China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

SEA-based Lynk & Co 02 BEV for Europe spotted in China

The Lynk & Co 02 BEV will enter Europe in 2024 as a fastback crossover based on the SEA2 platform that underpins Smart #1 and Zeekr X.

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SEA-based Lynk & Co 02 BEV for Europe spotted in China​

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Denis Bobylev

February 12, 2024


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The Lynk & Co unnamed electric car was seen in China during winter tests. It stands on the SEA2 architecture that underpins Smart #1 and Zeekr X. It is the brand’s very first EV. Based on previous information, CarNewsChina considers it the Lynk & Co 02 BEV. Alain Visser, former CEO of Lynk & Co Europe, announced this model for the European markets. It will enter Europe in 2024.

Lynk & Co is a joint brand under Geely and Volvo launched in 2017. Nowadays, it has a diverse model line in the domestic market, selling seven distinctive cars with petrol-powered and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.
Lynk & Co 01
However, Lynk & Co’s overseas strategy is a different story. It sells only the Lynk & Co 01 PHEV compact SUV in most countries where it is present. It has a single trim and two exterior colors. Customers can rent, lease, or buy it. According to Lynk & Co Europe former CEO Alain Visser, they want to keep the car choice as simple as possible. And still, Lynk & Co plans to launch its second model for the European markets this year. It is the 02 BEV (battery electric vehicle). Recently, it was spotted in China.

Lynk & Co 02 BEV spy shots​

There is no official information the spied vehicle is the 02 BEV. However, Lynk & Co hasn’t announced the development process of other electric cars. Since the 02 BEV enters the European markets this year, it should probably be in the final stages of the development process. We can assume the spotted car is the Lynk & Co 02 BEV based on these facts.

The Lynk & Co 02 BEV was spotted in Heihe, Heilongjiang province. It is the northern Chinese city located on the Russian border. In winter, temperatures here can drop to minus 44.5 degrees Celsius. So, it is one of the best winter testing locations.
We can see it is a small fastback SUV with a sloped roofline. It has frameless side-view mirrors, retractable door handles, and five-spoke rims. Its glass line is similar to the Zeekr X crossover. There is a button designed for door opening located on the B-pillar of the Lynk & Co 02 BEV. It hints the 02 BEV will get the version without door handles in the future. The headlights and taillights of this crossover are unfinished. The length of the 02 BEV is around 4.4 meters.

Inside, the Lynk & Co 02 BEV has a D-shaped four-spoke steering wheel with a gear selector mounted on the steering column. The center console has an LCD instrument cluster and a large floating screen. Two wireless charging pads, cup holders, and USB ports sit on the center tunnel. The door cards have buttons instead of conventional handles. The interior styling also stays in line with the Zeekr X.

Lynk & Co 02 BEV powertrain​

The Lynk & Co 02 BEV stands on the SEA2 platform. The same architecture underpins Smart #1, Smart #3, and Zeekr X. Its exact specs are unknown. However, SEA2-based cars currently adopt the same powertrain options. The entry-level cars have a 200-kW electric motor on the rear axle with a ternary NMC 66-kWh battery pack. There is also a 4WD version with two e-motors for 315 kW powered by the same pack. The Lynk & Co 02 BEV can adopt the same options.
As mentioned, the Lynk & Co 02 BEV will enter the European markets in 2024. It can launch in China even earlier. There is a chance this model will make its international debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2024.
Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

BYD’s YangWang U9 dancing car to launch on February 25 with nearly 1,300 hp

YangWang U9 might be BYD's most expensive car yet.

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BYD’s YangWang U9 dancing car to launch on February 25 with nearly 1,300 hp​

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Jiri Opletal

February 12, 2024


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BYD announced it would launch its YangWang U9 supercar on February 25. It can accelerate 0-100 km/h in under 2.0 seconds, jump, tank turn, or drive on three wheels thanks to its DiSus-X body control system.

