Could Tesla really leave China—the market and manufacturing base that helped transform it into the world's most valuable automaker?

In Episode #256 of China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing unpack reports that Tesla could potentially sell, spin off or close its China operations as Elon Musk considers a closer combination between Tesla and SpaceX.

The implications would be enormous.

Giga Shanghai accounts for roughly half of Tesla's global vehicle output, serves more than two million Tesla owners in China and remains a critical export hub supplying markets around the world.

Tu and Lei debate whether Tesla could realistically walk away, who could possibly acquire Giga Shanghai, what the move could mean for Tesla's FSD ambitions in China—and whether the report could be signaling something deeper about Tesla's expectations for its automotive business.

Then the conversation turns to another major disruption: Xiaomi's new SkyNomad EREV family SUVs.

After finding enormous success with the SU7 and YU7, Xiaomi is now targeting the large family-SUV segment dominated by companies such as Li Auto.

With the seven-seat N90 Max expected to start below RMB300,000 and offering a massive 76-kWh battery, 60-liter fuel tank and approximately 1,705 km of combined range, Xiaomi is once again using aggressive pricing to reset expectations.

In this episode:

• Could Tesla really sell or spin off its China business?
• Why Giga Shanghai remains critical to Tesla's global manufacturing strategy
• Tesla, SpaceX and the potential conflicts created by a merger
• What happens to Tesla if FSD never receives full approval in China?
• Who could realistically buy Tesla's Shanghai factory?
• Tesla's growing reliance on exports from China
• Xiaomi's new SkyNomad N90 and N70 family SUVs
• Why Xiaomi's pricing should worry Li Auto
• Xiaomi's highly automated Beijing factory
• Why Xiaomi's latest technology event disappointed some investors
• Audi's China-only EV strategy and Momenta-powered ADAS
• BMW, Porsche and the continuing challenges facing German automakers
• Why NIO is prioritizing profitability over global expansion
• Battery swapping vs. charging outside China
• How quickly ICE vehicles could disappear from China's domestic market
• Why China's unwanted ICE capacity could eventually flood emerging markets

If you want to understand the forces reshaping the world's largest automotive market—and what they mean for Tesla, Xiaomi, BYD, NIO, XPeng and the global automotive industry—subscribe to China EVs & More.

Hosted by Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights and Lei Xing, bringing decades of firsthand experience covering China's automotive, EV, AV and mobility industries.

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Chapters

00:00 Welcome to China EVs & More #256
00:55 Tesla's HUGE China question
02:00 Could Tesla really leave China?
04:30 Why Giga Shanghai is critical to Tesla
05:55 Without China, there's no Tesla of today
08:05 Who could buy Tesla's Shanghai factory?
09:50 Is Tesla FSD in China in trouble?
10:45 Could Tesla eventually exit the EV business?
12:40 Watch Tesla's China exports for the next clue
14:15 Xiaomi unveils its SkyNomad EREV family
15:25 Xiaomi N90 & N70 pricing shocks the market
16:45 Why Xiaomi's N90 should worry Li Auto
18:00 Xiaomi closes in on 750,000 EVs
19:05 Is Xiaomi late to the EREV party?
21:15 Inside Xiaomi's highly automated EV factory
22:45 Did Xiaomi's big tech reveal disappoint?
25:05 Xiaomi's wild tire blowout demonstration
27:20 Driving Audi's China-only E7X
28:45 Can Audi's China strategy actually work?
30:10 Why German automakers keep making things complicated
32:05 Porsche, BMW & Volkswagen face more China pressure
33:00 Can Ford & GM disrupt themselves?
33:50 Live Q&A: Why isn't NIO expanding faster globally?
36:00 Who could actually buy Giga Shanghai?
37:15 NIO's profitability vs. global expansion dilemma
40:05 How fast will ICE disappear in China?
42:55 Where will China's unwanted ICE capacity go?
44:50 Final thoughts

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The global automotive industry may have just crossed another major turning point.

