China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

New trade-in scheme set to boost Chinese car market

New Chinese subsidy program to take older cars off the roads by offering trade-ins on eligible new cars. Brands offering more incentives.

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New trade-in scheme set to boost Chinese car market​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mark Andrews

May 1, 2024


2
The 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show showing the SAIC stands showing the Maxus, Roewe and MG brands.

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Recently the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and 7 other departments jointly issued a new round of subsidies to boost the car market this year. Announced as the “Implementation Rules for Car Trade-in-Subsidy” it offers a subsidy of up 10,000 yuan (1,400 USD) for buyers who trade-in older cars for new ones before the end of the year. A number of brands have joined in by offering additional incentives for trade-ins.

The trade-in scheme runs from now until December 31, 2024 and is primarily aimed at scrapping China III standard and below cars as a cash for clunkers type plan. Chine III is an emission standard broadly equivalent to Euro III. It is a very old standard and applies to petrol cars registered before June 30, 2011 and diesel cars registered before June 30, 2013. This means that the cars eligible are all well over 10 years old.
Also covered in the scheme are new energy vehicles registered before April 30, 2018. Buyers who scrap a car in either of these two categories will then receive a 10,000 yuan (1,400 USD) subsidy to buy a new energy car. As a reminder, new energy is the term China uses for both all electric vehicles and PHEVs. There is also a subsidy of 7,000 yuan (950 USD) for those who scrap a China III or lower car and buy a new ICE car with a displacement of 2.0 liters or less.

To get the subsidy consumers need to register the relevant paperwork on the website of the National Automobile Circulation Information Management System or the “Car Trade-in” mini program before January 10, 2025. Paperwork needed includes the vehicle identification number for the scrapped car, Scrapped Motor Vehicle Recycling Certificate, Motor Vehicle Cancellation Certificate, along with the vehicle identification number of the new vehicle, the Uniform Invoice for Motor Vehicle Sales and the Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate plus of course the purchaser’s personal identification information.
Funds for the scheme come from both the central and local government. The central government shouldering 50% of the money for the eastern provinces, 60% for the central provinces and 70% for the western provinces. It seems that some other locations such as Shanghai may have additional schemes although the Shanghai scheme is very lacking in details about the actual benefits of the scheme which is meant to run between 2024-2027.
A number of brands have joined in to offer further incentives to get buyers to choose their vehicles. Dongfeng brand Forthing is advertising a total discount of 70,000 yuan (9,600 USD) including 60,000 yuan (8,300 USD) plus individual city incentives – it is not clear whether the 60,000 yuan from Forthing is dependent on meeting the criteria of the scheme.

SAIC-Volkswagen are offering an additional subsidy of up to 20,000 yuan (2,750 USD) along with other sales incentives. Buick has launched a 5 billion yuan (690 million USD) car purchase promotion until the end of May advertising the government trade-in scheme. Existing BMW/Mini owners can received up to 18,000 yuan (2,500 USD) of insurance and tax benefits or chose an interest free financing plan with 0 down payment when purchasing a qualifying BMW before June 30.
Posters from brands advertising the scheme and additional incentives
Sources: Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

No more warts on EVs: Hesai brought in-cabin lidar to Beijing, mass production to start in Q2 2025

Hesai is a leading lidar supplier with customers such as Xiaomi, Lotus or Li Auto.

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No more warts on EVs: Hesai brought in-cabin lidar to Beijing, mass production to start in Q2 2025​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jiri Opletal

May 1, 2024


1
WM Motor M7 was the first production vehicle with 3 lidar units. It created a bulky design, sometimes called as "sedan with warts". Credit: WM Motor

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Shanghai-based lidar maker Hesai Technology brought its ET25 to the Beijing Auto Show. The new lidar is designed to be positioned behind the windshield and inside the cabin – not outside the car as usual. Mass production will start in the second quarter of next year, and FAW’s Hongqi will be among the first customers.

In-cabin Hesai ET25 behind the windshield. Credit: Hesai
Hesai says the new ET25 is aimed at sports cars, as exterior bulky lidars are enemies of aerodynamics and lower the drag coefficient. Automakers know this – for example, Xiaomi SU7 claims a drag coefficient of 0.195 Cd. However, as CarNewChina noticed, the testing was performed with the SU7 version without lidar.
In-cabin lidar makes the job of the front windshield wiper much easier. Credit: Hesai.
Moreover, the lidar is not particularly design-friendly. It creates bulks on the car, which doesn’t look good, and if placed on the top of the windshield, it even makes it difficult for the wiper to do the job properly. The first production car with three lidars – WM Motors M7, was even described by many reviewers as a sedan with warts. Lastly, the in-cabin solution ensures the lidar is dust and dirt-free.

Hesai ET25 on the left and Hesai AT128 (adopted by Li Auto L7, Li Auto L8, Li Auto L9, HiPhi Z, Lotus Eletre, etc) on the right.
The ET25 stands for “Extremely Thin,” and 25 refers to 25 mm height. It has a detection range of over 250 meters at 10% reflectivity and enables L2+ and L3 autonomous driving capabilities.


