China Auto Daily丨China's Green Product Exports Surge: EVs Up 77.5%, Lithium Batteries 50.4%

China’s Green Exports Lead Robust First Quarter Trade

On April 14, Wang Jun, Deputy Commissioner of the General Administration of Customs, announced significant growth in China's electromechanical and green product exports during the first quarter of 2026. Total exports of electromechanical products reached RMB 4.34 trillion (USD 629,000.0 million), reflecting an 18.3% increase and accounting for 63.4% of total export value. This sector's share has grown by 3.5 percentage points compared to the same period last year, signaling China’s strengthening position as a high-tech manufacturing hub. The "green" sector demonstrated the most aggressive momentum. Specifically, exports of electric vehicles surged by 77.5%, lithium batteries grew by 50.4%, and wind turbine generators along with their components increased by 45.2%.

Wuling Bingo Pro Debuts at USD 8,500

SAIC-GM-Wuling officially opened pre-sales for the Wuling Bingo Pro on April 14, with an entry price of RMB 58,800 (USD 8,500). The new model is designed with a keen focus on female consumers, incorporating features such as an electric tailgate, a built-in "beauty soft-light mirror," and island-style switches optimized for users with manicured nails. The vehicle offers two CLTC range variants of 330km and 403km, supported by 3C fast-charging technology that can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes.

Safety and connectivity are central to the Bingo Pro’s value proposition. It utilizes the " Magic Battery,"(Chinese: 神炼电池) which has maintained a record of zero spontaneous combustions across 3.6 million sales. The vehicle is equipped with a 540-degree high-definition panoramic imaging system and smart parking assistance, boasting a 95% success rate for standard marked spaces. According to Wuling, the infotainment system supports major mobile protocols including HUAWEI HiCar, ICCOA Carlink, and Apple CarPlay, alongside remote app controls for a seamless digital experience.

Geely Launches i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid Technology

Geely Auto has officially unveiled its "i-HEV Smart Hybrid" technology, a next-generation AI-driven solution aimed at redefining the hybrid landscape. Powered by Geely’s AI 2.0 architecture, the system achieved a record-breaking thermal efficiency of 48.41% for a mass-produced engine. In real-world testing, the technology demonstrated a comprehensive fuel consumption as low as 2.22L per 100km. This 1-level energy efficiency rating marks a world-first for HEV models, positioning Geely ahead of traditional mechanical hybrid architectures.

The i-HEV technology will be integrated into the "China Star" lineup, including the Xingrui, Xingyue L, 4th-Gen Boyue L and 5th-Gen Emgrand‌ models. According to Geely, pre-sales for the Xingyue L and Xingrui i-HEV versions will commence on April 19. B

Volkswagen Group: Q1 Global Delivered 2.05 Million Vehicles

The Volkswagen Group released its delivery data for the first quarter of 2026 on April 14, reporting 2.05 million vehicles delivered globally. This represents a 4% decline compared to the 2.13 million units delivered in the same period of 2025. Despite the overall downward trend in the global market, the group maintained a stable market share. In China, while total deliveries fell by 14.8%, the group successfully grew its market share from 12.3% to 12.7%, outperforming the general market decline.

Brand performance within the group varied significantly. The core Volkswagen passenger car brand delivered 1.05 million units, down 7.6%, while Audi saw a 6.1% decrease with 360,100 units. Conversely, Skoda emerged as a growth leader with 271,900 units delivered, marking a 14% year-on-year increase. Luxury brands Bentley and Lamborghini saw declines of 9.9% and 11.7% respectively.

*(Exchange rate: RMB 6.9 = USD 1)*