From knock-off old-man's electric vehicles to industrial giant

Chapter 228: Setting a precedent and breaking records!

After the Starry Sky S7 became a bestseller, some people compiled sales figures and called it a new leader in the new energy vehicle market.

But after all, Xingchen Motors has annual sales of 200,000 to 300,000 units, which is supported by the Xingchen Mini, which costs tens of thousands of yuan.

BYD, on the other hand, still manages to sell over 100,000 units with its plug-in hybrid lineup plus pure electric vehicles, and the average price is no less than 150,000 yuan.

The BYD Tang, priced between 250,000 and 300,000 yuan, is also quite convincing.

In terms of technology, industrial layout, and other aspects, BYD is second to none.

in fact.

This year, the Tang DM received a wave of orders, with monthly sales once exceeding one thousand, which was a small celebration for BYD's senior management.

It is considered a new breakthrough.

After all, no domestically produced new energy vehicle has ever reached this level before.

They are also feeling their way across the river, trying to set a precedent.

But now it's different.

The appearance of the Starry Sky L7 completely shattered this illusion.

The initial sales figures were surprisingly high.

Domestic products can also go high-end...

Domestically produced new energy vehicles can also reach the high-end market!
Wang Chuanfu was filled with mixed emotions.

"Mr. Wang, I don't think the Xingchen car is anything special. Take acceleration for example, our Tang DM is no worse. Although the engine's thermal efficiency is a bit lower, a plug-in hybrid is still better than a range extender, right? And then there are the interior features like refrigerators, TVs, and sofas. There are no technical bottlenecks to speak of..."

Zhao Changjiang's work focuses on the two core models, Song DM and Tang DM, which are the "cornerstone" of BYD's new energy vehicle sales.

He put in a lot of effort, especially in promoting the high-end marketing of the Tang DM.

The Tang DM was originally the most expensive domestically produced hybrid SUV, and also the best-selling model.

But not anymore.

His tone carried a hint of bitterness.

Wang Chuanfu frowned slightly upon hearing this.

I could hear the resentment in his voice.

"If you lose, you lose."

He shook his head, indicating his stance.

"We've been exploring high-end sales of the Tang DM for two years, and we thought we'd found some paths and ideas, but what was the result...? We still didn't put in enough effort and didn't break out of the old mindset."

In terms of configuration, I originally thought it was already more than enough.

But then look at the Starry Night L7. Without comparison, there's no way to appreciate the difference. That one truly offers everything it can; consumers see the sincerity and feel they've gotten a good deal.

Wang Chuanfu said speechlessly, "Do you know what's going on online right now? Everyone's saying that Xingchen is losing money building and selling cars... Xingchen has already planted this concept in people's minds, how can it not sell well??"

These words.

This immediately prompted everyone to ponder.

Even someone in the industry would have a very strange expression on their face.

Is it profitable to manufacture cars?

How could they not know?

However, most car manufacturers consider many factors when launching a new model.

Should we do it like Star Auto?
What if I fail?

Most emerging forces have a weak foundation and cannot withstand such turmoil.

Traditional automakers are often reluctant to invest in this area.

Xingchen Motors is like someone who has nothing to lose and isn't afraid of someone who has shoes on.

wrong.

They're also prepared for both possibilities.

The success of those old-man's cars and Mini in lower-tier markets can offset the failure of one or two high-end models.

"Technologically, Starstar is also very strong. The second generation of Polar Star batteries is far ahead of us. They are bold and willing to invest, and they have even developed air suspension."

And the appearance... I don't even want to talk about it...

It's time for improvements!

After Wang Chuanfu finished speaking, he tapped the table to express his attitude.

Before the Starry Night L7 came out, he thought the appearance of the Tang DM was fine.

The design in all aspects is acceptable.

But after this car came out, he compared it with his own car and suddenly found a problem.

How should I put it? It does seem a bit old-fashioned.

Moreover, the Tang DM still retains many elements of a gasoline-powered vehicle, while the Xingchen L7's exterior is avant-garde, technological, and innovative...

No wonder consumers are captivated.

He saw it and wanted to buy one!

This is a reflection after a setback.

“Xingchen Automotive’s technology is not to be underestimated. From initially being a small step ahead of us, they have now gained a significant lead,” Lian Yubo added.

As the chief scientist and chief engineer, he has a very clear understanding of this gap.

"But it's not all bad. With the stars as a reference, we have comparisons and references for our technological path, which has accelerated our progress."

The development of an industry requires human intervention.

In the past, BYD always felt its way across the river by feeling for stones. There were undercurrents beneath the surface, and occasionally it would stumble and fall when it touched a reef.

Things are different now. With the emergence of Xingchen Automotive and other new players, the entire industry is progressing rapidly.

