Electric cars and digital connectivity dominate at Beijing auto show

BEIJING (AP) — Global automakers and EV startups unveiled new models and concept cars at China's largest auto show on Thursday, with a focus on the nation's transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles.

Toyota and Nissan both announced tie-ups with major Chinese technology companies as they strive to meet customer demand for AI-enabled online connectivity in cars, from social media apps to autonomous driving features.

Electric vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all auto sales in China last year. Hybrids, which have trailed EVs, are expected to be a growing segment going forward.

China's largest EV maker, BYD, showed off two “dual-mode” plug-in cars that can run either solely on electricity or as hybrids. The other is a hybrid off-road SUV from its luxury Yangwang brand in the 1 million yuan-plus ($140,000) range.

“China's EVs, represented by (BYD's) Qin and Han series, have successfully realized the large-scale replacement of traditional fuel cars, and this trend is irreversible,” said Lu Tian, the head of sales for BYD's Dynasty models. The cars are named after former imperial dynasties.

An executive from Chery, a more traditional Chinese maker, offered a more moderate perspective. Li Xueyong, a deputy general manager, said they envision a future of 40% fuel vehicles, 30% hybrids and 30% electric. The company plans to develop both fuel-powered and new-energy cars.

BYD has been expanding rapidly into overseas markets, launching its low-priced Dolphin Mini, sold as the Seagull in China, in Latin American markets this year.

It's building a factory in Brazil on the site of a former Ford plant that closed when the U.S. maker left the country. Two other Chinese automakers including Chery already have factories in Brazil.

BYD accounted for 41% of EV sales in Brazil in the first three months of this year, though the overall number is still relatively low.

In Mexico, Chinese vehicles went from about 2.6% of the market in 2021 to 19.2% in the first quarter of this year. Most of those were gasoline-powered vehicles, as there are few charging stations and the cost of electricity makes it expensive to do so at home.

Chinese makers are making inroads in Europe too, raising concern in some countries that they pose a potential threat to European automakers and jobs. The EU is weighing whether to impose tariffs on China-made EVs because of government subsidies that drove the industry's growth.

A proliferation of EV makers, encouraged by tax breaks as well as green-energy subsides, has prompted a fierce price war that is expected to lead to a shakeout and consolidation of the industry in the coming years.

For foreign players aside from American EV maker Tesla, it has challenged them to accelerate the development of new electric car models to stay competitive in the world's largest auto market.

“No other region of the world has a transformation of the automotive industry that is as fast-paced as in China,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said Wednesday at an event previewing its appearance at the auto show.

“This market has become something of a fitness center for us,” he said. “We have to work harder and faster to keep.”

Other automakers expressed similar sentiments. Japan's Nissan sent many top executives to the Beijing auto show to feel first-hand the pace of change in China, company President Makoto Uchida said.

Nissan was going to sign a memorandum or understanding with Baidu, a Chinese search engine and AI company, later Thursday. Uchida said Nissan needs to meet the needs of Chinese customers and the speed at which the market is changing.

“If we cannot do these two aspects, it will very difficult to keep our business in China,” he said.

Toyota announced a tie-up with Tencent, the maker of the widely-used WeChat messaging and e-payment app.

Volvo, the Swedish brand bought by China's Geely group, stressed a simpler approach to the digitalization of its cars.

Likely aiming at a somewhat older audience, the company said its new EX30 electric SUV has an audio system and tablet screen that are easy to operate and uses sustainable fabrics in its interior.

“We believe that technology should be measured by its utility, not just its novelty," said Xiaolin Yuan, Volvo's Asia-Pacific head.

The EX30 will sell for 210,000 to 260,000 yuan ($29,000 - $36,000) in China, the company announced.

American brands at the show included Lincoln, Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet. Ford presented a muscular look tied to its history, telling the story of the Mustang and Bronco - which it described as a “sports utility vehicle” when it was launched in 1966 — and showing the latest versions of those models.

