China Auto Thread

[Yommie]

BYD’s Song L DM-i receives 20,000 orders in just 72 hours

Compared to the BYD Song Plus, the new Song L DM-i’s sleek design and features, such as hidden door handles, attract a younger demographic.

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BYD’s Song L DM-i receives 20,000 orders in just 72 hours​

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Adrian Leung

July 31, 2024


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The newly launched BYD Song L DM-i has generated significant buzz. Within the first 72 hours, BYD recorded an average of 8 to 10 new orders per dealership. With nearly 2,000 Destiny dealerships nationwide, this translates to approximately 20,000 new orders for the Song L DM-i.


The BYD Song L DM-i crossover is equipped with BYD’s fifth-gen DM-i plug-in hybrid system. It has a 1.5-liter engine with 74 kW and 126 Nm torque, paired with a 160 kW and 260 Nm electric motor. The engine, BYD472QC, has a thermal efficiency of 46.06% and debuted with the Qin L and Seal 06 DM-i models. The Song L DM-i offers battery options of 12.9 kWh, 18.3 kWh, and 26.6 kWh, providing electric ranges of 75 km, 112 km, and 160 km, respectively (CLTC cycle). Using NEDC calculations, fuel consumption is 3.88, 3.90, and 3.93 l/100 km. The comprehensive range reaches up to 1500 km.

The mid-size SUV measures 4780/1898/1670 mm and has a wheelbase of 2782 mm. Inside, the PHEV crossover offers a 2+3 seating layout. It is 5mm longer than the Song Plus (Seal U in Europe, Sea Lion 6 in Australia and New Zealand); see specs. The Song L DM-i features BYD’s Dragon Face design language, following the styling cues of the recently launched Qin L sedan.


The front end boasts a large blackened grille, representing a “dragon’s mouth,” complemented by thin LED lights and a trapeze-shaped air intake. The wheel arches have plastic trim, adding sturdiness, and other notable features include retractable door handles and tinted rear windows. The rear design incorporates BYD’s signature taillight unit with an integrated Chinese knot pattern, a roof spoiler, and an independent rear suspension.

On July 25, BYD launched the Song L DM-i alongside an updated version of the Song Plus DM-i (see specs). Both models use the same fifth-generation PHEV system and offer five versions, ranging from 135,800 to 175,800 yuan (18,800 – 24,300 USD). The Song L stands out as a new entry, filling the gap between the Song Pro DM-i (see specs) and Tang DM-i (see specs) in the Dynasty range.

Customer preferences reveal that 40% opted for the 112 Leading version at 145,800 yuan (20,150 USD), 20% chose the 112 Transcendent version at 155,800 yuan (21,550 USD), and another 20% selected the 160 Transcendent version at 165,800 yuan (22,950 USD). Compared to the Song Plus, the Song L DM-i’s sleek design and features, such as hidden door handles, attract a younger demographic. The introduction of the Song L DM-i aims to carve out its niche in the competitive new energy vehicle market, building on the success of the Song Plus, which has sold over a million units.


Editor’s note:

When BYD initially unveiled the DM 5.0 technology, it simultaneously introduced two models: the Qin L and the Seal 06 DM-i. While the two vehicles share fundamental similarities, both models are tuned differently. The Seal 06 DM-i (see test report) has firmer suspensions to offer a sportier ride, while the Qin L is tuned for a softer and more comfortable ride. Since BYD Song L DM-i is sold under the Destiny umbrella, we expect it to be tuned for a softer and more comfortable ride like the Qin L.

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng announces AI Dimensity XOS 5.2.0 OTA on July 30 with significant upgrade to XNGP

Xpeng's AI intelligent driving technology conference announces an immediate major upgrade to the capability of cars.

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Xpeng announces AI Dimensity XOS 5.2.0 OTA on July 30 with significant upgrade to XNGP​

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Mark Andrews

July 30, 2024


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Xpeng, on the evening of July 30, held an AI intelligent driving technology conference. The main announcement was the launch of Xpeng’s AI Dimensity XOS 5.2.0, which will begin being pushed to Chinese users on July 30 and for users in another 10 countries, including Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France on August 15. The update includes 72 new functions and 412 optimized functions. These range from intelligent driving to changes to the intelligent cockpit, including better interconnection with Apple phones.


Probably most noteworthy are the changes to XNGP. Speaking at the conference, He Xiaopeng said that Xpeng’s large end-to-end model has accelerated the progress of Xpeng’s intelligent driving. Xpeng has invested 3.5 billion yuan (483 million USD) in AI training, including computing power and labor. This, He claims, has allowed Xpeng to accelerate its intelligent driving program, meaning a new version iteration every two days, an experience upgrade every two weeks, five full updates in 70 days, and 35 iterations.

The upgrade of XNGP however is not just based on AI, it has accumulated 7.56 million kilometers of real vehicle testing and has covered 2,595 cities across the country. As we have previously reported, XNGP works on a blacklist system rather than a whitelist system meaning that all roads are possible unless they are blacklisted for a reason, such as being in a sensitive area.


He Xiaopeng talking about the evolution of AI
With the upgrade, XNGP will be opened nationwide and will be easy to use across the country. New features include a 100-meter tracking reverse. This is for when the car enters a section that is blocked and has to reverse out. A 2.0 Parking function allows the driver to exit the car, and the car will park itself.