However, there is a reason why the lidar behind the front windshield is not standard. The glass could weaken the lidar-emitted signals or even block it.
Hesai thus started a cooperation with Fuyao Group, an automotive glass giant established in 1987. As a result of their partnership, part of Hesai’s ET25 solution is a special co-engineered front windshield glass that solves the signal weakening problem.

As the ET25 detection range is 250 meters, behind the glass windshield, it is reduced to 225 meters, Hesai says.
Different automakers use different solutions when it comes to lidar. Nio places lidar on top of the front windshield, while Li Auto places it down next to the front lights. The second solution looks better design-wise, but it raises concerns about lidar’s vulnerability in this position, as it can be more easily damaged. Nio uses Inovusion lidar, while Li Auto uses Hesai technology.
Tesla doesn’t use lidar and relies only on vision, as well as the Geely-Baidu joint venture Jiuye.
Yangwang U8 has three lidarsNio ET7 lidar on the top of the windshield
ET25 was first unveiled in April 2023. The launch is planned for next year, and mass production will start in Q2 2025. Hesai says the in-cabin solution is aimed at sports cars as it will not interfere with the design or influence the aesthetics, aerodynamics, and drag coefficient value.
Hesai customers include Great Wall Motor, Stellantis-backed Leapmotor, Li Auto, Lotus, HiPhi, and Xiaomi. By the end of 2023, the company had already sold 300,000 lidar units and expects to ship 2 million Lidar units by the end of 2025.

 

[Yommie]

Chery Fulwin E06 is a new SUV for China, available in PHEV and EV

Chery rebranded Fulwin as a new energy vehicle series in September 2023.

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Chery Fulwin E06 is a new SUV for China, available in PHEV and EV​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 1, 2024


1

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Recently, Chery released the official images of its Fulwin E06, an “intelligent large five-seater SUV” under the Fulwin series, available in PHEV and EV models. The new car is expected to sell for between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan (20,700 – 27,600 USD), and the official launch may be in 2025.

In September 2023, Chery rebranded Fulwin as a new energy vehicle series. Within the next two years, Chery plans to launch 11 models under the series, including SUVs, MPVs, and sedans, covering PHEV, EREV, and EV. So far, Fulwin’s sales network has nearly 400 stores, across 233 Chinese cities.
At first glance, the Fulwin E06 adopts a closed front face, long and sharp headlights, a roof lidar, semi-hidden door handles, a roof spoiler, and through-type taillights.

Earlier, the Fulwin E06 was unveiled at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show.
In terms of intelligent driving assistance, the new car is expected to provide high-speed navigation NOA (Navigate On Autopilot) and city navigation NOA functions, realizing capabilities such as autonomous parking, remote control parking, and memory parking.
Positioned as a medium-sized SUV and built based on Chery’s Mars Architecture, the Fulwin E06 measures 4820/1920/1685 mm, and the wheelbase is 2920 mm. The PHEV model will be powered by a 1.5TGDI hybrid engine and an electric motor, mated to a DHT, offering a pure electric range of 200 km. At the same time, the EV model will offer two range options of 550 km and 700 km. The detailed powertrain specifications have not been announced officially at this time, we’ll watch closely for more info.

Inside, the number of physical buttons has been minimized. There is a full LCD instrument panel, coupled with a 15.6-inch central control screen, a double D-shaped steering wheel, a wireless charging panel on the center console, a zero-gravity seat for the co-pilot, a refrigerator, and 256-color ambient lighting.
Source: ITHome, qctt, Xinhua

 

[Yommie]

2024 Chery Tiggo 7 SUV entered market for 10,300 USD

Power comes from 1.5T+6MT or 1.5T+9CVT.

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2024 Chery Tiggo 7 SUV entered market for 10,300 USD​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 1, 2024


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On May 1, Chery launched three models of its 2024 Tiggo 7 SUV, with a price range of 74,900 – 96,900 yuan (10,300 – 13,400 USD). As a facelift model, the new car has been improved in terms of interior design and functional configurations.

There are no major changes in the appearance of the 2024 Chery Tiggo 7. The front features a grille composed of a large number of chrome matrix dots, although the grille shape has changed slightly. The rear continues the dual exhaust outlet design and through-type taillights. Three exterior body colors are available: Pearl White, Obsidian Black, and Quantum Gray.
The size of the 2024 Chery Tiggo 7 measures 4500/1842/1746 mm, and the wheelbase is 2670 mm. The side profile of the body has not changed significantly from the old model, except that the rims have been upgraded from black to silver. The new car runs on either 17-inch or 18-inch rims, with tire specifications 225/65 R17 and 225/60 R18.

An exterior camera and three ultrasonic radars have also been added to realize advanced driving assistance capabilities such as an anti-lock braking system, emergency braking system, and correct calibration services.
Inside, the biggest change is the addition of a 24.6-inch dual screen and a new dark brown interior color. The steering wheel has a flat-bottom design, the full LCD instrument is 12.3 inches in size, and the central control screen is 12.3 inches in size.
In terms of configurations, the top trim has added 360-degree high-definition images and front seat heating. Leather seats, electric air-conditioning, keyless entry/start, and a 6-speaker audio system are now standard features. Chery also claims that the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) has been reduced.

