China Auto Daily丨VOYAH Launches Flagship Store in Abu Dhabi

VOYAH Enters Middle East with Abu Dhabi Flagship Store

VOYAH Auto announced its Middle East market entry on May 11, opening its Abu Dhabi flagship store. The VOYAH FREE SUV and VOYAH Dreamer MPV are now available for purchase, priced at RMB 364,000 (USD 50,400) and RMB 550,000 (USD 76,100), respectively. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia and UAE’s NEV adoption incentives, targeting affluent buyers seeking premium Chinese EVs.  

CPCA: April Passenger Vehicle Sales Reach 1.755 Million, Up 14.5% YoY  

China’s passenger vehicle retail sales hit 1.755 million units in April 2025, marking a 14.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase but an 8.7% month-on-month (MoM) decline, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on May 11. Year-to-date sales totaled 6.872 million units, up 7.9% YoY. Despite the seasonal dip, April’s performance remained historically strong, slightly below the 1.81 million peak recorded in April 2018.  

NEV Penetration Hits 51.5% as April Sales Hit 905,000 Units

CPCA data shows April 2025 new energy vehicle (NEV) retail sales reached 905,000 units, rising 33.9% YoY but falling 8.7% MoM. January-April cumulative NEV sales grew 35.7% YoY to 3.324 million units. NEV penetration climbed to 51.5%, up 7 percentage points from April 2024, reflecting sustained consumer shift toward electrification amid expanded charging infrastructure.  

JD.com Signals Robotaxi Ambitions with “Joyrobotaxi” Trademark Filings

JD.com’s subsidiary, Beijing JD 360 E-Commerce Co., Ltd., filed multiple “Joyrobotaxi” trademarks under international classifications including transportation and scientific instruments, per Tianyancha records. Industry analysts interpret this as JD’s intent to enter the autonomous ride-hailing sector, potentially leveraging its logistics expertise and Meituan-Dianping partnerships for fleet operations.  

Buick GL8 LS Begins Deliveries in China  

SAIC-GM’s Buick brand commenced deliveries of its GL8 LS MPV on May 10, following its April 25 launch. The three-trim PHEV model, priced from RMB 249,900 (USD 34,600) to RMB 289,900 (USD 40,100), combines a 1.5T hybrid system with 150 km CLTC electric range. The GL8 series remains China’s top-selling MPV, dominating commercial and family segments.  

*(Exchange rate: RMB 7.2261 = USD 1)*