XNGP no longer relies on high-precision maps and can be used nationwide and reduces the frequency of heavy breaking and false speed reduction and situations such as optimizing route selection, detours, and obstacle avoidance. Smart driving systems commonly have issues in cities with two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians and how to avoid them when there is a line dictating that you cannot go into another lane. The new system can complete overtaking maneuvers with the help of the opposite lane in certain scenarios, improving the usability of XNGP and meaning that the car will not come to a stop and will demand intervention from the driver. Roundabout ability has also been improved, and the system supports driving in and out of the roundabout and switching lanes within the roundabout. Furthermore, if there is a traffic light within the roundabout, the car can stop or start according to the directions of the light.

He Xiaopeng emphasized that the buyers of Xpeng cars were not guinea pigs and that the system was safe and had been properly tested. He also said that there will be an additional OTA before the end of the year, which will further increase the capability of XNGP, allowing features such as being able to pass through ETC turnstiles automatically and opening up internal roads in places such as university campuses. XNGP is available on Max models of the G6, G9, P7i, and X9 cars.

Cockpit changes​

AI Dimensity XOS 5.2.0 allows Siri to control elements of the car, such as the sentry mode and fast cooling, and opens up the Apple ecosystem. When listening to a song on a mobile phone, the vehicle will automatically recognize the song you’re listening to and continue to play it once you enter the car.

The update also brings various personalization options for how information is displayed. Xpeng says 80 new gauges are available with the vehicle’s OTA. There is also a new immersive map with two modes: navigation and cruising.

The driving mode can be personalized to a far greater extent, setting the feel of the steering, energy recuperation, brake pedal, and suspension settings to suit the needs of the individual.

The Xpeng AI Dimensity system 5.2.0 will initially be pushed to the X9, G6, G9, and Pi models before later being pushed to the P5, G3, and G3i models.

Other announcements​

He Xiaopeng made several other announcements at the evening’s event. The Mona M03 will start arriving in Xpeng stores on August 1, and the price will be announced later in August at the launch event. The new Xpeng S5 ultra-fast charging station can add up to one kilometer of range in one second, and He outlined the company’s plans for rolling the supercharger stations out across the country.

Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

Artwork shows Jiyue 07 interior ahead of the launch of Baidu backed brand’s second car

Official artwork shows the interior of the Jiyue 07 as it gets ready to launch soon. The 07 is the second car from the Geely Baidu JV.

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Artwork shows Jiyue 07 interior ahead of the launch of Baidu backed brand’s second car​

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Mark Andrews

July 30, 2024


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Recently released artwork unveils the interior of the forthcoming Jiyue 07 sedan. Jiyue is a brand created by Baidu with Geely and was at one point known as Jidu Auto. The brand is 65% owned by Geely and currently only has one model on sale, the 01 SUV, but this will be joined later this year by the 07 sedan.


The two most attention-grabbing features from the design drawings are the yoke-type steering wheel and the large screen, which dominates much of the dashboard’s width.

Labeled as Odyssey Remote, the diagram for the yoke shows that it has two buttons mounted on it, which provide controls over various functions. The overall look of the yoke is quite similar to that seen in the Tesla Model S Plaid car.


Stretching from the center line of the yoke to the equivalent on the passenger’s side is a 35.6-inch 6K through time large screen. Although Autohome describes it as a triple screen, these divisions are more virtual than physical, and it is a 35.6-inch single screen. Obviously, the portion closest to the driver displays driving-related information. The midsection is mainly focused on infotainment, whereas the side in front of the passenger Is likely to be dedicated to entertainment. With the Jiyue 01 having a near identical screen set up we can expect that a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip will also power the 07 screen. Reportedly, the screen can realize full-screen, dual-screen, or triple-screen display.

From the design drawings and a previous spy shot of the interior, it seems that there is no head-up display. Control of car functions is available via the SIMO AI voice interaction system, which has a recognition speed as fast as 500 ms. The car comes with Baidu’s Apollo intelligent driving system.

From the design drawings, we can see that the general design of the dashboard has a clean wrap-around feel. There are no stalk-mounted drive selectors, and it seems that drive selection is from either the touch screen or via some backup buttons below the dual wireless mobile phone charging pads. The drawings show that there will be speakers that rise from the dashboard. Meanwhile, the sports seats seem very similar to those in the Jiyue 01. Rear passengers get a control screen mounted on the back of the center console, which appears to control Items such as the climate and the entertainment system.


From the beginning of this month, the car began to reach dealers, indicating a launch cannot be far off. The Jiyue 07 (see specs) measures 4953, 1989, and 1475 mm (l/w/h), and the wheelbase is 3013 mm. Notably, the drag coefficient is a very slippery Cd 0.198. The curb weight is 2175 kg or 2320 kg, depending on specifications. Being a Geely product and an EV, it is not surprising that the car uses the SEA platform.

The Jiyue 07 adds to a growing list of electric sedans that are actually hatchbacks. Frank Wu, head of Jiyue Design, describes the Jiyue 07 as a “fusion of pure sexy design and cutting-edge intelligent technology.” In a much-needed boost for the brand, the design received the iF Design Award 2023 and was also the Red Dot 2023 car design winner.

