China's auto market showed a notable shift in the first quarter of 2026, with Volkswagen, Geely, and Toyota returning to the top of the sales rankings in the first two months of the year. BYD, long the market leader, slipped to fourth place, drawing widespread attention.

MG, the European arm of China's SAIC Motor Group, confirmed that its upcoming MG4 Urban will feature semi-solid battery technology to address the range loss issues of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in cold climates. LFP batteries are known to lose significant performance in high-latitude, low-temperature environments, drastically reducing driving range. By adopting semi-solid batteries, MG aims to limit range loss even in extreme conditions from -20°C to -40°C, offering European drivers more consistent EV performance.

A year ago, the Japanese automotive world watched Honda, the financially robust "second brother," attempt to assert dominance over its smaller sibling Nissan. The high-stakes negotiations, marked by a glaring imbalance of power, ended abruptly and bitterly.

Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture between Sony and Honda, has scrapped the two "Afeela"-branded electric vehicles it had been developing, citing Honda's recent strategic shift that canceled three planned US EVs—moves that could cost the automaker nearly US$16 billion. The decision leaves the joint venture's hundreds of employees in Tokyo and California facing uncertainty, as the companies evaluate the venture's future.