At the beginning of the new year, the Xiaopeng X9 was launched on the first day of the new year, and it brought a final selling price lower than the pre-sale price, officially kicking off a new round of “opening the book”. What do you think of this pure electric MPV with unique styling and full of black technology? Similarly, another major player, Xiaomi’s first car model SU7, has been hot recently. After its appearance, the most concerned issue is the selling price, 99,000 yuan (13920$), 149,000 yuan (20940$) is unlikely. What price range do you think the Xiaomi SU7 will eventually be set at? In 2023, China’s car exports surpassed Japan, ranking first in the world. The sales of electric cars have surged, once again proving the strong development of China’s new energy vehicles. Let’s review last week’s hot topics together. #Xiaopeng X9 starting price at 359,800 yuan (50570$)# Readership: 72.6 million
Event review: On January 1, 2024, the official launch of the Xiaopeng X9, with a price range of 35.98-41.98 million yuan. Xiaopeng’s product lineup is more complete. From G6 to P7i to G9 and now X9, it basically covers various car needs of young people.
Choosing to go public on the first day of the new year, the X9 from Xiaopeng is undoubtedly aiming for a good start. As the newest and flagship-level MPV in their lineup, the X9 has generated a lot of excitement. Within its class, it is the only one with standard air suspension and rear-wheel steering, which is unmatched in the industry. Xiaopeng is showing a more practical side, understanding what consumers need and which direction to “roll” in. The next thing to watch is its delivery performance. As a well-known player in the new force of “Xiaopeng Li” in the automotive industry, Xiaopeng’s advantage and characteristic lies in its intelligent driving performance. By the end of 2023, Xiaopeng had already launched city NGP in over 240 cities nationwide, with more cities to come, including parts of the highway NGP. Based on actual experience, feedback from users indicates that Xiaopeng’s intelligent driving performance is comprehensive, logical, and convenient. As an MPV, comfort is a very important measure, and a good intelligent driving system will undoubtedly greatly improve the overall driving comfort, as well as further elevate its advantages. This is also what foreign major brands see as Xiaopeng’s strengths. Volkswagen’s $700 million investment in Xiaopeng in 2023 has sparked widespread discussion in the industry. Xiaopeng’s signature technologies such as intelligent cockpit, autonomous driving assistance, and 800V high-voltage platform are what sets it apart. The focus now is on how to further improve and turn its advantages into strengths, making Xiaopeng’s performance in 2024 highly anticipated.
Let’s take a brief look at the design and highlights of the Xiaopeng X9. First, the front of the new car adopts a through-type light strip, paired with a split-type headlight group, highlighting the technological sense of the front face. The side of the car adopts a suspended roof design, paired with large-size wheels, full of dynamism. The rear end has a certain sloping shape, giving the new car a strong recognition. In terms of body size, the new car is 5293/1988/1785mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 3160mm.
In terms of interior, the center console is equipped with an oversized floating central control screen, creating a high-tech atmosphere. The car adopts a 2+2+3 seating layout, with the second row of the new car consisting of two independent seats and a small table in the front. The car also has a central aisle width of 180mm for added convenience and comfort. As the flagship model of the P7 architecture, the Xiaopeng X9 also features core technologies such as global 800V and front and rear integrated aluminum die-casting. In terms of power, the Xiaopeng X9 is equipped with front and rear dual motors, with maximum power of 235kW in the front and 135kW in the rear. In terms of battery capacity, the Xiaopeng X9 is equipped with 84.5kWh and 101.5kWh battery packs, with CLTC pure electric range of 610km, 640km, and 702km respectively. #Lei Jun asks netizens to help Xiaomi’s car refute rumors# Number of reads: 20.64 million
Recent events: Xiaomi’s entry into the automotive industry has attracted attention from various sectors, including the automotive and technology industries. There has been a lot of speculation and rumors, but Xiaomi’s official statement has clarified the situation. Netizens have been discussing this topic extensively.
Xiaomi’s entry into the car market has sparked continuous discussions. Apart from the price, all other details are clear. Xiaomi has revealed the use of many self-developed new technologies, which has attracted high attention from the industry. Lei Jun not only officially refutes rumors on the platform, but also calls on netizens to help Xiaomi clarify the situation. This move has once again increased the attention to the product itself. It is common to see false information about any popular product on the internet. Xiaomi’s strong entry into the fiercely competitive car market makes it understandable why these false rumors have emerged. A good product also needs marketing, but it also needs to rely on its own excellent quality, user experience, and delivery volume of new energy vehicles. This is the key to success. Xiaomi’s first SU7 has been unveiled, and it is clear that Xiaomi has high expectations for it. Looking at the attitudes of netizens, many have come out to support Xiaomi, expressing their frustration. In response, Wang Hua, the general manager of Xiaomi’s public relations department, stated on January 3rd: “I just saw a few pictures, obviously fake! These cannot be made by our Mi fans. The font is wrong, there is no Mi logo, and it’s obvious that the screenshots from the official website were hastily edited. Of course, it’s clear that everyone is very concerned about the price of Xiaomi cars. Don’t worry, those who want to buy a car, please wait. I will reveal the information on time!”
