China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

Nio CEO William Li on the move this week: inks battery swap deal and plans European live stream

Battery swap deals are at the top of this CEOs to-do list.

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Nio CEO William Li on the move this week: inks battery swap deal and plans European live stream​

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Naveed Rastegar

May 22, 2024


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Nio CEO William Li has been making big moves this week, signing a new battery swap agreement with Chinese automaker FAW and plans for a live-streamed driving event in Europe.


On May 17th, it was announced that Nio and FAW had reached a battery swap agreement. Yesterday, May 21st, the companies signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation on battery charging and swapping. This makes FAW the 8th automaker to join Nio’s battery swap alliance, joining the likes of Guangzhou Auto, Changan, Geely, Chery, JAC, and Lotus.
The agreement states that the alliance’s automakers will collaborate to develop a unified battery standard system, co-develop battery swap-compatible vehicles and charging stations, and launch models equipped with standardized battery packs that can be used across the network. They will also collaborate on battery asset management and an integrated charging/swapping operations system to build a large-scale, standardized energy infrastructure.

As of May 17th, Nio has already built and put into operation 2,416 battery swap stations, with plans to add 1,000 more this year.

Separately, on May 22nd at around 3 p.m., Li plans to live-stream a drive from Frankfurt, Germany, to Amsterdam, Netherlands, to celebrate the opening of a new Nio House location. He will be joined by Nio President Qin Lihong for the road trip, allowing viewers to witness the battery swap infrastructure in Europe firsthand.
These moves demonstrate Nio’s continued push to build out its battery swap ecosystem and establish partnerships across the industry. By standardizing battery technology and expanding the network, Nio aims to address consumer “range anxiety” and accelerate the growth of China’s new energy vehicle market. The live driving event in Europe will also showcase Nio’s technology on the global stage. Overall, it’s been a busy and productive week for the ambitious Nio CEO.

Source: Anhui News & 123456Auto

 

[Yommie]

Export bound Geely Galaxy E5 has 530 km range

The Geely Galaxy E5 will have up to 530 km range. Most aerodynamic car in its class and has been designed with exports in mind.

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Export bound Geely Galaxy E5 has 530 km range​

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Mark Andrews

May 22, 2024


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Due to launch soon, possibly before the end of June, the Geely Galaxy (Yinhe) E5 will have two different battery capacities which will give the car a range of 440 or 530 km depending on size. It’s the first Geely Galaxy car simultaneously developed for the domestic market and export markets – reportedly right hand drive versions are currently being tested together with left hand drive. Based in GEEA 3.0 electronic and electrical architecture the E5 has cell to body integration (CTB) and uses the Galaxy 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive motor, and the Flyme Auto HMI system.

Like other Galaxy range cars the E5 uses Geely’s self-developed Aegis short knife lithium iron phosphate batteries. In the case of the E5 the batteries will come in 49.52 and 60.22 kWh packs delivering 440 and 530 kilometers CLTC range respectively. Geely claim the battery is very safe and that it protects against direct impacts to the battery in crash situations. Working in tandem with the vehicle’s Wise Star Cloud Connected Central Computing System, the Aegis system can accurately predict and pre-empt thermal runaways and other situations which Geely claims increases battery life by 20%.
The Geely Galaxy E5 is powered by a 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive motor with a maximum power of 160 kW. Through optimization and integration of core drive components the efficiency under CLTC conditions or the drive is 90.04% and power consumption is 11.9 kWh/100 km.

Drag coefficient is claimed to be the lowest in the E5’s class at Cd 0.269 and has been achieved by 24 drag reduction tweaks to the design of the car. This is said to have achieved a reduction 0.141, over a third, and to result in an increase of cruising range of 77.6 km. Flush hidden door handles are most probably one of the 24 optimizations.
The Geely Galaxy E5 measures in at 4615, 1901, 1670 mm (l/w/h) and it sits on a 2750 mm wheelbase and is shod with low drag 19-inch wheels. Overall the design is quite clean and surprisingly it doesn’t go for the floating roof so popular among Chinese SUVs and so has the same color all over. Color choices are Glowing Red, Evening Cherry Pink, Morning Mist Gray, Azure Green, Dawn White, and Streaming Silver.
Inside the car has a both a separate LCD instrument screen and a head up display for the driver. There is also a large central floating infotainment screen. The Geely Galaxy E5 uses the Flyme Auto car machine system which was developed in conjunction with Geely controlled Meizu. Furthermore, the Galaxy E5 system will be powered by the Dragon Eagle-1 chip which is if the first domestically produced 7 nm automotive chip. Buyers apparently will have a choice of three different interior colors.

The steering wheel is flat bottomed and there are some buttons and knobs on the dashboard to control functions of the car. Surprisingly the rear seats support 30°/35° adjustment. There will be a 16 speaker audio system which includes headrest mounted speakers.
Prices are currently expected to be in the 150-200,000 yuan (20,700 – 27,600 USD) range and deliveries should start in the second half of the year. Exports should follow in the first half of next year.
Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

BAIC launches 2nd gen BJ30 with hybrid version

Second generation BAIC Beijing BJ30 launches. Only available as ICE and hybrid. Car offers limited off-road ability.

