Cailian Press Auto Morning Report [March 21]

China’s First National “Road-Air Integration” Testing Base in Operation

On March 20, China’s first national “road-air integration” testing base officially began operation in Xinfeng County, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province. The base was jointly built by China Automotive Technology & Research Center, GAC Group, and three other parties. In addition to 8,600 acres of land for full-process intelligent connected vehicle testing, it also has a 100-square-kilometer airspace for testing low-altitude equipment such as flying cars. On the same day, GAC Group’s low-altitude mobility tech brand Goyou Tech completed its first scene flight demonstration of the hybrid wing flying car GOVY AirCab in Haixinsha, Guangzhou. Looking ahead, GAC will leverage the Southern Test Site, working with industry partners, universities, and research institutions to accelerate the transformation of technological achievements from verification to application, and continue to focus on cutting-edge fields like intelligent connected new energy vehicles and low-altitude mobility.

Caixin Auto: “Road-Air Integration” demonstrates China’s full industry chain advantages.

CAAM: March Narrow-Sense Passenger Car Retail Expected at 1.7 Million, New Energy Vehicles at 900,000

On March 20, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), preliminary estimates show that the total market for narrow-sense passenger cars in March is about 1.7 million units, down 12.4% year-on-year but up 64.5% month-on-month. Among them, retail sales of new energy vehicles are around 900,000 units, with a penetration rate of 52.9%, returning to above 50%.

Cui Dongshu: “March auto market slowly recovering.”

Xpeng Motors: Expect Q1 Vehicle Deliveries to Decrease 29.8-35.1% Year-on-Year

On March 20, Xpeng Motors announced that in Q4 2025, revenue reached 22.25 billion yuan, up 38.2% year-on-year; non-GAAP net profit for the quarter was about 510 million yuan. The company expects vehicle deliveries in Q1 to decrease by 29.8-35.1% year-on-year.

Caixin Auto: Short-term pain, long-term strength phase.

Hainan Motors: Will Promote Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Vehicle Demonstration Operations

On March 20, Hainan Motors stated on its interactive platform that it has noted the “Notice on Conducting Pilot Projects for Hydrogen Energy Applications” issued by three ministries and commissions. The company will actively study relevant support measures to promote the scale of hydrogen fuel cell passenger vehicle demonstrations.

Caixin Auto: A key signal moving from “small batch validation” to “large-scale implementation.”

Xpeng’s He Xiaopeng: IRON Robot Aims for Over 1,000 Units Monthly by Year-End

On March 20, Xpeng Chairman He Xiaopeng said that the new generation IRON robot will be mass-produced by the end of 2026, with the VLA2.0 technology stack successfully running on the robot. IRON will initially support deployment in stores and parks in China and overseas, including service, guiding, and shopping scenarios. In Q1, Xpeng launched the humanoid robot mass production base in Guangzhou. The monthly production target for IRON by the end of this year is over 1,000 units.

Caixin Auto: Commercialization still on the road.

Entire Line Equipped with Huawei 896-Line Lidar, New Avita 12 Opens Pre-Sale

On March 20, the new Avita 12 officially opened pre-sales, with an estimated price range of 299,900 to 439,900 yuan. It features Huawei’s 896-line dual optical path lidar with a 400% resolution increase, and Huawei’s Qian Kun ADS 4 assisted driving system is further upgraded, seamlessly connecting all scenarios with NCA. The new Avita 12 is equipped with HarmonySpace 5, powered by HarmonyOS, and built-in MoLA large model. Powertrain-wise, it adopts the Taiji Intelligent Control 2.0, with distributed rear motors—both the extended-range version’s motors are 200kW each; the pure electric rear-wheel-drive version’s motors are 251kW each, and the four-wheel-drive version adds a 210kW front motor, with acceleration from 0-100 km/h as fast as 2.71 seconds.

Caixin Auto: As Huawei Qian Kun and Avita’s strategic partnership 2.0 flagship model, the new Avita 12 offers comprehensive upgrades in performance, driving experience, intelligence, and safety.

Buick Launches Its First Pure Electric MPV

SAIC-GM Buick recently announced its first pure electric MPV—the Zhijing Shijia EV, with an official guide price of 489,900 yuan. The new model features a 900V 6C ultra-fast charging battery, with a peak charging power of 640kW, capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 11.5 minutes. It is equipped with a 96kWh large-capacity battery, achieving a 601 km CLTC combined range. In terms of intelligent driving, it features the advanced Xiaoyao Intelligent Driving System based on the Momenta R6 large model, capable of city NOA navigation assistance without interruptions.

Caixin Auto: With this, Buick completes its flagship dual-power layout of Zhijing Shijia plug-in hybrid and pure electric, becoming the only MPV brand in the industry to fully cover fuel, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric energy forms.

Lexus Unveils All-New ES Pre-Sale

On March 20, Lexus’s new generation mid-to-large luxury executive sedan ES officially opened pre-sales, with a starting price of 308,800 yuan. The new ES measures 5140/1920/1555mm (L/W/H), with a 2950mm wheelbase. All models come standard with Lexus’s new LSS+ 4.0 intelligent safety system and feature the China-exclusive Lexus Interface multimedia system, supporting natural continuous dialogue and wake-up-free operation.

Caixin Auto: The upcoming all-new electric version of the ES will strengthen the product lineup alongside the gasoline-powered model.

(Caixin Auto reporter Zhang Yipeng compilation/commentary)