Toyota's Best-Selling Corolla Is Going Electric, and It Will Be Built in China From 2028

One of the world's best-known car nameplates is getting a battery-electric version. Electrek reports that Toyota will produce the Corolla EV in China starting in 2028, alongside hybrid and gas-powered versions. The Corolla has been one of the best-selling cars in the world for decades, so an electric variant is a significant step.

Producing the car in China matches Toyota's recent plans for the market. Earlier this week, a Cailian Press brief reported that Toyota will trial in-house integrated die-casting at Lexus's Shanghai plant from 2027, as part of a push to accelerate electrification and regain share in China. Local production can lower costs, shorten supply chains and allow closer cooperation with Chinese technology suppliers.

I have only seen the headline and summary, so I do not know whether the Corolla EV will be sold outside China or what its battery and range will be. The statement that hybrids and gas versions will continue suggests that Toyota is following a multi-pathway approach, offering different powertrains to match customer needs and regional infrastructure. Hybrids have been strong sellers, while pure EVs have grown more slowly in some markets.

For customers, the news may be more relevant in China than elsewhere for now. For the industry, it shows how global carmakers are adapting to the competitiveness of Chinese brands, which are expanding abroad with low-priced electric models. A 2028 date is also a long way off, so plans may change. Watch for more details on the model, its markets and whether other Toyota models receive similar treatment, and for sales data that show how hybrids and EVs are performing.

News sources

• Electrek – Toyota's best-selling Corolla is going electric, made in China
• Electrek – Subaru's next EV will be smarter and less like a Toyota

BYD's New Tang EV Revealed in a Regulatory Filing With 690 hp and Dual 30-Inch Screens

BYD's next flagship SUV has been revealed through official paperwork. Electrek reports that the new Tang EV, which it calls the company's tech-savvy flagship five-seat SUV, was shown in a regulatory filing with dual electric motors delivering a combined 690 horsepower. The report adds that the interior is even more impressive, with two 30-inch screens.

Regulatory filings in China are a common source of early information about upcoming models, because manufacturers must register vehicle specifications before they go on sale. They often include dimensions, power figures and photographs. However, the final production car may differ, and details such as price, battery size and range usually come later.

I have only seen the summary, so I do not know the battery, range or launch date. The Tang name has been used by BYD for SUVs for several years, and this model appears to be positioned at the upper end of the line-up. Dual large screens suggest an emphasis on in-car technology, an area where Chinese brands are competing strongly, as Geely's partnership with Google and Huawei's involvement in smart cars show.

BYD's growth outside China is also relevant. The company has been expanding into Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions, and the Paris Motor Show featured about 20 Chinese brands. Whether the new Tang will be sold in export markets, and in which form, is not clear. For buyers outside China, the most useful approach is to wait for official announcements, check local availability and read independent reviews, because specifications and equipment vary by market.

News sources

• Electrek – BYD's new high-tech 5-seat electric SUV revealed
• Electrek – EV and Tesla news

Huawei's Car Unit Yinwang Joins CATL's 2,520-Station Battery Swap Network

Battery swapping, a technology many in the industry had written off, is gaining another heavyweight partner. Electrek reports that Yinwang, the Huawei-controlled automotive unit also known as Newcool, signed a strategic cooperation framework with CATL and its swap subsidiary CAES on Monday. CATL's Choco-swap network already has 2,520 stations across about 200 Chinese cities.

In a battery swap system, a driver pulls into a station and a robotic system replaces the car's depleted battery with a charged one, in a few minutes. This avoids waiting for charging, and the battery can be owned by the swap company and leased to drivers, which lowers the upfront cost of the vehicle. The drawback is that cars must be designed to accept standardised batteries, and stations need large stocks of packs.

I have only seen Electrek's summary, so I do not know the details of the agreement, including which models would be compatible or when services will begin. The report notes that CATL, the world's largest battery maker, now has another powerful partner, which suggests that swap compatibility is expanding in China. Huawei's involvement in smart cars gives it influence over many brands.

For drivers, the benefit of swapping would be speed and convenience, particularly for taxis and heavy users. For the industry, the question is whether standardisation will spread beyond China, where charging and swapping are both being expanded. Outside China, fast charging has become the dominant approach, as seen in the 710 kW charging claim for the Mercedes-AMG GT SUV. Watch for announcements on which vehicles will support swapping and for any plans to export the system.

News sources

• Electrek – Huawei's car unit joins CATL's 2,520-station battery swap network
• Electrek – EV and Tesla news

Toyota to Trial In-House 'Integrated Die-Casting' in China at Lexus's Shanghai Plant From 2027

Toyota is planning to adopt a manufacturing technique that has been popularised by electric carmakers. According to a Cailian Press morning brief on 17 October, Toyota will conduct its first trial of in-house integrated die-casting in China, with Lexus's Shanghai plant slated to begin production in 2027.

Integrated die-casting, sometimes called giga-casting, uses very large casting machines to produce big sections of a car's body, such as the rear or front underbody, as a single piece instead of welding together many smaller parts. It can reduce the number of components, simplify assembly and lower costs, but it requires heavy investment, and repairs to large cast parts can be difficult.