In Episode #255 of China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing examine why Ford and Geely are partnering in Europe, what it means for the future of global manufacturing, and why more legacy automakers are turning to Chinese technology despite growing geopolitical tensions.

The discussion also explores Mercedes-Benz's challenges with the proposed Connected Vehicle Security Act in the United States, Volkswagen's expanding partnerships in China, Honda's renewed commitment to its Chinese joint venture, Tesla's latest earnings, and whether the global industry has reached a point where competing with Chinese automakers alone is no longer enough.

This episode covers:

• Ford & Geely's new European joint venture
• Why Spain is becoming Europe's next automotive hub
• Mercedes-Benz and the Connected Vehicle Security Act
• Volkswagen's growing reliance on Chinese technology
• Horizon Robotics and Volkswagen's AI partnership
• Tesla's latest earnings and shrinking margins
• China's increasingly competitive EV market
• BYD's global ambitions
• Why more legacy automakers are partnering with Chinese companies
• What this means for Europe, North America and the future of global manufacturing

If you want independent analysis on where the automotive industry is heading—not where it has been—subscribe to China EVs & More.

Hosted by Tu Le (Sino Auto Insights) and Lei Xing, bringing decades of experience covering China's automotive industry from the inside.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to China EVs & More #255
00:50 The week's biggest stories: Ford, Mercedes & Volkswagen
02:10 Why Mercedes could be blocked from selling in the U.S.
06:30 How China and U.S. policy are squeezing German automakers
09:00 Mercedes' EV struggles continue in China
11:45 Ford & Geely team up in Europe
15:45 Why Spain is becoming Europe's next automotive hub
18:15 Is Ford's Geely partnership the future of the auto industry?
20:00 What's next for GM in China and Europe?
21:30 Why every legacy automaker is partnering with Chinese companies
23:45 Volkswagen doubles down on China
27:45 Has Volkswagen reached the bottom in China?
29:00 "If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them"
30:15 China's EV price war is becoming unsustainable
33:00 Tesla earnings: Sales up, margins down
35:50 Is Tesla's China advantage starting to fade?
37:30 Financial Times: Chinese premium brands target Europe
39:00 Can Chinese premium brands win outside China?
40:15 Live Q&A begins
41:00 XPeng X9 recall: Should buyers be worried?
44:15 Is XPeng really Tesla's biggest rival?
46:00 Can BYD overtake Toyota as the world's #1 automaker?
48:20 Why hybrids still dominate the U.S. market
50:10 Battery swapping vs. autonomous charging
52:10 Xiaomi's next big launch
53:15 Should we move the livestream to 12 PM Eastern?
55:20 Thanks for watching!

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XPeng just held the biggest launch event in company history—and they chose Munich, Germany, the heart of Europe's automotive industry.

In Episode #254 of China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing break down XPeng's global launch of the new MONA L03, why Europe has become the next major battlefield for Chinese EV makers, and what this means for Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the rest of the legacy auto industry.

The discussion covers XPeng's pricing strategy, autonomous driving ambitions, Google Maps integration, charging infrastructure investments, software licensing opportunities with Volkswagen, and whether Chinese automakers are entering a new phase of global expansion.

They also examine:

• Why Munich—not Shanghai—became XPeng's biggest event ever
• How the MONA L03 compares with the Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y and BYD Atto 3
• XPeng's plans for advanced driver assistance across Europe
• Why BYD continues raising the bar globally
• Could Volkswagen eventually manufacture XPeng vehicles?
• The future of software-defined vehicles and AI-powered driving
• Bill Ford's comments about competing with Chinese automakers
• Why Europe may become the proving ground for autonomous driving before the United States

If you want to understand where the global automotive industry is heading—not where it has been—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Subscribe for weekly analysis of the global EV, autonomous driving and mobility industries from two of the most experienced China automotive analysts anywhere.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

01:00 Lei reports live from XPeng's biggest global launch in Munich

03:05 Why launching in Volkswagen's backyard matters

04:35 XPeng MONA L03 pricing: Europe vs. China

06:15 XPeng's autonomous driving strategy for Europe

08:00 Google Maps, AI and XPeng's global software stack

09:45 Why Europe is becoming the autonomous driving battleground

11:25 Is XPeng taking direct aim at Tesla and Volkswagen?