Both single and dual-motor versions are available. The single-motor version uses a 200 kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle, while the dual-motor version simply doubles up the motors with an additional 200 kW on the front axle. For the base model it uses a 71.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery which gives a 660 km CLTC range. Higher spec versions use a 100 kWh ternary lithium (NMC) battery, which in single motor versions gives an 880 km range, whereas with the all-wheel drive version, this drops to 770 km using the CLTC Testing cycle.

Prices are expected to start around 200,000 yuan (27,500 USD). The brand will hope that the 07 will help lift sales. So far, the Jiyue 01, which went on sale in October 2023, has performed poorly; sales in the first half of this year were 2700.

Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

Lynk & Co Z20 EV spotted in Europe ahead of launch later this year

The forthcoming second all-electric car from Lynk & Co spotted in Europe. The Z20 SUV should launch there later this year.

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Lynk & Co Z20 EV spotted in Europe ahead of launch later this year​

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Mark Andrews

July 30, 2024


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Lynk & Co’s second all-electric car, believed to be called the Z20, has been spotted again – this time in Europe. Code named E335 and based on the SEA platform, the car has been spotted camouflaged in Europe, indicating that the new car is designed as a global car and will be sold simultaneously in China and Europe.


The car is likely to be similar in size to the Zeekr X and is also more of a crossover than an SUV with very hatchback-like lines. Although the car has been spotted uncamouflaged, those shots have only been of the rear. If the renderings from Sugar Design on the Chinese Internet are to be believed, then the front has the latest Lynk & Co light clusters, but otherwise, the car looks quite similar to the Zeekr X from the front angle.

Rendering of what the Lynk & Co Z20 might look like from the front as done by Sugar Design
The camouflaged car shows lights similar to those of the Lynk & Co Z10. From previous uncamouflaged shots, we know that the car has semi-concealed door handles and that the window line sharply kicks back up to the C-pillar. At the rear, a housing integrates both the spoiler and the rear through light-type lights, which are very distinctive.


Both the spotted test cars in Europe carry UK number plates. An investigation of those plates with the DVLA indicates that the cars were registered on July 17 with the vehicle maker noted as Zhejiang Geely. Under the camouflage, one car is white, and the other is blue, according to registration information. Although the cars might be registered in the UK, it looks like at least one of them is left-hand drive.

The Z20 uses the same SEA2 platform as the Zeekr X and cars such as the Smart #1 and Smart #3. For reference, the Zeekr X (see specs) has dimensions of 4450, 1836, 1572 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 2750 mm. It seems, however, that the Lynk & Co Z20 is perhaps slightly bigger than the Zeekr.

A previously published interior spy shot reveals the car has a flat-bottomed steering wheel, dual wireless mobile phone charging pads, and square tandem drink holders. Also visible is a floating entertainment screen. Drive selection is by way of a steering column-mounted stalk.


We can expect the powertrain of the Lynk & Co Z20 to be the same as the Zeekr X. This means that single-motor versions use a 200 kW electric motor on the rear axle while dual-motor versions add a 115 kW electric motor to the front axle. This arrangement in the Zeekr X leads to 0- 100 km/h acceleration times of 5.8 seconds and 3.7 seconds, respectively, and we can expect similar times in the new Z20 car. If Geely goes the whole hog with copying the powertrain, then the Z20 will come with a 66 kWh battery pack, which in the Zeekr X gives a range of up to 560 km in single motor versions and 512 km for the dual motor.

Alain Visser, former CEO of Lynk & Co International, said in 2023 that the company would bring an EV to Europe in 2024. We can, therefore, expect the Z20 to launch in the European market later this year. Currently, Lynk & Co only sells the 01 PHEV in Europe.

Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

China EV registrations in W30: Xiaomi 3,900, Nio 5,400, Tesla 13,500, BYD 70,600

Xiaomi up 160%, Nio 20% up, Tesla 30% up, and BYD 5% up.

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China EV registrations in W30: Xiaomi 3,900, Nio 5,400, Tesla 13,500, BYD 70,600​

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Jiri Opletal

July 30, 2024


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In the last week of July, the Chinese EV market was heavily up, with Stellantis-backed Leapmotor and Deepal being exceptions. Xiaomi insurance registrations were 160% up compared with the week before, Nio was about 20% up, Tesla 30% up, and BYD 5% up.


The week 30 (W30) was between July 22 – 28. The week 30 of the previous year used for comparison was between July 24 – 30, 2023.

The weekly sales are published by Li Auto, and despite Li’s not explicitly saying it, they are based on insurance registration data. The numbers are rounded and present new energy vehicles (NEV) sales, the Chinese term for BEVs, PHEVs, and EREVs (range extenders). To be completely precise, it also includes hydrogen vehicles (FCEVs), but their sales are almost non-existent in China. The data only shows passenger vehicles (PVs).


Many automakers are not happy about it, as it shows independent data about how many cars received insurance registration that week in China, providing additional metrics to the self-reported monthly sales data that automakers publish themselves following the audit.

Overall data​

446,000 cars were insured in China in week 30, down 4.1% from the previous year, but 11.5% up from the previous month.

Of it, a record-breaking 213,000 cars were electric vehicles, 34.8% up from the previous year and a 9.2% increase from the previous month. It is the first time weekly registrations of NEV broke 210,000 units.


