China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

BYD launches Seal 07 DM-i: 2,000 km range and 3.4L/100 km fuel efficiency

The Seal 07 DM-i offers two powertrain options: a 74 kW 1.5-liter engine with a 160 kW motor, and a 115 kW turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with a 200 kW motor.

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BYD launches Seal 07 DM-i: 2,000 km range and 3.4L/100 km fuel efficiency​

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Adrian Leung

August 8, 2024


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BYD introduced two new vehicles tonight: the Seal 07 DM-i and the 2025 Seal EV. The Seal 07 DM-i is a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) featuring its fifth-generation DM technology. Priced between 139,800 and 195,800 yuan (19,500 to 27,300 USD), it will replace the existing Seal DM-i, clearing up confusion over its identity.


The Seal 07 DM-i’s standout feature is its advanced powertrain technology. It offers two options: a 1.5-liter engine producing 74 kW paired with a 160 kW electric motor for lighter versions and a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivering 115 kW alongside a 200 kW electric motor for heavier models. These powertrains provide impressive pure electric ranges of 70 km and 125 km under the CLTC cycle, with a combined range of 2,000 km. BYD claims it has a fuel consumption of 3.4l /100 km. All models are equipped with BYD’s blade battery using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, a testament to the vehicle’s cutting-edge technology.

The refreshed model has horizontal grille lines for a fresh look. The Seal 07 DM-i retains the dimensions of its predecessor, measuring 4980mm in length, 1890mm in width, and 1495mm in height, with a 2900mm wheelbase.


The interior of the Seal 07 DM-i is designed with a “Flowing Grey” theme, accentuated by aluminum trim. Depending on the variant, the vehicle has an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch or 15.6-inch central touchscreen powered by the latest DiLink system. This system enhances the interface’s responsiveness and expands its functionality.

Additional interior features include:

• 50W wireless charging.
• A crystal gear shifter.
• A panoramic sunroof with an electric sunshade.
• A heated steering wheel.
• An integrated fragrance system.
• Heated and ventilated seats

Unlike previous models, this PHEV comes standard with BYD’s DiPilot intelligent driving system, offering Level 2 driving assistance across all trims. The vehicle’s safety features include 13 airbags, Automatic Emergency Brakes (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Emergency Lane-Keeping Assistance (ELKA), all standard across the lineup.


During the event, Zhang Zhuo, General Manager of BYD‘s Ocean series, will focus on four key models: Seagull, Dolphin, Seal, and Sealions. The Seal will be the dedicated sedan lineup, expanding into Seal 05, 06, 07, 08, and 09, with EV and DM-i powertrain options.

 

[Yommie]

Lynk & Co flagship L946 spotted testing again and on the move

New spy shots have emerged of the forthcoming Lynk & Co flagship SUV, currently known by its code name L946. Unlike the picture we brought you last

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Lynk & Co flagship L946 spotted testing again and on the move​

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Mark Andrews

August 8, 2024


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New spy shots have emerged of the forthcoming Lynk & Co flagship SUV, currently known by its code name L946. Unlike the picture we brought you last month, the new pictures, while still heavily camouflaged, show the full body of the car from both the front and rear.


As can be seen from the spy shots, the car is obviously a large SUV and will probably be larger in size than the brand’s 09 EM-P model. It is expected that the car will also be a PHEV and will target cars such as the Li L9 and the Aito M9.

With the car so heavily camouflaged, we can make out little in the way of its features. However, we can say that the car seems to have relatively straight, squared-off lines. At the front, there seems to be a quite large grille along with an air inlet below it. These elements may look similar to the style adopted on the Lynk & Co 09 EM-P.


Based on the vehicle’s size, we expect it to be a 3-row design. From the side, we can see quite a large window area around the rear passenger doors, but beyond these, everything is heavily camouflaged. At the rear, we can just about make out a small spoiler that finishes off the roof line.

As with the previous spy shots, we can see the car is equipped with Lidar. However, the car spotted testing has different wheels to the car previously spied parked, which featured unusual-looking 10-spoke wheels. Other features include frameless side-view mirrors

The new car uses Volvo’s scalable product architecture (SPA), which also underpins cars such as the Volvo XC90, Volvo EX 90, and Polestar 3.


Based on the new spy shots, the rendering previously published by Sugar Design looks likely to be far off the mark from the actual design of the new car. Given that the Lynk & Co 09 EM-P (see specs) has dimensions of 5042, 1977, and 1780 mm (l/w/h) with a wheelbase of 2984 mm we can expect the new car to be bigger still.

Previous rendering from Sugar Design of the car now appears incorrect
Assuming the car really does use a PHEV powertrain, then it may feature a setup that is similar to the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P or the 09 EM-P. In the case of the 08 (see specs), it uses a 1.5T engine with 120 kW of power and a 160 kW electric motor for a combined system total of 280 kW. On the other hand, the 09 EM-P uses a more powerful 2.0T engine with 187 kW of power and three electric motors with a total of 256 kW of power for a system total of 408 kW.