13:00 XPeng's charging infrastructure plans for Europe

15:15 Can the L03 become XPeng's next blockbuster?

16:45 Why Paris Motor Show just became much more important

18:00 Will Chinese marketing strategies work in Europe?

20:20 Can XPeng succeed in 65 global markets?

22:05 XPeng's global expansion challenges beyond China

24:10 Europe could become the proving ground for AI driving

25:20 Could Volkswagen build XPeng vehicles?

26:30 Is software licensing the next big opportunity?

27:30 Why BYD deserves credit for paving the way

29:00 Bill Ford admits Chinese automakers can't be ignored

31:20 Volkswagen's future and BYD's race to become the world's #1 automaker

35:15 China's slowing auto market and what it means for global OEMs

37:20 Live audience Q&A

38:00 Is the U.S. really closed to Chinese automakers?

39:15 XPeng's X9 recall explained

43:00 Are XPeng and Tesla becoming true rivals?

45:30 Toyota vs. BYD: Can BYD really become #1?

47:45 The future of battery swapping and autonomous charging

49:45 Closing thoughts & next week's preview

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China's automotive market may have just crossed one of the most important milestones in modern automotive history.

In Episode 253 of China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing analyze the latest Chinese auto sales—and the numbers are staggering.

China's domestic ICE vehicle sales plunged 50% year-over-year, while Chinese automakers continue expanding globally at an unprecedented pace. Foreign automakers—including Volkswagen Group, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and BMW—are facing mounting pressure as Chinese brands continue taking market share.

This episode also covers:

✅ China's domestic ICE collapse and what it means for global automakers

✅ Why BYD, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor continue gaining momentum

✅ China's vehicle exports surpassing one million vehicles in a single month

✅ Volkswagen's latest board meeting and the difficult decisions ahead

✅ Why Porsche's China strategy continues to deteriorate

✅ NIO's product cadence, ES8 momentum and upcoming NIO Day

✅ Li Auto's launch strategy and how Chinese OEMs are changing product rollouts

✅ Reuters' recent reporting on China's auto industry and why the government is trying to slow the "involution" and price war

✅ How new safety regulations and payment reforms could reshape China's automotive market

✅ Why Western automakers still underestimate China's competitive advantages

Whether you're an automotive executive, investor, supplier or simply passionate about the future of mobility, this episode explains why the world's largest automotive market is entering an entirely new phase—and why its effects will be felt across Europe, North America and beyond.

China EV, China EVs & More, Chinese EV, China auto industry, China auto market, China EV market, China NEV, BYD, NIO, Li Auto, XPeng, Geely, Chery, Leapmotor, Volkswagen China, Volkswagen Group China, BMW China, Mercedes-Benz China, Porsche China, German automakers China, China vehicle exports, China auto exports, China ICE sales, Chinese car market, Chinese automakers, EV market, Electric vehicles, Automotive industry, Global automotive industry, Auto industry analysis, China economy, Automotive News, Reuters China, Sino Auto Insights, Tu Le, Lei Xing, EV podcast, China automotive podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:20 China's shocking June sales numbers

03:45 China's exports hit another milestone

05:45 Why German automakers are under unprecedented pressure

09:30 NIO's improving product strategy

12:30 Reuters' report on China's auto industry

17:30 China's price war and government intervention

24:00 Automotive News Congress recap

29:00 Are Western automakers still underestimating China?

34:30 Why China's competitive advantage continues to grow

37:30 Closing thoughts

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We're only halfway through 2026, but the global automotive industry is already revealing its biggest winners—and its biggest losers.

In Episode 252, Tu Le and Lei Xing break down why Polestar is exiting the U.S. market, Volkswagen is preparing one of the largest restructurings in automotive history, and BYD believes it can become the world's largest automaker before the end of the decade.

