Vegan Hotpot, Dancing Cars, and China Speed: Spring 2025 Investor EV Trip Recap
Inside China’s EV Ecosystem: Five Cities, Eight Companies, and Nonstop Curiosity
Hi Insiders —
Freya here. I know it’s been a little while since we wrapped up another whirlwind Tech Buzz investor trip — and yes, I still owe you this recap! Thanks for your patience. In the meantime, I’ve been flooded with questions about our upcoming WAIC 2025 trip (keep them coming!), which makes me all the more excited to finally share a look back at what made Spring 2025 so memorable.
If you’ve been following Tech Buzz China, you know our trips are NOT “tours.” They’re immersive, small-group deep dives into the most important themes in China tech — built for serious investors who want a firsthand look at the people and platforms shaping the future.
This one? EVs again. Because China’s lead is real, and it’s widening.
🚄 Five Cities. Eight Companies. Zero Slackers.
Led by Lei Xing — with 20+ years of experience in China’s auto industry — and myself as co-leader, this trip took us through Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Changzhou, Hefei, and Shanghai. Every day was packed, and the investor conversations were some of the sharpest we’ve had yet.
Some highlights:
Shenzhen Welcome Dinner: We kicked off Sunday night at the city’s most popular vegan restaurant, joined by a mix of local and international insiders from the EV and battery world. The food was excellent — but the conversations were even better.
SEVB: A strong Day 1 start, with an in-depth session on battery strategy and market dynamics at Sunwoda.
Robotaxi ride with Pony.ai: Yes, fully autonomous — and the vehicles we rode in haven’t even officially launched yet. A rare sneak peek into what’s coming next.
Showroom safari: A single retail cluster hosting nearly every Chinese EV brand you’ve read about (and some you haven’t).
BYD test drives: We tried a whole lineup — including the Yangwang U8 and the viral "dancing car" U9. Turns out we had some actual race car skills in the group.
Hangzhou breeze: Afternoon flight, a short and serene walk by West Lake as the sun set — just enough time to reset before diving into Geely HQ for strategic and brand insight the next morning.
Changzhou stop at CALB: A battery giant with partial state backing, CALB shared how it’s scaling production, differentiating from CATL, and leveraging tech bets and government ties to expand its role in China’s competitive battery market.
Hefei: NIO Factory Tour (F2): NIO’s F2 plant offered a real-time look at EV manufacturing — from stamping to final assembly (minus paint) — blending automation and design with impressive precision and a clear focus on sustainability.
Final Day in Shanghai: We wrapped the trip with a marathon day of meetings — each offering a different lens into China’s evolving EV and mobility landscape.
Jaguar Land Rover dealer group: Insight into premium brand dynamics and evolving consumer demand in China.
Momenta: Deep dive into their L4 autonomy roadmap and commercialization strategy.
NIO IR team: Capital markets discussion focused on positioning, investor sentiment, and long-term growth plans.
Coffee chat with a supply chain veteran: Real-world lessons and macro perspective from decades inside China’s manufacturing backbone.
Farewell dinner with special guests: Great conversation, fully plant-based menu, and the perfect close to an intense and rewarding week.
🧠 What We Learned
The macro takeaway? EV may be maturing, but China’s pace hasn’t slowed. From vehicle platforms to vertical integration, everyone’s moving fast — and learning fast.
And from our group? Collaborative, curious, and always hungry (for both insight and dumplings). The caliber of conversation was high, and even our hosts commented on how sharp the questions were.
“You can’t get this from reports,” said one investor. “You have to be here.”
📅 What’s Next
Our fall trip is already in motion — likely with a fresh theme and new cohort. If you or someone in your network wants true insider access to China’s tech and mobility scene, drop us a note or join the waitlist. As always, space is capped at 15 max.
With gratitude (and a full stomach),
— Freya
📬 Public post — feel free to share with friends, LPs, or the veg-curious investor in your life.