 with 358,134 units, the Honda CR-V with 307,501 units, the Ram pickup truck series with 262,386 units, the GMC Sierra with 251,845 units, the Toyota Camry with 234,426 units, the Tesla Model Y with estimated sales of 232,000 units, the Toyota Tacoma with 204,464 units, and the Chevrolet Equinox with 203,583 units. For more information on the models ranked 11th to 15th, please refer to the relevant images.

Evergrande Automobile announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that on November 22, 2025, the company learned through news reports that the registered shareholders of its relevant subsidiaries had been changed from group members to Guangzhou Juli Modern Industrial Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Guangzhou Juli'). After inquiry by the company, the administrator confirmed that, in accordance with the bankruptcy restructuring plan approved by the relevant local people's court, the group's equity interests in the relevant subsidiaries were canceled, and all equity interests in these subsidiaries were registered under the name of Guangzhou Juli on November 18, 2025. As the plan and the change in shareholders of the subsidiaries were results of relevant procedures, the group did not receive any cash consideration. The company's stock continues to be suspended.

On December 18, reports emerged indicating that Hozon New Energy, the parent company of Neta Auto, had released an announcement on December 2, seeking to publicly recruit a management trustee. The criteria for recruitment emphasized the need to restore the sales network, oversee comprehensive management of vehicle sales channels, rejuvenate the existing dealer network while exploring new avenues, and facilitate the resumption and efficient operation of after-sales services. On December 18, the administrator of Hozon New Energy made another announcement, revealing that a suitable institution had been selected to serve as the management trustee.

On December 18th, it was reported that NIO recently introduced a new channel cooperation model - stores opened by users. Under this model, NIO does not provide financial support but will send sales consultants to the site to sell cars. This cooperation does not involve authorization and represents an in-depth collaboration within the community and circles, differing from traditional direct sales and agency dealer models. Currently, this model has been implemented in Guangzhou, presented in the form of coffee shops bearing the name 'NIO Workshop'.

On December 17, the Baiyun District Government in Guangzhou and GAC Lingcheng convened a ceremony in Baiyun District to sign a strategic cooperation agreement. At the same event, Baiyun Financial Holdings Group and GAC Lingcheng also entered into an investment agreement.
This investment initiative is spearheaded by Baiyun Financial Holdings Group, a district-level state-owned enterprise, with additional participation from Baiyun Investment and Baiyun Construction Science. Together, they are set to make a strategic investment of 300 million yuan in GAC Lingcheng.
The two entities will work in tandem to foster ecological synergy within the new energy sector, with a shared goal of advancing the development of the new energy commercial vehicle industry.
Previously known as GAC Hino, GAC Lingcheng underwent a rebranding in April of this year. The company has announced plans to unveil its "all-domain pickup" concept car, the GAC PICKUP 01, at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, with an anticipated market introduction scheduled for 2027.

On December 18, Hozon New Energy—the parent company of Neta Auto—announced the results of its search for an entrusted party to handle operation and management during the bankruptcy reorganization process. A total of two interested institutions submitted their application materials.

The evaluation committee assessed these applicants based on three key criteria: professional qualifications, the feasibility of their proposed operation and management plan, and the rationality of their financial arrangements. After thorough evaluation, one institution stood out and was selected as the entrusted party.

Moving forward, the administrator will sign an “Entrusted Agreement for Operation and Management” with the chosen institution to further the bankruptcy reorganization efforts. Previously, Hozon New Energy had also issued an announcement seeking investors for mutual-benefit debt, with plans to raise no more than 100 million yuan. This funding is intended to sustain the operation of core businesses and ensure continued services for car owners.

As a preeminent player in the commercial vehicle sector, SINOTRUK Group is expediting its shift towards new energy solutions. During the 2026 Partners Conference and Media Briefing, the company unveiled its strategy to solidify its competitive edge in the new energy domain through four pivotal approaches, centered around 'independent core technology':

Firstly, the company will embark on the concurrent development of diverse powertrain technologies, ensuring comprehensive coverage of three primary technical pathways—pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell.

Secondly, it will bolster its in-house research and development capabilities for core components, thereby fostering continuous iterative enhancements of crucial parts.