Power continues to come from 1.5T+6MT and 1.5T+9CVT formats. The engine outputs a maximum power of 115 kW and a peak torque of 230 Nm.
Source: Chery, Dongchedi

 

[Yommie]

Baojun Cloud goes on sale in Indonesia

Baojun Cloud starts pre-sales in Indonesia known locally as the Wuling Cloud. Prices begin at 410 million rupiah.

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Baojun Cloud goes on sale in Indonesia​

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Mark Andrews

May 1, 2024


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Yesterday the Baojun Cloud, known locally as the Wuling Cloud, officially started pre-sales in Indonesia. Devliveries will begin before the end of May and cars are assembled locally. The pre-book estimated price is 410 million Rupiah (25,250 USD) significantly higher than the Chinese price of 95,800 to 123,800 yuan (13,250-17,100 USD).

In Indonesia the Baojun brand name is not used, with cars reverting to the Wuling name. The Cloud was first shown in Indonesia in February. Indonesian versions come with ranges of 460 km and 505 km according to one part of the Wuling Indonesia website. It is not clear on what cycle the range is calculated but it seems as if it might be CLTC. For reference Chinese versions of the Baojun Cloud have ranges of 360 and 460 km.
Indonesian versions have identical dimensions with 4295, 1850, 1652 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 2700 mm. Specifications include a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, 360° surround view camera, and smart electric tailgate.

Buyers during the pre-sales period get a Lifetime Core EV Components Warranty which is a lifetime warranty covering the battery, electric motor, and motor control unit. Other benefits include a 7 kW charger, free charging until 31 May with Wuling chargers, and free maintenance for up to 15.5 years (or 155,000 km).

The Cloud is the third Wuling badged EV to go on sale in Indonesia following on from the Air and Bingo, the latter surprisingly being called by its Chinese name – Binguo. SGMW Indonesdia was founded in 2015 and was the first Chinese brand to build a factory in the country. Indonesia was the launch market for the Wuling Air. In order to get local EV subsidies the Wuling EVs including the Cloud have at least 40% local content.

Fast Technology claim that the price is much higher in Indonesia due to a luxury tax for motor vehicles. Wuling however in the first quarter of this year had a 64% share of the Indonesian market for new energy vehicles.

The Wuling Cloud launched yesterday at the opening of the Periklindo Electric Vehicle Show 2024 (PEVS 2024). Other Chinese producers including Neta were also in attendance at the show.
Sources: Wuling Indonesia, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

VW and GM surprise with big increases in NEV sales

Sales of NEVs from the SAIC joint ventures with GM and VW show sharp increases in April. Are fortunes turning?

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VW and GM surprise with big increases in NEV sales​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mark Andrews

May 2, 2024


1
Cadillac Optiq coming soon to China

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Conventional wisdom says that legacy makers with their joint ventures in China have had it and are rapidly loosing market share to dynamic Chinese companies with more compelling new energy vehicle offerings. Wang Chuanfu, the CEO of BYD, has gone as far as saying that he expects their share of the Chinese market to fall to around 10%, the current figure is around 45%. What if this is all wrong?

April sales figures from SAIC’s joint venture partners Volkswagen and General Motors suggest that it may be too soon to write the eulogy for legacy producers. For SAIC-GM sales of NEVs across the Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet brands were 8,762 cars a year-on-year increase of 93.1%. Although Shanghai Volkswagen haven’t announced an exact figure the company says they sold more than 10,000 cars in the ID. range in April, an increase YOY of 56%. This matches the over 10,000 achieved in March. In the first quarter of 2024 overall sales for the Shanghai Volkswagen JV increased by 11.4% YOY. Such results contrast sharply with the 8% decline in sales for the JV last year, GM did even worse in 2023 falling by 14.5%
To put these figures more in context Nio sold 15,620 while XPeng managed 9,393. These numbers were up 134.6% and 32.7% respectively YOY. Furthermore, the Shanghai Volkswagen total is only for the ID. range and doesn’t include other NEVs, mainly PHEV versions of the regular range.

The immediate prospects for NEV sales by both the SAIC joint ventures seem promising. General Motors showed the new Cadillac Optiq EV at the Beijing Auto Show. The new all-electric SUV on the Ultium platform will sell for 239,700-269,700 yuan (33,100-37,250 USD). Also shown at the show were two promising EV concepts from Buick which will likely result in production models within the next year. More immediate though was the opening of sales for the PHEV version of the GL8 MPV. Once the best-selling MPV in China the GL8 has in recent years been hampered by the lack of any PHEV or all electric version and has seen sales slip away to competitors that offer such choices. Within 72 hours of the opening of sales the new GL8 PHEV had secured 10,017 orders. And Buick plans to launch an all-electric version of the GL8 in the future.
Forthcoming models from Buick and Volkswagen set to boost NEV sales
The situation with Volkswagen is more complex due to the company having the ID. series currently shared between the SAIC and FAW joint ventures. This is set to become even more complicated with the EV offerings from Volkswagen Anhui. There are however a number of new EV offerings that will be offered, first off versions of the ID.7 from both JV partners. These will be joined by cars like the ID.UNYX, a production version of the ID.CODE along with the cars resulting from the VW and XPeng collaboration.
If there is one thing that this year’s Beijing Auto Show teaches us it is that the legacy producers are realizing that they need to offer more in the way of EVs in China. This was evidenced by the two new Toyota EVs, the Mazda EZ-6, and the new Honda offerings of the Ye and Lingxi L. So while yes the joint ventures are struggling they are not willing to completely capitulate in China and are finding new ways of making the market work, even if as in the case of Kia it is just as largely an export production base.