ICE vehicle insurances were down 24.1% from the previous year to 233,000 units in the last week of July.

The electric vehicle penetration rate was 47.76%, up 13.8% from last year. In the first four weeks of July, the average EV penetration rate was 49.2%.

Brands​

BYD was first, with 70,600 vehicle registrations, up 5.85% from 66,700 units the week before and 45,87% from 48,400 units in the same week last year. In the first four weeks of July, between July 1 and 28, BYD registered 257,900 electric cars in China.


Tesla followed with 13,500 vehicle registrations, showing a significant increase of 28.57% from the previous week’s 10,500 units, and a 27.36% rise from the 10,600 units registered in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Tesla registered 41,900 electric cars in China.


Li Auto recorded 12,800 vehicle registrations, marking a 17.43% increase from the 10,900 units registered the previous week, and a substantial 62.03% rise from the 7,900 units in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Li Auto’s registrations totaled 43,000.

Huawei’s Aito registered 10,500 vehicles, an increase of 12.90% from 9,300 units last week, and a massive 854.55% jump from just 1,100 units in the same period last year. Over the first four weeks of July, the total registrations amounted to 37,100.

Wuling saw registrations of 9,900 vehicles, up 16.47% from 8,500 units the week prior. Over the first four weeks of July, Wuling’s total registrations were 32,900.

GAC Aion reported 7,200 registrations, a 4.35% increase from 6,900 units last week. Over the first four weeks of July, GAC Aion registered 28,000 vehicles.

Nio had 5,400 vehicle registrations, up 17.39% from 4,600 units the previous week and exactly the same as 5,400 units registered in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Nio’s registrations totaled 18,700.


Leapmotor registered 4,700 vehicles, a decrease of 4.08% from 4,900 units the previous week. Compared to 3,300 units in the same week last year, this is an increase of 42.42%. Over the first four weeks of July, total registrations for Leapmotor were 17,900.

Volkswagen saw registrations of 4,300 electric vehicles, which is a 13.16% increase from 3,800 units the week before.

Xiaomi had an impressive increase in registrations to 3,900 vehicles, a significant 160% jump from just 1,500 units last week. Over the first four weeks of July, Xiaomi’s total registrations amounted to 11,400.


Zeekr reported 3,300 vehicle registrations, a 10% increase from 3,000 units last week, and a 13.79% rise from 2,900 units in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, total registrations for Zeekr were 13,400.

Deepal registered 2,800 vehicles, down 22.22% from 3,600 units last week, and a decrease of 20% from 3,500 units in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Deepal’s registrations totaled 13,100.

Xpeng had 2,400 vehicle registrations, an increase of 26.32% from 1,900 units last week but a decrease of 36.84% from 3,800 units in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Xpeng’s total registrations were 7,800.

BYD’s Denza reported 2,200 registrations, up 4.76% from 2,100 units last week and a 12% decrease from 2,500 units in the same week last year. Over the first four weeks of July, Denza’s total registrations were 7,900.

 

[Yommie]

BYD produces it’s 1,000,000th BYD Song Plus

BYD officially announced the production of their 1,000,000th BYD Song Plus. The Song Plus achieves this milestone in just three years.

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BYD produces it’s 1,000,000th BYD Song Plus​

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Lawrence Ho

July 30, 2024


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On July 29, BYD officially announced the production of their 1,000,000th BYD Song Plus new energy series. The BYD Song Plus New Energy line is composed of the all-electric and hybrid (DM-i) versions of the BYD Song Plus. It sells in Europe under Seal U name.


The Song Plus new energy series had exceeded 1 million in sales in just over three years since its launch, becoming China’s first new energy SUV to reach this milestone.

More on the BYD Song Plus​

The BYD Song Plus was originally introduced in 2020 as a compact SUV positioned below the BYD Tang. The vehicle was initially only available with an internal combustion engine. The plug-in hybrid version (Song Plus DM-i) and pure-electric version (Song Plus EV) both went on sale in early 2021 in China. The petrol Song Plus was soon discontinued in 2022 following BYD’s commitment to focus purely on new energy vehicles.


BYD revamped the Song Plus line with the Champion Edition that went on sale last year. The 2023 facelift replaces the Song (宋) emblem with a standard BYD logo and adopts a closed grille, aligning it with BYD’s Ocean series.

On July 25th, BYD launched its 2025 Song Plus DM-i featuring BYD’s fifth generation DM powertrain technology. Externally there is little difference between the new version and last years version. With the new powertrain, however, the vehicle can achieve up to a combined range of 1,500 km using only 3.9 liters of fuel per 100 km. This is compared to the previous generation of Song Plus with DM 4.0 powertrain that had a fuel consumption of 4.5L/100 km and a combined range of 1200 km, marking a 25% range increase.

The 2025 refresh is powered by the same 18.3 kWh and 26.6 kWh Blade batteries as the current model. They correspond to pure electric ranges of 112 km, and 160 km respectively, using the CLTC measurements. Dimensions remain unchanged at 4775/1890/1670 mm, with a wheelbase of 2765 mm.