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BAIC launches 2nd gen BJ30 with hybrid version​

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Mark Andrews

May 22, 2024


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BAIC today officially launched the second generation Beijing BJ30. Using a load-bearing body structure it’s positioned as a light off-road vehicle and comes in both 2WD and 4WD versions. The latter uses a hybrid system known as magic nuclear drive – don’t ask! There are five model in the range and prices range from 99,900 to 136,900 yuan (13,800 – 18,900 USD). Models are as follows:

Karuno Air	99,900 yuan (13,800 USD)
Karuno Pro	109,900 yuan (15,200 USD)
Karuno Max	119,900 yuan (16,550 USD)
Magic Nuclear Drive Standard (2WD)	125,900 yuan (17,400 USD)
Magic Nuclear Drive Advanced (4WD)	136,900 yuan (18,900 USD)

The Beijing BJ30 looks a lot more contemporary and ready for off-road action than the first generation car, whose production ceased last year. At the front it retains the classic five hole grille style although the holes at each end incorporate the headlights. Going with the off-road aesthetic there is chunky black cladding around the bottom of the car and both the front and rear have skid plates. Overall the design has the look of a typical modern boxy hard-core off-roader but is on the generic side.
Dimensions are 4730, 1910 and 1790 mm (l/w/h) and the wheelbase is 2820 mm. Meanwhile the approach angle is 25° while departure is 30° and maximum ground clearance is 215 mm. Higher spec models get 19-inch wheels while the Air and Pro make do with 18-inch wheels.

All the Karuno versions are powered by a A156T2H four cylinder 1.5T petrol engine which delivers 138 kW maximum power and 305 Nm torque. This version is believed to be front wheel drive. While the HEV (magic nuclear drive) versions use the same engine it supplies a maximum of 116 kW power and 235 Nm torque. There is then a front mounted electric motor with 130 kW power and 315 Nm torque and in the case of the 4WD version (Magic Nuclear Drive Advanced) an additional 55 kW rear mounted electric motor with a maximum torque of 135 Nm. The system combined figure for the 2WD is 246 kW power and 550 Nm torque while for the 4WD it’s 301 kW power and 685 Nm torque. Top speed for the hybrid versions is 170 km/h compared to 190 km/h for the petrol car. Additionally the hybrid uses a 2-speed hybrid gearbox (DHT) whereas the petrol has a seven-speed wet dual clutch unit.
Inside the Beijing BJ30 has quite a clean design with a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 14.6-inch floating infotainment screen. The car’s system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. With the seats folded down there is 1496 liters of space, the seats fold flat with the bench coming up to aid this. The BJ30 comes with level 2.5 driving assistance features. There is also an ATS (all-terrain control system) with four off-road driving modes on the 4WD version.

Editor’s note:​

If you glance at the Beijing Auto website the first picture of the BJ30 shows the car with a green license plate. This is highly misleading, the car does not qualify for such a plate and is an HEV not a PHEV. Quite what the battery size actually is in the car is currently unknown. Furthermore, it is actually quite strange that BAIC did not choose to make this car a PHEV which would most likely have helped both performance and sales.

Sources: Autohome, Beijing Auto, Dongchedi

 

[Yommie]

Dongfeng-Honda Lingxi L electric sedan will have 520 km range

After 2027, Dongfeng-Honda targets to no longer launch new gasoline-powered vehicles.

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Dongfeng-Honda Lingxi L electric sedan will have 520 km range​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 23, 2024


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Recently, the Chinese regulator exposed that the Lingxi L will have a 520 km CLTC cruising range. The official launch is expected to be in the second half of this year, targeting the young consumer group. Lingxi is a new energy vehicle brand under the Dongfeng-Honda joint venture, established in September 2023. The Lingxi L is the first electric vehicle under the brand.

Earlier, Dongfeng-Honda has announced that by 2025, the proportion of its electrified models will reach more than 50%, and it will no longer launch new gasoline-powered vehicles after 2027.
Overall, the Lingxi L adopts a dual-color body design, featuring a closed front face and a vertical LED light strip on the front cover that connects with the brand logo as well as the horizontal light strip, making it highly recognizable.

The rear features a ducktail. Other notable design elements include the hidden door handles and digital exterior mirrors.
The Lingxi L measures 4830/1845/1503 mm, and the wheelbase is 2731 mm. The car runs on 19-inch five-spoke rims and 245/40 R19 tires.
So far, the Chinese MIIT revealed that the Lingxi L is equipped with a 59.22 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, providing a CLTC cruising range of 520 km. Previously, the single electric motor version of the Lingxi L was declared, equipped with a 160 kW front electric motor, and has a top speed of 160 km/h.

Inside, the cockpit has a traditional circular steering wheel and five screens, including a full LCD instrument panel, a central control screen, a co-pilot entertainment screen, and digital display for both external mirrorrs. Furthermore, there is a HUD that provides information such as vehicle speed, navigation, and traffic signs. Other configurations include tire pressure monitoring, facial recognition login, ambient lighting, autonomous parking, and adaptive cruise control.
We’ll watch closely for more information, stay tuned!
Source: AutoHome, DongCheDi, YiChe

 

[Yommie]

Voyah Free 318 claims longest all-electric range for PHEV

Voyah Free 318 claims to have the longest all-electric range for a hybrid SUV. Pre-sales of the Dongfeng car being May 30.

