Oct 18, 2026 · Auto & Mobility Daily Digest
Today's auto and mobility briefing for October 18, 2026, with summaries, links, and commentary.
I. New Models and Products
1. Leapmotor launches the A10s at 92,800 yuan, with LiDAR and 505 km of CLTC range (New model / China)
Summary:
CnEVPost reported on October 18 that Leapmotor launched the A10s in China on Sunday at 92,800 yuan (about $13,810, at 6.7220 yuan to the dollar), 6,000 yuan above the previous top 505 LiDAR trim. Listed as the A10 505S, it uses a 90 kW front motor and a 53 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery for 505 km of CLTC range, matching that existing LiDAR variant. It has LiDAR, a Qualcomm SA8295 cockpit chip, and an SA8650 driver-assistance chip, with urban, highway, and parking-space-to-parking-space navigation; charging from 30% to 80% takes about 16 minutes. The body is 4,270 mm long with a 2,605 mm wheelbase. CnEVPost's compiled figures show A10 deliveries of 24,457 in September, down 24.08% from August's record of 32,214, still 23.15% of Leapmotor's monthly total, and 153,423 cumulative deliveries by the end of September. Leapmotor delivered 105,656 vehicles globally in September and 666,539 in the first nine months; meeting its previously announced target of 1 million vehicles would require about 111,154 a month in the fourth quarter.
Links:
Commentary:
The 92,800 yuan price buys styling and cabin changes; the motor, battery, and 505 km range match the existing LiDAR variant.
2. Geely Xingrui L Plus opens at a limited 109,700 yuan, and puts LiDAR on a gasoline sedan (New model / China)
Summary:
A Yangtze Evening News report carried by Sina Finance on October 18 says the Xingrui L Plus had its global launch on October 17 at the Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit, positioned as a B-segment flagship hybrid family sedan. The i-HEV series pairs a 1.5TD engine with a DHT and is offered at a limited price of 109,700 to 139,700 yuan; the 2.0TD gasoline series uses an 8-speed automatic at a limited price of 113,700 to 143,700 yuan. The report says the car is the first gasoline sedan to offer LiDAR and the first in its class with Qianli Haohan H5, using three millimeter-wave radars, 11 cameras, and one LiDAR for city and highway navigation. The 1.5TD i-HEV is rated at 3.98 L/100 km on the WLTC cycle, takes 92-octane gasoline, and claims a combined range above 1,000 km. From January through September, Geely's China Star lineup sold more than 850,000 vehicles, with a monthly share above 10%; since April, China Star i-HEV models have accounted for more than 40% of Chinese-brand hybrid sales.
Links:
Commentary:
What can be checked from the trackside launch report is the limited pricing, the 3.98 L/100 km figure, and LiDAR on a gasoline sedan.
3. Mercedes-AMG GT SUV: up to 1,169 hp in Europe, and DC charging up to 710 kW (New model / Germany)
Summary:
Mercedes-Benz Media released the new AMG GT SUV in Affalterbach on October 17, the first full-size SUV developed entirely in-house in AMG's 59-year history and the second model on the AMG.EA architecture. The GT 63 SUV uses three axial-flux motors for up to 860 kW (1,169 hp); the GT 55 SUV reaches up to 600 kW (816 hp); the entry GT 53 SUV uses two synchronous motors for a combined 400 kW (544 hp). Continuous output is up to 530 kW. Usable battery capacity is 106 or 128 kWh on an 800-volt system. The 128 kWh pack charges at up to 710 kW DC, can add up to 450 km of WLTP range in 10 minutes, takes up to 12 minutes from 10% to 80%, and supports range of up to about 700 km. The top variant does 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and, with the Driver's Package, reaches 270 km/h. The GT 53 SUV can be ordered from October 20 at 113,050 euros; the GT 63 and GT 55 follow in spring 2027. The U.S. press note lists the GT 63 peak at 1,153 hp and says the 2028 model reaches U.S. dealers in summer 2027.
