Episode 124 - 25K Downloads for CEM, Li Bin Wants an Open US market, Lei's Trip so far to Beijing

The pod begins with the announcement that China EVs & More (CEM) had gotten it's 25K download - Congratulations to us!Tu moves the discussion over to the rumors about Audi kicking the tires on an SAIC EV platform in order to try and catch up with Tesla and the other China EV Inc. and a broader discussion about how Audi got here. Tu points back to when he said every automaker is going through a 'Make vs. Buy' decision on every strategic (large) software / hardware move they make due to the lack of a tech culture at their companies but in a broader sense, in Europe in general. The discussion also focuses on the lack of speed at each of the European Legacy automakers and how that contributes to their inability to catch up.Tu pushes the conversation over to Li Bin being quoted in an FT article that the US should open their market to companies like NIO rather than put up protectionist measures that make US entry more difficult. Lei then takes a moment to discuss what he's been up to while he's been in Beijing including a visit to Baidu Apollo, trying out the WeRide autonomous vehicle. and trying out the ADAS system on the Avatr 11. The podcast closes out with charging in China and how that experience differs from the US. Support the show