[7.3 Lithium Battery News] China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. was established and listed in Chongqing

[Tariff Impact Hits German Automakers: Audi's H1 Profits Plunge Over 30%]As Germany's most representative pillar industry, the automotive sector has been particularly affected by US tariff policies. Audi AG, a German automaker, released its H1 2025 financial report on July 28, revealing that its post-tax profits dropped over 30% YoY due to US tariff hikes on EU-imported vehicles. The report showed Audi's H1 post-tax profit stood at 13.46 yuan, down 37.5% YoY. CFO Jürgen Rittersberger attributed the decline primarily to US tariffs and rising corporate transformation costs, noting the tariffs alone caused approximately 6 yuan in losses. Audi's global vehicle deliveries fell about 6% YoY in H1. Parent company Volkswagen Group recently reported 13 yuan in additional costs from US tariffs, with operating profits down 33% YoY.

[China Changan Automobile Group Established in Chongqing]China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. was officially launched in Chongqing. This new central state-owned enterprise, spun off from the former China South Industries Group, oversees 117 subsidiaries. Its core businesses include complete vehicles and parts, auto sales, financial and logistics services, and motorcycles. The group's leadership stated it will focus on developing new quality productive forces like intelligent vehicle robots, flying cars, and embodied AI, exploring three-dimensional mobility ecosystems (land, sea, and air), while accelerating global expansion into five key markets: Southeast Asia, Middle East-Africa, Central-South America, Eurasia, and Europe. This restructuring marks a significant step in China's SOE reform and optimization of state capital allocation, enhancing the automotive industry's competitiveness. As a pillar of the national economy, industry consolidation is gaining momentum. A SASAC official noted that China's three major central state-owned automaker groups will now better facilitate high-quality development in intelligent connected NEVs and cultivate world-class brands with global competitiveness. (Cailian Press)

[CBA: NEV Loan Balance Up 23.44% YoY at 2024 Year-End]The China Banking Association recently released the "China Auto Finance Company Industry Development Report (2025)". The report indicates that by 2024 year-end, 24 auto finance companies maintained total assets of 8.55 trillion yuan. Retail financing balances reached 690.02 billion yuan, including NEV loans (204.1 billion yuan, up 23.44% YoY) and used car loans (78.38 billion yuan, up 26.06% YoY), effectively supporting NEV consumption and used car markets. Wholesale financing stood at 76.9 billion yuan, continuously providing liquidity support across the automotive industry chain. According to the report, in 2024, the regulatory and management indicators of auto finance companies generally remained sound. Specifically, by year-end 2024, the industry's average liquidity ratio reached 195.90%, average capital adequacy ratio stood at 26.96%, and average non-performing loan ratio was 0.65%, all maintaining favorable levels. (Cailian Press)

[Inner Mongolia Further Regulates Road Testing, Demonstration Applications, and Commercial Pilot Work for Intelligent Connected Vehicles]The Department of Industry and Information Technology, Public Security Department, and Department of Transportation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region recently issued the "Interim Measures for Road Testing, Demonstration Applications, and Commercial Pilot Work of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region." It specifies that road testing, demonstration applications, and commercial pilot work should follow the principles of ensuring safety and progressing from simple to complex. Upgrades to demonstration applications or commercial pilot work are permitted only after achieving certain mileage thresholds without accidents where the testing vehicle bears equal or greater liability. (Cailian Press)

[ByteDance Preparing "Doubao Auto"? Response: Pure Rumor]Rumors suggested ByteDance is preparing for Doubao Auto-related business. In response, a Volcano Engine spokesperson stated the online claims are "pure rumors." Volcano Engine provides efficient algorithm training platforms for numerous automotive clients but has no autonomous driving business plans. (Cailian Press)

[Manster: Currently All Multi-process Equipment Has Orders for Delivery]Manster stated on an interactive platform that the company has preliminarily completed dual-product layout ("wet + dry process") in the solid-state battery field, with deep expertise in innovative technologies such as new-type ceramic materials, twin-screw efficient dispersion, wet thin-layer coating, and double-layer co-coating of active material with solid electrolytes. Currently, all multi-process equipment has orders for delivery. (Cailian Press)