The discussion also explores why China's domestic market is slowing even as exports continue to surge, what NIO's recent momentum means for the premium EV segment, whether Li Auto is losing its edge, and how GM, Mercedes-Benz and other legacy automakers are responding to a rapidly changing competitive landscape.

They also hit:

• Why Chery's global manufacturing strategy keeps expanding
• BYD's bold 2030 ambitions—and whether they're realistic
• Volkswagen's restructuring and what it means for the future of legacy auto
• The growing rivalry between NIO and Li Auto
• GM Energy and the next phase of EV infrastructure
• Why China's EV leaders are entering a completely different phase of competition

If you want to understand where the automotive industry is headed—not just next year, but over the next decade—this episode connects the dots between product launches, geopolitics, manufacturing, software and global strategy.

China EVs, China EVs & More, BYD, Volkswagen, Polestar, Toyota, NIO ES8, NIO ES9, Li Auto, Chery, EV exports, China auto market, electric vehicles, global EV race, Volkswagen layoffs, GM Energy, intelligent driving, Chinese automakers, Tu Le, Lei Xing, Sino Auto Insights

00:00 Welcome & Episode 252
01:20 Winners & Losers at Mid-Year
02:40 Why Polestar Is Leaving the U.S.
07:10 Slate Auto: Can Affordable EVs Work?
11:00 Volkswagen Cuts 100,000 Jobs
16:15 Is BYD's #1 Goal Realistic?
23:30 China's Slowing Domestic Market
27:10 NIO vs. Li Auto: Momentum Shifts
32:30 GM Energy & The Future of EV Infrastructure
36:40 Audience Q&A & Final Thoughts

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Episode 250 marks a major milestone for China EVs & More—and fittingly, the discussion centers on one of the boldest announcements yet from China’s automotive industry.

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu publicly declared that BYD intends to become the world’s largest automaker by 2030, setting its sights on Toyota and signaling that the company’s global ambitions are only accelerating. But is that goal realistic? Tu Le and Lei Xing break down what it would actually take to sell more than 10 million vehicles annually—and why battery production, overseas manufacturing, charging infrastructure and geopolitics could become BYD’s biggest challenges.  

The conversation also explores:

• China’s slowing domestic auto market despite record NEV adoption
• Why exports continue to hit new highs
• NIO’s growing momentum with the ES8 and ES9
• The intensifying rivalry between NIO and Li Auto
• GM’s new energy strategy and what it means for EV adoption
• Mercedes, Honda and other legacy automakers navigating China’s rapidly changing market

From global expansion and intelligent driving to battery strategy and industry consolidation, Episode 250 examines the next phase of China’s automotive transformation—and why the rest of the world can’t afford to ignore it.

China EVs, China EVs & More, BYD, Wang Chuanfu, Toyota, NIO ES8, NIO ES9, Li Auto, Chery exports, China EV exports, Chinese automakers, EV industry, global auto industry, electric vehicles, GM Energy, intelligent driving, China auto market, NEV sales, Tu Le, Lei Xing, Sino Auto Insights

00:00 Episode 250 & Welcome
01:20 China’s Domestic Market Slows
04:10 Why EV Exports Keep Growing
08:00 BYD’s Goal: Become #1 by 2030
14:15 Can BYD Really Pass Toyota?
20:30 NIO’s ES8 & ES9 Momentum
25:30 NIO vs. Li Auto Intensifies
31:20 GM Energy & The Next EV Strategy
36:15 Legacy Automakers’ China Challenge
41:00 Final Thoughts & Episode 250 Reflection

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China’s EV industry isn’t slowing down—it’s becoming even more competitive.

In Episode 249, Tu Le and Lei Xing break down the escalating rivalry between NIO and Li Auto, examine why Chery is rapidly becoming one of China’s most successful global automakers, and discuss what Tesla, Mercedes and other legacy automakers are up against as Chinese brands expand at home and abroad.  

The conversation explores Chery’s potential manufacturing partnership in the UK, the latest May sales results, NIO’s growing momentum with the ES9, Li Auto’s recent challenges, Mercedes’ next-generation EV strategy, and why intelligent driving, software and global manufacturing are becoming the next battlegrounds in the automotive industry.