YangWang is a premium electric brand under BYD, launched in January last year. U9 is its second car, following the YangWang U8 hard-core SUV, which started deliveries in December 2023 for 1,089,000 yuan (150,000 USD). In January, U8 delivered about 1,600 units in China. BYD plans to take its most expensive car overseas, mostly likely under a different name, as the second part of the YangWang has negative connotations in English slang.
YagnWang U9 at the brand’s flagship showroom in China.
YangWang U9 supersport has quad electric motors, each with 240 kW of power, resulting in a total output of 960 kW (1,287 hp). The top speed is capped at 300 km/h. If you expected such a car to be equipped with more expensive ternary (NMC) batteries, you would be wrong, as the homologation fillings revealed that the electricity is stored in BYD’s Blade battery, which has LFP chemistry.


U9 is a two-door coupe that sits on the new e4 platform. Its dimensions are 4966/2029/1295 mm, and its wheelbase is 2900 mm. The length is in line with Audi A4 or BMW 5 Series. The EV comes with an optional carbon fiber rear spoiler. The car rides on 275/35 R21 (front) & 325/30 R21 (rear) wheels. The car has scissor doors and, based on pictures from the showroom, a pretty sizeable boot space.
YangWang U9 at BYD’s directly operated store. See the pretty large boot space.
The interior is typical BYD style, almost spartan, especially compared with a futuristic-looking exterior. The steering wheel has lots of physical buttons and two thick stalks. As other Chinese EV makers contest who will make more giant in-car screens or how many screens can be fitted into a car, YangWang doesn’t participate. U9 comes with three modest screens: two small ones in front of the driver and passenger and one weirdly shaped in the center console. Overall, the interior has a different vibe than most new local EVs; it is more like a 2010s legacy car, which is not necessarily bad.

BYD, which traditionally relies on the dealership model, took a different approach with its YangWan brand and built about 80 directly operated stores in China in 2023, with more to come this year. In September, CarNewsChina reported that the company is taking over stores and service centers of luxurious legacy brands such as BMW, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz. In November, it opened the first batch of 22 stores in tier-one states such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu.

READ ALSO
https://carnewschina.com/2023/10/10...upercar-spotted-on-track-with-glowing-brakes/

BYD’s YangWang U9 electric supercar spotted on track with glowing brakes​

YagnWang applied for a sales license of U9 in December last year, hinting the launch is imminent. The price hasn’t been revealed yet, and we expect YangWang will do so at next week’s launch. The BYD’s invitation poster for the launch conference also revealed that U in U9’s name means Ultimat. We previously thought it meant “UP”, as YangWang Chinse’s name (仰望) means literary Look-Up.

 

[Yommie]

Is HiPhi about to go bust?

HiPhi confirms salary payment delays after increasing rumors about financial problems.

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Is HiPhi about to go bust?​

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Mark Andrews

February 12, 2024


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After days of rumors about financial problems at HiPhi the company has responded that it has delayed the payment of wages for January, cancelled the 2023 year-end bonus and reduced the salaries of senior executives.

HiPhi a brand from Human Horizons produces a range of high-end EVs which are currently officially on sale in both China and Europe. Deliveries of the first model, the HiPhi X, commenced in 2021 and the brand added both the Z and Y last year.

Rumors about HiPhi first surfaced in January and claimed that all production and R&D work had stopped. The rumor is believed to have originated from a netizen who is a supplier. In response HiPhi said that the company’s operations were normal and that all work of R&D, production, marketing, and delivery is progressing normally. The original post has now been deleted, and the platform has issued a warning to the poster.