Lynk & Co, a brand jointly owned by Volvo and Geely, in recent years has been electrifying its range quickly. Initially this meant PHEV versions of existing models but the latest models have been launched either as PHEV only or beginning this year with the Z10 as all electric. The L946 is expected to be launched next year.

Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Xiaomi SU7 cannot do OTA due to changed lights, and owners worry about flooding their frunk

Some Xiaomi SU7 owners have had problems with OTAs after replacing parts. Others are worried the frunk will fill with water.

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Xiaomi SU7 cannot do OTA due to changed lights, and owners worry about flooding their frunk​

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Mark Andrews

August 8, 2024


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The Xiaomi SU7 has undoubtedly created a sensation in China, but many of the drivers the car attracts are first-time EV buyers and many even are not particularly experienced drivers. This is likely the root cause of many of the crashes that have occurred with the car. However, new issues are emerging with the SU7 (see specs), and some are almost certainly caused by the type of buyer the car attracts. The latest headlines the car is making are worries that the frunk will be flooded, along with OTA’s not working due to parts of the car having been replaced.


Recently, several car owners have reported problems with OTAs, with an upgrade error being reported. This occurred where owners replaced upgradable parts, such as headlights, with non-Xiaomi ones. All such parts have security keys for authentication management. During an OTA, these keys will be verified, and the upgrade cannot occur if there is a mismatch between the identification keys. According to a Xiaomi official, if the original part is then refitted, the upgrade can be fully installed.

The most recent Xiaomi OTA is the HyperOS 1.2.0 system, which, as part of it, has provided lane-level navigation on highways and urban expressways. For eligible drivers, this includes city NOA (navigation on autopilot). This requires cars fitted with the Xiaomi Pilot Max intelligent driving system. Both the SU7 Pro and SU7 Max versions have the necessary hardware. Drivers also need to have accumulated 1,000 kilometers of safe intelligent driving.


While car modification may be nothing new, the worries about the frunk show that many Xiaomi owners are novices regarding car ownership. The Xiaomi SU7 has one of the largest frunk spaces in an EV, with a capacity of 105 liters, which is more than the 89 liters in a Tesla Model S and 84 liters in a Porsche Taycan. It seems, though, that owners are worried that when it rains, the frunk will fill with water!

To allay these worries, Xiaomi has answered that the SU7 has a sealing strip in the front truck so that under normal usage, the space, which is the largest in the Chinese market, will not get water in it. However, in the case that a liquid is accidentally spilled in the space, there are two small rubber plugs in the frunk, to the left and right of the front, which can be removed to drain the liquid. Any remaining liquid can then be dried using a cloth.

Editor’s note:​

Xiaomi seems intent on locking customers into an ecosystem. Whether this is to a greater extent than other producers is difficult to say. Certainly, as cars become more sophisticated in terms of computing power, it is possible to restrict owners from making changes to the car.


Sources: Fast Technology, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng Mona M03 all-electric hatchback opens for reservations

The Xpeng Mona M03 offers two ranges: 515 km and 620 km. Its drag coefficient is 0.194Cd. Mass production will begin this month.

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Xpeng Mona M03 all-electric hatchback opens for reservations​

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Dong Yi Chen

August 8, 2024


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On August 8, Xpeng officially opened its Mona M03 pure electric hatchback for reservations. A 99 yuan (14 USD) deposit will count as a 3,000 yuan (418 USD) reduction towards the purchase amount. The car’s price tag is expected to be less than 200,000 yuan ( 28,000 USD). Mona is a new series under Xpeng that stands for “Made Of New AI”, with a focus on intelligent driving.


Mass production will begin this month, according to He Xiaopeng, the brand’s founder. For the exterior, the Xpeng Mona 03 has an official aspect ratio of 1.31, an electric tailgate, and a drag coefficient of 0.194Cd. Xpeng also claimed that the car has 15 drag optimization designs.

The trunk has a standard volume of 621L and can hold one 28-inch + four 20-inch suitcases at the same time.


Both the headlights and taillights feature the “010” design, each comprised of 300 LED units. Xpeng also claims that the car’s front face is “breathable” – able to automatically intake air for aerodynamic optimization and powertrain cooling.

The 1.22m² panoramic sunroof has an official ultraviolet isolation rate of 99.9%, an infrared isolation rate of 97.6%, and a visible light transmittance of <3%.

18-inch rims are standard. Optional 19-inch sports rims are also available.


The car is available in five exterior paints for consumers to choose from. Its dimensions (see specs here) are 4780/1896/1445 mm, with a 2815 mm wheelbase and three curb weight options: 1661 kg, 1631 kg, and 1739 kg. Additionally, there are more than 20 sensors throughout the vehicle to support advanced driving assistance capabilities.