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Voyah Free 318 claims longest all-electric range for PHEV​

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Mark Andrews

May 23, 2024


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A new version of the Voyah Free claims to have the longest all-electric range for a range extended (PHEV) SUV. The biggest clue about the range is in the name the Voyah Free 318 – yes 318 kilometers is the supposed CLTC range under battery power.

Voyah is a premium brand from Dongfeng selling new energy vehicles with all models being available with a choice of all-electric or range extended version. The Free was the brand’s first car and launched in 2021.
Pre-sales of the Voyah Free 318 will begin on May 30. Currently there is only one EREV version of the Free available on the market priced at 266,900 yuan (36,850 USD) and the Free 318 version is expected to come in cheaper than this.

MIIT listing pictures including options for the Voyah Free 318
The most significant change with the Free 318 is powertrain. While it will retain the same 110 kW DAM15NTDE four cylinder 1.5T petrol engine it loses the front electric motor. This leaves the 200 kW maximum power electric motor powering the rear axle and delivering maximum torque of 410 Nm. With the existing EREV the front axle has a 160 kW motor with 310 Nm torque.
Battery capacity of the Voyah Free 318 is 43 kWh which is about 10% higher than the 39.2 kWh in the existing EREV version. Batteries are the Voyah Amber battery which use NCA high nickel 8 series battery cells from Samsung SDI in packs with Voyah’s pioneering three dimensional insulation wall, the result being a safer battery. Combined range thanks to the 1.5T extender system, which has a thermal efficiency of 42%, is 1,458 kilometers.
Dimensions of the Free 318 remain the same as the existing car at 4905, 1950, and 1645 mm (l/w/h) with a wheelbase of 2960 mm. Buyers will have a choice between 19 and 20-inch wheels. Weight of the 318 versions is 2150 kg while maximum speed is 180 km/h.

New to the Voyah Free 318 is a greatly improved human machine interface. As part of this there is a new pet monitoring system to ensure furry friends in the back row can travel safely. Voice control has been improved with wakeup time reduced to 0.6 seconds and it now has better continual dialogue capabilities.
The Voyah Free 318 comes equipped with Baidu’s Apollo pilot-assisted intelligent driving system. High-speed assistance has a new cone recognition system allowing the car to avoid obstacles on the highway such as road maintenance. There are also improvements to the urban driving capabilities with its ability to deal with intersections. Smart parking can now deal with low-light situations such as parking when it is very dark.
From teaser pictures there may be some slight changes in the looks from the existing EREV version of the Free. Most notably the car gains red brake calipers and there might be some slight changes in the alloys on the wheels. The 318 is also available in an exclusive Titanium Crystal Gray color.
Last year Dongfeng sold 18,796 Voyah Free cars and will no doubt hope the new Free 318 will help lift figures this year. The Voyah Free is available outside China in Norway and the Netherlands.
Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology
Update note: this article was updated on May 24 to reflect new information about the battery, human machine interface, Baidu Apollo assisted driving system and the exclusive color.

 

[Yommie]

JAC produces 300,000th pickup truck – exports to 132 countries

JAC produces 300,000th pickup truck and currently sells to 132 countries. 2023 saw strong increase in sales.

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JAC produces 300,000th pickup truck – exports to 132 countries​

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Mark Andrews

May 23, 2024


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Anhui Province, China – 17042023: South African spec right hand drive JAC T9 pickup truck being driven on a track during a test drive.

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JAC has just rolled off its 300,000th pickup truck from the production line. While it took 13 years to get to the 200,000th truck it took less than two years for the next 100,000. Part of the driver for the rapid increase in sales is that JAC now exports pickup trucks to 132 countries.

Feng Liangsen, secretary of the board of directors of JAC and general manager of the pickup company, said in a ceremony marking the occasion, “These 300,000 units are not only the results of JAC’s independent operation, transformation and upgrading, and global development, but also the fruits of JAC’s hard work and joint efforts, and it is another milestone achievement in the globalization of China’s pickup trucks.”
Pictures marking the 300,000th JAC pickup truck produced
Currently JAC sells three pickup models: the T6, T8 Pro and the T9. The 300,000th truck was a T9, which is known in China as the Hunter (Hantu), and it rolled off the production line in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province on May 21. Hefei, Anhui Province, headquartered JAC is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary having been founded as the Hefei Jianghuai Automobile Factory in 1964. Despite such a long heritage the company is probably best known as the company which used to manufacture Nio cars.