Sources: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

April NEV sales show Changan is a brand to watch

Changan sees big increases in NEV sales in April. The Avatr brand is doing even better in terms of sales growth.

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April NEV sales show Changan is a brand to watch​

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Mark Andrews

May 2, 2024


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Changan sales are climbing

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Chances are Changan is not going to be the first name that comes to mind when people talk about Chinese NEVs. The April NEV sales show that Changan may well be a brand to watch. Sales across the different Changan brands amounted to 51,700 a year-on-year increase of 129% and meanwhile Avatr which is possibly not included in the total sold 5,247 a 226% increase YOY. This brings the Changan total for the year so far up to 180,500 a growth of 68% over the same period last year.

Both the Changan Qiyuan (Nevo) and Deepal brands seem to be doing equally well. April saw sales of 11,833 and 12,744 for the respective two brands.
Qiyuan (Nevo) sales are currently split across three models the A07, A05 and Q05 which are all plugin hybrids and utilize a 1.5 liter Blue Whale engine and hybrid system. Nevo is the English name for the Qiyuan brand. Furthermore, the brand’s first all-electric car the E07 a pickup SUV mashup opened sales at the Beijing Auto Show.

Deepal sales on the other hand are split between two models the SL03 sedan and S7 SUV. These are both available as all-electric or EREV versions. At the Beijing Auto Show it was announced that the third model the G318 a more dedicated off-road SUV would launch in May with deliveries commencing in June.
Many of you will notice that the totals for these two brands do not amount to the 51,700 figure for April. The rest are spread across various cars in the Changan range such as the Changan Lumin micro EV and Changan UNI-Z PHEV.

Although Changan is the largest partner in Avatr the ownership share is only 41% and so it is not clear if the total of 5,247 for the brand is included in the Changan total for NEVs or not. However, the 226% growth YOY is very encouraging and with new models coming soon and an overseas expansion growth is likely to continue.

Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Test Drive | Zeekr 007: fast and luxurious

Geely's Zeekr 007 may be made in China, but it drives like it's from Europe

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Test Drive | Zeekr 007: fast and luxurious​

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Adrian Leung

May 2, 2024


11

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Geely’s Zeekr 007 was launched in December 2023. It is winner of the Reddot Car Design 2024. With a starting price of 209,900 yuan (29,000 USD), this B-class all-electric luxury sedan is a direct rival to the Xiaomi SU7 and Tesla Model 3. Let’s examine this vehicle to see how it performs on suburban roads in China.

Booking for a test drive
Like my experience with the BYD Yuan UP test drive, I had to make a reservation 2 to 3 days in advance to ensure the car is available. A sales representative will then call me to confirm the time and date of the test drive.

Upon arriving for the Zeekr 007 test drive, I was waiting to be served in the largest shopping mall in Zhuhai. No, I was not there to buy a pair of running shoes or wait for a table at a restaurant. I was there to test drive a car. In China, NEV makers like having small showrooms (to display one or two vehicles) in shopping malls, providing convenience to shoppers and promoting their new brands to a broader audience. Car brands like Huawei’s Aito, Li Auto, and Nio are also located in the same shopping mall.
First Impressions
Our test car was the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD, priced at 259,900 yuan (35,900 USD). Its outward appearance is sporty yet muscular. It is the only Zeekr model without the iconic Zeekr/ Lynk & Co separate daytime running lights, but the Zeekr Stargate 90-inch interactive light, which can project customizable images and text with a brightness of 10,000 nits. To improve aerodynamics, Zeekr has removed the car’s door handles. It has a continuous taillight design. Stefan Sielaff, the former Audi and Bentley designer, oversaw the design of the Zeekr 007.