The interior is available in three colors: Morning Mist Gray, Noon Blue, and Night Gray. The cockpit is simple with a 15.6-inch central control screen, a D-shaped steering wheel, and hidden air-conditioning outlets. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and 16GB of memory are standard for the entire series.

Other configurations include 256-color ambient lights, 18 speakers, an AI voice assistant, wireless charging for mobile phones, OTA updates, keyless entry, mobile phone remote control, in-car WiFi/4G network, and charging reservation functionality, to name a few.

The standard trim is powered by a 140 kW (188 hp) electric motor while the performance trim is powered by a 160 kW (215 hp) electric motor. The Blade batteries are produced by BYD’s FinDreams Battery, available in two capacities: 51.8 kWh and 62.2 kWh, with CLTC ranges of 515 km and 620 km, respectively. The top speed is 155 km/h.

Source: Xpeng

 

[Yommie]

Neta S wagon official images revealed, available in EV and EREV variants

The Neta S wagon range-extender variant offers 125 km, 130 km, and 185 km pure electric ranges.

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Neta S wagon official images revealed, available in EV and EREV variants​

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Dong Yi Chen

August 8, 2024


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On August 8, Hozon Auto’s Neta brand released more official images of its upcoming Neta S station wagon, also officially known as the Neta S Hunting Edition. which will be available in pure electric (EV) and range-extender (EREV) variants once launched. The official launch is expected to be in August and delivery will start in September, as announced at Neta L’s launch conference in June.


The Neta S wagon adopts the Shooting Brake design, according to the brand. Notable design elements include a closed front face, hidden door handles, a panoramic heat-insulating roof with an official 99.9% UV isolation and 87.5% heat isolation, and a roof lidar, implying intelligent driving assistance functionalities.

The Neta S is 4980 mm long, 1980 mm wide, and 1480 mm tall, with a 2980 mm wheelbase. The ground clearance is 133 mm.


The car runs on 20-inch petal-shaped rims with red calipers.

Referencing the declaration information by the Chinese MIIT, the range-extender variant is equipped with a 1.5L range extender with a maximum power of 70 kW (94 hp) and an electric motor that outputs 200 kW (268 hp). The battery capacity is available in two options: 31.71 kWh and 43.88 kWh, with pure electric ranges of 125 km, 130 km, and 185 km (assuming CLTC conditions).

The pure electric variant is divided into two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The cruising range has not yet been revealed at this time.

• Two-wheel drive: 200 kW electric motor
• Four-wheel drive: 170 kW front and 200 kW rear electric motors

The top speed is 185 km/h.

Inside, the rear seats can be folded flat, forming a flatbed together with the trunk. The 593L double-layer trunk can be expanded to 1295L after the rear seats are folded down. The roof can also accommodate items such as storage boxes, bicycles, and camping tents, judging from the images. Furthermore, the cockpit is expected to come with an onboard 6.5L refrigerator, a 17.6-inch central control screen, and front seats that support heating, ventilation, and massage.

The Neta S wagon has already arrived at the showroom ahead of launch.

Source: Neta Weibo

 

[Yommie]

Hongqi E009 production version of electric sedan spied testing

New Hongqi electric sedan spotted testing and the production version of the Hongqi E009 concept shown at the Beijing Show.

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Hongqi E009 production version of electric sedan spied testing​

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Mark Andrews

August 7, 2024


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Earlier this year, at the Beijing Auto Show, Hongqi showed four new concept cars. A number of these seemed near production ready, including the E009. At the show, this car carried the Hongqi New Energy brand logo, and it is likely that the sedan will be a new model under this division of Hongqi. The car has recently been spotted testing.


Notably, the light clusters of the car spied seemed to be different from those on the concept shown in Beijing and are more in line with those seen on the EH7, and have a straighter, more dagger-like look to them. With the camouflage, it’s difficult to see whether the lights continue downwards as on the EH7 or stop at the fender as on the concept car. One definite distinctive feature seen on the test car is the comb-like LED running lights. We can also see an air inlet below the front fender.

From the side, the overall silhouette seems to be largely the same as that of the E009 concept car. We can see it has blackened out multi-spoke wheels and concealed door handles. Like the concept, it has blackened out door pillars. At the rear, the car still seems to have the Y-shaped tail light clusters as seen on the concept, but the car seems to have undergone some softening from the concept, and there is a ducktail design. We can also see a diffuser lending a sporty look at the bottom of the fender.


The Hongqi EH7 (see specs) is based on the FME platform, and the E009 will likely also use it. Currently, we know little about the car’s size. However, the EH 7 is a shade under 5 meters long, with dimensions of 4980, 1915, and 1490 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 3000 mm, meaning it is probably safe to say that the new car is smaller.

Hongqi E009 concept at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show
Previous news reports said the new car would be equipped with an M190-150kW silicon carbide reducer assembly, which likely means the motor has 150 kW power.