Thirdly, the company aims to deepen the integration of intelligent systems, striving for technological breakthroughs and synergistic collaboration among multiple technologies in the realm of intelligent control.

Fourthly, it will forge a collaborative industrial ecosystem, paving the way for the creation of innovative business models.

In the first half of 2025, the sales of its new energy heavy trucks witnessed a remarkable surge, with a year-on-year increase of 220.3%.

Looking forward, the Group intends to ramp up its investment in research and development and propel its strategic transformation towards 'six modernizations', with the ambitious goal of surpassing RMB 400 billion in revenue by 2030.

This morning, GAC Toyota divulged select details about the brand-new Levin L. This car is earmarked as Toyota's new-generation smart A+ class sedan, highlighting its "fully-loaded features and unparalleled sincerity." It boasts a wheelbase of 2,750mm and an interior outfitted with a 12.9-inch floating central control display and an 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster. The vehicle is compatible with Huawei HiCar 5.0 and ICCOA Carlink systems and is powered by a Qualcomm 8155P chip. Every model in the lineup is equipped with TSS 3.0 intelligent driving assistance as standard. The car measures 4,695mm in length, 1,780mm in width, and 1,435mm in height, and offers three powertrain choices: a 1.2T turbocharged engine, a 1.8L hybrid, and a newly introduced 2.0L naturally aspirated engine.

Zotye Auto released an announcement indicating that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shenkang Company, has made the decision to enter into a settlement with Shanghai Automotive Gearbox Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SAIC Gearbox Company") in connection with a sales contract dispute. Considering the real - world situation and the progress of the case, Shenkang Company has opted to resolve the matter through settlement with the other party. Recently, Zotye Auto received the "Civil Mediation Order" from the Intermediate People's Court of Linyi City, Shandong Province. This order mandates that SAIC Gearbox Company shall pay Shenkang Company a settlement amount of 29 million yuan within fifteen days of receiving the mediation order. Once Shenkang Company receives the payment, all disputes between the two parties concerning this particular issue will be fully and finally resolved, leaving no room for further disputes.

On December 18, the 30,000th new NIO ES8 vehicle was delivered in Chengdu. After reaching the milestone of 20,000 deliveries on November 29, it took only 19 days to achieve the 30,000th delivery, setting the fastest record in China for a pure electric vehicle model priced over 400,000 yuan to reach this delivery milestone.

On the evening of September 20, NIO officially launched its all-new ES8 pure electric SUV, with prices ranging from 406,800 to 446,800 yuan. Customers opting for the battery rental scheme can reduce the price to between 298,800 and 338,800 yuan. The new vehicle features a three-spoke steering wheel design, and its central console screen has been upgraded from a vertical layout to a banner-style display. The entire car is equipped with 111 physical buttons. In terms of performance, the new ES8 is built on a full-domain 900V high-voltage architecture, boasting a dual-motor peak power output of 520kW and a peak torque of 700N・m. It can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.97 seconds and has a braking distance from 100km/h to a complete stop of 34.9m. The vehicle comes standard with a 102kWh 4C battery pack, offering a CLTC driving range of up to 635km and an energy consumption rate of 16.6kWh per 100km.

Recently, Yu Chengdong made a bold claim on CCTV, stating, "With Level 3 autonomous driving, you can even take a nap." Not long after, another prominent figure in the automotive industry candidly remarked during a CCTV live broadcast: "Many technologies that appear to be straight out of science fiction are, in reality, highly impractical." He further emphasized, "While innovation is crucial, it should never compromise the user experience." He also suggested, "It would be beneficial to compile a guide to help consumers avoid being deceived when purchasing a car." Based solely on these comments, it's not hard to deduce the identity of the speaker.

On December 18, 2025, Momenta announced a strategic cooperation with Grab, a Southeast Asian travel and lifestyle service platform, and secured strategic investment from it. The two sides will focus on densely populated urban environments with complex road conditions to jointly promote the large-scale application of autonomous driving technology in Southeast Asia and accelerate the implementation of safe and efficient driverless services.

GAC Group has officially declared the commencement of a reform for its independent brand business units (BUs). The primary objective of this move is to enhance internal resource integration and streamline channel - integration operations.