JAC website showing the pickup truck range
Last year JAC sold 55,000 pickup trucks of which around 42,000 were exported. Markets include Latin America, the Gulf states, Central Asia, Europe and Australia. JAC ranked first among Chinese pickup brands in Mexico, Peru, and Kazakhstan. International sales were up 9.9% year-on-year whereas domestic sales were up 16.3% leading to an overall increase of 11.3%. JAC claims that it ranks second in the domestic pickup truck industry. As of the end of April JAC pickup truck sales worldwide this year so far stood at 18,200.
Anhui Province, China – 17042023: Stationary shot of the exterior of a South African spec right hand drive JAC T9 pickup truck.
At this year’s Beijing Auto Show JAC launched the EV version of the T9. Boasting a CLTC range of 500 km it has an 88.02 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Power comes from two electric motors with 70 and 160 kW maximum power respectively and delivering 176 and 342 Nm torque respectively.
EV version of the JAC T9 at the Beijing Auto Show

Editor’s note:​

JAC is one of a number of unsung export success stories from lesser known Chinese companies, just in the same way that Skyworth was supposedly the eighth best new energy vehicle brand in 2023 for exports.

I attended an overseas dealers event held by JAC last year and there was a lot of enthusiasm for the brand there, particularly from Latin America. Pickup trucks are a sensible product for JAC given that the company’s origins lie with commercial vehicles.
Sources: Autohome, IT Home, Commercial Vehicle Commune,

 

[Yommie]

New BYD MPV spied in China – possibly named Zhou

New BYD MPV spied undergoing testing in China. The new car is possibly names Zhou and is believed to be a 7-seater.

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New BYD MPV spied in China – possibly named Zhou​

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Mark Andrews

May 23, 2024


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Spy shots have emerged of a new BYD MPV which is believed to be part of the Dynasty series. Initial speculation was that the car was called the Tang Max but it is now believed to be called Zhou.

Currently very little is known about the car other than the pictures posted by a blogger named飓电工社 . It seems that the car is a medium or large size MPV with a body length likely to be more than 5 meters and with a wheelbase of over 3 meters and that it will be a 7-seater. Based on this Autohome are speculating that the MPV may share a platform with the Denza D9 and it can therefore be seen as a BYD branded version of that car. As such it would come in considerably cheaper with Autohome claiming prices are likely to start around 220-250,000 yuan (30,400 – 34,500 USD). For reference prices of the PHEV version of the Denza D9 start at 324,800 yuan (44,850 USD).

The Zhou is believed to be a PHEV only at this stage, built around BYD’s DM-I plugin hybrid system. Almost certainly it will use the latest fifth generation version of the system which recently debuted with the Qin L. This means that the model will have a 1.5 liter petrol engine and a single electric motor. It will of course use the BYD blade battery and it will use an E-CVT transmission.

Currently the car is heavily camouflaged and we can make out little from the spy shots other than that the car seem to have quite a lot of length after the C-pillar with what seems a very large window.
The new car seems some way off and it is highly unlikely that it will go on sale before the end of this year. We will bring you more information about the new MPV when we discover it.
Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

GAC Aion brand now exporting – reaches Tajikistan and Nepal

GAC Aion now selling overseas with launch in Tajikistan and Nepal. Plans call for sales in 10 countries by the end of the year.

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GAC Aion brand now exporting – reaches Tajikistan and Nepal​

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Mark Andrews

May 24, 2024


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GAC’s Aion brand launched the second generation Aion V at the Beijing Auto Show. This car was specifically designed as a global model and announced the brand’s plans to begin exporting. It seem however that exports have already begun using Aion’s existing models with cars already reaching Tajikistan and Nepal. By the end of this year the brand should be in 10 countries.

On May 22 a ceremony between GAC Aion, Tajikistan ECO Taxi and CJSC launched the GAC Central Asia export base. At the event GAC delivered the first batch of 1,000 Aion Y cars which is the first time GAC Aion has officially exported to Tajikistan. It seems however that 3,300 cars were delivered last year to Tajikistan ECO Taxi and CJSC which was the largest ever single import of new energy vehicles to Tajikistan.
GAC’s plan for Aion call for the establishment of seven global production and marketing bases covering Central Asia, West Asia, South-east Asia, the Americas, Africa and Europe to be established over the next two years. The Central Asia base in Tajikistan would appear to be the first or these and it will be used to construct channels in the country. Plans call for a subsidiary in Uzbekistan as part of plans to radiate from the Tajik market.

Also announced today was GAC Aion’s entry into the Nepalese market. Aion has now opened its first showroom in Kathmandu, which is the brand’s first overseas showroom. At the press conference in Kathmandu GAC announced that the first model to go on sale would be the Aion Y.
South-east Asia features quite heavily in GAC’s plans for the brand with car production factories in Thailand and Indonesia currently under construction. Aion will setup a subsidiary in Thailand.
The Aion brand has established full-stack development and production of the three core electric elements of its cars including batteries. It also has a closed loop industrial chain covering everything from raw materials, R&D, manufacturing to battery recycling at the end of life.

Editor’s note:​

While the Tajikistan and Nepal market entries seem to be rather insignificant, they are the first baby steps on what within a year will be a much more significant journey for GAC’s Aion brand. As one of the more successful domestic brands it potentially stands to do well with exports. Obviously once the new Aion V enters production this should really help drive the export push.
Sources: Autohome, Viewpoint, Yiche

 

[Yommie]

Changan cars become Volga in Russia – China helps resurrect Russian brand

Volga unveils three new cars in Russia. All three are based on Changan cars, details of deal unknown but production imminent.