Hongqi, which belongs to FAW, is China’s oldest car brand. Once reserved for the top leadership of China’s government, the brand has had a resurgence in recent times thanks to more consumer-oriented models. Hongqi debuted its New Energy brand at last year’s Shanghai Show. Currently, only the EH7 is on sale, with the EHS7 set to join it very soon. Autohome claims that the production version of the E009 will not go on sale until October 2025.


Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Xiaomi confirms in-house development of SU7 Ultra despite Prodrive rumors

Xiaomi's cutting-edge SU7 Ultra with advanced three-motor system delivering 1548 PS total output

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Xiaomi confirms in-house development of SU7 Ultra despite Prodrive rumors​

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Adrian Leung

August 7, 2024


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Xiaomi introduced the SU7 Ultra prototype in July. Rumors have since been circulating online about collaborating with Prodrive, a UK engineering group with 35 years of experience in motorsports known for building race cars for brands like Porsche, BMW, and Subaru. However, Xiaomi confirmed that the SU7 Ultra is developed in-house, featuring their V8s super motor, thermal management system, electric drive, and battery controllers. The SU7 Ultra accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.97 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in 5.96 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h.


The SU7 Ultra is based on Xiaomi’s SU7 electric architecture, with all core hardware and body structures designed independently by Xiaomi. It includes their track-specific CTB battery pack, developed with CATL, and introduces the second-generation Qilin battery.

High rigidity and shared architecture


Xiaomi’s new electric vehicle architecture provides high integration and exceptional rigidity, with a 51,000 Nm/deg torsional stiffness. The SU7 Ultra utilizes this architecture with a high-rigidity cage body structure made from ultra-high-strength steel, boasting a yield of up to 2000 MPa. Additionally, it features an FIA-spec roll cage welded to the body frame, enhancing passive safety and minimizing deformation under extreme conditions. This design ensures agility and durability, optimizing performance on the track.

Advanced battery technology

The SU7 Ultra incorporates Xiaomi’s CTB (Cell-to-body) battery technology, which achieves up to 77.8% volume efficiency and supports a maximum capacity of 150 kWh. This integrated design increases interior space by 17mm and features a high-power track-specific battery with a maximum output of 1330 kW. Even at a 20% charge, the battery can output over 800 kW, ensuring robust performance, especially at the Nürburgring. The CTB battery pack also includes a dual-surface cooling structure, which enhances cooling capacity by 60% compared to traditional methods.


Cutting-edge motor development

Xiaomi’s super motor series includes first-generation V6 and V6s motors, which are already in production and offer high rotational speeds with power outputs of 220 and 275 kW, respectively. The second-generation V8s motor, debuting on the SU7 Ultra, features a peak rotational speed of 27,200 rpm and a power output of 425 kW (578 PS), with an efficiency of 98.11% and a power density of 10.14 kW/kg. The SU7 Ultra is equipped with a three-motor system, combining two V8s and one V6s motor, delivering a total output of 1138 kW (1548 PS).

Challenging the Nürburgring

The SU7 Ultra is set to undergo rigorous testing on the Nürburgring, a track known for its demanding conditions. While Nürburgring lap times may seem distant from everyday driving, the technologies in the SU7 Ultra also power the Xiaomi SU7, ensuring high performance and reliability for everyday use. This testing will demonstrate the SU7 Ultra’s potential to deliver robust performance even under extreme conditions, making it an exciting prospect for automotive enthusiasts.

Source: IT-Home

 

[Yommie]

BYD Seal 06GT to unveil at Chengdu Auto Show on August 30, deliveries likely in September

According to a BYD official the Seal 06GT will unveil at the Chengdu Auto Show in August before launching next month.

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BYD Seal 06GT to unveil at Chengdu Auto Show on August 30, deliveries likely in September​

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Mark Andrews

August 7, 2024


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The BYD Seal 06GT prototype will be unveiled at the 2024 Chengdu Auto Show says Zhang Zhuo, GM of the marketing division of BYD’s Ocean network. This year’s Chengdu Auto Show starts August 30 and it’s expected that the car will also start pre-sales at the same time. Following this, the car should launch in mid to late September, with deliveries starting at the same time. International sales are likely to start in 2025.


Although the car is currently being referred to as the Seal 06GT, other names that have been registered include Seal MINI, Seal 05EV and Seal X. And so, it is possible that BYD may surprise us at Chengdu with a late name change. The car is a production version of the Ocean M concept, which was shown at this year’s Beijing Auto Show in April. It’s important as a pivot car underlying BYD’s shift from concentrating on the domestic market to becoming a more international-focused company.


At the front, the Seal 06GT has a similar yet distinct look to the existing Seal EV. It is, though, considerably shorter, with dimensions of 4630, 1880, and 1490 mm and a wheelbase of 2820 mm. From the interior spy shots, it seems that the car is also similar inside to the Seal EV. There are sports seats in front and a floating central screen on the dashboard, along with an LCD instrument panel.