Notably, the Hyper and Aion business unit has emerged as a frontrunner, successfully completing its establishment. Both the Hyper and Aion brands are now grouped under the same division, enabling them to operate in a coordinated manner.

In addition to the independently - operated Qijing brand, the Trumpchi business unit is currently in the preparatory phase for its launch. The Hyper brand is strategically positioned to target the high - end market segment. On the other hand, the Aion brand is dedicated to penetrating the mass market.

The integration of the sales channels for these two brands will be carried out in phases. The first batch of integrated sales outlets is set to be unveiled by January 31, 2026, and will span more than 30 cities. By March 31, a comprehensive integration will be accomplished, resulting in a network of over 1,000 sales outlets that cover cities above the fourth - tier level across the nation.

This reform initiative is poised to bring multiple benefits. It will expand the number of service outlets for the Hyper brand, effectively addressing the long - standing issue of user service convenience. Simultaneously, it will offer Aion users a wider array of product options, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

This afternoon, the Ministry of Commerce held a routine press conference to provide updates on the latest key priorities in commercial affairs. During the event, spokesperson He Yadong announced that China and the EU are currently engaged in consultations concerning the electric vehicle case. China stands firm in its position and is open to engaging in dialogue with the EU to find a suitable resolution for the existing differences and to facilitate the achievement of a comprehensive, industry-wide solution. China expresses the hope that the EU will show sincerity, honor the consensus reached during the China-EU leaders' meeting, and build on past efforts to resolve the issue promptly through dialogue. This should be done by taking into account the legitimate concerns of both parties and creating an open and stable market environment conducive to the development of industries in both China and the EU.

Ledo Automobile has officially declared the introduction of two new variants: the L60 Violet Edition and the Black Knight Edition. The Violet Edition stands out with its unique, limited-edition purple-and-white color scheme, with production strictly capped at 666 units. These exclusive vehicles will be ready for immediate delivery upon their market debut on December 18. Similarly, the Black Knight Edition is also restricted to 666 units, with pricing set at RMB 211,900 for the full vehicle purchase and RMB 154,900 under the battery rental scheme. Notably, Wu Zun has secured the honor of being the inaugural owner, with his car boasting a striking starry black exterior. The standard L60 edition enhances passenger comfort with rear-seat ventilation, features a more refined chassis, and achieves lower energy consumption, complemented by several newly introduced configurations. Pricing for the standard L60 starts at RMB 206,900 for a full purchase and RMB 149,900 for the battery rental option.

Musk took to the X platform to share his views, asserting that relying on non-self-driving fuel-powered vehicles is comparable to using flip phones while mounted on horseback. According to him, traditional automotive industries are destined to become relics of the past. Previously, Ford unveiled a strategic shift in its electric vehicle (EV) approach, scrapping some large-scale EV projects in favor of concentrating on hybrid and fuel-powered vehicle models. This move is estimated to result in a loss of around $19.5 billion. Reacting to this, Musk remarked that it signifies the downward trajectory and eventual demise of the conventional automotive sector. He emphasized that the choice between fuel and electric power is not the crux of the matter; rather, the ultimate competitive advantage for vehicles lies in their intelligence.

Guangzhou has rolled out the second phase of its auto consumption promotion campaign, backed by an additional 300 million yuan in financial support. Based on the implementation guidelines and budget allocation, the funds earmarked for subsidies of 4,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan are each capped at 150 million yuan. This allows for 37,500 and 30,000 subsidy slots, respectively. The campaign funds operate under the principle of 'fixed total budget, first-come-first-served basis, and campaign conclusion upon budget exhaustion'. The funding for each subsidy tier is managed separately, and once the designated amount for a particular tier is exhausted, the system will automatically cease accepting further applications for that tier.

The XPENG Motors Legal Department released a statement, revealing that it has recently discovered illegal activities involving the use of unauthorized electricity theft devices and the registration of fake user accounts for 'electricity theft'. In response to these illegal acts, XPENG Motors has filed reports with the public security authorities, and some cases have already been solved, with the main suspects apprehended on charges of theft and fraud. XPENG Motors expresses its gratitude to the public security authorities for their swift investigation and to the media for providing leads. The company will continue to cooperate in combating illegal and gray-area activities in the industry to safeguard the rights and interests of both the enterprise and consumers.