Through the throes of the coronavirus crisis, Chinese companies developing autonomous-driving technology have accelerated the pace and scope of their deployments. They believe they're narrowing the gap with U.S. competitors.

Sales of trucks, vans and other commercial vehicles, which constitute for around a quarter of China's overall market, surged 63 percent, while sales of passenger vehicles rose only 1.8 percent.

Tesla’s new Shanghai assembly plant has churned out popular Model 3 sedans for the past six months, catapulting the company atop the electric-vehicle sales chart and piling the pressure on cash-strapped local rivals.

The Japanese automaker will buy a 1 percent stake and launch its first EV with CATL's battery in China in 2022.