The Interior
Stepping into the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD is a luxurious experience. The doors open electronically with a press of a button on the B-pillar, immediately signaling the vehicle’s high-end status. The cabin is adorned with a combination of Nappa leather and suede, and the driver’s seat offers ventilation and massage functions for comfort and back support. The car is equipped with a 15-inch OLED center screen and a 35.5-inch AR-HUD, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 CPU, ensuring a lag-free and smooth user experience.
The Zeekr 007 Smart AWD doesn’t compromise on passenger comfort. Rear passengers will appreciate the spaciousness, with ample headroom and knee room. The back support can be adjusted electronically for personalized comfort. While sitting upright may be less comfortable due to the lowered H-point of the rear seats, taller passengers can still find comfort by placing their feet under the front seats. This design feature ensures a comfortable ride for all occupants.
The large panoramic sunroof did not feel hot. It is integrated with a “nano-silvered privacy dome,” offering varying levels of transparency and thermal insulation.
Storage
There is a small frunk which can store the charging cables. The boot is deep with a large opening. The rear seats can be folded down for extra storage.
Behind the Wheel
We took the Zeekr 007 on suburban roads in Zhuhai to see how it performed. Once I started driving the car, the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. There is very little road noise inside the cabin. The car felt low to the ground, yet it provided decent visibility. The Head-up Display was a little too bright, which required getting used to.
The Zeekr 007 is based on pure electric product architecture, Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA). It has an integrated mega-casting rear-end aluminum body. “This car drives like a European car,” I said while driving. “Yes, we had the team from Lotus tune this car for us,” the Zeekr representative next to me responded. Not only is the steering precise and accurate, but it also provides adequate feedback from the roads. The vehicle gave me the confidence to turn corners at higher speeds.
The Zeekr 007 Smart AWD has two motors: 165 kW in the front and 310 kW in the rear. This model can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds despite weighing over two tons. Remembering all the recent clips of the Xiaomi SU7 crashes, I was highly conscious during this test drive. I do not see headlines on social media that read, “Car News China reporter crashing high-powered EV in China.” When we arrived on a straight road with the car traveling at less than 30 km/h, the Zeekr representative quietly put the car into sports mode, “Do not go over the speed of 130 km/h.” It took a moment to set in. Then it happened. I floored the accelerator. Immediately, I heard screams from the rear passengers. I only took the Zeekr 007 from 30 – 60 km/h. But it felt so fast, and I found a grin on my face, enjoying that brief moment of pure acceleration that could only be found in the territory of the Honda NSX and Audi R8 V10 not long ago.
The Zeekr 007 Performace can do 0 – 100 in 2.84 seconds with the same motor configuration but with a lighter body weight. Only available in “Kung Fu Yellow,” the performance version plays homage to Bruce Lee from the movie Game of Death. “How does the Zeekr 007 Performace drive?” I wandered aloud. “I have yet to see one,” the Zeekr representative replied. It is rarer than I expected.
As we re-entered the shopping mall’s parking lot, we found a difficult parking space to test the auto parking system. We brought the car to a complete stop, and then the Zeekr representative used the 15-inch OLED center screen to select the desired parking space. On the first try, quite a few cars drove beside us, confusing the system. It took seconds for the Zeekr 007 to park successfully on the second try.
Battery Range
Our test car, the Zeekr 007 Smart AWD, has two battery options: Zeekr’s 75 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Golden battery (616 km CTLC) and CATL’s 100 kWh NMC battery (770 km CTLC), which is offered as an optional upgrade at 20,000 yuan (2,760 USD). The Zeekr representative informed me that more people buy the longer-range battery.
Safety Features
Zeekr 007 has Zeekr’s Advanced Driver-Assistant System (ADAS) co-developed with Nvidia. Sensors used in this system include:

1. Lidar: lidar technology uses laser pulses to measure distances and depths to perceive surroundings accurately.
2. 12 high-definition cameras: these cameras offer a full view of the vehicle’s surroundings, aiding in lane-keeping, collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection.
3. 5 millimeter-wave radars: this radar technology improves the car’s object detection capabilities, even in challenging weather conditions.

Conclusion
Geely’s Zeekr 007 is a high-tech luxury sedan with personality. It is suitable for daily driving and long-distance travel. This car can be either comfortable or engaging when required. While the styling may not be for everyone, it is an excellent alternative to the Xiaomi SU7, Tesla Model 3, and BMW i3. Like its siblings, Zeekr X & Zeekr 009, it’s only a question of time before it’s launched beyond China’s borders.

 

[Yommie]

Chery’s Fulwin T9 pre-sale order exceeded 25,000 units, starting price decreased to 19,300 USD

Fulwin T9's original starting price was 22,000 USD, since the pre-sale order volume exceeded 25K, Chery decreased the price to 19,300 USD.

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Chery’s Fulwin T9 pre-sale order exceeded 25,000 units, starting price decreased to 19,300 USD​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dong Yi Chen

May 2, 2024


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Chery’s Fulwin T9 SUV started pre-sale on April 18 in China under its Fulwin new energy vehicle series, offering a total of four models, with a pre-sale price range of 159,900 – 199,900 yuan (22,000 – 27,600 USD). At the same time, Chery launched a crowdfunding activity in which consumers only need to pay 9.9 yuan (1.4 USD) to order a Fulwin T9. If the total crowdfunding order exceeds 20,000 units, the car’s pre-sale price will be reduced by 20,000 yuan (2,760 USD).

Now that the pre-sale order has exceeded 25,000 units, Chery decreased the Fulwin T9’s starting price to 139,900 yuan (19,300 USD). Furthermore, Chery will decrease the price by another 5,000 yuan (690 USD) if the order volume exceeds 40,000 units before the official launch date (most likely to be Q2 2024).
The Fulwin T9 measures 4795/1930/1738 (1741) mm, and the wheelbase is 2770 mm. Two seat layouts are available: 5-seater and 7-seater.