So far, the hatchback has been spotted testing in blue, black, green, and orange, suggesting there are at least four different color options. According to the spec level the car gets either 18 or 19-inch wheels.

Base models get a rear-mounted 160KW electric motor and a 59.52 kWh battery pack. This gives the Seals 06 GT a CLTC range of 505 KM. Higher spec versions gain a 165 kW electric motor and have the battery pack increased in size to 72.96 kWh, giving a range of 605 km. Finally, there is a dual motor version which uses a 200 kW electric motor on the rear axle and a 110 kW motor on the front. This version also uses the 72.96 kWh battery pack and has a range of 550 km. The batteries are BYD’s lithium iron phosphate blade battery from its subsidiary FinDreams.

Like the Sea Lion 07 and the updated Seal EV the Seal 06GT uses the BYD e-platform 3.0 Evo. Featuring 800 V architecture the platform allows super fast charging. It will also likely feature the same 12-in-1 electric drive system with a 23,000 rpm electric motor and possibly have DiSus-C continuous damping control suspension.


The new model is expected to fit in between the BYD Dolphin and Seal with the hatchback and is likely priced in the 150,000 to 200,000 yuan (20,900 – 27,900 USD) range.

Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

New BYD Seal EV arrived at dealers before the sales start

The new 2025 BYD Seal EV arrived at dealers in China before the market launch scheduled for August 8. It has a redesigned interior.

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New BYD Seal EV arrived at dealers before the sales start​

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Denis Bobylev

August 7, 2024


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BYD Seal at dealer in China

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The new 2025 BYD Seal EV arrived at dealers in China before the market launch scheduled for August 8. It has a redesigned interior, a new body color, an 800V high-voltage system, and other enhancements.

2025 BYD Seal EV at dealers​

On August 7, the new 2025 model year BYD Seal EV showed up at dealerships across China. These are display cars not intended to be delivered to customers. However, deliveries of the new Seal EV will likely start soon since its market launch is scheduled for August 8.

The new Seal EV was previously revealed in official images. The actual car stays in line with the disclosed pictures. It has a new light purple body color and a BYD logo instead of the ‘Build Your Dreams’ inscription on the trunk door. The new Seal has an optional LiDAR sensor on the roof. However, cars displayed in showrooms haven’t got one. It indicates the LiDAR will be available after the sales start.


Otherwise, the exterior styling of the new Seal remained the same. It adopts the marine aesthetics styling with an X-shaped front end and a sleek roofline. It has distinguishing headlights and a single taillight unit.

The interior of the 2025 BYD Seal became way closer to the previously launched BYD Sealion 07 fastback SUV (see specs). It has a new orange color scheme, a large floating screen, and glossy black elements. In previously revealed official images the new BYD Seal had a four-spoke steering wheel with a trapeze-shaped hub. However, the wheels of the displayed cars stay in line with the old model. It has a round hub and different spokes design.

2025 BYD Seal EV specs​

The new BYD Seal will keep its original name
The BYD Seal is a midsize sedan with dimensions of 4800/1875/1460 mm and a wheelbase of 2920 mm. The new model stands on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture. Thanks to the new platform, the Seal EV supports an 800V high-voltage system that improves charging efficiency. It also has a 12-in-1 electric drive system with a 23,000 rpm electric motor similar to the Sealion 07. The new Seal is also expected to adopt the DiSus-C continuous damping control system.


The entry-level Seal has a single e-motor in the rear axle for 170 kW (228 hp). A more powerful variant adopts an electric motor for 230 kW (308 hp). And the top-trim BYD Seal offers 4WD for 390 kW (523 hp). This sedan has two battery options: 61.44 kW and 80.64 kW. The CLTC range is 510 – 650 km.

Source: WeChat

 

[Yommie]

Electric vehicle penetration exceeds 50% in China for the first time

New Energy Vehicle sales exceed ICE for the first time over a whole month in China in July according to preliminary data.

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Electric vehicle penetration exceeds 50% in China for the first time​

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Mark Andrews

August 7, 2024


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Exterior picture of an electric Hongqi E-HS9 in Shanghai, China.

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Preliminary figures show that in July, sales of new energy vehicles surpassed those of ICEs in the Chinese market for the first time with a penetration rate of 50.84%. Previously, this feat was achieved over the course of a two-week period in April, but never across a whole calendar month.


According to preliminary figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), sales of new energy vehicles during July amounted to 879,000. This is a 37% year-on-year increase and a 3% increase over June sales. Overall passenger car sales, meanwhile, were 1,729,000, which is two percent down year-on-year and on the previous month.

This means that according to the preliminary figures, retail sales of new energy vehicles accounted for 50.84% of the total in July. New energy vehicles are the Chinese government’s term for electric vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). It also includes FCEV, but those sales are almost non-existent in China.


