{"_note":"EV brand profiles (build-ev-brands.py -> site/ev-brand-<id>.html + ev-brands.html). Keep facts dated; delivery numbers link to ev-deliveries.html rather than being restated. Update 'latest' with the newest sourced item per brand.",
"brands":[
 {"id":"byd","name":"BYD","hq":"Shenzhen","founded":"1995 (batteries); cars from 2003","ticker":"BYDDY (OTC ADR) · 1211.HK · 002594.SZ","owner":"Wang Chuanfu (founder, chairman); Berkshire Hathaway sold down its stake 2022–25","summary":"The world's largest NEV maker by volume, vertically integrated from lithium to Blade LFP cells, semiconductors and its own car-carrier ships. Sells BEVs and DM-i plug-in hybrids across BYD, Denza, Fang Cheng Bao and Yangwang.","models":["byd-seal","byd-dolphin-surf","byd-atto-2","byd-atto-3","byd-qin-plus-dm-i"],"factories":"China (Shenzhen, Xi'an, Changsha, Hefei, Zhengzhou and more); Thailand (Rayong, 2024); Brazil (Camaçari, 2025); Uzbekistan; Hungary (Szeged, 2026); Turkey (Manisa, 2026); Indonesia under construction","markets":"100+ countries; largest overseas markets Brazil, Mexico, UK, Thailand, Australia; not sold in the US","latest":"Record overseas sales in 2026 as domestic retail fell; Hungary plant start; Blade 2.0 and 1,000 kW 'flash charging' rolling out.","watch":"Export share, European price-floor talks, the dealer-inventory squeeze at home."},
 {"id":"nio","name":"NIO","hq":"Shanghai (HQ) / Hefei (production)","founded":"2014","ticker":"NIO (NYSE) · 9866.HK","owner":"William Li (founder, CEO); Hefei state investors; CYVN (Abu Dhabi) stake","summary":"Premium EVs built around battery swapping (3,000+ stations) and a battery-rental model (BaaS). Three brands: NIO (premium), Onvo (family), Firefly (small cars). Contract-built with JAC until it bought the plants.","models":["nio-et5","onvo-l60"],"factories":"Hefei F1 and F2 (NeoPark)","markets":"China, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark; Firefly entering more of Europe","latest":"Onvo L60/L90 volume lifted deliveries; still loss-making; swap network expanded with CATL partnership.","watch":"Path to profitability, Onvo volume, European sales under the countervailing duty (20.7%)."},
 {"id":"xpeng","name":"XPeng","hq":"Guangzhou","founded":"2014","ticker":"XPEV (NYSE) · 9868.HK","owner":"He Xiaopeng (founder); Volkswagen Group holds about 5%","summary":"Software-first EV maker known for its XNGP driver-assistance stack and its own Turing AI chip; Volkswagen pays to use its platform and E/E architecture in China. Mona sub-brand covers the ¥120,000–160,000 segment.","models":["xpeng-mona-m03","xpeng-g6","xpeng-mona-l05"],"factories":"Zhaoqing, Guangzhou, Wuhan; Indonesia CKD; Austria (Magna) assembly for Europe from 2026","markets":"China, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, UK, Thailand, Australia, Middle East","latest":"Mona M03 and G6/G9 refresh drove record volumes; Magna-built G6 for the EU; flying-car unit (Aridge) and humanoid robot shown.","watch":"Margins on Mona, VW platform revenue, the Mona L05 launch Oct 29."},
 {"id":"li","name":"Li Auto","hq":"Beijing","founded":"2015","ticker":"LI (Nasdaq) · 2015.HK","owner":"Li Xiang (founder, CEO)","summary":"The extended-range (EREV) specialist: big family SUVs with a petrol generator and 150–300 km of electric range, consistently profitable. Moving into pure BEVs with the i-series and its own 5C charging network.","models":["li-auto-l6"],"factories":"Changzhou, Beijing","markets":"China; limited exports to Central Asia and the Middle East","latest":"L-series refresh and the i8/i6 BEVs; deliveries fell year on year in 2026 as EREV demand cooled.","watch":"BEV traction, margin as prices fall, overseas plans."},
 {"id":"xiaomi","name":"Xiaomi Auto","hq":"Beijing","founded":"2021 (car unit); first car March 2024","ticker":"XIACY (OTC ADR) · 1810.HK","owner":"Lei Jun (founder, CEO)","summary":"The phone maker's car arm, which sold out its first year on the SU7 sedan and followed with the YU7 SUV. Sells only in China so far; Europe planned for 2027.","models":["xiaomi-su7","xiaomi-yu7"],"factories":"Beijing (Yizhuang) phase 1 and 2","markets":"China; Europe planned 2027","latest":"YU7 waiting lists and the second plant lifted output; safety scrutiny after high-profile crashes; EU entry confirmed for 2027.","watch":"Delivery backlog, the third model, the European launch price."},