The Song Plus has been one of the most successful BYD lines and is currently being produced in China (Xi’an) and overseas in Uzbekistan. BYD has introduced the Song Plus EV in Europe in 2023 and the plug-in hybrid model later in 2024. The company launched the plug-in hybrid model in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines this year. The plug-in and pure-electric models have sold a combined total of 224,656 in the first half 2024.

Sources: MyDrivers, Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Deepal L07 interior official pictures, yes it is different to the SL03

Deepal releases official interior pictures of the L07. The overall layout is similar to the new Deepal S07. The car should launch soon.

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Deepal L07 interior official pictures, yes it is different to the SL03​

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Mark Andrews

July 29, 2024


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Deepal has just released official interior pictures of the L07 sedan. Despite looking very similar to the existing SL03 sedan, the cars are, in fact, different positioning-wise. The L07 focuses on intelligent technology while the SL03 focuses on sports technology, and the two cars will be sold alongside each other. It should be noted that the L07 is larger than the SL03 in terms of length, with a 55 mm difference.


Inside, the differences between the L07 and SL03 are far more noticeable. The new car adopts a similar design language to the Deepal S07. Most noticeable is the switch to having an information system solely based on a 15.6-inch infotainment screen and an augmented reality head-up display; the SL03 has an additional LCD instrument panel. In a departure from previous Deepal models, the L07 has a three-spoke steering rail rather than a two-spoke wheel.

Where the center console meets the dashboard, there is a fragrance dispenser, which is in front of a dual wireless mobile phone charging pad and a pair of drink holders. Buyers have a choice from two interior color combinations: black with a reddish brown hue and black with a beige hue.


Reports indicate that the Deepal L07 is the product of deep cooperation between the Changan-owned Deepal brand and Huawei. This no doubt goes some way to explaining the intelligent technology positioning for the L07, but unfortunately, at the moment, no further details are available. The car will likely come with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS SE, a vision-based smart driving system that debuted on the Deepal S07.

Externally, the Deepal L07 is very similar in looks to the SL03. Available as both an extended-range EV and all-electric, there is no external differentiation between the two. The L07 measures 4875, 1890, and 1480 mm, and its wheelbase is 2900 mm. For reference, the SL03 is 4820, 1890, and 1480 mm with a 2900 mm wheelbase.

The all-electric version is equipped with a 185 kW electric motor. In the range-extended version, a 1.5-liter engine with a maximum output of 72 kW provides charging, while a smaller electric motor of 160 kW provides the actual power to the wheels.


Although there is no known date yet for the launch of the new model, it will definitely be this year and likely within the next few months.

Editor’s note:​

This article Is about the car known in China as the L07. Confusingly the SL03 in the Thai market is known as the L07.

Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao slashes Bao 5 price by 17.25%, starts new phase of price war

BYD's Bao 5, a Guinness World Record holder, has pricing slashed after sales slump.

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BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao slashes Bao 5 price by 17.25%, starts new phase of price war​

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Adrian Leung

July 29, 2024


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As BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao plans its new strategy to target mainstream car buyers, the price of the Bao 5 (see specs) has been slashed. It is now priced from 239,800 to 302,800 yuan (33,000 to 41,700 USD). Previously, it had a starting price of 289,800 yuan ($39,900 USD), a price reduction of 17.25%.


The Bao 5 (Leopard 5) is an innovative plug-in hybrid SUV that redefines the luxury off-road segment. Monthly sales of the Boa 5 have dropped from 5,000 units in January to around 2,000 units in April. Since its launch in August last year, more than 25,000 units of Bao 5 have been sold.

Under the hood, the Bao 5 impresses with a 1.5L turbo engine paired with dual electric motors, offering a combined output of 505 kW and 760 Nm of torque. This powertrain allows the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a swift 4.8 seconds, making it a formidable presence both on and off the road.


The Bao 5’s dimensions—4890 mm in length, 1970 mm in width, and 1920 mm in height, with a 2800 mm wheelbase—provide ample space and a robust stance. Its off-road capabilities are bolstered by approach and departure angles of 35 and 32 degrees and a ground clearance of up to 310 mm with the Disus-P version.

Inside, the Bao 5 combines cutting-edge technology with practical design. The cabin features three large screens: two 12.3-inch instrument panels and a 15.6-inch central control screen. Unlike other BYD models, the Bao 5 also includes numerous physical buttons, enhancing user convenience.

The 31.8 kWh LFP Blade battery supports 100 kW DC fast charging, allowing a 30% to 80% charge in just 16 minutes. The SUV offers a combined range of 1,200 km under the CLTC standard, supported by features like 6 kW external discharge and V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) charging.


Fang Cheng Bao plans to launch the Bao 8 SUV PHEV and the Bao 3 all-electric SUV starting in Q4, followed by 2 to 3 all-electric sports cars in 2025. The Bao 5 has already set a Guinness World Record for the highest altitude a plug-in hybrid vehicle reached, reaching 5,980 meters. As the price war continues, the Bao 5 is now priced to rival Tank 300, 400 and Li Auto L6.

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng to sell a robotaxi in 2026, and the company’s self-driving vision

Xpeng CEO recently outlined his vision of self driving and talked about Xpeng's plans to enter the robotaxi market in 2026.

