Family road trip SUV recommendation: Zeekr 8X makes the journey more reassuring

On April 19, 2026, Geely launched presales of its i-HEV hybrid models – Xingyue L i-HEV and Xingrui i-HEV – in Urho, Xinjiang, as part of its ‘Cultural Tourism China Exploration Plan’. The Xingyue L i-HEV is priced between ¥148,700 and ¥162,700, while the Xingrui i-HEV ranges from ¥107,700 to ¥119,700. The company claims a thermal efficiency of 48.41% for the engine and WLTC combined fuel consumption of 3.98 L/100 km for the sedan and 4.75 L/100 km for the SUV.

On April 14, during the Water Splashing Festival in Jinghong, Yunnan, a private car was surrounded and doused with water while driving, causing smoke inside the vehicle. The driver's wife said water entered the cabin and triggered smoke; her parents were soaked. The car was sent to a dealership for inspection; damage not yet determined. The owner filed a police report; the planned trip to Guangzhou was canceled. Local authorities stated they are following up, noting that official rules prohibit splashing moving cars.

Chinese company Seres has patented a toilet built under a car seat and activated by voice command. The device features a ventilation system, a waste tank, and a heating function to evaporate liquid. The patent was registered in April, but the manufacturer has not yet announced the release of vehicles with this feature.

Chinese Skydream Caravans unveils a 8.1m capsule-style motorhome with 14-day autonomy. Rapido V62 with XHP insulation, Sun Living C 65 SL under €65,000, and Dethleffs Globebus 4x4 under 3.5t from €95,000.

At the Chengdu RV exhibition from May 15 to 17, 2026, three off-road motorhomes will be unveiled: Romantes ST20, Manka Yi Hao Challenger, and Tuku Shenlong Daxia.

A video of a homemade floating motorhome from China went viral in 2026, though the original was published in 2023. The structure is assembled from plastic sewer pipes, plywood and metal, equipped with an electric motor for land and water travel. The interior includes a sleeping area, television, cooking plate and tackle storage.