Links:
Commentary:
1,169 hp is the European peak figure and 1,153 hp is the U.S. figure; the car that can be ordered now is the 53, from October 20 at 113,050 euros.
II. Markets, Policy, and Exports
4. Fangchengbao says cumulative sales have passed 600,000, at an average transaction price of 222,000 yuan (Market / China)
Summary:
News18a reported on October 18 that Fangchengbao announced cumulative brand sales above 600,000 vehicles that day. The company said it passed 500,000 in August, so the next 100,000 took two months, and that the brand reached the cumulative mark in 35 months while covering the Bao, Titanium, Fangcheng, and pickup lines. Monthly sales have ranked in the top three among new-energy startups for three straight months, and the Titanium 7 has held about 30,000 a month more than a year after launch. September data from the China Automobile Dealers Association put the Titanium 7, Bao 8, and Bao 5 in the top 15 plug-in hybrids by residual value, and the Titanium 3 in the top 10 battery-electric models. The stated cumulative average transaction price is 222,000 yuan: 264,000 for the Bao 5, 397,000 for the Bao 8, 209,000 for the Titanium 7, and 210,000 for the Fangcheng S and Fangcheng S GT. The Fangcheng S series launched in September and is in nationwide delivery. IT Home confirmed the same sales announcement the same day.
Links:
- News18a — Fangchengbao says cumulative sales have passed 600,000
- Sina Technology / IT Home — Fangchengbao announces 600,000 sales
Commentary:
The 600,000 figure is the company's cumulative sales announcement, 222,000 yuan is its cumulative average transaction price, and the residual-value ranks come from the dealers association's September data.
5. Toyota aims to make about 50 models software-defined by 2030 (Product / Japan)
Summary:
The Japan Times reported on October 18, citing Jiji, that Toyota plans to make all of its roughly 50 models software-defined vehicles by 2030, so functions can be improved after delivery through software updates. The aim is to install the platform in about 10 million new vehicles produced worldwide each year and to collect fees for updates after delivery. Officials said Friday that Toyota first used its Arene in-vehicle software platform on the RAV4 launched in 2025, plans to expand Arene across more models by 2030, and intends to offer the platform to partner automakers afterward. The report also notes that Honda and Nissan have agreed to develop in-vehicle software together.
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Commentary:
This is what company officials said on Friday; the report gives no model-by-model timetable and no software fee.
6. Four ministries meet more than 30 automakers and demand tighter testing and advertising (Policy / China)
Summary:
Xinhua Daily Telegraph on October 18 carried a Xinhua dispatch dated October 16: reporters learned from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that four ministries held a meeting with major automakers, telling them to resist irrational competition and to strengthen management of innovative design and development testing. On October 15, MIIT's Equipment Industry Department I, the Ministry of Public Security's Traffic Management Bureau, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Department of Atmospheric Environment, and the State Administration for Market Regulation's Quality Development Bureau met more than 30 key producers. They walked through the draft notice on innovative vehicle design and development testing and briefed companies on problems found in earlier inspections. Companies were told to state the limits and test status of innovative designs truthfully, to avoid false, exaggerated, or misleading claims, to stop using scenes that violate traffic law in advertising, and to stop encouraging drivers to ignore safe-driving duties. The ministries said they will issue the notice, raise the safety baseline, keep inspecting key producers, and publicly expose companies found in violation.
Links:
Commentary:
The draft notice was already public; what this paper prints today is the October 15 meeting with more than 30 companies and the promise to expose violations.