On January 2, a spokesperson for Xiaomi also refuted the rumors on social media: “Recently, attention has been drawn to an image related to the Xiaomi automotive supply chain, and after verification, at least 50% of the content is completely wrong. For example, Xiaomi’s car uses a completely self-developed Modena platform, not the “vast architecture” mentioned in the erroneous image. There is also a large amount of incomplete and inaccurate information. We deeply regret and are puzzled by the spread of this false information and the resulting confusion for the public and investors. We hereby clarify.” Looking back at Lei Jun’s remarks at the press conference, “We are not making a mediocre car, but a dream car that rivals Porsche and Tesla.” Combining the various high-tech features announced at the conference, the pricing of the Xiaomi SU7 should not be as low as everyone imagines, which also reflects the deeper meaning of Lei Jun’s statement, “Is there a rival within 500,000 yuan (70280$)?”
For now, don’t worry about the various false rumors flying around. The final selling price of Xiaomi’s car, which everyone is concerned about, will be officially announced to everyone soon. Just be patient and wait a little longer. China’s car exports ranked first in the world in 2023.
Review of the event: According to Xinhua News Agency, on December 30th, more than 500 commercial vehicles completed customs clearance procedures at the Horgos Port in Xinjiang and headed to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries. So far, the number of commercial vehicles cleared at the Horgos Port in 2023 has exceeded 300,000. It is understood that China’s car export volume in 2023 may exceed 5 million, ranking first in the world, surpassing Japan. Netizens are discussing:
The performance of electric vehicles in sales once again proves the strong development of China’s new energy vehicles. The main reason for China’s leading car export volume comes from the strong export of Chinese electric vehicles. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, from January to October this year, the export of electric vehicles and other new energy vehicles increased by 77% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1.43 million units. It goes without saying that Russia provides a large market, and the exit of Japanese and Western car manufacturers is a boon for domestic competitors. From January to October 2023, China exported 730,000 vehicles to Russia, seven times the same period last year. After Russia, the second largest growing market for Chinese car exports is Mexico, with an increase of 71% to 330,000 units. In terms of the Southeast Asian market, Chinese cars have shown strong competitiveness and growth, and the expansion of exports to the Southeast Asian market, which has always been dominated by Japanese brands, will undoubtedly lead to fierce competition with traditional Japanese brands. In the core region of the automotive industry, Europe, Chinese car companies are also making relentless efforts. According to Chinese customs statistics, from January to August 2023, China exported 540,000 vehicles to the European Union, an increase of 93% year-on-year. Chinese car companies and the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain have also begun to invest in building factories locally to cope with the impact of anti-subsidy investigations. On December 22, 2023, BYD announced the construction of a new energy vehicle complete vehicle production base in the city of Székesfehérvár, Hungary. This is the first passenger car factory built by a Chinese car company in Europe. In addition, SAIC Group, Changan Automobile, and Great Wall Motors are also intending to build factories in Europe. In July 2023, SAIC Group announced that it will build a production base in Europe and is currently conducting site selection work. Great Wall Motors also stated that it has begun site selection work for factories and research and development centers. It is foreseeable that Chinese car companies, especially in the entire new energy industry chain, have great advantages in technology, cost, and other aspects. When entering the global market, they are facing a historical opportunity to compete with “traditional powerhouses.” Whether Chinese car companies can seize this opportunity and truly make Chinese cars go global, time will give the answer.
