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How iMile cracked Mexico’s logistics, and what it means for global e-commerce

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Pulses

Xpeng to launch robotaxis, reveals new robot

just now
CNBC
Chinese EV maker Xpeng plans to launch robotaxis next year and begin mass production of its humanoid robot, Iron, as part of a broader AI expansion. The Guangzhou-based firm unveiled three robotaxi models powered by its Turing chips and said trials will start in Chinese cities in 2026, aligning its strategy more closely with Tesla’s.

Aion UT Super rolls off line in Changsha

just now
Securities Times
JD.com, GAC, and CATL have jointly unveiled the Aion UT Super, an EV dubbed the “national car,” as the first unit rolled off GAC Aion’s Changsha smart factory line. The model features CATL’s swappable battery system, a Huawei-powered infotainment platform, and a 500-kilometer range, with presales and test drives now underway.

ByteDance app drops Anthropic’s Claude models

just now
SCMP
ByteDance-backed coding app Trae has discontinued the use of Anthropic’s Claude models after the US firm imposed global restrictions on Chinese-owned entities. Trae said it would rely on other models from OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek to maintain performance, as the move underscores widening US-China tech divisions.

Dianping to invest RMB 3 billion in infrastructure

just now
36Kr
Meituan’s Dianping unit will invest at least RMB 3 billion over the next five years to upgrade its local services information infrastructure. The initiative aims to expand global data verification capabilities and build an AI-driven calibration system using Meituan’s proprietary enterprise model, accelerating its push into overseas markets.

Ant’s AQ app tops ten million users

just now
IT Zhijia
Ant Group’s AQ health app has surpassed ten million monthly active users four months after launch, becoming the first professional-grade AI app to reach the milestone. Data from QuestMobile show its compound monthly growth rate of 83.4% far outpaces the industry average of 13.5%, highlighting growing demand for AI-driven health services.

Video Rebirth raises USD 50 million

just now
Bloomberg
Liu Wei, the former Tencent scientist behind its flagship AI model, has raised USD 50 million for his Singapore-based startup Video Rebirth, which will launch an AI platform in December to rival OpenAI’s Sora. Backed by Qiming Venture Partners and Actoz Soft, the company plans to target professional users and expand globally from Singapore.

Wiz.ai raises Series B funding to expand globally

just now
Wiz.ai
Wiz.ai, a Singapore-based voice AI company, has raised an eight-figure USD sum in a Series B round led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund, with participation from Beacon VC, SMIC SG Holdings, and existing investors Singtel Innov8 and Granite Asia. The funding will strengthen its enterprise AI platform and support expansion into new markets, including Latin America.

HeyMax launches in Hong Kong with Cathay

just now
HeyMax
HeyMax, a Singapore-based loyalty platform, has launched in Hong Kong, its first overseas market, alongside a new partnership with Cathay. The collaboration integrates their miles systems for travel and lifestyle rewards, expanding HeyMax’s open loyalty ecosystem across Asia following its acquisition of Hong Kong fintech firm Krip.

Tencent-backed Uzum targets 2026 raise

just now
SCMP
Uzum, Uzbekistan’s first tech unicorn, is planning a final pre-IPO funding round in Hong Kong next year after Tencent’s USD 70 million investment boosted its valuation to USD 1.5 billion. The e-commerce and fintech firm, registered in Abu Dhabi, is targeting a 2027 listing and sees growing Chinese investor interest in Central Asia’s digital market.

Beijing urges Hong Kong to deepen ties

just now
Nikkei Asia
China’s vice premier He Lifeng has urged Hong Kong to align with the country’s next five-year plan and deepen cooperation with the mainland’s economy and financial markets, underscoring Beijing’s push for closer integration. Regulators also unveiled new measures to expand cross-border access and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a bridge to global capital.

Blogger loses Mihoyo appeal case

just now
DoNews
A Chinese court has upheld Mihoyo’s defamation win against blogger Peng Moumou, ruling that Peng’s repeated videos targeting Mihoyo and players of Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero went beyond fair criticism. The court ordered all offending content removed, a public apology, and RMB 110,000 in damages.

Ele.me becomes Taobao Shangou

just now
SCMP
Alibaba is rebranding its Ele.me delivery platform as Taobao Shangou, integrating its courier network into Taobao’s quick commerce model, which offers one-hour delivery for groceries and electronics. The move is aimed at strengthening Alibaba’s ecosystem amid intensifying competition with Meituan.

Amap joins robotaxi race with Xpeng

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Guandian
Amap will reportedly announce its robotaxi partnership with Xpeng Motors on November 5, unveiling their first mass produced model at Xpeng’s “AI Day” event. Combining Xpeng’s autonomous technology with Amap’s dispatch platform, the vehicle is expected to feature an exterior sun visor display and is intended for global deployment.

Baidu’s Apollo Go hits 17 million rides

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Baidu
Baidu’s Apollo Go said it has provided more than 17 million rides globally and logged 240 million kilometers in autonomous driving, including 140 million fully driverless. Operating in 22 cities, the service handles about 250,000 weekly rides and has reported no major injuries since launch.

Z.ai users surge tenfold overseas

just now
SCMP
Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI) saw its overseas paid users rise tenfold in two months to 100,000 after launching its GLM-4.6 model, which powers coding tools. The Beijing-based startup, valued at RMB 40 billion, is expanding globally as domestic growth slows and it prepares for a 2026 stock listing.

WeRide prices Hong Kong listing

just now
Bloomberg
WeRide expects to raise about HKD 2.39 billion from its Hong Kong listing, pricing shares at HKD 27.1 each, about 4% below its Nasdaq close. The Guangzhou-based autonomous driving firm will list on November 6 alongside Pony.ai, using proceeds to fund robotaxi expansion, tech R&D, and overseas growth.

Starbucks forms China JV with Boyu

just now
Jiemian News
Starbucks will form a USD 4 billion joint venture with Boyu Capital to operate its China retail business, with Boyu taking up to 60% and Starbucks retaining 40% and brand ownership. Based in Shanghai, the venture will manage 8,000 stores and aims to expand to 20,000. Starbucks expects its China retail business to exceed USD 13 billion in total value, including future royalties.

Grab lifts 2025 revenue outlook

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Grab
Grab’s Q3 2025 revenue rose 22% YoY to USD 873 million, driven by growth in its on-demand and financial services segments. Operating profit reached USD 27 million, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 51% to USD 136 million. The company raised its full-year guidance, projecting revenue of up to USD 3.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of up to USD 500 million.

Renault, Chery in partnership talks

just now
Reuters
Renault is in talks with China’s Chery and other automakers to form joint production ventures. The discussions follow its sale of a 26.4% stake in its Brazilian unit to Geely, under which the partners will share facilities and vehicle platforms to increase capacity at Renault’s Sao Jose dos Pinhais plant.

Geely invests in Renault’s Brazil unit

just now
Bloomberg
Geely is acquiring a 26.4% stake in Renault’s Brazilian unit, gaining access to its factory, engineering center, and sales network. The partnership gives Renault use of Geely’s hybrid and EV platforms to expand in South America, with plans to raise production in Brazil from 180,000 to 400,000 vehicles a year.
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