Lotus Tech Debuts its First PHEV, Advancing into Wider Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Lotus Technology (Nasdaq: LOT) announced its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), marking the brand's initial PHEV entry in its 77-year history.

The model debuted publicly on Dec 5, 2025 via inclusion in the PRC Ministry of Industry and Information Technology new-vehicle catalogue. The company said an official China launch is scheduled in Q1 2026, with a dedicated technology preview planned for January 2026, and overseas rollouts to follow.

Positive

• First-ever PHEV for Lotus in 77 years
• Model included in MIIT new-vehicle catalogue on Dec 5, 2025
• China launch scheduled for Q1 2026 with Jan 2026 preview

Negative

• Overseas rollout timing and regions remain unspecified
• No production volumes, pricing, or sales guidance disclosed

Key Figures

Brand history 77 years First PHEV in Lotus' 77-year history

PHEV debut date December 5, 2025 Public debut via PRC MIIT new-vehicle catalogue

China launch timing Q1 2026 Official launch of the PHEV model in China

Tech preview timing January 2026 Dedicated technology preview event in China

Market Reality Check

$1.34 Last Close

Volume Volume 19,869 is below the 20-day average of 84,094 (relative volume 0.24x). low

Technical Shares at 1.34, trading below the 200-day MA of 1.88 and far under the 4.40 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

LOT was down 1.47% while peers showed mixed moves: CYD -0.31%, LVWR +7.21%, VLCN -7.28%, NWTN +16.81%, PSNYW -15.37%, indicating stock-specific trading rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 24	Q3 2025 earnings	Negative	-1.6%	Revenue and deliveries down sharply despite margin and loss improvements.
Nov 10	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-4.3%	Scheduling of Q3 2025 results and conference call details.
Aug 29	H1 2025 earnings	Neutral	+0.0%	Lower revenue and deliveries but narrowed losses and new funding lines.
Aug 19	Funding commitment	Positive	-2.4%	Up to <b>$300M</b> convertible notes plus <b>RMB1.6B</b> credit facility access.
Aug 18	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+3.5%	Announcement of date and time for H1 2025 results call.

Pattern Detected

Recent earnings and funding news often saw mild to negative price reactions, even when including operational improvements or new capital commitments.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, Lotus Technology has focused on restructuring and funding while working through declining volumes. H1 2025 results showed revenue of $218M on 2,813 deliveries and narrowed operating losses, supported by up to $500M in funding commitments and a RMB 1.6B credit facility. Q3 2025 revenue reached $137M with improved 8% gross margin but lower volumes. Announcements about earnings dates and financing have produced mixed, often negative, price moves. Today’s PHEV debut connects back to earlier guidance about expanding the product roadmap.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock is surging +11.9% following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the strategic significance of introducing Lotus’s first PHEV in its 77-year history, marking an expansion into hybrid powertrains and broader markets. Prior news often centered on declining volumes and funding needs, so investors may have viewed this as a pivot toward product-led growth. However, past patterns of weak follow-through on positive funding headlines suggest that execution on the Q1 2026 launch and subsequent overseas rollouts would remain a key risk factor.

Key Terms

plug-in hybrid technical

"update on its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model"

A plug-in hybrid is a type of vehicle that combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric battery that can be recharged by plugging it into an external power source. This allows the car to run on electric power alone for short distances, reducing fuel use and emissions. For investors, plug-in hybrids represent advances in clean transportation technology that could influence automotive markets and environmental policies.

phev technical

"As the first PHEV in Lotus’ 77-year history"

A PHEV, or plug‑in hybrid electric vehicle, is a car that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from an external power source; it can run short trips on electricity alone and switch to gasoline for longer drives. Investors care because PHEVs sit between conventional cars and full electric vehicles, affecting automakers’ sales mix, fuel cost exposure, regulatory compliance and demand for batteries and charging infrastructure—factors that influence revenue, costs and competitive position.

powertrain technical

"demand across diversified powertrain segments"

Powertrain is the collection of parts that generate and deliver motion in a vehicle — typically the engine or electric motor, transmission, driveshafts, axles and related control systems or batteries in electric models. It matters to investors because powertrain design and efficiency drive fuel economy, performance, production cost, regulatory compliance and warranty risk, all of which affect a maker’s competitiveness, profit margins and exposure to supply-chain or technology shifts; think of it as the vehicle’s heart and muscles.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lotus Technology Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LOT) today provided an update on its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. The model made its public debut on December 5, 2025 through inclusion in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of PRC’s new-vehicle catalogue. As the first PHEV in Lotus’ 77-year history, this marks a key milestone in the brand’s electrification roadmap and reflects its commitment to meet growing consumer demand across diversified powertrain segments.

Official launch of the model in China is scheduled in the first quarter of 2026, with a dedicated technology preview event planned for January 2026. Overseas rollouts will follow afterwards.

About Lotus Technology Inc.

Lotus Technology Inc. has operations across the UK, the EU and China. The Company is dedicated to delivering luxury lifestyle electric vehicles, with a focus on world-class R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. For more information about Lotus Technology Inc., please visit www.group-lotus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “forecast”, “plan”, “seek”, “future”, “propose” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology although not all forward-looking statements contain such terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Lotus Technology Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contact Information
For investor inquiries
ir@group-lotus.com

FAQ

What did Lotus Technology announce about its first PHEV on Dec 12, 2025?

Lotus said its first PHEV debuted in the MIIT new-vehicle catalogue and is slated for a China launch in Q1 2026.

When was the Lotus PHEV added to China’s MIIT new-vehicle catalogue (LOT)?

The PHEV was included in the MIIT new-vehicle catalogue on Dec 5, 2025.

When will Lotus (LOT) officially launch the new PHEV in China?

The company scheduled the official China launch for Q1 2026, with a technology preview in January 2026.

Does Lotus (LOT) have overseas rollout dates for the new PHEV?

Lotus indicated overseas rollouts will follow the China launch, but did not provide specific dates or markets.

How significant is the PHEV for Lotus Technology (LOT)?

It is Lotus's first PHEV in 77 years, marking a milestone in the company's electrification roadmap.