New rumors appeared online after a staff meeting on February 7. Reports at the time also indicated that employees had been asked to work from home but had not been given the facilities to do so. HiPhi is saying that this part is not true and it was in fact just work arrangements due to the Chinese New Year’s holiday.
The year end or Chinese New Year bonus is important in China and usually consists of a cash sum equal to a number of months salary but it is dependent on the performance of the company and the overall economic outlook.
Originally both the HiPhi X and Z had prices starting at over 600,000 yuan (USD83,400) but since then some cheaper versions have been added and the HiPhi Y has prices starting at 339,000 yuan (USD47,150). Sales for the X were initially quite good regularly topping the Chinese luxury EV sales charts. However, reportedly sales for the brand were 4,237 units in 2021 and 4,349 in 2022. Full year figures have yet to be announced for 2023 but sales data for December showed that only 564 cars across all three models were delivered.

Reportedly the HiPhi store in the Taikoo Li building in Chengdu closed on January 29 and also another store in Guangzhou closed on January 23.

Editor’s note​

HiPhi is one of the more exiting EV brands in China making genuinely different cars, we hope that they can sort out their financial problems. The company would also make a good takeover candidate for an OEM struggling to produce convincing EV offerings.

 

[Yommie]

BYD is expected to enter the Korean market in Q3 and launch at least three models

BYD has previously entered South Korea's electric bus market, and its business in South Korea will further expand after entering the passenger car market. BYD has previously entered South Korea's electric bus market, and its business in South Korea will further expand after entering the...

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BYD is expected to enter the Korean market in Q3 and launch at least three models​

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Qian Jin

February 12, 2024


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BYD is poised to enter the South Korean market in the third quarter of this year. This move marks the company’s first foray into the country with electric passenger vehicles.

Industry insiders have revealed that BYD is preparing to launch at least three passenger car models in South Korea, including an electric mid-sized sedan.
As part of the pre-launch preparations, one of BYD’s new models is undergoing a performance certification assessment by the South Korean Ministry of Environment. This process is crucial for BYD’s vehicles to be eligible for national subsidies, a critical factor in promoting EV adoption among consumers.

Someone familiar with the electric vehicle industry mentioned, “We are seeking partnerships with dealers in Seoul to exhibit the new cars in July.” This statement underscores BYD’s commitment to establishing a solid presence in the South Korean market, leveraging local dealerships to reach potential customers.
For reference, BYD officially entered the Japanese passenger car market in January of the previous year, launching three all-electric models: Seal, Dolphin, and ATTO 3. BYD undertook various initiatives to penetrate the Japanese market, including establishing its dealer network and forming agency agreements with well-known local dealers and automotive parts sellers.

BYD has previously entered the Korean electric bus market​

Before the expansion, BYD had already made its mark in South Korea by introducing electric buses. In October 2023, BYD Korea launched the BYD eBus9, a 9-meter pure electric bus, during a ceremony in Gyeonggi Province to commemorate the delivery of the first vehicle. The BYD eBus9, equipped with “lithium iron phosphate blade batteries,” offers approximately 20% improved space utilization and an impressive certified range of 474 kilometers by the Ministry of Environment.

BYD delivered electric buses in South Korea
In 2023, BYD delivered 726 electric buses in South Korea, establishing a solid foundation for its entry into the passenger vehicle segment.
BYD’s entry into the South Korean market is set to intensify competition with established automakers such as Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla. In 2023, BYD solidified its position as the global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, with sales reaching 3.02 million units, reflecting a 62% increase from the previous year.
Source: iTHome

 

[Yommie]

There is no Model Y model facelift plan in China this year

Tesla confirmed no redesign for the Model Y in China for 2023, aligning with its strategy in North America, amid price adjustments. Tesla confirmed no redesign for the Model Y in China for 2023, aligning with its strategy in North America, amid price adjustments.

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There is no Model Y model facelift plan in China this year​

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Qian Jin

February 12, 2024


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According to news from CLS, there are no plans to introduce a facelifted version of the Tesla Model Y in the Chinese market for the current year. This statement aligns with earlier confirmations from Tesla’s North American operations, putting to rest speculation regarding potential updates to the popular electric SUV.