The brief says the development, together with the construction of a new electric-vehicle plant, represents a strategic move by Toyota to accelerate its electrification and regain market share in China. China is a hugely competitive market, where local brands have taken share quickly and price pressures are intense. I have only seen the summary and not the details of the investment.

For the industry, the announcement is another sign that traditional carmakers are adopting methods and technologies pioneered by newer competitors, sometimes in China first. For consumers, the effects of manufacturing changes may appear in prices, quality and delivery times, though they are rarely visible directly. Watch for further details on the Shanghai facility, such as the models it will build, and for whether Toyota expands the technique to other regions. The trial will also provide lessons about the costs and benefits of the method.

News sources

• Cailian Press – Auto Morning Brief, October 17

China's Hybrid Exports to the EU Triple as Analysts Say BYD, Chery and MG Dominate

Chinese hybrid cars are gaining ground fast in Europe. A Daily Caller News Foundation article republished by Todayville says China's exports of hybrids to the 27 EU member states tripled to $7.5 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $2.5 billion in 2025. The source is an opinion-driven outlet, so the numbers should be checked against official trade statistics.

Reuters, quoting analysts at Jefferies, adds that BYD, Chery and state-owned SAIC's MG brand accounted for 90 per cent of Chinese-brand hybrid sales in the EU in the first eight months of 2026. The analysts said an EU-China deal could hit those three brands hardest. About 20 Chinese brands are attending the Paris car show, double their presence in 2024, as they face a price war and falling sales at home.

The reason for the surge is partly regulatory. Tariffs on Chinese-built battery electric vehicles encouraged exporters to focus on hybrids, which face different rules. Hybrids are also attractive to European buyers who want lower fuel use without the need to rely entirely on charging. Analyst Felipe Munoz of Car Industry Analysis told Reuters that restrictions make life a bit more difficult for the Chinese but will not stop them.

For European carmakers, the pressure is intense. They must compete on price and technology while managing the transition to electric power, and some are partnering with Chinese companies, such as Stellantis with Leapmotor and Renault with Geely. For consumers, more competition may mean lower prices and more choice. Policymakers must balance protecting jobs with keeping markets open. Watch for the terms of the EU-China arrangement and for new sales data, which will show how quickly Chinese hybrids are growing.

News sources

• Todayville – EU's trade deal with Beijing and European manufacturing
• Reuters via Sowetan – European, Chinese carmakers launch product blitz at Paris car show

U.S. EV Policy Uncertainty Leaves Carmakers on the Back Foot While Chinese EVs Face 100%+ Tariffs

American carmakers are operating in an unusually unpredictable policy environment, according to a report from Qatar Tribune published today. It says that Washington's efforts to block Chinese electric vehicles, originally intended to protect the domestic industry, have raised concerns that the strategy may be hurting America's competitiveness in carmaking.

The article notes that Chinese EV makers face tariffs of more than 100 per cent in the United States, and that Washington has also imposed restrictions on China-linked software and hardware over data-security concerns. During his second term, President Trump has been retreating from government EV incentives, including rescinding incentives for EV production and weakening fuel economy standards, according to the report.

An analyst quoted in the piece says there is growing concern that the United States has fallen behind in the EV race and has failed to develop and stick to a coherent long-term strategy. Protection from competition can give domestic companies time to adapt, but, as the analyst suggests, it only works if combined with long-term industrial planning and execution.

The consequences are visible elsewhere in the news. U.S. EV sales fell sharply after the federal credit lapsed, while Europe saw record EV sales, and Chinese brands are expanding in Europe, Canada and Australia. For American consumers, limited competition may mean fewer affordable electric choices. For carmakers, uncertain rules make it hard to plan investment. The debate is political as well as economic, with different views about how fast the transition should go. Watch for any new legislation or regulations that could clarify the direction.

News sources

• Qatar Tribune – US EV policy uncertainty puts carmakers on the back foot
• FXStreet – TSLA vs Ford: oil, tariffs and a recall collide

Tesla and Eight Other Carmakers Recall 4.3 Million Vehicles Over Emergency Door-Opening Problems

A large safety campaign is affecting several brands. According to Reuters, as summarised by FXStreet, Tesla and eight other manufacturers have announced recalls covering roughly 4.3 million vehicles over emergency door-opening problems. The article describes the recall effort as part of a Chinese campaign, though I have only seen a summary, and the specific models and defects are not detailed in what I read.

Door-opening safety has become a serious topic in the car world. Many modern vehicles use electronic door releases and flush handles, which can look sleek but may be harder to operate in an emergency, such as after a crash or a loss of power. Regulators in several countries have been examining whether cars should always have a clear mechanical way to open the doors from inside and outside.

A recall of this size suggests that regulators are pushing manufacturers to address the issue. Recalls usually involve a free repair or software update, and owners are notified by mail or through the manufacturer's app. It is important to check whether your vehicle is covered, particularly if it is a recent model with electronic handles.

What can drivers do now? Learn where the manual release is in your car, and show it to passengers, including children and rear-seat occupants. Practise finding it when the vehicle is stationary and safe. If your car is part of a recall, arrange the repair promptly. The FXStreet piece also mentions that the recall sits alongside tariff and oil developments affecting carmakers, which shows how many pressures are on the industry at once. Watch for official lists of affected models from the regulators and manufacturers.

News sources

• FXStreet – TSLA vs Ford: oil, tariffs and a recall collide