Associated Press researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and writers Mark Stevenson in Mexico City and Gabriela Sá Pessoa based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, contributed.

Visitors take photos of a MG concept car during an opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

The all electric Mini Aceman is unveiled at the BMW booth during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Attendees take photos of the BYD Qin L Dmi unveiled during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Founder and CEO of the electric car manufacturer Nio, William Li, waves to the media during a press conference at the opening of the China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Visitors photograph a Lamborghini car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Founder and CEO of the electric car manufacturer Nio, William Li speaks during a press conference at the opening China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

The BYD Han EV car sedan is shown during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Visitors check at an MG car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Visitors look at a Great Wall's Haval car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Visitors take photos of a Zeekr car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Visitors take photos of a Zeekr car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Visitors look at an MG car during the opening of China Auto Show in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a tiebreaking homer in his return from the injured list as the Arizona Diamondbacks bounced back after blowing a four-run lead and beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 on Friday night.

The Diamondbacks moved into sole possession of the NL’s second wild-card spot by taking a one-game lead over the New York Mets, who lost 12-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Atlanta Braves, who lost 4-3 at Miami, are three games behind the Diamondbacks and two games behind the Mets.

Milwaukee already has clinched the NL Central title.

Arizona’s Ketel Marte hit his 33rd homer – setting a new career high – and also doubled and singled. William Contreras went 4 for 5 with a homer and Garrett Mitchell and Joey Ortiz also went deep for the Brewers.

Milwaukee rallied from a 4-0 deficit by homering off Arizona ace Zac Gallen (13-6) three times in a four-run fifth inning before the Diamondbacks took the lead for good in the sixth.

Gurriel led off the sixth by connecting on a 1-1 pitch from DL Hall (1-2) and hitting it over the wall in left center. Gurriel had been activated from the injured list earlier in the day after recovering from a strained left calf.

His homer started a three-run rally that culminated with Randal Grichuk drawing a bases-loaded, two-out walk from Jared Koenig. Grichuk took a 3-2 pitch low to bring home Gabriel Moreno.

Rhys Hoskins and Sal Frelick opened the bottom of the sixth with consecutive singles to bring the tying run to the plate, but Kevin Ginkel retired the next three batters to keep the score at 7-4. The Brewers got the tying run to the plate but failed to score again in the seventh.

A.J. Puk worked the ninth for his third save in six opportunities.

The Brewers had gotten back into the game in the fifth by pouncing on Gallen, who hadn’t allowed more than two homers in any of his previous 26 starts this season. He entered Friday having given up a total of two homers over his last 11 starts.

Ortiz hit a one-out drive to left-center that traveled 416 feet. After Brice Turang grounded out, Jackson Chourio beat out an infield single and Contreras followed with a 409-foot homer to center. Mitchell sent Gallen’s next pitch over the wall in left center for a game-tying, 393-foot blast.

It was the first time the Brewers had homered three times in an inning since Rowdy Tellez, Brian Anderson and Mitchell went deep against three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in the sixth inning of a 9-0 victory over the New York Mets on April 4, 2023. Gallen hadn’t allowed three homers in a game since a 5-3 loss to Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of last year’s NL Championship Series.

Gallen gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings while striking out five and walking one.

Brewers starter Colin Rea gave up three runs and five hits in four innings. He struck out four and walked one.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Gurriel was playing his first game since Sept. 1. The Diamondbacks made room for him by designating INF Luis Guillorme for assignment.

BREWERS' MOVE

The Brewers designated RHP Enoli Paredes for assignment and promoted RHP Kevin Herget from Triple-A Nashville.

UP NEXT

RHP Merrill Kelly (4-0, 4.00 ERA) pitches for the Diamondbacks and RHP Aaron Civale (7-8, 4.48) starts for the Brewers when this four-game series continues Saturday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Colin Rea (48) throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen (23) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras, right, reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers third base Joey Ortiz (3) throws out Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, left, and Willy Adames, right, collide after Adames caught a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake McCarthy during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras hits a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)