China EV Surge: Solid-State Safety Debate, GWM's Retro Tease

In late December 2025, China's electric vehicle (EV) sector buzzed with critical developments: experts are challenging overhyped claims about solid-state battery (SSB) safety amid aggressive timelines from giants like FAW, GAC, Dongfeng, SAIC, and Chery; Great Wall Motor (GWM) teased a retro-inspired model under its mysterious sixth brand; and broader industry signals like Xiaomi's L3 autonomous driving license and Musk's ICE extinction prophecy underscore the shift toward intelligent EVs. These updates, drawn from 36Kr, CarNewsChina, and Sina reports, highlight China's dominance in EV innovation while tempering expectations with safety realities.

Solid-State Batteries: Hype Meets Harsh Safety Realities

Discussion on SSB safety escalated in December 2025 at events like the World Power Battery Conference, where experts debunked notions of 'absolute safety.' SSBs promise higher energy density (up to 350 Wh/kg targeted by Dongfeng) and better abuse tolerance under China's 2026 power battery standard—effective July 1, requiring no fire or explosion in tests for 5 minutes—but risks persist.

Key concerns include:

• Lithium metal reactivity: Can trigger aluminothermic reactions up to 2,500°C, even in discharged states.
• Dendrite formation: Solid electrolytes don't fully prevent shorts via microscopic gaps.
• High-nickel cathodes and silicon anodes: Boost energy but heighten thermal instability.

These timelines pressure thorough testing, as analysts warn against portraying SSBs as a panacea for lithium battery fires.

Great Wall Motor Unveils Retro Mystery with Sixth Brand Hint

GWM's drive-by-wire chassis chief engineer Li Fei electrified Weibo with teasers of a 'completely new product series' under its impending sixth brand. Unlike Haval SUVs, Tank off-roaders, Wey luxury, Ora EVs, or Poer pickups, this retro-styled model sports a chrome rear bumper, rounded elongated body, and lettered identifier—evoking vintage charm.

GWM's momentum backs the hype:

• November 2025 sales: 133,200 units (+4.57% YoY)
• 2025 cumulative: 1,199,700 units (+9.26% YoY, record high)
• NEV sales: 40,113 units in Nov (+11.43%), 243,500 YTD
• Exports: 57,309 in Nov (+32.70%), 368,700 YTD

This follows GWM's 2025 launch of an Ultra Luxury Vehicle Business Group targeting 1M+ yuan ($142K) models, signaling premium diversification.

Broader EV Momentum: Xiaomi L3 License and Musk's ICE Warning

Xiaomi Auto secured China's L3 autonomous driving road test license, accelerating smart EV tech. Elon Musk reinforced the trend, declaring non-autonomous ICE vehicles as outdated as 'using a flip phone while riding a horse'—aligning with China's NEV surge. Meanwhile, Neta Auto (哪吒汽车) advanced bankruptcy restructuring by appointing an operating trustee for under 10K yuan monthly, hinting at revival.

Why This Matters: Global Implications for EV Market

China's EV ecosystem—boasting SSBs poised for 1,000 km ranges and GWM's 9%+ sales growth—challenges Tesla and legacy automakers. Overseas exports jumped 33% YoY, capturing market share amid Europe's tariffs. Safety scrutiny ensures sustainable scaling, positioning Chinese EVs as intelligence leaders while Musk's rhetoric accelerates ICE obsolescence.

Looking Ahead: Validation and Competition

Expect 2026 SSB milestones from Dongfeng and GAC, GWM's sixth-brand reveal, and Xiaomi L3 deployments. Investors should watch safety certifications and Neta's turnaround for 2027 volume ramps. China's blend of ambition and caution will define the global EV race.