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Changan cars become Volga in Russia – China helps resurrect Russian brand​

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Mark Andrews

May 24, 2024


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May 21 saw the resurrection of the Volga car brand with three new models shown at an industrial exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. No you’re not reading Car News Russia, all three cars are actually based on Changan models.

Volga is a brand belonging to GAZ (Gorky Automobile Plant), but the brand was last produced in 2010 when the company stopped producing a modified version of the Chrysler Sebring known as the Volga Siber. The three new cars are the C40 sedan and the K30 and K40 SUVs. All three use the same Changan JL473ZQ7 1.5 liter engine which delivers 188 hp (138 kW) and delivers 300 Nm torque. Currently the transmission is unknown but the C40 sedan is believed to have a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The C40 mid-sized sedan is based on the second generation Changan Raeton Plus which first went on sale in 2023. The Raeton Plus measures in at 4800, 1820, and 1480 mm (l/w/h) while having a wheelbase of 2770 mm.

The K30 a compact SUV and is based on the Changan Oshan X5 which debuted in 2020. Measuring in at 4490, 1860, and 1580 mm (l/w/h) it rides on a wheelbase of 2710 mm.
Finally the K40 is a mid-size SUV based on the Changan UNI-Z which went on sale in 2022. The UNI-Z measure in at 4699, 1890, and 1660 (l/w/h) while the wheelbase is 2795 mm.
Measurements for the Volga cars are currently unknown but are likely to be very similar to the Chinese cars they are based on. Changes appear to be largely limited to the shape of the bumper and radiator grille along with the addition of the GAZ badge, which features a deer.

GAZ is headquartered in Nizhny Novgorod, formerly known as Gorky, which most likely explains the cars debut at an exhibition in the city. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other government ministers inspected the cars at the exhibition and asked questions about the origins of the cars. He was told that a lot of the car parts were not made in China but when he discovered that the steering wheel wasn’t made in Russia he said that it should be and urged producers to increase local content.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin inspecting a Volga car
Mishustin is reported to have said “I’ve always wanted to see Russia produce these parts and designs on its own, and it can be said that the production of these things is not very difficult.” He urged that localization should first focus on easy to produce parts.
Denis Manturov, then Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, announced in 2023 that GAZ would resume production of Volga cars. The plant used was previously used by foreign producers including Volkswagen. Full production of the new Volga cars should begin from 2025.
Following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine western producers left the Russian market. In April Russia imported 57,812 passenger cars, of which 94% came from China. Furthermore with the exception of top placed Lada Chinese brands dominate the top 10 best-selling brands in the country. Russia has announced plans to resume production of defunct Russian car brands to try to stem imports.
Currently there seem to be no details regarding the deal between Changan and GAZ regarding the Volga cars. Presumably they are being built on some sort of licensing arrangement and it would seem that many of the parts are coming from China.
Volga was a brand first created in 1956 and produced larger cars that were initially used to provide transportation to the nomenklatura a class of bureaucrats in the Soviet Union. The cars also found use as taxis.
Sources: Fast Technology, Observer, Tencent News, Belarusian Ideal Society,

 

[Yommie]

Dongfeng Aeolus L7 enters market starting at 17,800 USD

The L7 is Dongfeng Aeolus's first plug-in hybrid SUV, available in 1,400 km and 1,500 km comprehensive ranges.

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Dongfeng Aeolus L7 enters market starting at 17,800 USD​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 25, 2024


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On May 24, Dongfeng’s Aeolus brand officially launched the Aeolus L7 – its first plug-in hybrid SUV. The new car is offered in five models with a price range of 128,900 – 156,900 yuan (17,800 – 21,700 USD).

Positioned as a compact SUV, the Aeolus L7 measures 4670/1900/1625 mm with a 2775 mm wheelbase. The car adopts a dual-color body paired with hidden door handles and petal-shaped rims.
The front features a closed grille design, slender LED headlights, and raised ribs on the hood while the rear features through-type taillights and blackened diffusers.

Inside, the cockpit is equipped with a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel, a 14.6-inch floating central control screen, and a D-shaped steering wheel. The vehicle operating system comes from the WindLink OS 3.0, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip.
Other configurations include a keyless entry system, a 1.08㎡ panoramic sunroof, 128-color ambient lighting, the i-Talk voice control system, OTA updates, 50W wireless fast charging, a Wind-HiFi 13-speaker audio system, and level 2 advanced driving assistance functions such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist.
Additionally, the seats are wrapped in leather materials and support ventilation and heating.