Last year, Miao Wei, former Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said at the China Auto Forum in Shanghai that they expect the electric vehicle penetration rate to exceed 50% in 2025.

Back in March, Wang Chuanfu, the CEO of BYD, predicted that NEVs would achieve more than 50% market share within the following three months. It seems that Wang was just one month out with his prediction. The real test, though, remains whether this figure can actually be achieved for the whole of 2024. Analysts have previously predicted that a 50% penetration rate would not be achieved until much later. The Economist Intelligence Unit predicts it will not be achieved until 2028, and the Chinese Federation of Passenger Cars only predicts a 40% penetration rate for 2024.

Currently, the penetration rate for the year to date stands at 43.1%. This is based on cumulative retail sales since the beginning of the year of 11.568 million cars, a year-on-year increase of 2%. Of these, the sales of new energy vehicles have amounted to 4.991 million, which is a 34% year-on-year increase.


What can be extracted from these figures is that not only is there a large increase in the sales of new energy vehicles but a wholesale collapse in the sales of ICE cars. It should be noted that in the Chinese context NEVs mean both fully electric, BEV, cars and plug-in hybrid, PHEVs. China also often uses the term EREV, which stands for extended range EV, where a petrol engine acts merely as a generator, in effect a series hybrid PHEV. Technically, the term NEV also includes other categories such as FCEV, but these account for a negligible amount in the Chinese market.

Final figures which will confirm the historic event are likely to be released later this month by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

Source: Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

Geely Geome Xingyuan interior spied as small car prepares for launch

New spy shots show the interior of the Geely Geome Xingyuan. The car is a new small EV hatchback from Geely to compete with BYD Dolphin.

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Geely Geome Xingyuan interior spied as small car prepares for launch​

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Mark Andrews

August 7, 2024


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Since last month’s surprise MIIT listing of the Geely Geome Xingyuan, more and more information has been appearing about the car, indicating that a launch is probably not far off. Thanks to new spy shots, we now have a reasonable idea of how the interior looks.


The car spied has a two-tone interior using a shade of white and a pastel pink. This indicates that, most likely, the car is aimed at young female buyers. Pink highlights can be seen on the two-tone steering wheel, the covering over the center console cubbyhole, and further up on the center console where it joins with the dashboard, along with possibly on the actual doors. Such cutesy looks have served micro EVs such as the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV well in the Chinese market, and Geely is perhaps hoping to emulate that in a slightly larger car class.

The steering wheel has a two-spoke design with various controls. Surprisingly, given the price point at which the car will compete, the LCD instrument panel seems to be quite large. Forward of the instrument panel is the infotainment screen, which, judging from the picture, appears to have a space behind it. Unfortunately, we can tell little from the spy shot of the rear bench other than that the car is a five-seater; it also looks like the backs of the front seats have small pockets in them. Due to the light, we are unable to see the rear of the center console, so we cannot see whether there are air vents.


Although the car is currently still being referred to as the Geely Geome Xingyuan reports indicate that the car may be called “Paipai” or “Totoro”. The car features a new design language and is believed to be on a new electric vehicle platform. Externally the car takes a youthful theme and gives buyers a choice from 9 different wheel designs. It also features a two-tone color scheme with a different-colored roof. It has a largely enclosed front with just a few air inlets.

There are two separate MIIT listings for the car, with the lowest spec version weighing 1215 kg and having a choice between 15 or 16-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the higher spec version weighs 1285 kg and comes only with 16-inch wheels. Many Chinese sources say that the car will have a choice between batteries from CATL or the Geely Aegis short-blade battery. This, however, contradicts the information previously released by MIIT, which says that CATL produces the battery in both listings. Battery sizes were recently declared by MIIT as 30.12 and 40.16 kWh, giving CLTC ranges of 310 and 410 km, respectively. These are considerably lower than initially expected but indicate that the car will likely come in cheaper as a result.

The new Geely small car measures 4135, 1805, and 1570 mm (l/w/h) and has a wheelbase of 2650 mm. This is considerably larger than the Wuling Bingo, whose length is 3950 mm, and more closely matches the BYD Dolphin, which has dimensions of 4150, 1770, and 1570 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 2700 mm.


Lower-spec versions of the car have a 58 kW electric motor while the more powerful version uses an 85 kW motor. It’s believed that these are an 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive system, other known information about the car is that it will use a Flyme Auto powered intelligent cockpit.

It’s believed the car may launch later this month (August) and Internet speculation puts starting prices at around 80,000 yuan (11,150 USD).

Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Evergrande Auto has laid off all its remaining employees

Evergrande Auto has dismissed its employees without cause. Positions including auto manufacturing and R&D have been affected.

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Evergrande Auto has laid off all its remaining employees​

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Lawrence Ho

August 7, 2024


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The beleaguered auto unit of China Evergrande Group, Evergrande Auto, has dismissed its employees without cause. According to interviewed employees, from July 29th, positions including auto manufacturing, R&D, quality control, and administrative personnel have all been affected.