7. Xinhua from the Paris show: 16 Chinese automakers and 25 brands, while France still favors hybrids that need no plug (Exports / Europe)
Summary:
China Financial Information Network on October 18 carried a Xinhua dispatch from Paris. Organizers said 16 Chinese automakers brought 25 brands to the 2026 Paris Motor Show, including Leapmotor, BYD, XPeng, Geely, Dongfeng, and GAC, with displays of batteries, ultra-fast charging, driver assistance, and artificial intelligence. A Chinese automaker engineer said French charging infrastructure is still thin, so many buyers prefer hybrids that do not need an external charge. The report says non-plug-in gasoline hybrids were 35.6% of French new-car registrations in September. A Chery staff member said cars that sell in China cannot simply be moved to Europe, and pointed to a hybrid that needs no plug and claims a combined range near 1,000 km. Wei Haigang, general manager of GAC International, said the AION UT Cross shown at the show was designed for Europe by the Milan studio, with revised chassis and handling, higher ground clearance, and a roof rack.
Links:
Commentary:
The 35.6% figure is the share of French September registrations that were non-plug-in gasoline hybrids, a local powertrain preference rather than a Chinese-brand market share.
III. Autonomous Driving and Public Money
8. The Verge: U.S. cities use street rights, airports, and emergency powers to constrain robotaxis (Autonomous driving / United States)
Summary:
The Verge wrote on October 18 that federal autonomous-vehicle legislation has stalled for years, so cities and states are writing their own rules. Minneapolis is considering an ordinance that would require a human monitor in an autonomous vehicle, which would effectively ban driverless operation. The San Diego City Council passed a resolution seeking to keep Waymo out of the airport and to give local agencies direct control of autonomous vehicles in emergencies. Austin firefighters are concerned that the Tesla Cybercab has no steering wheel or pedals and would be hard to move, and they want dedicated towing protocols and direct human communication. Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Iowa are also considering tighter rules. California bills would give cities authority over fleet size, operating hours, or local permit bans, and would require companies to give police and fire departments a physical override or an emergency remote shutoff. Culver City explored a pause on building permits for robotaxi fleet facilities, and Santa Monica used noise and traffic rules to restrict 24-hour charging hubs.
Links:
Commentary:
The survey is about local authority: Minneapolis is still discussing a required safety monitor, while San Diego and Austin are focused on airport access and how a car with no steering wheel gets towed.
9. Los Angeles Times: California's clean truck and bus voucher program has spent over $1 billion and faces fraud and idle-fleet questions (Policy / United States)
Summary:
The Los Angeles Times reported on October 18 on California's Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. More than $1 billion has been spent, subsidies can cover up to 90% of a vehicle's price, and officials say the program has helped businesses and transit agencies deploy nearly 12,000 trucks, buses, and vans. State authorities are investigating an EV manufacturer after a civil ruling found that nearly $1 million in public funds went to vehicles that did not exist. Court filings from the attorney general's office are also examining whether vehicle identification numbers were altered so one vehicle could draw multiple vouchers. One in four participating automakers has ceased production or left the zero-emission market. The Times obtained mileage records for roughly 2,300 program vehicles, and nearly half were driven less than the state's conservative benchmarks. At least 5,340 vehicles, or 45%, still burn fossil fuels because they are hybrids or run on natural gas. Porterville has bought nearly 30 electric buses and vans since 2018, and only three buses still run. L.A. Metro used $15.7 million for 93 battery buses that are driven 36% less than its fossil-fuel buses. LADOT's 155 electric vehicles, bought with $20.2 million in vouchers, cover half the mileage of the fossil fleet; one $630,000 BYD bus added in June 2024 has logged 555 miles. A CARB proposal to inspect eligible models in Riverside has not been implemented.
Links:
Commentary:
The billion-dollar spend and nearly 12,000 vehicles describe the program's scale; the "vehicles that did not exist" finding is the civil ruling's nearly $1 million, and the mileage gap comes from the Times' check of about 2,300 records.