The powertrain consists of Dongfeng’s latest Mach plug-in hybrid system composed of a 113 kW/240 Nm 1.5T engine and a front 100 kW/260 Nm electric motor, providing a combined power of 265 kW (355 hp) and a torque of 615 Nm. The top speed is 170 km/h and the lowest WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is 0.56L/100km).
Furthermore, two lithium iron phosphate battery pack capacities are offered: 17 kWh and 30.32 kWh, with a corresponding CLTC pure electric range of 110 km and 205 km, respectively; and providing a CLTC comprehensive range of 1,400 km and 1,500 km, respectively. Under fast charging, it takes 26 minutes to replenish the battery from 30% to 80%.
Source: Dongfeng Aeolus, DongCheDi

 

[Yommie]

Dayun’s Yuanhang H9 all-electric SUV launched for 57,600 USD

The Yuanhang H9 is available in 650 km, 840 km, and 950 km cruising ranges.

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Dayun’s Yuanhang H9 all-electric SUV launched for 57,600 USD​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 25, 2024


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This is Yuanhang Auto’s H9 pure electric SUV. A total of three models were launched with a price range of 409,800 – 519,800 yuan (57,600 – 73,000 USD), available in three cruising ranges of 650 km, 840 km, and 950 km. Its competitors include the Aito M9 pure electric version and Hongqi E-HS9.

Yuanhang Auto is a high-end electric vehicle brand under the Dayun Group, established in August 2022. Currently, besides the H9, the company also has two luxury sedans, the Yuanhang Y6 and Y7, and a luxury SUV, the Yuanhang H8. Yuan Qinshan, chairman of the Dayun Group, once stated that the annual sales target of Yuanhang Auto is “30,000 – 50,000 vehicles in 2024 and 100,000 vehicles in 2025.”
The Yuanhang H9 is a large SUV measuring 5220/2015/1760 mm with a 3125 mm wheelbase. It adopts a six-seater 2+2+2 layout. The approach angle is 18° and the departure angle is 21°.

The entire series adopts a dual-motor four-wheel drive system, offering two power options: 500 kW/745 Nm and 520 kW/850 Nm. It takes 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 -100 km/h and the top speed is 210 km/h. At the same time, three ternary lithium battery capacity options are offered: 98 kWh, 120 kWh, and 150 kWh, which correspond to CLTC ranges of 650 km, 840 km, and 950 km, respectively. Seven driving modes are also supported: sports, economy, standard/comfortable, off-road, track, snow, and customization/personalization.
The cockpit is simple, but highly recognizable with an orange background, featuring a dual-color steering wheel, a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel, and a large 17.38-inch vertical central control screen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and Alibaba’s AliOS. The other configurations include level 2 advanced driving assistance capabilities, leather seats, rear passenger screens, 256-color ambient lighting, a 27-speaker audio system, voice assistant, remote app control, remote key entry, and facial recognition entry.
Source: Yuanhang, dongchedi

 

[Yommie]

Denza reached 200,000th vehicle delivery milestone in 2 years

In the future, Denza plans to launch 10 models in the global market.

carnewschina.com

Denza reached 200,000th vehicle delivery milestone in 2 years​

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Dong Yi Chen

May 25, 2024


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On May 25, Denza delivered its 200,000th vehicle order in Guangzhou, China; making it the fastest new energy luxury car brand to reach this milestone in just two years.

Delivery Ceremony
Currently, Denza sells three models, including the D9, N7, and N8. Its fourth model, the Z9 GT, has also made its debut at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show and recently obtained a sales license from the Chinese regulator. Furthermore, the Denza D9 will be officially launched in Hong Kong next month and the Denza N7 will be launched in other Asia regions from July to August. In the future, Denza plans to launch a total of 10 models in the global market. So far, Denza has more than 400 stores across 149 Chinese cities. In April, Denza sold 11,122 vehicles, bringing its cumulative sales this year to 35,067 vehicles.
The Denza D9 is a medium-to-large luxury MPV. There are nine models on sale with a price range of 339,800 – 600,600 yuan (46,900 – 82,900 USD), available in PHEV and EV powertrains. In April, 10,031 Denza D9s were sold, totaling 32,787 vehicles this year.

The Denza N7 is a medium-sized all-electric SUV, built upon the modified BYD e-platform 3.0, containing features such as the CTB (Cell-to-Body) structural battery system and iTAC (Intelligence Torque Adaptation Control System).
The Denza N8 is a medium-to-large SUV, available in 6-seater and 7-seater layouts, and powered by BYD’s DM-p plug-in hybrid system, offering a pure electric cruising range (NEDC) of 216 km and a comprehensive cruising range of 1,030 km. Its top speed is 190 km/h and has a 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds.
Left: EV version, Right: PHEV version
The Denza Z9GT will be available in EV and PHEV variants. The PHEV version will be powered by a plug-in hybrid system composed of a 2.0T engine and three electric motors while the EV version will be powered by a three-electric-motor four-wheel drive system with a total system power of 710 kW.

Source: Denza Weibo, AutoHome, XchuXing

 

[Yommie]

Sunday China Drive | IM L6: liftback sedan that drives like a Mini Cooper

Tesla Model 3 faces yet another competitor in China, IM L6

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Sunday China Drive | IM L6: liftback sedan that drives like a Mini Cooper​

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Adrian Leung

May 26, 2024


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Within a week of its official launch, IM Motors secured lock-in orders of over 10,000 units for the IM L6, the fourth vehicle in its lineup. Besides breaking the 25-year-old moose test speed record, IM claims the new L6 is loaded with cutting-edge technology. How does this liftback sedan stack up against the Xiaomi SU7 and the Zeekr 007? Let’s go on a Sunday drive and see how the IM L6 performs!

