ev.news China: EV Share Reaches 67%, AITO Looks For Growth Overseas & Avatr T09 Flagship | 13 Oct 2026

Welcome to ev.news China — the podcast dedicated to the world’s largest electric vehicle market. Each day, I bring you the latest headlines, insights, and analysis from the heart of China’s booming EV industry — and decode how fast-moving developments in the east are shaping the global EV landscape.

CHINA EV SHARE HITS 67% AS PETROL SALES SLUMP

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles captured a record 67% of China's passenger car market in September, despite NEV sales falling 16.7% to 1.084 million, as overall car sales declined 28% and petrol sales plunged 43%. With domestic NEV sales down 10.6% across the first nine months but September exports surging 160% to 571,000 vehicles, Chinese manufacturers are increasingly dependent on overseas markets to sustain growth.

AVATR REVEALS T09 HYBRID WITH OVER 400KM EV RANGE

Avatr has unveiled its T09 luxury SUV concept in Paris, combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine, three electric motors and a 71.2 kWh CATL battery delivering more than 400 km of claimed electric range under China's CLTC cycle. Targeting China's 500,000 yuan luxury SUV segment, the concept showcases Avatr's premium ambitions as the company targets expansion from 70 to more than 110 international markets by 2030.

AITO PLANS 2027 EUROPE ENTRY AS SALES DECLINE

Huawei-backed AITO plans to launch four premium SUVs in Europe in 2027, with EU vehicle certification and Euro NCAP safety assessments underway as manufacturing partner Seres seeks growth beyond China. The expansion comes as Seres reported September NEV sales falling 34.48%, nine-month deliveries declining 15.79% and a first-half net loss of 1.72 billion yuan ($257 million), highlighting the urgency of establishing a successful international business.

XPENG PREVIEWS MONA L05 SUV WITH 660KM CLTC RANGE

XPeng has previewed the MONA L05 affordable SUV ahead of its planned late-2026 Chinese launch, offering a battery-electric version with a 71.1 kWh LFP battery and up to 660 km CLTC range, alongside a range-extender version with a 37.2 kWh battery delivering up to 253 km of electric driving. With estimated but unconfirmed pricing of $20,900–$26,900, the larger SUV expands the MONA range as XPeng targets monthly deliveries exceeding 60,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, compared with 41,256 in September.

XPENG PLANS EV TECHNOLOGY DEALS BEYOND VOLKSWAGEN

XPeng has introduced its AI Engineering initiative in Paris, seeking to supply vehicle development, manufacturing, software and AI technology to additional carmakers beyond its existing Volkswagen partnership. Alongside European road testing of its advanced driver-assistance technology, more than 12,000 reported European MONA L03 orders and initial production trials in Austria, the strategy positions XPeng as an international technology supplier rather than simply a Chinese vehicle exporter.

CHINA PROPOSES BAN ON FOLDING CAR SCREENS

China has proposed stricter vehicle approval regulations banning folding cabin displays, requiring physical controls for essential functions and introducing tougher reliability, safety and software testing, including at least 30,000 km of vehicle testing. The draft measures, under consultation until 10 November and potentially taking effect from January 2027, aim to prevent manufacturers prioritising technological novelty and rapid product launches over proven safety, potentially increasing development costs and slowing approvals.

EU-CHINA DEAL LIMITS HYBRID IMPORTS TO 350,000

The EU and China have reportedly agreed to cap Chinese hybrid and plug-in hybrid imports at 350,000 vehicles annually under a four-year safeguard arrangement potentially beginning in December, with the ceiling increasing 6% each year. While Beijing argues the limit permits growth from 302,000 imports in 2025, Brussels expects shipments could otherwise reach 800,000 in 2026, meaning the agreement could substantially restrict Chinese manufacturers' European expansion and encourage more local production.