China Auto Daily丨Xiaomi Expands Second EV Factory in Beijing

China’s March Auto Retail Sales Jump 24% YoY in First Half  

March 19 — Retail passenger vehicle sales in China reached 772,000 units from March 1–16, up 24% year-on-year (YoY) and 33% month-on-month (MoM), per the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Cumulative 2025 sales hit 3.948 million units, a 5% YoY increase. New energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 427,000 units during March 1–16 (+41% YoY, +63% MoM), with cumulative 2025 sales of NEVs reaching 1.853 million units (+36% YoY).  

Xiaomi to Scale Up Second EV Plant in Beijing, Sources Say  

March 19 — Xiaomi Group plans to expand its under-construction second EV factory in Beijing’s Yizhuang district by acquiring an adjacent 52-hectare plot, doubling the site’s footprint, sources familiar with the matter revealed. The tech giant purchased the initial 53-hectare land parcel for RMB 842 million (USD 129.5 million*) in 2024, with production slated to begin mid-2025.  

NIO’s Firefly Brand to Launch First Model April 19 with Battery Swap Access  

March 19 — NIO’s affordable sub-brand Firefly will debut its first vehicle on April 19, featuring integration into NIO’s battery swap network. Initial demonstration hubs in key cities will offer battery health checks and lifecycle services, with future models adopting NIO’s 5th-generation swap stations. Firefly also plans to leverage CATL’s Choco-Swap battery standard under a strategic partnership between NIO and the battery giant.  

*Exchange rate: RMB 6.5 = USD 1 (as of March 19, 2025).