 {"id":"zeekr","name":"Zeekr (Geely)","hq":"Hangzhou","founded":"2021","ticker":"0175.HK (Geely Automobile; Zeekr delisted from NYSE in 2025 after the merger)","owner":"Geely Holding (Li Shufu)","summary":"Geely's premium EV brand on the SEA platform, folded back into Geely Automobile in 2025 alongside Lynk & Co. Geely also owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Smart (with Mercedes), making it China's most global group.","models":["zeekr-7x"],"factories":"Ningbo, Chengdu (Geely plants)","markets":"China, Europe (Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Norway), Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia","latest":"Zeekr 7X and 9X; Geely group NEV sales up strongly in 2026 on Galaxy-brand volume.","watch":"Geely's group-wide EV share, Zeekr pricing in the EU (18.8% duty), Volvo's connected-vehicle approval in the US."},
 {"id":"leapmotor","name":"Leapmotor","hq":"Hangzhou","founded":"2015","ticker":"9863.HK","owner":"Zhu Jiangming (founder); Stellantis holds about 21% and runs Leapmotor International (51/49)","summary":"The value brand that designs its own electronics in-house and sells through Stellantis dealers outside China. Spanish-built models (Zaragoza) avoid the EU duty.","models":["leapmotor-b10","leapmotor-c10"],"factories":"Jinhua, Hangzhou; Zaragoza, Spain (Stellantis, 2026); Malaysia CKD","markets":"China, Europe via Stellantis, Southeast Asia, South America","latest":"Fastest-growing of the start-ups in 2026; B10 European launch; profitability reached in 2025.","watch":"Stellantis channel volume in Europe, Spanish production ramp."},
 {"id":"chery","name":"Chery","hq":"Wuhu","founded":"1997","ticker":"9973.HK (listed Hong Kong, Sept 2025)","owner":"Wuhu municipal government and employees; state-backed","summary":"China's largest car exporter for years, with Omoda, Jaecoo, Exeed, iCar and Jetour brands. Sells a mix of petrol, hybrid and EVs; the first Chinese maker to build in Spain (Barcelona, ex-Nissan plant).","models":[],"factories":"Wuhu and others in China; Spain (Barcelona); Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey planned","markets":"80+ countries; strong in Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Middle East, UK (Omoda/Jaecoo), Australia","latest":"Hong Kong IPO; Omoda and Jaecoo among the UK's fastest-growing brands; Mexico tariff hits its biggest Americas market.","watch":"Russia exposure, Mexico plant decision, EU duty rate (20.7% as a cooperating firm)."},
 {"id":"gwm","name":"Great Wall Motor (GWM)","hq":"Baoding","founded":"1984","ticker":"2333.HK · 601633.SS","owner":"Wei Jianjun (founder, chairman)","summary":"SUV and pickup specialist (Haval, Wey, Tank, Ora, Poer) with the Ora EV brand and a strong hybrid push. Builds in Thailand and Brazil; less reliant on BEVs than peers.","models":[],"factories":"Baoding and others; Thailand (Rayong, ex-GM); Brazil (Iracemápolis, 2025); Russia (Tula)","markets":"170+ countries; Russia, Australia, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, UK (Ora, Haval)","latest":"Brazil plant opening; Tank and Haval hybrids lead overseas; Ora volumes modest.","watch":"Hybrid vs BEV mix, Russia, Brazil tariff shelter."},
 {"id":"saic","name":"SAIC / MG","hq":"Shanghai","founded":"SAIC 1955; MG acquired 2007","ticker":"600104.SS","owner":"Shanghai municipal government; JVs with VW and GM","summary":"China's biggest state automaker and the owner of MG, the best-selling Chinese brand in Europe and the UK (MG4, MG ZS, Cyberster). Hit with the EU's top countervailing duty (35.3%) for not cooperating; also makes IM, Roewe, Maxus and the Wuling/Baojun mini EVs with GM.","models":[],"factories":"Shanghai, Nanjing, Ningde, Zhengzhou; Thailand (Chonburi); Indonesia; Europe plant under study","markets":"UK, EU, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, Middle East, India (JSW MG)","latest":"MG volumes held up in the UK; EU duty pushed SAIC to price-floor talks and a European plant search; IM brand launched in Europe.","watch":"The 35.3% duty outcome, European plant location, GM-SAIC-Wuling export growth."}]}