The May Day holiday ended quickly. Soon, we will celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, National Day, and New Year’s Day 2026. Let’s wish everyone an early happy new year! But first, let’s review. The first quarter of 2025 wrapped up with steady progress in the auto market. Overall, sales look decent. However, some models struggle. They have good product strength but poor sales. Today, let’s chat casually. Toyota Asia Lion Price: 14.18-17.98 Q1 Sales: 945 The Toyota Asia Lion has a strong name, but its sales lag behind the larger Avalon. In the first three months of this year, the Avalon sold over 8,000 units monthly. The Asia Lion, however, failed to break 1,000 monthly sales. After selling 933 units in January, it only sold single digits in February and March. It truly resembles a Hello Kitty. As a product, the Asia Lion is an A+ sedan built on the TNGA platform by FAW Toyota. It sits between the Corolla and Avalon. Its price is reasonable. With a length of 4,720 mm and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, it offers ample space for families. It has strong power and good fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, the competition in its price range is fierce. The Asia Lion’s product strength appears average, lacking standout features. It struggles to capture consumers’ hearts.
Geely Xingrui L Price: 12.67-14.67 Q1 Sales: 228 Geely Xingrui L upgrades the original model. It uses the CMA architecture. It features a new 2.0TD direct injection turbo engine. A 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission supports it. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds. This power stands out among similar gasoline cars. The chassis tuning is good. It has a front MacPherson and rear E-type multi-link independent suspension. It scored well in the moose test at 78 km/h. It balances handling and comfort. Xingrui L shows strong product strength. However, it sold only 228 units in Q1, averaging less than 100 per month. The issue lies in its perception of size and strength. The improvements over the original model are minimal. The price does not reflect value. Xingrui sells 10,000 to 20,000 units monthly, while Xingrui L only sells a few dozen.
Honda Lingxi L Price: 129,800 Q1 Sales: 167 Honda seeks to join the new energy trend. The shift from gasoline to electric isn’t enough anymore. They need a complete transformation. The Lingxi L is the first pure electric model of Honda’s new sub-brand. It offers only one version, which raises questions about their commitment. However, buyers can pay extra for upgraded features. Its overall product strength is average. Given Honda’s brand influence, the price of 130,000 is also average. The issue is it lacks the Honda badge. The branding and marketing are insufficient. Many consumers haven’t even heard of this model. In a competitive market, a car needs visibility to attract attention. Monthly sales hover around 100 units, likely from dedicated Honda fans.
Peugeot 408X Price: 15.37-17.97 Q1 Sales: 118 Peugeot markets the 408X as the “first station wagon for young people.” The design looks good and stands out. It blends Peugeot’s lion spirit aesthetics, a sporty coupe appearance, SUV ground clearance, and ample space of a station wagon. This description resembles Citroën’s Versailles C5 X. French car aesthetics often leave much to be desired. The 2787mm wheelbase and 536-1611L hatchback trunk space offer decent practicality. The entire lineup features a digital control island and a 1.6T+8AT efficient powertrain. It also boasts a century-old CLDR master-level sports chassis tuning, ensuring excellent handling. However, sales disappoint. The 408X sold only 118 units in Q1. The charm of French style seems to falter. Its unique design may not appeal to everyone. As French cars struggle, their recognition and influence decline. Consumers worry about maintenance and repair issues, impacting their purchase decisions.
Ora Lightning Cat Price: 18.98-27.28 Q1 Sales: 99 Since the Black Cat and White Cat made a sales splash and then withdrew, Ora’s other models struggle. Only the Good Cat sells over a thousand units monthly. The Lightning Cat and Ballet Cat linger in the double digits. The Lightning Cat sold only 99 units in the first quarter. The Lightning Cat looks good. It blends retro and modern styles, appealing to female consumers. It features a high-performance electric drive system and offers enough range for daily use and short trips. Sales lag behind. Some say its design feels too copied, but that’s not the issue. The Xiaomi SU7 sells well despite similar looks. The main problem lies in the Lightning Cat’s product strength. With a starting price near 190,000, many competitors shout, “Choose me!” The Lightning Cat likely needs a redesign soon, or it risks discontinuation. After all, the boss stated that the Great Wall wasn’t misled by hidden door handles. The Lightning Cat challenges that claim. If it doesn’t enter hell, who will? Hey, Blue Mountain, Divine Beast, Mocha, why are you all in such a hurry?
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