Five driving modes are supported: HEV, EV, normal, economy, and sport.
Inside, the cockpit is minimalistic, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. There is a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel, and a 15.6-inch 2.5K resolution central control screen. A W-HUD is also available.
Other configurations include 50W mobile phone wireless charging, a built-in driving recorder, a Sony 8-speaker audio system, facial recognition for driver monitoring, level 2 advanced driving assistance functions, and an AI assistant.

Moreover, the Fulwin T9 comes standard with seven airbags. Chery also claims that 85% of the car body is composed of high-strength steel and that the A, B, and C columns can withstand 10 tons of pressure resistance.
The Fulwin T9 is powered by Chery’s Kunpeng Super C-DM plug-in hybrid system composed of a 1.5T engine and a front electric motor, mated to a DHT. The system’s comprehensive power and torque are 265 kW and 530 Nm, respectively. The entire series has an official CLTC pure electric cruising range of 120 km and a WLTC comprehensive cruising range of 1,400 km. It takes 20 minutes to replenish the battery from 30% to 80% under fast charging. At this time, the battery specification has not been revealed officially.
Source: Chery Fulwin, qctt, Sohu, DongCheDi

 

[Yommie]

GWM’s chairman becomes a car salesperson

Chairman of Great Wall Motor hits the salesfloor to sell the Tank 700 Hi4-T to potential customers in Zhengzhou, China.

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GWM’s chairman becomes a car salesperson​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mark Andrews

May 3, 2024


2
GWM's Chairman Wei Jianjun (left) becomes a car salesman for the day

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Spurred on by Xiaomi’s Lei Jun personally leading sales efforts of the SU7 other Chinese car company leaders are hitting the sales floor. Latest to don a polo shirt and jeans was Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Motor who joined the staff at GWM’s first direct sales store which just opened in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan. There he led sales efforts for the newly launched Tank 700 Hi4-T.

Although most of the new energy startups in China use to some extent direct sales the legacy Chinese brands are only just experimenting with the format. Wei Jianjun reportedly drove for six hours from GWM headquarters in Baoding to the new Zhenghongcheng store in Zhengzhou.
Once there he set about laying out the virtues of the Tank 700 Hi4-T even going as far as accompanying one young prospective customer on a test drive. Wei said that everyone thinks this kind of car uses a lot of fuel but really it is not that bad due to the plugin hybrid powertrain and it can travel 100 kilometers on electric power.

Pictures of the showroom (left), advert for the Tank 700 Hi4-T (center) and Wei Jianjun explaining the car to the customer (right)
During the test drive Wei told the customer how the Tank 700 Hi4-T has a non-load bearing body and has chassis girders which means that the noise from the road surface and tires is much less when it reaches the car. He went on to claim in true salesman fashion that the Tank 700 Hi4-T has better tire road noise suppression than a Rolls Royce Cullinan.
Wei explaining the car during the test drive.
Part of the reason for the sales exercise was to communicate with car owners, by doing so the top leaders of the company could communicate the ideas of the car buying public to the core leadership of the company and keep up with the ideas of consumers.
The Tank 700 Hi4-T went on sale in February and measure in at 5096, 2060, 1952 mm (l/w/h) with a wheelbase of 3000 mm. In a break from other Hi4-T models in the Tank range the petrol engine part of the PHEV system is a 3.0 liter V6 rather than the 2.0T seen in the other cars. The engine has a maximum power of 265 kW and torque of 560 Nm. There is also a front mounted electric motor with 120 kW power and 400 Nm torque. The system combined figures are 385 kW and 800 Nm. Currently the car only comes as a PHEV but an ICE version is likely to launch soon.

There are only two regular models of the Tank 700 Hi4-T priced at 428,000 (59,100 USD) and 468,000 yuan (64,650 USD) respectively and in addition there is a First Edition limited to 70 units which sells for 700,000 yuan (96,650 USD).

Editor’s note:​

If Wei Jianjun is ever out of a job it looks likes he’s secured solid sales experience for his résumé. We’re a little surprised though that he wasn’t selling a Wey seeing as the brand is named after him!
Source: Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

Xiaomi can produce an SU7 every 76 seconds thanks to new production processes

Xiaomi is using large scale die casting and other technologies to change how the SU7 car is produced helping it produce efficiently.

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Xiaomi can produce an SU7 every 76 seconds thanks to new production processes​

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Mark Andrews

May 3, 2024


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Just days after reports claim that Tesla is abandoning ambitious plans to cast the underbody of its cars as a single piece, Xiaomi has given details of the innovations it is using as part of its production process. Tesla’s process is known as gigacasting and Xiaomi uses both this and stamping to produce the SU7.

Xiaomi claims to be the only domestic automobile company that uses the two technologies of self-developed die cast alloy materials and self-developed large die casting equipment cluster system.
Tesla pioneered the use of large scale die casting, the use of which can replace many individual components that would be assembled into a larger component with a single casting. From a manufacturing perspective it means that the factory needs less floor space while for the car there is better safety as the car now has increased rigidity. Furthermore, usually die-cast parts are lighter which helps increase the car’s range. A number of Chinese producers including XPeng and Nio have subsequently started using die casting technology.