HR stated that employees must pay their social insurance, implying they have been considered laid off. Reports indicate Evergrande Auto ceased operations at the end of last year with the total employees being reduced from 6000 to less than 500.

Evergrande Auto​

Evergrande Auto has been navigating a series of setbacks since 2021, including suspension from trading, executives being arrested, and the liquidation of its assets.


In 2020, Evergrande initially revealed six new concept cars under the Hengchi brand consisting of sedans, coupes, SUVs, and MPV. Hengchi originally announced that mass production would start in 2021 and aimed to sell 1 million EVs in 2025.

However, in 2021, Evergrande Group was exposed to be massively leveraged and defaulted on its debt payments. The company tried to sell its EV business to Xiaomi, but the deal fell apart for unknown reasons.

Evergrande Auto was somehow able to overcome its setbacks and launched the Hengchi 5 in July 2022. Production began at its Tianjin plant in September 2022. Production was sporadic, however, stopping and starting on and off in 2023. The company saw dismal sales of less than 1000 units in 2023.


President of Evergrande Auto and Hengchi brand was arrested in January 2024 due to suspected illegal activities. There were talks in May 2024 of a potential buyer buying a 29% stake, but no additional developments have been reported.

Evergrande Auto’s stock (0708.HK) sits at 0.285 HKD (0.4 USD) per share with a market cap of 3.09 billion HKD (400 million USD).

End of Evergrande Auto​

Reports indicate that Evergrande Auto ceased operations at the end of last year. The remaining employees dismissed were mostly contract workers, most of them having more than a year remaining on their contracts.

Reports of employee dismissals come after Chinese authorities ordered Evergrande Auto to repay government subsidies due to failure to meet contractual obligations. Local authorities asked the company to repay 1.9 billion RMB (262 million USD) of subsidies and incentives it received from local governments.

The company said in a filing that Chinese authories asked its Tianjin plant to stop producing and selling vehicles. Evergrande Auto faces repossession of land, buildings, and equipment obtained via local government incentives.

On July 2024, Evergrande Auto announced its subsidiaries Evergrande New Energy Vehicle and Evergrande Smart Vehicle filed for bankruptcy. The wholly-owned subsidiaries have registered capitals of 2.5 billion yuan (350 milllion USD) and 5 billion yuan (700 million USD), respectively. Data shows Evergrande Auto has accumulated losses of up to 110 billion yuan (15 billion USD) over the last five years.

The parent company, Evergrande Group, was ordered to liquidate in January 2024 by the Hong Kong courts after the company failed to reach a restructuring plant with creditors. Evergrande Auto has been on its last legs in 2023 and 2024 and the company seems to nearing the end as it dismisses its remaining employees.

Sources: MyDrivers, Yiche, Sina

 

[Yommie]

New Haval H9 overseas edition official images released

Earlier, it was reported that the new Haval H9 overseas edition appeared at dealer in Russia and is scheduled to launch on August 9.

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New Haval H9 overseas edition official images released​

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Dong Yi Chen

August 7, 2024


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Recently, the official images of the new generation Haval H9 overseas edition were officially released. The new car is expected to start pre-sale in the overseas markets as early as August.


Earlier, it was reported that the car appeared in the Haval Pro dealer in Russia and is scheduled to be sold in Russia on August 9. The price has not been officially announced at this time. The Haval dealer shared that four trims will be offered for consumers to choose from, and the entry-level trim will start at 4,300,000 rubles (360,000 yuan or 50,400 USD). The prices of the other three trims will be 4,599,000 (54,000 USD), 4,899,000 (57,500 USD), and 5,299,000 rubles (62,200 USD), respectively.

New Haval H9 domestic versionNew Haval H9 overseas version
Judging from the official images, there is no obvious difference in design between the overseas and domestic versions of the new Haval H9. The front still uses a grille decorated with thick horizontal chrome bars with the “HAVAL” brand logo embedded in it. The headlights are square with round LED daytime running lights inside.


The rear includes vertically arranged square taillights, a side-opening tailgate, and an external spare box. For reference, the length, width, and height of the domestic version are 5070/1960 (1976)/1930 mm, respectively, and the wheelbase is 2850 mm. The dimensions of the overseas version are expected to be consistent with the domestic version.

In terms of power, the new Haval H9 offers two options: a 2.0T gasoline engine and a 2.4T diesel engine. The 2.0T gasoline engine outputs 218 hp and 380 Nm, mated to an 8AT. The 2.4T diesel engine outputs 184 hp and 480 Nm, mated to a 9AT. Additionally, a BorgWarner four-wheel drive system, front and rear differential locks, and tank turn functions are expected to be present.

Furthermore, the new Haval H9 might also offer a 3.0L V6 engine option developed by Great Wall Motor (GWM), mated to a 9AT. There is not much information about this 3.0L V6 engine at present and still needs to be confirmed by the official.