Event Review: The 2024 Haikou International New Energy and Intelligent Connected Vehicle Exhibition with the theme “Greening the Future” will be held at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center from January 5th to 8th, 2024. This annual international automotive professional exhibition has a total exhibition area of approximately 60,000 square meters, making it the world’s largest new energy special exhibition. Netizens are discussing:
Reviewing the gains of 2023 and looking ahead to 2024, the development of China’s automotive industry, especially in the new energy vehicle sector, remains full of opportunities. At the beginning of the new year, several domestic new energy vehicle companies, including BYD, NIO, and Jinko, released their sales data for 2023, all showing confidence and impressive performance. Experts believe that the strong domestic consumer environment, high demand for new energy vehicles, and nationwide consumption promotion policies and discounts from car companies continue to play an important role in the overall development of the new energy vehicle market. Cui Dongshu, the Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association, stated that the Chinese car market started weak in 2023 but then continued to strengthen, with total sales reaching a historic high for the year. Looking ahead to 2024, the Chinese car market is expected to be even stronger. In addition, Zhang Yongwei, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Electric Vehicle 100 People’s Association, stated that 2024 may be a key year for the further advancement of China’s new energy vehicle industry on a global scale and the consolidation of its role in national economic and social development. It is foreseeable that the new energy vehicle market will undergo significant changes in 2024, such as the potential full electrification of the sedan market under 200,000 RMB, the possible return of a large number of hybrid vehicles in the SUV sector, and the potential for a full outbreak of the pure electric era in joint venture brands. These questions may find some answers at the Haikou New Energy Forum. #Rumors of Gaohe Motors Suspending All Operations# Views: 272,000 Event Review: Recently, rumors have been circulating on the internet about Gaohe Motors suspending all operations. In response to this, Gaohe Motors stated to the media that this is purely a rumor, and an internal source from Gaohe Motors also confirmed that everything is normal. Netizen Discussion:
Review: In response to the circulating rumors about the suspension of all work at Gaohe Automobile, the company immediately issued a statement denying the claims and confirming that everything is operating as usual.
Furthermore, Gaohe Automobile hereby declares the following: 1. Our operations are normal, and all work related to research and development, production, marketing, and delivery is progressing as usual. 2. The original platform has deleted the post and issued a warning to the member who made the post. 3. The misinterpretation of relevant information has seriously damaged the brand reputation of Gaohe Automobile and misled public opinion. We have reported the case to the public security department. Please do not believe or spread rumors. Before this, Gaohe Automobile had been rumored. In October 2023, a netizen with a certified identity as a Gaohe Automobile employee on a certain workplace social platform revealed that Gaohe Automobile had initiated a large-scale personnel optimization. The proportion this time is as high as 20%, and some departments have reached 50%. At the same time, informed sources said that each department of Gaohe Automobile has different proportions, and “project teams and personnel with no results and low performance are the main targets of optimization.” In addition, some netizens on the social platform said: “It hasn’t started yet, but they are already demanding overtime and attendance.” “It’s confirmed, the day after the talk, you have to leave the company, very efficient.” “It’s confirmed that some departments have cut 50%, it’s heartbreaking.” In response to the above news, Gaohe Automobile’s reply is: “There are some untrue rumors, the so-called large-scale personnel optimization does not exist, and all kinds of data proportions are rumors.” Now let’s look at the sales volume. Gaohe Automobile was established in 2017 and focuses on the high-end luxury market of 600,000 to 800,000 yuan (112450$). The sales volume of Gaohe Automobile in 2021 and 2022 was 4,237 and 4,349 respectively. From August to October 2023, Gaohe Hiphi Y delivered 1,021, 1,556, and 1,606 vehicles respectively. #Nezha Automobile CEO responds to criticism from netizens# Readers: 230,000
Event review: Nezha’s CEO responded to criticism from netizens on Weibo at the beginning of the new year, expressing dissatisfaction with the delivery performance in 2023. Netizens discuss:
Reviewing previous blog posts, it is clear that he often interacts with bloggers and netizens in the comments section, listens to opinions, and handles customer complaints. This time, he once again candidly faced netizens, while also giving a few outlooks. It is not difficult to see that his hopes are pinned on 2024. Data shows that NIO delivered a total of 127,496 vehicles in 2023, leading the pack among new carmakers. Among them, overseas sales exceeded 20,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 567%. As of the end of December 2023, NIO has delivered nearly 400,000 vehicles. “Roll” is now a synonym for the automotive industry, and no car company dares to slack off. NIO has recognized the problems in 2023, and 2024 is a crucial year for them. At this moment, choosing to set sail again in 2024 seems like a wise decision. He will also personally serve as the general manager of the sales company, making timely adjustments to improve NIO’s sales with refined marketing plans and strategy implementation. In addition, product line adjustments and channel optimization are expected to enhance user experience and further strengthen the company’s competitive strength. NIO’s new starting point plan in 2024 has attracted attention from all sides. There are also expectations for their actions in the overseas market. In March 2023, NIO’s factory in Thailand officially began construction, serving as NIO’s base for exporting to ASEAN, with a designed capacity of 20,000 vehicles per year, expected to start production in early 2024. As of now, NIO’s new cars have been sold in over 30 countries and regions overseas, with over 100 sales and service outlets established. According to NIO’s plan, all future models will have international versions. In their future plans, NIO will further expand into the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Latin America, and EU markets in 2024, with overseas sales reaching 100,000 units and 500 sales and service outlets. It is clear that in 2024, NIO will continue to bring adjustments and improvement strategies, injecting momentum into NIO’s future development. Do you remember NIO’s goal of selling a million vehicles? Let’s wait and see.