The clarification came after Drive Tesla acquired an internal Tesla email emphasizing the absence of a facelifted Model Y for 2023. The email stated, “We must communicate transparently that there will not be a redesigned Model Y this year.” It further highlighted the present as “the best time to drive the world’s best-selling electric vehicle,” underscoring the advantages and incentives currently available for the electric SUV.
By entering 2024, Tesla will have already adjusted prices in both the Chinese and American markets. On January 12, Tesla China’s official website reflected a price adjustment for the Model 3 and Model Y, specifically for the rear-wheel drive and long-range versions. The price reductions varied between 6,500 yuan (904 USD) and 15,500 yuan (2,155 USD), setting the starting price of the Model 3 at 245,900 yuan (34,186 USD) and the Model Y at 258,900 yuan (36,000 USD).

In November 2023, Tesla China made minor adjustments to the style of Model Y. Model Y adds multi-color ambient lighting to the interior, and uses high-quality technical textile materials for the dashboard trim; 19-inch Gemini wheels with updated exterior design; the rear-wheel drive version has a 100-kilometer acceleration capability compared to The previous model improved by 1 second to 5.9 seconds.
In the United States, Tesla’s official website indicated a temporary price reduction for the Model Y rear-wheel drive and long-range versions by 1,000 USD, bringing their prices down to 42,990 USD and 47,990 USD, respectively. These adjustments represented a 2.3% and 2% decrease from their previous prices. However, it was noted that prices are expected to increase by 1,000 USD or more starting March 1. The pricing for the Model Y Performance version and other models will remain unchanged.
The decision not to facelift the Model Y and these pricing adjustments have led some analysts to express concern. Without introducing a new version of the Model Y, Tesla may rely on significant price reductions to stimulate model sales in the Chinese market.

Source: CLS.CN; iTHome

 

[Yommie]

BYD Seal will land in the Indian market with a pre-order price of 60,300 USD

BYD expanded its EV lineup in India with the Seal, undergoing road tests and opening for pre-orders despite high import tariffs. BYD expanded its EV lineup in India with the Seal, undergoing road tests and opening for pre-orders despite high import tariffs.

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BYD Seal will land in the Indian market with a pre-order price of 60,300 USD​

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Qian Jin

February 12, 2024


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BYD Seal, from the Chinese automaker BYD, is set to debut in the Indian market. Spy shots of the BYD Seal undergoing road tests in India were captured by Autocarindia, indicating that the model is nearing its launch.

Picture from autocarindia
Some dealers have already started accepting pre-orders for this upcoming electric sedan, marking a significant milestone for BYD, which entered the Indian market in 2021. The BYD Seal will be the third electric vehicle offered by BYD in India, following the BYD ATTO 3 and BYD e6.
Picture from autocarindia
However, as an imported model, BYD Seal EV is subject to high tariffs, leading to a dealer pre-order price of approximately 5 million Indian Rupees, or around 60,300 USD. This pricing significantly surpasses the domestic starting price of the BYD Seal EV in China, which is approximately 189,800 yuan or 26,400 USD, reflecting the additional costs associated with exporting vehicles.

Picture from autocarindia
Despite the high pre-order price, it is important to consider that export model pricing often exceeds domestic prices, and the actual sale price may be lower than the current pre-order estimates. There is speculation that the BYD Seal could officially hit the Indian market in early March 2024, although BYD has yet to confirm this.

BYD Seal parameter configuration​

The BYD Seal is the world’s first mass-produced vehicle to feature Cell to Body (CTB) technology, built on the advanced e-platform 3.0. It has the iTAC torque control system and a substantial 82.56 kWh battery pack. The vehicle’s dual motors produce a combined output of 523 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, with a WLTP-certified range of up to 520 km on a single charge.
The introduction of the BYD Seal to the Indian market represents a significant expansion of BYD’s global footprint, particularly in a country increasingly embracing electric mobility.

India is one of the most promising automobile markets in the world. Many EV giants such as BYD or Tesla are working hard to expand their presence in India.
Source: iTHome

 

[Yommie]

GWM Tank 500 in Australia is A BIG DEAL!​

 

[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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[Yommie]

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