If you want to understand where the global auto industry is headed—and which companies are building long-term advantages—this episode connects the dots beyond the headlines.  

They also hit:

• Why Chery’s export strategy is reshaping its global ambitions
• Whether NIO’s recent product launches have finally changed its trajectory
• The growing tension between NIO and Li Auto—and what it says about China’s increasingly competitive EV market
• Why Mercedes is betting heavily on Chinese software and intelligent driving
• Tesla’s resilience in China despite a flood of new competitors
• How intelligent driving has become the industry’s newest competitive battlefield
• Why China’s leading EV makers are preparing for a very different next phase of growth.  

China EVs, China EVs and More, Chery, NIO, Li Auto, Tesla China, Mercedes China, Chinese automakers, EV exports, China auto market, intelligent driving, autonomous driving, EV competition, Chery UK, electric vehicles, BYD, XPeng, Geely, Tu Le, Lei Xing, Sino Auto Insights

00:00 Welcome & Episode Setup
01:30 Chery’s UK Manufacturing Move
03:10 Chery’s Export Strategy & Global Push
05:15 Is Chery Too Dependent on Exports?
07:35 BYD, Geely, Chery & China’s Global Automakers
09:40 May Sales: Tesla, LeapMotor, Xiaomi & NIO
10:55 NIO Momentum: ES8 / ES9 Update
11:15 NIO vs. Li Auto Suspension Test Controversy
13:15 Li Auto Under Pressure
15:55 Xiaomi, HIMA & the 30K+ Monthly Sales Club
17:30 Mercedes GLC, Momenta & China-Specific EV Tech
20:50 XPeng, FSD & China’s Intelligent Driving Race
23:10 China EVs Entering Canada
25:00 USMCA, Canada & Chinese EV Investment
26:35 Honda’s China Collapse
27:25 Legacy Automakers’ Only Path Forward in China
29:45 Fast Charging, Battery Life & Viewer Q&A
31:30 Built-In Fridges, BYD, NIO & Closing Thoughts

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China’s EV market is entering a new chapter—and it could be the toughest one yet.

In Episode 251, Tu and Lei break down why BMW’s latest guidance may be one of the clearest signals yet that China’s traditional ICE business is deteriorating faster than many expected. As NEV penetration accelerates and ICE sales continue to shrink, legacy automakers face mounting pressure to reinvent themselves while Chinese brands battle for survival in an increasingly competitive market.  

The discussion explores why China’s slowing economy affects foreign brands differently, how the latest sales trends are accelerating industry consolidation, and why companies like BYD, NIO, XPeng and Li Auto are entering a critical new phase. Tu and Lei also debate Volkswagen’s manufacturing reset, BYD’s global ambitions, BMW’s warning on China, and whether the current price war is giving way to a fight over profitability, capacity and long-term survival.

If you want to understand where the global automotive industry is heading next, this episode explains why China’s market remains the industry’s most important battleground.  

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⏱️ Suggested Chapter Timestamps

00:00 BMW Sounds the Alarm
02:10 China’s Economy and the Auto Market
06:00 Why ICE Sales Keep Falling
10:20 NEV Penetration Hits Another Milestone
15:15 Volkswagen’s Manufacturing Reset
20:10 BYD’s Capacity Challenge
26:00 Can Europe Slow Chinese EVs?
31:30 NIO, XPeng & Li Auto Update
37:45 Will Consolidation Finally Begin?
44:30 Who Wins the Next Phase of China’s EV Market?
49:30 Final Thoughts

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The balance of power among China’s leading EV makers may be shifting.

This week on China EVs & More, Tu Le and Lei Xing break down a remarkable set of earnings results that reveal very different trajectories for China’s EV leaders.

NIO appears to be emerging from one of the most challenging periods in its history, delivering consecutive profitable quarters while building momentum behind the ES9, ONVO, and Firefly brands.

