01 Rever to Assemble BYD Commercial Vehicles in Thailand

Thailand’s Rever Automotive has signed a significant licensing agreement with BYD, granting it permission to assemble battery-powered trucks and buses in Thailand. Under the agreement, Rever Automotive will use kits provided by BYD to locally assemble these eco-friendly vehicles.

The kits for electric buses will not only be used domestically but will also be exported to other markets—including the UK—for local assembly. This move aligns with the increased demand seen at the Bangkok International Motor Show and supports Rever Bus and Truck Company’s plan to establish a new commercial vehicle assembly plant. However, a concrete timeline for the plant’s construction has not yet been announced.

In addition, BYD plans to expand its electric bus assembly kit offering in Indonesia through local distributor PT VKTR Technology Mobility, further promoting the growth of electric mobility in Southeast Asia.

—Source: just-auto

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02 DENZA Z9 GT, Set to Launch in Europe Next Year, Revealed in Official Filing

In early April, BYD revealed its new flagship electric wagon—the DENZA Z9 GT—along with video footage and camouflaged images from its winter testing in Stuttgart, Germany. Recently, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology confirmed the model’s official listing, including production-ready images and specifications.

The Z9 GT measures 5.2 meters in length, 1.99 meters in width, and 1.5 meters in height, with a 3.125-meter wheelbase—qualifying it as a large, five-seat electric vehicle. It’s powered by three motors delivering a combined 710 kW (approximately 952 horsepower), and can reach a top speed of 240 km/h. The vehicle comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, active rear spoiler, LiDAR sensors, and carbon fiber accents. Power is supplied by BYD’s LFP Blade battery, though its capacity has not been disclosed.

As part of BYD’s global expansion strategy, the Z9 GT is slated to enter the European market in 2025, aiming to compete with the Porsche Panamera and Geely’s Zeekr 001.

—Source: CarNewsChina

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03 GWM ORA UK Launches New Battery Assessment & Refurbishment Program

GWM’s ORA brand has launched a new internal battery inspection and evaluation program in the UK to enhance after-sales services and support third-party repair providers. The initiative is aimed at assessing the condition and repairability of EV batteries after collisions or incidents, offering onsite assistance and manufacturer-level guidance.

This program not only reduces battery waste from minor accidents but also improves service quality by ensuring safe battery transport and refurbishment as needed. ORA is implementing the initiative with full support from its UK distribution partner, International Motors Limited (IML), leveraging IML’s network of workshops and logistics centers for rapid deployment.

Additionally, ORA has launched two variants of the ORA 03 in the UK market—PURE+ and PRO+—with competitive lease offers and high-end configurations to strengthen its market presence.

—Source: Renewable Energy Magazine

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04 Geely Accelerates Hybrid Push in the UAE

According to Alex Gu, General Manager of Geely Middle East, Chinese automotive brands now command a market share of over 10% in the UAE—estimated at nearly 14%—a significant rise from just 1% a few years ago.

This growth has been fueled by strategic partnerships with major UAE dealerships. For instance, Geely has signed an agreement with AGMC, a distributor for BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce. Chinese automakers have elevated their market visibility and competitiveness through a focus on the “3P strategy”: Product, Price, and Promotion.

Geely is also ramping up efforts to promote its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to meet evolving market needs. While Dubai’s taxi fleets have widely adopted hybrid models, consumer acceptance in the private sector remains limited—an area Geely is targeting for expansion.

The company believes PHEVs address consumer range anxiety more effectively than fully electric vehicles, offering a balanced solution for today’s market. Geely plans to continue pushing its hybrid line-up with attractive products, competitive pricing, and well-timed promotional efforts.

—Source: Gulf News

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05 Jaguar Land Rover to Use Chery Exeed Platform in Future Vehicles

According to 36Kr AUTO, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is on the verge of becoming the first premium international carmaker to adopt Chery’s vehicle platform. Insiders reveal that JLR will utilize both the hybrid and pure electric platforms developed under Chery’s Exeed sub-brand.

Sources indicate that the first JLR model based on the Exeed platform could be released as early as the second half of 2024, marking a strategic technological partnership between a legacy Western luxury brand and one of China’s rising automotive technology players.

—Source: 36Kr AUTO

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