Booking for a test drive
I have made an online reservation for a test drive. After three days, I finally received a call from IM’s headquarters in Shanghai to confirm my booking. When I arrived at the given location, I only found that a Zeekr shop had replaced IM at the shopping mall.

I quickly searched online to find the closest location. Upon arrival at the only IM dealership in Zhuhai, I discussed the confusion with the IM rep, and a test drive of the L6 was arranged on the spot. In total, I drove close to an hour to get to this destination.
First Impressions
Our test car was the L6 Max Long Range (RWD), priced at 275,900 yuan (38,100 USD). It carries the design language of the LS6 SUV, making the IM L6’s appearance slick and sporty. The car has a sloping roof with hidden door handles, allowing the L6 to achieve an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.226 Cd.

The IM L6 has frameless doors. It is incorporated with a ducktail spoiler. Despite being a liftback sedan, it has no rear screen wiper. All the panels are well aligned. Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design/ University of the Arts London is responsible for IM L6’s design.
The Interior
Upon entering the IM L6, the familiar interior design of the LS6 SUV is apparent. The appearance of the “puffy” dashboard may take some time to get used to. POPO seats are ventilated without massaging.
The large liftback sedan measures 4931/1960/1474 mm and has a wheelbase of 2950 mm, providing lots of leg room for the rear passengers. The rear seats offer good leg support with manually adjustable back support. It has a large panoramic roof.
The IM L6 is a technological marvel equipped with cutting-edge features such as Nvidia Orin X, Qualcomm 8295, and LiDAR. We had the pleasure of testing the innovative multi-angle Carlog, which uses built-in cameras for in-car Vlog recording, and the City Drive, which provides local content on the car display. These features, while fun to have, also add a touch of practicality to your driving experience.
Surprisingly, the self-developed 21-speaker car stereo system was very analytical, with punchy bass.
Storage
The IM L6 has a small trunk that fits the charging cables. It has a large boot with a 457-liter capacity and the versatility of a liftback sedan. 60/40 split fold-down rear seats provide more expandability while carrying oversized luggage.
Behind the Wheel
The driver’s seat was snug and comfortable. While my eyes could see the instrument cluster clearly above the Tesla yoke-like steering wheel, my left hand unintentionally reached the 10 o’clock position of the steering wheel only to find nothing to hold on to. “The steering is too light,” I said after getting used to the yoke steering wheel. “Let me adjust it for you,” the IM representative replied. After a few moments, the steering wheel felt much firmer.
The IM L6’s driving dynamics remind me of an American sports saloon. It offers effortless acceleration and a sense of prestige. Since SIAC and GM have been partners since 1997, the SAIC-produced IM vehicle is bound to be influenced.
I found the ride quality from the chassis is more refined in sports mode than in comfort mode. The new car features VMC (Vehicle Motion Control) smart digital chassis technology, rear-wheel steering, intelligent electronic damping, and ICS gimbal control to minimize body roll. This translates to a fun-to-drive mid-plus-size liftback sedan. The IM L6 shines when making a hairpin turn with its 4WS, allowing it to be handled like a Mini Cooper instead of a 4.93-meter-long car. Please note: IM L6’s turning radius is 4.99 meters, while the turning radius for the Mini Cooper is 5.3 meters.
During the test drive, we encountered heavy rain. The IM L6 handled the road confidently like it was on dry roads. The IM rep switched on the “night rain mode.” The cameras below the side mirrors become digital side mirrors, with images clearly displayed on the instrument cluster’s LCD when making lane changes.
The rear motor generates 300 kW and 500 N-m and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. This enables the driver to overtake any vehicle effortlessly.
Since the IM L6 memorizes your route with its radars and cameras, you can use the automated feature to back out of a dead-end stress-free. However, testing the NOA at the traffic lights was disappointing. As the traffic lights turned green, the IM L6 couldn’t decide what to do, just like a driver with a new learner’s permit, resulting in many cars honking at us. Hopefully, this can be fixed with an OTA update.
We returned to the shopping mall’s parking lot to test the auto parking system. At a complete stop, we selected the difficult parking space. In seconds, the IM L6 was parked.
Battery Range
According to IM, the L6 Max Long Range (RWD) has a range of 850 km (CLTC) and a battery capacity of 100 kWh. In the real world, this translates to roughly 680 km on a single charge.
Safety Features
Vehicle motion control system: The IM L6 range’s lizard digital chassis manages the car’s movement in three axes, offering six degrees of freedom. It helps the car stay level with the road during cornering, improving stability and enabling higher-speed maneuvers.
Four-wheel steering: enhances flexibility and enables a tight turning radius of 4.99 meters. This system also reduces the space required for parallel parking by 11%.
ICS gimbal control: eliminates rolling and nodding during intense braking, improving passenger comfort. Furthermore, its high-speed emergency obstacle avoidance system reacts 30% faster than a standard ESP system while deviating 80% less.
Conclusion
While the interior of the IM L6 may not be as luxurious as the Zeekr 007 or as sporty as the Xiaomi SU7 on the road, I found myself consistently smiling from the pleasure experience during this test drive.
IM Motors is a collaboration of SAIC Motor Corporation Group, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, and Alibaba Group. So, finding cutting-edge technology in this car should come as no surprise. While many may still argue that ICE cars are more enjoyable, the combination of these new technologies makes the IM L6 so much fun to drive.
The IM rep mentioned that the semi-solid state battery version will be available later this year, limited to only 1000 units. Opting for the IM L6 Max Long Range will be a wiser choice. Not only is it cheaper by 71,000 Yuan (10,000 USD), but there is also no need to wait months for the new car to arrive.
Updated: 30 May, 2024

