automobiles
China electric car maker Xpeng raises $348m
Xpeng Motors, a Chinese electric car manufacturer, has completed a RMB2.2 billion ($348 million) Series B round of funding led by Alibaba Group, Foxconn Technology Group, and IDG Capital.
Japan's J-Star announces trio of investments
Japan’s J-Star has continued the rapid deployment of its third fund, securing buyouts across the lifestyle retail, recycling, and fire safety equipment manufacturing spaces.
Technology: Auto ambitions
Private equity firms and strategic investors are driving an automotive technology arms race in Asia
Nissan, Mitsubishi, Renault set up $1b auto VC fund
Automotive giants Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors have launched a venture capital fund that will invest $1 billion in advanced car technologies with a strong presence in Asia.
Japan's J-Star invests in restaurant, auto businesses
J-Star has acquired a majority stake in Japanese restaurant operator Section Eight and invested in new and pre-owned car dealer Sanwa Service.
Baidu, Singapore's AMI launch $200m auto tech fund
Chinese internet giant Baidu has launched a $200 million fund with Singapore technology conglomerate Asia Mobility Industries (AMI) that will focus on autonomous driving and intelligent transportation.
China’s AIpark closes $15m Series A
AIpark, a Chinese start-up that applies artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the car parking industry, has closed a Series A round of about RMB100 million ($15.4 million) led by the US-China Green Fund.
Deal focus: An EV ecosystem play
WM Motor Technology's recent Series B round makes it one of the best-funded electric vehicle start-ups in China. The company has ambitions to build an EV ecosystem
China autos: Wheeling and dealing
A nascent, fragmented and digitally savvy industry of traditional car services is set for expansion as China’s booming car market matures. Private equity investors are piling in enthusiastically
Cathay Capital launches $227m China automobile fund
Cathay Capital Private Equity has launched a RMB1.5 billion ($227 million) China automobile sector fund with cornerstone investments from Yangtze River Industry Fund and French auto supplier Valeo.
Baidu Capital leads round for China’s WM Motor
Baidu Capital, a VC firm backed by Chinese search engine Baidu, has led a round of funding for WM Motor Technology, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer.
Asia GPs back $107m Series B for Divergent 3D
A group of Asian GPs including Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's Horizons Ventures has backed a Series B round of up to $107 million for US electric vehicle (EV) industry supplier Divergent 3D.
Chinese ride-hailing operator Shouqi receives $195m Series B
Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur, a Chinese ride-booking app backed by local transportation company Shouqi Group, has raised RMB1.3 billion ($195 million) in a Series B round across two tranches.
Alibaba leads $335m round for China's Souche
Alibaba Group has led a $335 million Series E round for Chinese online second-hand car trading platform operator Souche. It is the company’s third funding round in the past 12 months.
China’s Guazi raises additional $180m for Series B
Guazi, an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform that spun out from US-listed Chinese classifieds site 58.com, has raised another $180 million to close its Series B round at $600 million.
China used car auction player Tiantian Paiche closes Series C
Tiantian Paiche, a Chinese online used car trading platform, has raised $80 million from investors such as Industrial Bank of China to close its Series C round of funding at $180 million.
Delphi acquires Singapore-focused NuTonomy for $450m
US-based automotive technology developer Delphi Automotive has acquired Singapore-focused VC-backed driverless car start-up NuTonomy for $450 million.
Cathay, GGV back China’s Momenta
Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity, has led an extended Series B round for Momenta, a Chinese start-up that develops road sensors and mapping software for self-driving cars, with participation from GGV Capital.
India car-sharing platform Drivezy gets $10m round
Indian car, motorcycle and bicycle rental company Drivezy has received a $10 million funding round from a group of investors including Das Capital, Axan Ventures, CrowdWorks and IT-Farm.
Deal focus: JingChi gases up with Qiming investment
Technology developer JingChi is planning to leverage a new commitment from Qiming Venture Partners to take the lead in China's competitive autonomous driving space
Didi invests $200m in China's VC-backed Renrenche
Chinese ride-hailing app operator Didi Chuxing has invested $200 million in Renrenche, a local consumer-to-consumer used-car trading platform, which is backed by several VC investors.
FountainVest to buy German turbocharger business
China’s FountainVest Partners has agreed to acquire 100% of Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems (BMTS), a German automotive industry supplier with an existing production and sales presence in Shanghai.
MSPEA backs $172m take-private bid for China auto parts player
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and the chairman of China Automotive Systems have submitted a take-private offer worth approximately $172 million for the NASDAQ-listed power steering components supplier.
Singapore's VC-backed Grab commits $100m to Myanmar
Grab, a Southeast Asia-focused ride-hailing app operator backed by a number of PE and VC firms, has committed to investing $100 million into a Myanmar expansion strategy across the next three years.