The cars that left an impression on us in 2023 are too many. Looking back on this year, which cars were the most popular, the most down-and-out, the best-selling, the most powerful, the most heavily discounted, the most invisible, and the most anticipated? Here are 7 models compiled by the editor, are these the ones you’re thinking of? The most powerful – Zhi Ji LS6
The Zhi Ji LS6 is the most powerful in the large SUV segment above 200,000 yuan (28100$). It is the most powerful and cost-effective product in its class. Cheaper models than the Zhi Ji LS6 are not as powerful, and there are not many models that are more powerful than it, and they do not have price advantages. The strength of the Zhi Ji LS6 is reflected in its interior and exterior, with a striking and stylish exterior design. Unlike many new energy vehicles known for their technological appeal, the Zhi Ji LS6 has a strong sports atmosphere and is very stylish and durable. Its internal strength is also excellent, with laser radar as standard across the range. The brand influence of the Tesla Model Y is stronger than that of the Zhi Ji LS6, but the price is higher. BYD is relatively weak in the SUV segment above 200,000 yuan (28100$), and the target audience for the Tang is clearly not the same as that of the Zhi Ji LS6. Other competing brands are not as well-known as Zhi Ji, and in terms of intelligent experience, high-speed overpasses, and NOA in cities, the Zhi Ji LS6 has a clear advantage. Most anticipated – Xiaomi SU7.
Although the Xiaomi SU7 has not yet been released, its attention is very high. Recently, I watched the Xiaomi Car Technology conference, and from Lei Jun’s speech, I felt that this car can be called the culmination of current automotive technology. However, from the consumer’s perspective, the most anticipated thing about it is the speculation about its price. Many people hope it will be less than 16.99 million yuan, while many others say that the price of this car model will definitely be over 20 million yuan, and some even think it may reach over 30 million yuan. However, I believe that there is a high probability that the price of the Xiaomi SU7 will fall below 200,000 yuan (28100$). Because for Xiaomi, if the first car doesn’t sell well, it means that the investment of hundreds of billions of yuan may be in vain. Even if it doesn’t make money, as long as it can recover some of the costs and sell well, that’s what Xiaomi wants. The first car may not make money, but it cannot be unpopular. The most popular – BYD Qin PLUS.
BYD’s sales in 2023 can be described as explosive, and the most representative model in the BYD brand is the BYD Qin PLUS. Currently, the Qin PLUS is the hottest and highest-selling A-class car, with cumulative sales exceeding 350,000 units. Its success is due to the balanced strength of the model itself and the price advantage. The cost control ability of BYD’s highly vertical and integrated industrial chain is stronger, and there is enough profit margin. Therefore, the price has dropped below 100,000 yuan (14050$) at the beginning of 2023, and by the end of the year, it has dropped to less than 90,000 yuan (12640$), making it a “hot cake.” The most down-and-out – Haval H6 Once brilliant, now Haval H6 is quite desolate. However, in terms of sales, Haval H6 is still among the best sellers, with an average monthly sales of around 15,000 units. But for this once “divine car,” the phenomenon of selling forty to fifty thousand units per month is now a far cry. The defeat of the Haval H6 also has a significant impact on Great Wall. But on the other hand, if the Haval H6 had not fallen, would Great Wall continue to rely on this car, and instead lose the momentum to accelerate the transition to the new energy vehicle track? The most ruthless price reduction – Citroen C6
In 2023, the biggest drop in sales was definitely not the Citroen C6, a luxury car that easily drops by tens of thousands of yuan. The Citroen C6 made the list because of its price drop, which sparked a nationwide price war in 2023 and caused a sensation across the country, with significant implications. One car certainly cannot save the precarious situation of French cars, which are on the brink of delisting, but it can at least increase the brand and model’s visibility and sales to some extent. The Citroen C6 has clearly achieved this. In the field of French mid-size sedans, the Citroen C6 is a representative product, leaning towards a business style and with a relatively grand design, without too much of the typical French car style. The key is the price, as the classic comment goes, “The C6, which costs over 200,000 yuan (28100$), is full of flaws, but the C6, which costs 120,000 yuan (16860$), turns all its flaws into advantages.” The best-selling – Tesla Model Y.
Multiple market institutions predict that global sales of pure electric vehicles will reach nearly 10 million units in 2023. When it comes to model sales, the Tesla Model Y has become the best-selling pure electric vehicle globally. Not only that, but the previously best-selling model globally has always been dominated by gasoline cars, but in 2023, the sales champion is very likely to be the pure electric car Tesla Model Y. The contribution of the Chinese market is definitely indispensable for the Tesla Model Y to outperform the Toyota Corolla. As for why the Tesla Model Y has achieved such success? I think it’s no more than three main reasons: first, it looks good, with a sporty feel and a smooth overall design that appeals to the vast majority of consumers. Of course, appearance is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Next is the ease of driving, as Tesla’s models are designed with the driver in mind. Lastly, it’s about intelligence, as the Tesla Model Y is very well balanced, and if FSD is further promoted and applied in China, it may further boost its sales. The most invisible – Faraday Future FF 91 2.0.
Faraday Future announced recently that it has delivered an FF 91 2.0 to Jim Gao, the Global Vice President of Intelligent Connected Application Platform. This marks the company’s delivery of 10 vehicles in 2023. Since the release of the FF 91 in 2016, Faraday Future has made several promises and commitments regarding deliveries, and last year they achieved some breakthroughs by delivering vehicles to foreign dignitaries and the company’s founder, Jia Yueting. However, it seems that these cars have not been able to land in China, just like Jia Yueting has been saying he will return to the country but hasn’t done so. Jia Yueting stated at the end of 2023 that it was a “milestone” year for the development of Faraday Future, and that “2024 will continue to move forward with determination, and fully accelerate the new chapter of the dual home court in China and the United States, and the third pole in the Middle East!” However, on December 28, 2023, Faraday Future received a notice from NASDAQ about delisting, as well as a notification that they do not meet the continued listing rules or standards.