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Xpeng to sell a robotaxi in 2026, and the company’s self-driving vision​

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Mark Andrews

July 29, 2024


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Xpeng plans to launch a robotaxi in 2026. While the plans are similar in many ways to those of Tesla, there is at least one fundamental difference: Unlike Tesla, Xpeng will not operate the taxis itself.


Recently He Xiaopeng, the CEO of Xpeng, has been talking about both the robotaxi plans and his vision of self-driving cars.

Xpeng has positioned itself as one of the leaders in smart driving technology within China. The company was the first to mass produce a model fitted with Lidar, the P5. Since then, all Xpeng models have been equipped with Lidar. However, this now appears to be changing. Leaked details of the Mona M03 say the top-of-the-line Max version will not have Lidar and will purely use a vision-based system for its XNGP smart driving capability, while still using dual Nvidia Orin X chips with 508 TOPS computing power. Similarly, it is believed that the forthcoming Xpeng P7+ will also abandon using Lidar.


Weibo tweet from Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng talking about self-driving and Xpeng’s robotaxi plans
In June, He visited the US and filmed himself testing the Tesla FSD system. He noted that the current Tesla FSD system has made a qualitative leap from previous Tesla self-driving capabilities, going as far as saying that they were completely different systems. The system uses end-to-end neural network algorithms and no longer relies entirely on map data.

He believes that such an approach using end-to-end technology works well with L2 or L3 autonomous driving but is unsuitable for L4, where he believes that the end-to-end technology path must be coupled with large model data.

Xpeng P7+ (left) Mona M03 (right)
This shows the likely path that Xpeng will be taking for its robotaxi product, which it plans to launch in 2026. We can also assume, given that the company appears to be abandoning Lidar, that the robotaxi will also take a purely vision-based approach, which will likely help bring down costs. Xpeng will focus on the development and manufacturing of robotaxis rather than their operations. The company will work with partners to promote and develop the self-driving taxi market. Given the previous cooperation with Didi, this company will likely be one of the partners Xpeng is cooperating with.


He notes that the field is experiencing rapid progress and that in about two years, the robotaxi industry will reach an inflection point with rapid adoption and commercialization. Before that, however, issues related to technical capabilities, laws and regulations, and business operations need to be resolved.

It should be noted that Baidu currently has the largest fleet of robotaxis in operation in China and that its new RT6 vehicle costs have decreased considerably from the previous 5th generation robotaxi. Baidu claims that costs have halved and that the RT6 costs 206,400 yuan (28,350 USD). As we have previously covered, many are not happy about robotaxis including drivers who fear for their livelihood. Recently Li Bin, CEO of Nio, said that the company would not involve itself with the robotaxi market.

Sources: iFeng, Dongchedi

 

[Yommie]

Xiaomi won’t officially export for some years yet, much to the delight of parallel channels

Xiaomi plans to export but not yet. Meanwhile unofficial exports make large sums for dealers involved in the trade.

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Xiaomi won’t officially export for some years yet, much to the delight of parallel channels​

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Mark Andrews

July 29, 2024


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Recently pictures have emerged of the Xiaomi SU7 on the streets of Paris, France. It is there as part of Xiaomi’s special exhibition entitled “People, Cars and Homes Full Ecology” and, thanks to the Paris Olympics, is attracting attention from visitors from across the world. The appearance of the Xiaomi SU 7 (see specs) in Paris has led to a lot of speculation that Xiaomi was about to enter the European market. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s CEO, responded in a live broadcast, saying that Xiaomi would strive to sell cars in Europe before 2030. However, while Xiaomi might not officially be selling the SU7 overseas, that has not stopped gray channels in various countries across the world where dealers can make large profits due to the interest in the Xiaomi car.


Lei Jun said in his broadcast that regarding the car business, “We’re aiming for the top five in the world, so we’re going global when the time is right.” In the first quarter of 2024, overseas revenue accounted for more than 50% of the total, of which smartphone sales were more than 70%.

In a sign that Xiaomi SU7 mania is a global phenomenon, the car has been attracting a large amount of attention in the display at the Pompidou Museum Block in Paris. The car made it overseas debut earlier this year at MWC 2024, a mobile systems industry event, held in Barcelona. Spain.


While Xiaomi might not officially export the Xiaomi SU7, that has not stopped parallel export companies from spotting a good business opportunity and making big profits.

A week ago, we reported that second-hand the Xiaomi SU7 could fetch more than the price paid new. With parallel exports, dealers are buying the car and then exporting it as a second-hand car. Profits are reported to range between 10,000 and even as much as 60,000 yuan (1400 – 8250 USD) per car.

Russia accounts for about 50% of the export market, while the Middle East accounts for another 30%.


Through various optimizations of the factory Xiaomi has managed to increase production and thereby shorten waiting times which are now said to be a maximum of 5 weeks after locking in the order. During June Xiaomi delivered over 10,000 cars for the first time. Furthermore, the annual delivery target of 100,000 cars is expected to be reached in November.

Sources: Autohome, Fast Technology

 

[Yommie]

BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao to launch new models starting Q4 for broader appeal

Fang Cheng Bao expands dealership network to address market gBYD's aps

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BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao to launch new models starting Q4 for broader appeal​

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Adrian Leung

July 29, 2024


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Fang Cheng Bao, a BYD subsidiary specializing in personalized vehicles, has capitalized on a surge in demand for rugged, boxy cars, spurred by a rise in outdoor and leisure activities such as camping, driving a rapid expansion in the off-road vehicle market. Since its launch on August 16 last year, sales have surpassed 25,000 units and an average vehicle price of around 330,000 yuan (45,450 USD); Fang Cheng Bao has swiftly established its presence and influence in the automotive industry.


