China's top 10 auto industry stories, trends during 2018

Gasoline car capacity curbed

China issued a guideline in December, banning the establishment of any new company that produces only conventionally fueled vehicles, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids. The guideline also raises the bar for electric carmakers, stipulating that such plants must be located in provinces that boast a more competitive manufacturing basis and have more new energy vehicles on their roads than the country's average. The authorities had also decided to streamline the procedure, with the longstanding checking and ratifying for approval replaced with filing for records or registration. The guideline is scheduled to come into effect on Jan 10.