In the first half of 2023, Li Auto delivered a total of 139,117 new vehicles to customers and surpassed 30,000 units for the first time in June. Looking ahead to the second half of this year, they aim for a monthly delivery target of 40,000 units in the fourth quarter, relying on their L-series products. Li Auto’s ambition is to become the top-selling luxury brand in the Chinese market, with a target of 1.6 million vehicles by 2025.
Starting June 28, the Geely Zeekr 001 coupé and X SUV officially opened for pre-orders in Europe. In the European market, the 001 starts at €59,490, while the X starts at €44,990. The new vehicles will go on sale in Sweden and the Netherlands first.
The Volvo EX90 launch has been delayed by five or six months on software integration issues. U.S. deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024. Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan pinned the delay on the complexity of the software code around the EX90’s lidar system. The EX90 won’t drive itself at launch, but autonomy will come later with a software update.
Hesai Technology will supply lidar units for OE installation on several upcoming SAIC commercial vehicle models. The vehicles will feature Hesai’s AT128, a leading-edge, automotive-grade, ultra-high resolution long-range lidar. It’s a key milestone in Hesai’s strategic collaboration with SAIC Commercial Vehicle Division and Utopilot to advance intelligent driving technologies.
Innoviz and Loxo are stepping up their partnership to utilize InnovizOne lidar technology in Loxo’s zero-emission delivery vehicles. This technology advancement aids the sustainable transport of goods from local distribution hubs to consumers.
Horizon Robotics, a Chinese automotive computing solution provider, announced a strategic partnership agreement with Aptiv. Horizon will use their Journey chips to help Aptiv and their Wind River subsidiary, a provider of critical mission intelligent edge software, create fully integrated hardware and software solutions for automakers.
Aurora expects to complete a prototype of their lidar-on-chips by the end of the year. This chip is expected to be part of the company’s self-driving systems from 2027, in partnership with Continental. This development should bring the cost per unit on par with competitors. Aurora sees their lidar sensors as a unique advantage: it can measure the speed using a FMCW technology and a continuous beam of light.