Fang Cheng Bao is now preparing for a significant expansion. The brand’s upcoming strategy includes broadening its product line and pricing range. Currently executing a “2+X” product strategy, where “2” represents their off-road and sports car lines, and “X” denotes additional niche products, Fang Cheng Bao is poised to offer new SUVs and a sedan line based on their sports cars.

Leopard 5
In April, the brand unveiled three new models at its Spring Launch Event: the Leopard 8 (see specs), a flagship off-road SUV; the Super 3, an electric urban SUV; and the Super 9, a high-performance sports car. These additions reflect Fang Cheng Bao’s commitment to diversifying its offerings while maintaining its unique brand identity, which is characterized by distinct design and BYD’s advanced technology.


Super 9
General Manager Xiong Tianbo announced that Fang Cheng Bao will roll out these new models starting in the fourth quarter of this year. The brand’s focus on user engagement, innovative design, and aggressive pricing promises to strengthen its market presence and appeal to a broader range of consumers. Fang Cheng Bao plans to adjust its pricing to cover more mainstream buyers, focusing on vehicles costing around 200,000 yuan (27,600 USD).

Super 9
In addition to expanding its product range, Fang Cheng Bao is enhancing its dealership network. The brand has established nearly 200 direct-sale stores. Still, it has recognized the need for further coverage, especially in the Northwest regions of China, where its off-road products are quite popular. This move aims to address gaps in market coverage.

Leopard 3
As Fang Cheng Bao enters its next phase, it plans to release new products quarterly, reflecting a more dynamic approach to market demands. The brand’s rapid growth and strategic expansion underline its ambition to establish a more substantial presence in the off-road and urban vehicle segments.

 

[Yommie]

Xpeng Mona M03 interior leaked ahead of August launch

The interior along with other information such as battery capacity of the Xpeng Mona M03 has leaked before August launch.

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Xpeng Mona M03 interior leaked ahead of August launch​

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Mark Andrews

July 29, 2024


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Xpeng officially unveiled the Mona M03 on July 3. One of the most striking things about the event was how little new information there was; most of the information about the car had already been announced. One of the many things still not disclosed was the interior of the car. We now have spy shots of what the interior will look like ahead of the car’s launch in August.


From the spy shot, we can tell that the Mona M03 (see specs) has the simplest Xpeng interior to date. It is very much in line with the format first seen on the Tesla Model 3. The Mona M03 has a very uncluttered dashboard with what appears to be quite visible air vents. Dominating the dashboard is a centrally mounted floating infotainment screen, which, according to leaks, is 15.6 inches in size. This as in the Model 3 is the only source of information. Reports indicate it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip with 16 GB of RAM.

Previous Xpeng cars had a digital instrument display, but we can obviously see that the Mona M03 does not have this. Equally, Xpeng cars have been quite infamous for holding out from fitting head-up displays, and the Mona M03 seems to be no exception, with no projection housing for such a unit visible in the picture. The steering wheel has two simple scroll wheels for controls. As with previous Xpeng models, the drive selector stalk is mounted on the steering column, as with a Tesla.


In a departure from most car designs, the cup holders are actually in front of the wireless mobile phone charging pad. The drink holders also have a rather unusual shape, looking somewhat like the number 8 on its side. Also of note is that the wireless phone charging pad seems to be only for a single phone, although given the length of this pad, it might be possible to fit more than one phone in tandem. One of the few embellishments for the car seems to be the chrome surround for the center console area, and there also seems to be a similar surround of an air vent just below the infotainment screen. Previous reports, which correctly identified that the Mona M03 would only have a central infotainment screen and a two-spoke steering wheel, mentioned that there would also be a rear entertainment screen.

The Xpeng Mona M03 is a fastback sedan with dimensions of 4780, 1896, and 1445 mm (l/w/h), along with a wheelbase of 2815 mm. Xpeng claims the Mona M03 has the world’s lowest drag coefficient at Cd 0.194 for a mass-produced hatchback car. At launch, the car will come with a choice of 140 kW and 160 kW electric motors. Juice comes from lithium iron phosphate battery packs from BYD subsidiary FinDreams. Depending on capacity these give ranges of either 515 km or 620 km. Leaks indicate the battery capacities to be 51.8 kWh for what is believed to be called the Plus version and a larger 62.2 kWh battery in the Pro version. The Pro version has an Nvidia Orin N chip with 84 TOPS and supports highway NGP, according to the leaks. Meanwhile, the Max uses dual Orin X chips with 508 TOPS computing power for a purely visual smart driving system, as in the Tesla FSD system. Based on declared weights with the MIIT listings, the Plus should be either 1631 or 1661 kg, according to equipment level, while the Pro and Max versions are 1739 kg.

Recently, two new colors for the Xpeng Mona M03 have emerged: Dark Night Black and Galaxy Gray. Xpeng continues to release information in drips to maintain excitement ahead of the car’s launch next month. Leaked information claim prices start at 129,800 yuan (17,900 USD) for the Plus and range up to 159,800 yuan (22,000 USD) for the Max.


