Eight Chinese Automakers Lose Production Licenses; Xiaomi and Mercedes-Benz Gain New Approvals

The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has officially removed eight automotive manufacturers from its production directory in the latest “Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprise and Product Announcement” (Batch 408). The companies affected include Zotye, Lifan, Leopaard, FAW Xiali, Brilliance Auto (independent brand), Hawtai, BAIC Yinxiang (Huansu), and Haima (older entity). As a result of this regulatory action, these companies have had their vehicle production qualifications frozen and permanently revoked. This effectively means they no longer possess the legal authority to manufacture complete vehicles, leading to the cessation of factory operations and the sealing of production lines. In legal and industrial terms, this marks the substantive end of these brands as active manufacturing entities. Official records from the MIIT confirm the cancellation of specific production addresses and vehicle categories for several of these entities, including Zotye and others. Conversely, the announcement also highlighted new production approvals. Xiaomi Auto Technology has been granted approval to add extended-range electric passenger vehicles to its production scope at its Beijing facility, signaling that the highly anticipated Xiaomi extended-range SUV is cleared for production and expected to launch later this year. Additionally, Fujian Benz has been approved to produce pure electric passenger vehicles, paving the way for the localized production of the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz VLE MPV which is expected to roll off the assembly line by the end of the year.