Meanwhile, Li Auto finds itself in an unfamiliar position. Margins are under pressure, earnings disappointed, and the company is increasingly relying on the success of its new BEV lineup to reignite growth.

And then there’s BYD.

While competitors focus on selling cars, BYD continues expanding deeper into batteries, semiconductors, AI, and autonomous driving technology. The company recently unveiled its own advanced automotive chips, reinforcing its position as one of the most vertically integrated technology companies in the automotive industry.

Tu and Lei also discuss:

⚡ NIO’s surprising turnaround and profitability outlook
⚡ Li Auto’s reset and what comes next for the L-Series and i-Series
⚡ BYD’s chip ambitions and technology strategy
⚡ XPeng’s robotaxi and robotics plans
⚡ Stellantis’ €60 billion strategy and deepening China partnerships
⚡ Volvo’s U.S. approval and what it means for Chinese technology in North America
⚡ Tesla FSD vs China’s rapidly evolving intelligent driving systems
⚡ Why the next automotive battle is about AI, software, autonomy, and scale

The EV race isn’t slowing down. But the leaderboard may be changing faster than most people realize.

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⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:00 The Auto Industry Has Flipped
02:00 Trump-Xi Summit & Global Auto Implications
05:00 NIO Earnings: Is the Turnaround Real?
09:00 Li Auto’s Challenges & Margin Pressure
13:00 XPeng’s Robotaxi & Robotics Ambitions
17:00 Why BYD Is Becoming a Chip Company
21:00 CATL, Chips & China’s Tech Arms Race
25:00 Stellantis’ €60 Billion China Strategy
30:00 Why Europe Needs Chinese Technology
34:00 Tesla FSD vs China’s Intelligent Driving Systems
38:00 Waymo’s Momentum & Autonomous Driving Reality
41:00 Volvo Approval & Future Chinese Market Access
44:00 What Happens Next for Global Automakers?
47:00 Final Thoughts

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#ChinaEVs #NIO #BYD #LiAuto #XPeng #Tesla #ElectricVehicles #Robotaxi #AutonomousDriving #ChinaEVsAndMore

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Back from China, Tu Le and Lei Xing unpack one of the most consequential shifts happening in the global automotive industry: the technology relationship between China and Western automakers has completely flipped.  

What began decades ago as Western companies bringing technology into China has become something very different. Today, automakers including Volkswagen, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan and others are increasingly relying on Chinese batteries, software, ADAS systems, LiDAR suppliers, and EV platforms to remain competitive.

In this episode, Tu and Lei discuss:

• Why Ford, GM, Volkswagen and Stellantis increasingly need Chinese technology
• The growing influence of XPeng, BYD, CATL, Huawei, Momenta, Hesai and Horizon Robotics
• Waymo’s rapid expansion and why autonomous driving is becoming impossible to ignore
• The reality of FSD versus China’s rapidly improving intelligent driving systems
• The implications of the Trump-Xi summit for the automotive sector
• Canada’s evolving strategy toward Chinese EV imports
• What the Beijing Auto Show revealed about the future of the industry
• Why the next battle is no longer about EVs — it’s about software, AI and autonomy

The conversation also explores whether legacy automakers risk becoming hardware manufacturers while Chinese companies increasingly control the technology stack powering the future of mobility. 

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⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:00 The New World Order in Auto
02:00 Trump-Xi Summit and Industry Implications
05:00 Why China Now Exports Technology
09:00 Ford, GM, Volkswagen and China’s Growing Influence
13:00 XPeng, Huawei, Momenta and China’s ADAS Race
17:00 Tesla FSD vs China’s Intelligent Driving Systems
22:00 Why Lei Thinks WeRide Is Closest to FSD
27:00 Waymo’s Expansion and Robotaxi Reality
31:00 What Tu Saw in San Francisco
35:00 Canada’s Chinese EV Strategy
38:00 Why Europe Is Embracing Chinese Technology
41:00 Beijing Auto Show Reflections
44:00 What Comes Next for Global Automakers
47:00 Final Thoughts

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