Episode #220 - Zeekr 9X Frenzy, Chengdu Motor Show Highlights & China’s EV Chip Wars

In this episode, Tu Le and Lei Xing unpack a busy week in the global EV world — from the Chengdu Motor Show to the explosive 42,000 Zeekr 9X reservations in just one hour.

We dive deep into:

• 🚙 Zeekr 9X launch & aggressive pricing strategy – the “Hangzhou Bay Cullinan” takes aim at premium SUVs.
• 🇨🇳 Chengdu Motor Show highlights – Volvo XC70, Ford Bronco BEV/PHEV, Exeed ET5 with Horizon Robotics chip, Roewe M7 DMH, and Huawei-backed HypeTech A800.
• 🌍 Global expansion moves – BYD, Leapmotor, and others ship kits abroad (Thailand, India, Hungary, Spain) to skirt tariffs.
• 🧠 China’s chip push – Horizon Robotics, Black Sesame, Huawei, XPeng, Li Auto and others design their own silicon, challenging NVIDIA & Qualcomm.
• 📉 EV price war 2.0 – NIO standardizes 100 kWh packs, Li Auto struggles, XPeng hits 30k+ monthly sales, and Xiaomi momentum builds.
• 🚀 New entrants – DreamE (yes, the robot vacuum company!) jumps into the ultra-luxury EV space, aiming at Bugatti.
• 🔋 Battery tech trends – Sodium-ion, LMR, dual-chemistry packs, and how EREV strategies could influence U.S. trucks.

👉 Join us for sharp insights on China’s fast-evolving EV sector and what it all means for the global auto industry.

🔑 Keywords

China EVs, China NEVs, Zeekr 9X, Geely, Volvo XC70, Ford Bronco EV, Exeed ET5, Roewe M7, HypeTech A800, Huawei ADS, BYD, Leapmotor, XPeng P7, NIO ES8, NIO Onvo L90, Li Auto i6 i8, Xiaomi SU7, DreamE EV, Bugatti challenger, Chengdu Motor Show 2025, IAA Munich preview, Horizon Robotics, Black Sesame, Hesai, RoboSense, Nvidia, Qualcomm, China EV chip war, EV price war, Sino Auto Insights podcast, Tu Le, Lei Xing.

Time stamps:

0:00 – Welcome & intro (Qixi “Valentine’s Day” edition)

1:30 – Zeekr 9X launch & 42,000 reservations in 1 hour

4:30 – Design, pricing & “Hangzhou Bay Cullinan” positioning

6:30 – Chengdu Motor Show overview & significance

10:10 – Volvo XC70 launch & Ford Bronco EV/PHEV reveal

12:00 – Exeed ET5 with Horizon Robotics chip & Roewe M7 DMH

12:45 – Huawei-backed HypeTech A800 flagship sedan

15:30 – BMW Neue Klasse, IAA Munich preview & European competition

16:30 – BYD, Leapmotor & kit assembly abroad (Thailand, India, Hungary, Spain)

20:00 – Chinese Tier 1s at IAA: CATL, Horizon Robotics, Hesai, RoboSense & more

22:00 – China’s chip wars: Horizon, Black Sesame, Huawei, XPeng, Li Auto vs. Nvidia & Qualcomm

26:30 – NIO standardizes 100 kWh packs & the “non-price cut price cut”

28:00 – Li Auto i6/i8 challenges, XPeng momentum, NIO L90 vs. Li Auto L9

31:00 – He Xiaopeng interview: “only 5 automakers will remain” debate

33:10 – SOE restructuring: Dongfeng, FAW, Changan consolidation

34:30 – New entrants: DreamE (robot vacuum maker) takes aim at Bugatti

39:00 – XPeng P7 vs. Xiaomi SU7 – which would you choose?

44:30 – NIO delays L80 launch to prioritize L90 demand

45:30 – Battery tech trends: Sodium-ion, LMR, dual chemistry & U.S. truck lessons

48:30 – Big picture: SUVs, EREVs, BEVs & China’s consumer preferences

49:54 – Wrap up & preview of next week’s IAA coverage from Munich