Source: Autohome

 

[Yommie]

Nio surpassed 2,500 battery swap stations milestone, with 98% in China

Nio operates over 2,500 battery swap stations globally. However, Europe still lags behind the domestic PSS network.

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Nio surpassed 2,500 battery swap stations milestone, with 98% in China​

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Denis Bobylev

July 29, 2024


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Nio surpassed 2,500 PSS globally

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Nio operates over 2,500 battery swap stations globally. William Li’s startup has 2454 power swap stations (PSS) in China and 51 in Europe. It brings the total number to 2505 swap stations as of today.


Nio 2,454th PSS in China
The company surpassed an important milestone on July 25 by installing the 2,449th PSS in the Middle Kingdom. However, this number proliferates. On July 29, Nio established the 2,454th battery swap station in China. With 51 stations in Europe, the total number is 2,505 PSS. It took Nio four years to install the first 1,000 PSS in July 2022. It added the second 1,000 swap stations in a year and three months. In the next nine months, the company added over 500 PSS.

Nio signed the cooperation agreement in 2023
Last year, Nio started to continuously invest in charging and battery-swapping infrastructure. In November, Nio signed the battery swap stations and charging infrastructure cooperation agreement with Changan and Geely. In January 2024, JAC and Chery became part of this alliance. In May, GAC also joined the cooperation agreement. In June, FAW Hongqi became the latest addition to this alliance. Nio also achieved interconnection with car brands like Hongqi, Deepal, Aion, Zeekr, Lotus, Cadillac, Buick, and Xpeng.


New GAC Aion V
Currently, neither of the mentioned car makers sells EVs compatible with Nio’s battery swap stations. However, GAC announced that the recently launched new Aion V crossover will get the variant with a swappable battery. It will support battery swap technology in Nio’s stations. So, GAC will become the first automaker to use PSS. Most likely, other members of the alliance will follow.

Nio’s 51th PSS in Europe opened on July 18 in Norway
Nio rapidly develops the battery swap station infrastructure in China. However, its business in Europe slowed down. The Chinese automaker operates 51 PSS there. It is an insignificant number. Nio planned to have 120 PSS in Europe by the year-end. Later, this goal was reiterated to 80 swap stations. Nio hasn’t achieved this goal even now. However, the Chinese automaker still makes efforts to develop PSS networks across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Nio’s 4-gen PSS
Previously, Nio unveiled the fourth-generation battery swap station. It has 23 batteries inside. As a result, its service capacity increased to 480 per day. It is equipped with four Nvidia Orin X chips and six LiDAR sensors.


Source: Nio

 

[Yommie]

Aito’s 400,000th vehicle rolled off production line

From January to June this year, Aito's cumulative sales volume was 182,098 vehicles.

carnewschina.com

 

[Yommie]

Deepal S05 SUV spied in China ahead of launch

The EV variant will offer a 510 km range while the EREV variant will offer 100 km and 155 km pure electric ranges.

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Deepal S05 SUV spied in China ahead of launch​

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Dong Yi Chen

July 28, 2024


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Recently, Changan’s Deepal S05 was spied on Chinese streets. The Deepal S05 will be available in both pure electric and range-extender variants and is expected to officially launch as early as September. Deepal is an electric vehicle brand under Changan.


Deepal S05 spy shots
The Deepal S05 runs on 18/20-inch aluminum alloy rims of various shapes. Design elements such as frameless doors, hidden door handles, slender headlights, and a closed front face are also present. Consumers can choose from a variety of colors such as white, black, blue, and gray.

Deepal S05 spy shots
The rear is equipped with through-type taillights, a luminous logo, and high-mounted brake lights. In addition, the car will also provide a panoramic sunroof and roof luggage racks.


Deepal S05 official images
The Deepal S05 measures 4620/1900/1600 mm and has a 2880 mm wheelbase, positioned as a compact SUV. It is smaller than the Deepal S07 (see spec here). Both the pure electric and range-extender variants were already declared by the Chinese MIIT. The pure electric variant is equipped with a 175 kW electric motor, matched with a 56.12 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, corresponding to a cruising range of 510 km. The curb weight is 1,720 kg.

The range-extender variant is equipped with a 72 kW 1.5L engine (JL469Q1) as the range extender and a 160 kW electric motor, paired with 17.08 kWh and 27.28 kWh battery packs, providing two pure electric ranges of 100 km and 155 km. The curb weight is 1,497 kg.

Deepal S05 interior spy shots
At this time, the official interior images have not been revealed. Referring to the previously exposed spy photos, the interior is expected to come with mainstream configurations such as a full LCD instrument panel, a large central control screen, a HUD, and a level 2 advanced driving assistance system.


Currently, Deepal has four models on sale, including the SL03/SL03i, G318, and S07. In the first half of this year, Deepal sold 83,858 vehicles, while its 2024 annual sales target is 280,000 vehicles as part of Changan’s 2024 annual sales target of 2.8 million. For reference, the other Changan brands’ sales targets are 250,000 vehicles for Changan Qiyuan and 90,000 vehicles for Avatr.

Source: AutoHome, DongCheDi