IV. Battery Recycling and Technology Supply
10. Battery recycling is short of feedstock: hydrometallurgy capacity exceeds 4 million tonnes, against about 500,000 tonnes retired in 2025 (Battery / China)
Summary:
CNR on October 18 republished China Business Journal. At a workshop on battery recycling and overseas compliance, Wang Dechuang, chair of the scrap-battery branch of the China National Resources Recycling Association, said the branch counts about 500,000 tonnes of power batteries retired in China in 2025, while hydrometallurgy plants already have more than 4 million tonnes of lithium-battery recycling capacity. He expects feedstock shortages and excess capacity to persist for two to three years. MIIT's public figure is different: comprehensive utilization of retired new-energy-vehicle power batteries exceeded 400,000 tonnes in 2025. Li Jiayu of the China Battery Industry Association forecast that cumulative retirements will exceed 3 million tonnes by 2030. Ministry of Public Security data put the national new-energy-vehicle fleet at 43.97 million at the end of 2025. Figures Li shared put installations at 769.7 GWh in 2025 and 410.2 GWh in the first seven months of 2026, with lithium iron phosphate at 81.7% of that later period. More than 7,000 collection outlets are in place. The interim measures on recycling and comprehensive use of retired new-energy-vehicle power batteries took effect on April 1 this year.
Links:
Commentary:
Four million tonnes is hydrometallurgy-plant capacity, 500,000 tonnes is the association's 2025 retirement count, and MIIT's comprehensive-utilization figure is a separate total above 400,000 tonnes.
11. Rivian's chief executive wants to license architecture, software, and autonomy to more brands (Technology / United States)
Summary:
TechCrunch on October 18 recounted a TechCrunch Disrupt interview with founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe. Rivian has built its own AI models for an in-vehicle assistant and, with Uber, an end-to-end automated-driving stack for passenger vehicles and future robotaxis. It is also developing a 5 nm processor with Arm and TSMC. Its joint venture with Volkswagen Group, focused on electric architecture and software, is worth $5.8 billion. On stage, Scaringe said Doug Field, formerly of Ford, Apple, and Tesla, has been hired as president of Mind Robotics, an industrial-robotics company Scaringe founded. Rivian owns 31% and is a prospective customer. Scaringe said he wants to extend the Volkswagen venture into AI and autonomy and to license Rivian's technology to "many different brands." Looking past the R2 and R3, he said personally owned autonomous vehicles would open form factors that create a different experience.
Links:
Commentary:
What is new today is the onstage announcement that Doug Field will lead Mind Robotics; the $5.8 billion venture and the 5 nm chip are restatements of work already underway.
Today's Summary
- Products: The Leapmotor A10s lists at 92,800 yuan, with a 90 kW motor, a 53 kWh battery, and 505 km CLTC. The Xingrui L Plus opens at a limited 109,700 yuan and puts LiDAR on a gasoline sedan. The AMG GT 63 peaks at 860 kW in the European release, and the 128 kWh pack charges at up to 710 kW DC.
- Markets and policy: Fangchengbao announced 600,000 cumulative sales and a 222,000 yuan average transaction price. Toyota plans to make about 50 models software-defined by 2030. Four ministries met more than 30 automakers on October 15 and told them to hold the line on testing and advertising.
- Exports and oversight: The Paris show had 16 Chinese automakers and 25 brands, and non-plug-in gasoline hybrids were 35.6% of French registrations in September. U.S. cities are using airports, safety monitors, and emergency towing to constrain robotaxis. California's clean truck and bus vouchers have spent more than $1 billion.
- Batteries and technology: Hydrometallurgy recycling capacity exceeds 4 million tonnes, against an association count of about 500,000 tonnes retired in 2025. Rivian named Doug Field to lead Mind Robotics, of which it owns 31%, and said it wants to license software and autonomy.
Daily Framing:
October 18 was a day of cheaper intelligent cars and closer scrutiny: Leapmotor priced a LiDAR compact at 92,800 yuan and Geely put LiDAR on a gasoline sedan, while Mercedes-AMG showed an electric SUV that charges at up to 710 kW; the same day, four Chinese ministries told automakers to tighten testing and advertising, and U.S. cities plus California's truck vouchers put street rights and public money under review.
This digest is compiled from real-time search results and is for reference only.
Date: October 18, 2026 (Sunday)