IM Motors

An IM Motors executive said the company officially received its L4 driverless road test license today.

IM Motors plans to launch two BEV models and two EREV models in 2025, extending its model lineup to the hybrid market for the first time.

The new brand will not use Audi's signature four-ring logo, but will instead use Audi's English name “AUDI” and will also launch a model to rival the Nio ET7, according to local media.

The updated LS6 -- a Tesla Model Y competitor -- received more than 6,000 orders in its first 12 hours on the market.

IM Motors today began pre-sales of the LS6 at the Chengdu auto show, with a price range of RMB 229,900 ($32,410) to RMB 299,900.

The R&D teams of IM Motors and Rising Auto, and power battery, smart driving, and chassis technology programs, will be relocated to SAIC's R&D innovation headquarters, according to local media.

The new EV series, internally codenamed "Purple," will have a concept car unveiled in November, when Audi will explain the series' "brand story," according to Reuters.

IM Motors' first EREV model will be an SUV, which will be launched in the first quarter of 2025, according to local media.

IM Motors has become the second EV maker to connect to Nio's charging network this month after GAC Aion's Hyper brand.

Deliveries of the regular variants of the IM L6 will begin at the end of May, while deliveries of the variant with semi-solid-state batteries are expected to begin in October.