On May 30, SAIC Volkswagen Tiguan L Pro officially launched, offering 6 models with a suggested retail price of 236,800 to 266,800 yuan (36880$).
Looking at the current car market, price wars are frequent, and new energy vehicles are gaining momentum. In this situation, SAIC Volkswagen still launches traditional fuel vehicles, without compromising on retail prices. What is the reason behind this confidence? What motivates consumers to pay for it? At the launch event of the Tiguan L Pro, SAIC Volkswagen provided two core answers: high-end intelligent configuration and low ownership costs. For traditional car manufacturers, developing new energy vehicles is imperative, but they cannot abandon traditional fuel vehicles, which are still the foundation of profits. However, this time, SAIC Volkswagen avoided the common strategy of trading price for quantity in the current market. Instead, they adopted a strategy of “not reducing prices, but adding value.” They increased the application of intelligent and digital technologies in the new car, aiming to provide consumers with a technologically advanced, comfortable, and safe driving experience even in traditional fuel vehicles. Here are some of the intelligent technologies highlighted: IQ. Light high-resolution intelligent projection headlights in the Tiguan L Pro have a resolution of 25,600 pixels on one side, providing functions such as exclusive lane lighting, narrow road vehicle width indication, and welcome/farewell projection lights, ensuring both safety and a sense of ceremony.
Digital cockpit, 6-screen linkage. Tiguan L Pro 6 adopts a 6-screen linkage mode. 15-inch intelligent 2K floating screen, 11.6-inch co-driver entertainment screen, 10.3-inch full digital LCD instrument panel, head-up display system, black crystal light control knob, and smartphone connectivity together provide users with an immersive futuristic intelligent cockpit.
IQ. Intelligent Vehicle Connection & Touareg L Pro Intelligent Vehicle Connection System, giving fuel vehicles a brand new intelligent experience, smart and understanding of you. This includes intelligent navigation that can work without a signal, supports various local dialects, voice interaction that can be spoken as seen, Tencent’s social driving ecosystem, and intelligent entertainment that allows free switching between cinemas, game rooms, and KTV.
Cloud-like seats are designed to enhance comfort for passengers, with thicker sponge layers and improved stretchiness of soft materials, as well as added massage functions, creating seats that instantly relieve stress upon sitting.
IQ. Pilot intelligent driving assistance system is jointly developed by SAIC Volkswagen and DJI Car, capable of achieving L2++ level driving assistance from 0-130km/h. The advanced adaptive cruise control Pro version supports automatic following of vehicles within 360s; the lane keeping system Pro version can handle curves with a radius of over 75m, covering most of the curved road scenarios nationwide. In addition, the Tiguan L Pro also has intelligent turn signal changing and obstacle avoidance functions, making it easy to handle lane changes.
In summary, the Tiguan L Pro offers a new experience of “oil-electric intelligence,” breaking the traditional belief that oil cars are not intelligent. It not only meets the needs of more young users but also helps SAIC Volkswagen achieve a brand refresh. Besides the Tiguan L Pro, the concept of “oil-electric intelligence” will also be continued on the Passat Pro later this year. 3 years 20% off value renewal, lowest ownership cost only 47,360 yuan (6550$) As the Chinese car market matures and is affected by the economic environment, consumers are now more rational and cost-conscious when buying cars. To address consumer concerns about car ownership, SAIC Volkswagen has introduced the concept of “ownership cost,” which is the price of buying a car plus purchase tax, minus the selling price. For the newly launched Tiguan L Pro, SAIC Volkswagen offers benefits such as limited-time purchase tax exemption, 3 years 20% off value renewal, 3 years worry-free maintenance, and limited edition accessory packages. In the end, the ownership cost of the new car for three years starts at only 47,360 yuan (6550$). As SAIC Volkswagen General Manager Jia Jianxu said, “You can own a Tiguan L Pro with just one cup of Starbucks a day.”
Before the launch of the Tiguan L Pro, SAIC Volkswagen had also introduced a “vehicle cost” policy with a three-year 60% buy-back guarantee for the ID.3. “Selling cheap must be cost-effective, and the lowest vehicle cost is the best cost-effectiveness.” SAIC Volkswagen’s Market and Executive Deputy General Manager Yu Jingmin said in a previous interview. Whether it is upgrading the intelligent technology application of gasoline vehicles or providing lower vehicle costs, SAIC Volkswagen has shown a rational attitude towards the new market situation. The trend of electrification is irreversible, but it does not mean that gasoline vehicles have reached the end. Price wars may bring short-term gains, but are difficult to sustain. SAIC Volkswagen, focusing on value, reducing vehicle costs, and improving the driving experience, undoubtedly set a good example for car companies in a period of confusion.