In a major boost to China's competitive EV landscape, Huawei and GAC have unveiled the first model from their joint Qijing brand—a sleek shooting brake wagon equipped with L3-ready advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Revealed on December 24, 2025, via Qijing's official Weibo, this NEV promises premium performance comparable to 1 million yuan luxury models like the Maextro S800 and Yangwang U8, but at an accessible 300,000 yuan (~$42,680 USD). Deliveries are slated for June 2026, positioning it against rivals like Zeekr 007 GT and Nio ET5 Touring.
Qijing's Debut: Sporty Design Meets Cutting-Edge Tech
The Qijing wagon, translating to 'Venue,' marks the inaugural collaboration between Huawei's Intelligent Automotive Solutions BU and state-owned GAC. CEO Liu Jiaming, appointed in September 2025, and Huawei BU CEO Jin Yuzhi showcased the vehicle's dynamic handling in a test video.
Key design and tech highlights include:
- Sloped bonnet and aggressive styling: Large active air intake, sculpted rear fenders, and 20-inch ten-spoke rims.
- L3-ready Huawei ADAS: Latest iteration for semi-autonomous driving, rivaling high-end systems.
- BEV powertrain: Rear-fender charging port suggests an 800V architecture for ultra-fast DC charging.
- Streamlined features: Pop-out door handles compliant with Chinese regulations, roof-mounted LiDAR, and traditional side mirrors.
This model targets the premium mid-market, blending aesthetics, driving dynamics, and intelligence at a fraction of luxury pricing.
CATL Powers Ahead: Record 1,250 km Heavy-Duty Truck Battery Swap Route
Complementing passenger EV excitement, CATL's Qiji Energy subsidiary launched China's longest battery swap route for heavy-duty trucks on December 23, 2025—spanning 1,250 km along the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway's Sichuan-Chongqing-Hubei section.
Qiji's stations support over 95% of mainstream heavy-duty truck models, with swaps in ~5 minutes using modular 171 kWh batteries (1-3 modules per swap). Users optimize via a cloud platform for reservations and routes.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Route Length | 1,250 km |
| Battery Capacity per Module | 171 kWh |
| Annual Cost Savings per Truck | 30,000-60,000 yuan ($4,300-$8,500) |
| Carbon Reduction | 174 tons/year per truck (vs. diesel; equals 9,643 trees) |
| Swap Time | ~5 minutes |
China's heavy-duty truck market is booming: November 2025 sales hit 113,000 units (+65.4% YoY), with new energy models at 28,000 units (+178% YoY, 30% penetration). Jan-Nov cumulative NE truck sales: 187,000 units (25.95% penetration, up from 12.54%).
Specs Comparison: Qijing Wagon vs. Rivals
| Feature | Qijing Wagon | Zeekr 007 GT | Nio ET5 Touring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (CNY) | ~300,000 | ~350,000+ | ~400,000+ |
| Body Style | Shooting Brake | Shooting Brake | Touring Wagon |
| ADAS Level | L3-ready (Huawei) | L2+ | L2+ (Nio Pilot) |
| Powertrain | BEV (800V likely) | BEV | BEV/Battery Swap |
| Key Edge | Value luxury | Performance | Premium ecosystem |
Why This Matters: Turbocharging China's EV Dominance
These developments underscore China's EV prowess amid surging demand. Passenger EVs like Qijing expand accessible intelligence, while CATL's infrastructure tackles logistics electrification—critical as heavy-duty NE trucks hit record penetrations. Globally, this pressures Western incumbents: Huawei's ADAS rivals Tesla's FSD, and CATL's swaps cut emissions equivalent to millions of trees annually. By 2030, Qiji aims for an 180,000 km network covering 80% of truck transport and 16 city clusters.
Looking Ahead
Qijing's June 2026 launch could disrupt the 300K yuan segment, blending Huawei tech with GAC scale. Paired with CATL's B2B swap maturity (eyeing B2C expansion), expect accelerated NEV adoption. Watch for Qijing specs reveals and route expansions—these signal China's EV market hitting escape velocity in 2026.
