China is the world's largest and probably fastest-growing auto market, where breaking news happens every day: exciting innovation, history-making moments, far-reaching policies or outrageous scandals.
Below are China Daily's senior motoring editors' picks of the top 10 events that shook or shaped China's auto industry since last year. They offer readers a quick review of what happened and some insights into what is around the corner.
New-energy car market soars but at a cost
The new-energy vehicle market in China, which mainly includes pure electric and plugin hybrid automobiles, have taken off since last year because of government subsidies.
In the first quarter of the year, new-energy vehicle sales doubled year-on-year to 58,125 units. Last year, sales more than quadrupled to 331,000 units. But the sector is being plagued by dozens of subsidy fraud practices from automakers. The central government launched a fraud probe at the beginning of the year and has vowed to punish cheaters. According to industry experts, the new-energy vehicle market will slow down significantly when government incentives end in 2020.
Bevy of automakers teaming with high-tech companies
More carmakers have joined forces with internet companies to develop and produce electric cars with connectivity technologies.
At the beginning of April, Shanghai-listed JAC Motor clinched a 10 billion yuan (1.54 billion) deal with NextEV on new-energy and smart cars as well as connectivity technologies.The first electric model will be launched at the end of next year. NextEV is one of China's startups aspiring to make electric and smart supercars and is backed by Tencent Holdings and Hillhouse Capital.
In February, internet firm LeEco agreed with Aston Martin to form a joint venture to produce cars. Their first electric car, the Rapid E, will hit the market in 2018 with powertrain and connectivity technologies from LeEco.