Xiaomi’s system was self-developed in conjunction with Haitian. Covering an area about the size of two basketball courts the machine is marked with the name 9100t, which refers to the clamping force of the machine.
Xiaomi promotional slide for the 9100T (left) and the unit in the factory (right)
The machine creates the rear floor assembly of the Xiaomi SU7 and reduces 72 parts that previously required stamping and welding down to just one die cast part which can be produced in 100 seconds. For production this means 840 fewer welding points and a 45% reduction in production time. Whereas for the car it means the component is 17% lighter and also results in 2 dB reduction in road noise. Furthermore it increases the life expectancy of the integrated floor panel meaning it can easily achieve mileage of over 2 million kilometers, over 10 times the life expectancy of a traditional floor panel.
Die cast rear floor assembly of the Xiaomi SU7
One major criticism for such manufacturing has been the expense in replacing the part if it is damaged. Xiaomi, however, has reportedly implemented a three-stage anti-collision design. This means that in the event of a low-medium speed collision only the anti-collision beam and crumple zone needs to be replaced.

Xiaomi has developed an entire die casting machine group system consisting of 60 devices and 433 processes, of which the Xiaomi Super Die Casting 9100T is only one of them. R&D from Xiaomi’s team resulted in 11 patent design innovations and improvements to the industry’s existing die casting technology including an AI active injection optimization parameter system.
Xiaomi SU7 body shop production line showing high degree of automation
The factory producing Xiaomi cars has a high degree of automation and when it ramps up to capacity will be able to produce 40 cars an hour, or one every 76 seconds. There are over 700 robots in the factory and 181 autonomous mobile robot (AMR) units delivering stamped parts. Each AMR uses Lidar to find its way around the factory floor. Machines are also used for quality inspection, the X-Eye inspection system has an accuracy of 99.9% with pointing out defects instead of the human eye.
AMR in Xiaomi factory (right), X-Eye system checking rear floor assembly
Sources: Autohome, Medium, LinkedIn

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng’s Mona brand to launch in June. First model spotted on road test

Xpeng to bring intelligent driving to a wider consumer base under Mona brand

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Xpeng’s Mona brand to launch in June. First model spotted on road test​

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Adrian Leung

May 4, 2024


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Xpeng is set to launch a new brand called Mona in June. Mona stands for “Made Of New AI.” It will focus on the 100,000 to 150,000 yuan (13,800 to 20,700 USD) vehicle segment, bringing intelligent driving technology to a wider consumer base.

Distinctive Design and Features
Mona’s first model, codenamed F59, is scheduled for release in the second half of the year. As the spy shots show, it has a streamlined exterior design.

The headlight design reminds us of the Polestar 4. The car’s side offers concealed door handles, surround-view cameras, and NFC sensors on the B-pillar to unlock it. Black window frames suggest the windows are not frameless. The rear also features an integrated light cluster harmonizing with the front headlights.
Interior Comfort and Technology
It is rumored that buyers can choose from black or white interior themes for the car. The spy shots show the vehicle has a dual-spoke, multifunction steering wheel with a small LCD display. The car’s center console features a large screen that appears to be 15 inches in size for controlling the advanced driving assist. There are dual cup holders and hidden storage compartments. The rear seats provide ample space, and an optional high-definition entertainment screen is available.

Electric Powertrain and Range​

The new car is expected to feature a single electric motor rear-wheel-drive system paired with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, providing around 550 kilometers.
Statement from Xpeng Chairman
During the Beijing Auto Show, Xpeng Chairman He Xiaopeng stated that Mona sales are expected to outperform the Xiaomi SU7 after its release. He also mentioned his close relationship with Lei Jun. “Lei Jun’s marketing skills are stronger than mine, but I aim to surpass him in technical skills,” He acknowledges.
Strategic Partnership with Didi
Mona began when Xpeng entered a strategic cooperation agreement with Didi in August last year. Xpeng acquired assets and research and development (R&D) from Didi’s smart electric vehicle project, Da Vinci. The collaboration covers research and development, design, and engineering for new intelligent electric vehicles. We expect fleets of Mona F59 to operate under Didi’s ride-hailing service/self-driving robotaxis.

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng G6 undercuts Tesla Model Y in Europe as it opened for orders

The Xpeng G6 became the third model in the Xpeng lineup in Europe. It is available for order, undercutting the Tesla Model Y.

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Xpeng G6 undercuts Tesla Model Y in Europe as it opened for orders​

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Denis Bobylev

May 4, 2024


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Chinese Xpeng opened orders for the G6 SUV coupe in the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. It is the third Xpeng-branded car offered in Europe. The Xpeng G6 undercuts the Tesla Model Y, aiming to get a part of its market share. However, it has already lost the war against the Model Y in the domestic market.

Xpeng booth at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show
Xpeng is a well-known Chinese startup founded in 2014. It has rapidly become popular in China, getting the nickname “Chinese Tesla”. However, in recent years, Xpeng sales have declined in China due to fierce competition and the price war. Last year, this brand launched its latest model, the Xpeng G6, which was aimed at competing with the Tesla Model Y.
In mid-to-late 2023, Xpeng G6 sold over 7,000 units monthly. However, the sales volume of the G6 slid down to 1,000 – 2,000 units in 2024. So, Xpeng has failed in its war against the Model Y in the domestic market. But now, they want to take revenge in Europe.

