During the final week of March 2025, China's electric vehicle market experienced significant fluctuations among major players. BYD remained at the forefront with a robust performance, followed by Tesla and other competitors such as Nio, Xpeng, Li Auto, and Xiaomi. The overall passenger car registrations amounted to 483,000 units, marking an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period last year. Electric vehicles accounted for 50.1% of these registrations, reflecting the growing popularity of EVs within the Chinese automotive landscape. Despite recommendations from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) to cease publishing weekly sales data, independent sources like CarNewsChina continued providing this valuable information.
Detailed Insights into Week 13 EV Registrations
In the vibrant and competitive environment of the Chinese EV sector during the last week of March, several key players stood out. BYD led the pack with an impressive 60,400 insurance registrations, representing a 3.2% rise from the previous week. Notably, BYD’s sub-brand Denza saw a substantial jump of 45.8%, registering 3,500 units.
Tesla followed closely behind, achieving 20,700 registrations—an increase of 21.8%. This included 14,600 Model Y and 6,100 Model 3 sedan registrations. For Tesla, this marked the fifth consecutive week of rising sales in China. Meanwhile, Li Auto registered 8,800 units, showing a modest 2.3% growth, while Xpeng faced challenges with a decline of 17.3%, posting 6,200 registrations.
Xiaomi demonstrated strong momentum, increasing its registrations by 18.2% to reach 7,800 units. Other notable performers included Leapmotor with 8,100 registrations and Nio, which registered 3,000 vehicles, representing a 25% increase from the prior week. Furthermore, Nio's sub-brand Onvo registered 1,400 units, up 16.7%.
Amidst these developments, CAAM advised against releasing weekly sales figures, citing concerns about undermining industry order and fostering unhealthy competition. Nevertheless, independent entities persisted in tracking and reporting these metrics due to their importance for consultants, analysts, and investors assessing market trends.
From a journalistic perspective, the ongoing evolution of China's EV market underscores the dynamic nature of technological advancement and consumer preference shifts. Observing how brands adapt strategies amidst regulatory pressures provides insight into global industrial practices. It highlights the necessity for transparency and reliable data dissemination to ensure informed decision-making across stakeholders involved in this rapidly transforming sector.
Beijing Dacheng Law Offices, LLP has chosen to pursue an independent course, disassociating itself from Dentons. While maintaining a preferred partnership status with Dentons, Dacheng operates as a distinct legal entity governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China. The firm boasts a significant presence across more than 40 locations within China. Meanwhile, Dentons continues its global operations as an international law firm with affiliates and members in over 160 locations worldwide.
This separation highlights the strategic decision by Dacheng to focus on its unique strengths while preserving a collaborative relationship with Dentons. The move reflects broader trends in the legal industry where firms seek greater autonomy while retaining international connections for mutual benefit.
Dacheng's Strategic Realignment
Dacheng Law Offices has embarked on a journey to redefine its identity by establishing itself as an autonomous entity. This decision underscores the firm's commitment to leveraging its local expertise and expanding its influence domestically. By focusing on its roots in Chinese law, Dacheng aims to enhance its competitive edge in the domestic market while maintaining a privileged association with Dentons.
The transition marks a pivotal moment for Dacheng as it seeks to capitalize on its deep understanding of Chinese legal frameworks. Operating independently allows the firm to tailor its services more effectively to meet the specific needs of clients within China. Additionally, this move enables Dacheng to refine its strategies and methodologies without being constrained by global organizational structures. Furthermore, the firm’s extensive network across numerous Chinese cities ensures that it remains well-positioned to serve both local and multinational clients seeking expert advice on domestic matters.
Global Collaboration Amid Independence
Despite choosing independence, Dacheng retains a special relationship with Dentons through a preferred partnership arrangement. This collaboration facilitates access to international resources and expertise, allowing Dacheng to offer comprehensive legal solutions to its clients. Such partnerships are increasingly vital in today's interconnected world, where legal issues often transcend national boundaries.
By maintaining ties with Dentons, Dacheng can draw upon the vast experience and capabilities of one of the world's leading law firms. This connection provides valuable insights into global legal trends and practices, which Dacheng can integrate into its service offerings. Moreover, the partnership supports Dacheng in addressing complex cross-border transactions and disputes involving clients who operate internationally. Thus, while operating independently, Dacheng continues to benefit from its association with Dentons, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of legal innovation and excellence both locally and globally.
Starting April 1, 2025, the United Kingdom implemented a significant overhaul of its vehicle excise duty (VED) system. This reform particularly affects electric cars, especially those priced above £40,000. Previously exempt from VED, electric vehicles now face new charges. The first-year rate is set at £10, increasing to £195 from the second year onward. Additionally, a luxury car tax adds £425 annually for models exceeding the £40,000 threshold, applicable during years two through six. Car manufacturers like Vauxhall have responded by adjusting prices to avoid these higher taxes.
In a move that has sparked discussion across the automotive sector, electric vehicles are no longer entirely free from taxation. Under the new rules, owners of electric cars will need to pay an initial fee of £10 in their first year of ownership. From the second year forward, this rises to match the standard annual rate of £195. However, for more expensive electric vehicles—those with a price tag exceeding £40,000—an additional charge known as the luxury car tax comes into play. This brings the total annual cost up to £620 for five consecutive years following purchase.
This £40,000 limit considers not only the base price but also any optional extras added to the vehicle. For instance, a car priced just below £40,000 could still be subject to the luxury car tax if features such as metallic paint are included. British automaker Vauxhall was among the first to respond strategically to these changes. They adjusted the pricing of several models, ensuring they remain under the critical £40,000 mark. One example is the all-electric Grandland, which saw a reduction of £600, though this adjustment applies solely when opting for the standard color option.
Eurig Druce, managing director of Vauxhall, expressed concerns over the static nature of the £40,000 threshold since its introduction in 2017. He highlighted that inflation should have raised this figure closer to £52,000 by now. Given the average cost of an electric vehicle in the UK stands around £48,000, he argued that penalizing buyers of more affordable EVs contradicts efforts to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Despite Vauxhall's proactive measures to keep customer costs below the new tax threshold, Druce urged reconsideration of this policy to better align with national goals of promoting electric vehicle adoption.
Older electric vehicles registered between March 1, 2001, and March 31, 2017, will now incur an annual charge of £20. Meanwhile, cars registered between March 31, 2017, and March 31, 2025, will face the same standard VED rate as combustion-engine vehicles. These adjustments reflect broader shifts in how the UK government views and regulates the burgeoning electric vehicle market.