Inside, the cockpit is consistent with that of the domestic version. Elements such as the four-spoke oval steering wheel, floating large 14.6-inch central control screen, rectangular air-conditioning outlets, bulky gear lever, and a large number of physical buttons are present. At the same time, the new Haval H9 overseas version also adopts a 2+3+2 seat layout.

As for the new Haval H9 domestic version, it is expected to be officially launched at the Chengdu Auto Show which will open on August 30, with an estimated starting price of 188,800 yuan (26,400 USD), according to Haval dealers.

Source: AutoHome, YiChe, YiChe, DongCheDi, Sohu

 

[Yommie]

GWM unveils 2.4T Off-Road Cannon with Australia’s 5-Star N-Cap rating

GWM's 2.4T Off-Road Cannon: 5-Star N-Cap rated with L2+ assistance, and smart tech

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GWM unveils 2.4T Off-Road Cannon with Australia’s 5-Star N-Cap rating​

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Adrian Leung

August 7, 2024


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Great Wall Motors has unveiled its new 2.4T Off-Road Cannon, featuring a GW4D24 2.4T diesel engine. Pricing details have yet to be disclosed. Other GWM Cannon models, which use the same engine, are priced from 148,800 yuan (20,800 USD).


The 2.4T Off-Road Cannon has a hexagonal wide grille, front winch, snorkel, all-terrain tires, black fender flares, and a roof rack. It measures 5444 mm in length, 1958 mm in width, 1893 mm in height, and 3230 mm in wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.4T diesel engine that delivers 135 kW of power and 480 Nm of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The 2.4T Cannon includes L2+ intelligent driving assistance systems, a new-generation intelligent networking system, and automatic parking. The cabin features electric leather seats, a prominent touchscreen, and 50W wireless phone charging.


Built on the Tank platform, the 2.4T Cannon features a high-strength cage body, six airbags, and a 360-degree HD camera. To ensure reliability and safety, it has undergone extensive testing, covering 6 million kilometers in various conditions.

The 2.4T Off-Road Cannon is designed for diverse terrains, from grasslands to rugged landscapes. It features four driving modes, a five-link rear suspension, and a TOD-intelligent four-wheel drive system. Its fuel consumption is 8.5L per 100 km, balancing efficiency with performance.

GWMs has maintained a strong position in the domestic pickup market with innovative models. The latest GWM Cannon models feature advanced safety measures and intelligent configurations. The 2.4T Cannon’s engine and transmission combination provides powerful performance and improved fuel efficiency.


The 2.4T Off-Road Cannon has a powerful engine and advanced technology, making it suitable for various driving conditions and terrains. Its comprehensive safety features and intelligent systems make it a robust choice for every day and adventurous outings. It has already achieved Australia’s 5-satr N-Cap rating, so exports are expected in the near future.

Source: IT-home

 

[Yommie]

Maextro is a new vehicle brand backed by Huawei and JAC

Maextro is positioned as a ultra-high-end vehicle brand, priced at the million-yuan level (~140,000 USD).

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Maextro is a new vehicle brand backed by Huawei and JAC​

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Dong Yi Chen

August 7, 2024


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On August 6, Yu Chengdong, Huawei’s Executive Director, announced Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA)’s fourth member called Maextro (尊界 – Zunjie), jointly created with JAC. The other three HIMA members are Aito (Seres), Luxeed (Chery), and Stelato (BAIC).


HIMA members: Aito, Luxeed, and Stelato, from left to right.
According to Yu Chengdong, Maextro will be benchmarked against ultra-luxury brand models such as Maybach and Rolls-Royce, and will be positioned as ultra-high-end and priced at the million-yuan level (~140,000 USD). So far, Maextro’s first product has entered the vehicle verification stage and is scheduled to roll off the production line at the end of the year and be launched in the first half of next year.

Maextro MPV spy shot
Furthermore, from a product planning perspective, Maextro’s vehicles will be built on a new JAC new energy vehicle platform called X6, with models covering sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and sports cars, according to the environmental impact assessment report released by JAC. The first model based on the X6 platform is expected to be a luxury MPV with a length of 5.2 meters and a wheelbase of 3.2 meters, and planned to be launched in the spring of 2025. At the same time, JAC also planned a new factory and production line for Maextro, with an annual production volume of 35,000 vehicles for the first MPV model.


Rendering of Maextro’s MPV by a blogger in China
The MPV has a roof lidar and may be equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 3.0 advanced driving system along with the Harmony smart cockpit system. Additionally, from the camouflage print on the body, it indicated that the MPV may be equipped with an onboard refrigerator and a second-row projection screen. The print also said “say bye to traditional MPVs.”

In July, HIMA delivered 44,090 vehicles. The cumulative delivery volume from January to July this year is 238,287 vehicles.

We’ll watch for more info, stay tuned!


Source: XChuXing, ITHome, Sohu