Xpeng G6 in Europe​

The Xpeng G6 is available for order in four European countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Last year, its officials also announced plans to enter the UK, Germany, and France. Its sales will start later this year.
As expected, the European Xpeng G6 has the lowest price tag in Norway. Here, it costs only 410,000 NOK (37,700 USD). However, the Tesla Model Y is also relatively cheap here, starting at 409,990 NOK (37,700 USD). So, the G6 and Model Y prices in Norway are on par. However, the situation is different in other countries.
In Sweden, the entry-level G6 costs 529,900 SEK (49,100 USD). For comparison, the entry-level Model Y starts from 534,170 SEK (49,500 USD). As for the Netherlands, the G6 costs here 42,990 EUR (46,300 USD). And the Model Y starts from 45,990 EUR (49,500 USD) here. In Denmark, the G6 starts from 339,900 DKK (49,050 USD).

Xpeng G6 specs​

The Xpeng G6 is an SUV coupe based on the SEPA 2.0 architecture. Its exterior styling follows the brand’s latest design language. It is a mid-size crossover with dimensions of 4753/1920/1650 mm and a wheelbase of 2890 mm, which is almost the same as the Model Y in terms of sizing.
The Xpeng G6 will be offered in Europe with three powertrain options. The first one has a single electric motor for 190 kW (254 hp) on the rear axle. It is powered by a 66-kWh LFP battery, which is good for 435 km of WLTP range.
The second variant of the Xpeng G6 has a 210-kW (282 hp) e-motor on the rear axle. The bigger ternary NMC battery for 87.5 kWh supplies power to this e-motor. Its WLTP range reaches 570 km. The top trim level of the G6 has two electric motors with a combined peak power of 350 kW (469 hp). The battery is the same for 87.5 kWh. The range is 550 km WLTP.
The Xpeng G6 has five exterior colors: white, black, gray, silver, orange. Its interior is offered in two options: black and gray. The G6 comes standard with R20 wheels.

Editor’s comment​

The Xpeng G6 is a bit cheaper than the Model Y in the Netherlands and Sweden. However, its main drawback is its lack of brand power. Tesla also has some valuable benefits, such as a well-developed charging infrastructure and an extensive sales network. So, it will be challenging for the G6 to gain a firm sales position.
Source: Xpeng

 

[Yommie]

Chinese cars accounted for 33% of world’s car sales in March 2024

Geely is the only Chinese automaker that made it to the top ten global automaker sales ranking in Q1 2024.

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Chinese cars accounted for 33% of world’s car sales in March 2024​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 5, 2024


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In March 2024, Chinese car sales accounted for 33% of the world’s monthly 8.15 million vehicle sales, according to Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). In the first quarter of 2024, 21.05 million vehicles have been sold worldwide, a year-on-year increase of 3%.

From 2016 to 2018, Chinese car sales accounted for about 30% of the world’s car sales, then dropped to 29% in 2019. The share rebounded to 32% in 2020 to 2021 and rose to 33% in 2022.

	Brands	World Market Share (%)	Chinese Market Share (%)	North American Market Share (%)	European Market Share (%)
1	Toyota	10.6	4	14	7
2	Volkswagen	9.5	10	5	21
3	Hyundai	7.4	1	10	7
4	Stellantis	6.9	0	8	18
5	Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi	6.5	3	8	12
6	GM	5.4	5	15	0
7	Honda	4.7	1	13	5
8	Ford	4.7	4	8	1
9	Suzuki	4.0	0	0	1
10	Geely	3.5	2	3	6
11	BYD	3.2	9	0	0
12	Chery	3.0	3	2	6
13	Mercedes Benz	2.9	8	1	3
14	BMW	2.7	3	3	2
15	Changan	2.6	8	0	0
16	SAIC	1.7	4	0	1
17	Mazda	1.4	0	3	1

Global automaker sales rankings, Q1 2024 | Source: CPCA
Among the global automaker sales rankings in 2024, Toyota ranked first, with a market share of 10.6%, and is the only auto group with more than 10% market share, followed by Volkswagen and Hyundai, with 9.5% and 7.4%, respectively. Together, these three companies accounted for 27.5% of the world’s market share.

Among the Chinese companies, Geely is the only automaker that made it into the top ten list. In the first quarter of 2024, Geely sold 738,400 vehicles, accounting for 3.5% of the world’s market share. BYD came closely behind Geely, claiming 3.2% of the world’s market share.
Additionally, the top five Chinese auto exporters in the first quarter of 2024 are SAIC, Chery, Great Wall Motor, BYD, and Geely.

• SAIC: 126,053
• Chery: 117,719
• Great Wall Motor: 77,935
• BYD: 51,138
• Geely: 46,752
• JAC: 10,938
• Changan: 7,038

Source: AutoHome, ITHome, CLS

 

[Yommie]

The Wildest New Chinese Cars From Beijing Auto 2024​