 

[Yommie]

Neta L electric SUV with CATL Shenxing battery starts pre-sale at 19,700 USD

The Neta L has a 510 km cruising range.

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Neta L electric SUV with CATL Shenxing battery starts pre-sale at 19,700 USD​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dong Yi Chen

May 26, 2024


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On May 26, Neta opened its Neta L pure electric SUV for pre-sale, available in three trims for consumers to choose from, starting at 140,000 yuan (19,700 USD). The official launch will be in late June and delivery will start in July.

Earlier, four trims of the Neta L EREV version were launched on April 22, with a price range of 129,900 – 159,900 yuan (18,300 – 22,500 USD).
The Neta L is a medium-sized five-seater SUV built based on Neta’s Shanhai 2.0 platform and has dimensions of 4770/1900/1660 mm and a 2810 mm wheelbase. Its standard trunk space is 583 L, which can be expanded to 1,434 L with the rear seats folded down.

In the front, the headlights and triangular opening on both sides form an X-shaped with a closed face and a lower section decorated with dot matrix elements.
The Neta L’s advanced driving assistance functions are powered by two Horizon Robotics Journey 3 smart driving chips, realizing capabilities such as blind spot monitoring, autonomous parking assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Power comes from a 170 kW (228 hp)/310 Nm electric motor and CATL’s 68 kWh Shenxing battery packs, providing a CLTC range of 510 km. The top speed is 180 km/h and the fastest 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time is 7.6 seconds. Under fast charging, it takes 21 minutes to replenish the battery from 10% to 80%; and charging for 10 minutes can increase the battery life by 180 km.

The interior is provided in two colors: orange and white. There are two 15.6-inch dual screens, integrating the central control screen and the co-pilot entertainment screen, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip.
The cockpit also features a built-in refrigerator with a cooling range of -6℃ to 6℃ – which Neta claims is the only refrigerator in its class that can freeze ice cream, and zero-gravity seats with 8-point seat massage, ventilation, and heating.
Other configurations include 16 speakers, headrest audio, small foldable tables for the rear passengers, wireless fast charging for mobile phones, and an AI assistant.
Source: Neta, Sohu, DongCheDi, Auto Zol

 

[Yommie]

Geely Icon Butterfly entered market starting at 13,400 in China

Power comes from a 133 kW (178 hp) 1.5T engine, mated to a 7-speed DCT.

carnewschina.com

Geely Icon Butterfly entered market starting at 13,400 in China​

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dong Yi Chen

May 26, 2024


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On May 25, Geely’s Icon Butterfly officially entered the market in China available in three trims with a price range of 96,900 – 116,900 yuan (13,400 – 16,100 USD), which is 13,000 yuan (1,800 USD) less than the 2023 models. As a facelift model, the Geely Icon Butterfly mainly undergone body color and configuration adjustments.

The appearance of the Geely Icon Butterfly follows the design of the previous model and added two new exterior colors of Fa Gray and Cai Pink on top of the existing colors of Diamond Gray, Fu White, and Sapphire Blue. The entire series also comes standard with a dual-color body and hidden door handles, which is unconventional for a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Positioned as a compact SUV, the Geely Icon Butterfly measures 4350/1815/1620 mm, and the wheelbase is 2640 mm.

The mid-end and high-end trims offer a level 2 advanced driving assistance system, including autonomous parking assist, remote parking assist, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and driver fatigue monitoring, realized via 12 radars.
The 1.7㎡ panoramic sunroof brings in plenty of natural light and the trunk comes with a ‘curtain’ that can cover objects or use as a projector. An electric tailgate is available with the high-end trim.
The cockpit remains consistent with the previous model, providing a D-shaped steering wheel, a 10.25-inch instrument panel, and a 12.3-inch central control screen, with a built-in Geely Galaxy OS cabin system, which supports multi-screen interaction, OTA updates, remote control through mobile apps, and AI voice assistant. At the same time, the car also comes with the Face Connect system which can start the vehicle through facial recognition.

Additionally, in-car WiFi, Huawei Hicar, and electronically adjustable leather seats are standard configurations.
Power comes from a 1.5T turbocharged engine model BHE15-EFZ, with maximum power and torque of 133 kW (178 hp) and 290 Nm, mated to a 7-speed DCT. The 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time is 7.9 seconds and the WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is 6.3L/100km.
Source: Geely, DongCheDi