"Mr. Wang, since that's the case, should we follow suit? Or perhaps we should make a targeted facelift to the Tang DM?"

Zhao Changjiang understood what he meant. He was referring to the car on the market that was closest to the Xingchen L7.

Without a doubt, it's their Tang DM.

If we were to lengthen the car further, add six seats, and enhance its features, it might just be able to compete with other vehicles.

Setting up a TV screen, a refrigerator, and a massage and ventilation chair wouldn't be a big problem for them.

"Tang won't do."

Wang Chuanfu immediately denied it, saying, "We're only releasing the facelifted Tang DM in April or May. If we make another facelift around the end of the year, what do we take our car owners for? Can we do something like putting together two new models in one year?"

"Ah, this—" Zhao Changjiang was speechless for a moment.

“But Mr. Wang, we need to change things when necessary…” he tried to persuade.

Wang Chuanfu shook his head: "You're wrong. High-end customers don't care about absolute cost-effectiveness; they care about brand building. Look at what happened to those who didn't build their brands and didn't cultivate their reputation?"

He has a clear understanding of this.

Cars in the low-end price range will never lack customers as long as they offer good value for money; backstabbing doesn't matter.

However, high-end models are often associated with brand and perception.

The mindset used for low-end cars will absolutely not work.

"I think it might be time to make a move on Denza. The sales of the Denza 400 haven't been very good from last year to this year..."

Wang Chuanfu sighed again.

He understood the power of branding, which is why he partnered with Mercedes-Benz to create Denza New Energy, hoping to leverage the brand to move upmarket. Both parties hold 50% of the shares. BYD had been working on this path of targeting the high-end market for a long time.

It has been refined over the years, and the Denza 400 pure electric vehicle is priced in the 300,000 yuan range, which is neither high nor low.

Sales are only a few hundred units per month, which is not even enough to cover the R&D and operating costs of the whole vehicle.

The most critical issue is that the Daimler team is operating far too slowly and is arrogant. There are also conflicts in communication between the two sides and in their model change strategies, leaving the situation in a limbo.

The next Denza 500 was only recently initiated, but it already seems destined for failure.

“I intend to buy back Denza’s shares. Since the Star L7 was successful, Denza can also try to make it more than 300,000 yuan by piling on features, so as not to affect the current status of the Dynasty series.”

After much deliberation and consideration, Wang Chuanfu came up with an idea.

Although both parties hold 50%, given Denza's current assets and size, it wouldn't cost BYD much to increase its stake to over 90%, and the other party might even see it as getting rid of a burden.

"Changjiang, if you're willing, I'll leave the task of moving upmarket to you."

Zhao Changjiang was startled.

"Mr. Wang, I will do my utmost!"

……

It is no coincidence.

Great Wall Motors.

Wang Fengying stood in the office, her expression complicated: "President Wei, the sales of Xingchen L7 are truly beyond expectations. They have really carved out a piece of the high-end market."

Wei Jianbing stared at the publicly available data, utterly shocked and bewildered.

"I really don't understand the current consumer market; everyone seems to like these flashy cars..."

His complexion was rather poor, and he added, "Refrigerators and color TVs are too extravagant, and driver assistance systems are not mature enough, yet they dare to promote them... Even if they succeed, they will inevitably fail sooner or later. We should just honestly do our own thing."

Upon hearing this, Wang Fengying was immediately at a loss.

His expression became extremely conflicted.

She came to ask if they should establish a separate product system based on the starry sky model. After all, Great Wall is also trying new energy, and the future is still uncertain. It would be good to have a reference.

But now.

Before the words even reached his lips, he was subjected to comprehensive criticism.

I don't know whether I should say it or not.

……

Geely Automobile.

"Mr. Li, look at this... Xingchen Motors is simply defying the heavens!!"

The executive's tone was one of shock.

Since returning, Li Shufu has been thinking about new energy routes and the newly conceived "Extreme Krypton" brand.

I'm still hesitating these past few days about whether to set up a separate entity.

Take a look now.

My heart was also trembling with immense shock!

"It seems like it's time. We can't just have Polaris; we need to get another one, Extreme Krypton!"

Li Shufu has been considering how to help Geely Group break through its current situation. Geely's annual sales cannot compare with those of joint ventures, but it has already become the number one domestic brand in terms of sales. It has almost filled up all the segments of the gasoline vehicle market. It is time to change the track and exert its strength.

...

online.

The press conference held by Xingchen Automotive had already generated considerable buzz, and now the release of order information has shaken the industry and surprised onlookers.

A small trending topic slowly climbed up.

"Wow, you guys are all so rich!"

"Ten thousand units ordered in just one day?!"

Holy crap!!!

"To be more precise, 10,000 units is a small order. Small orders can be cancelled at any time. Large orders are locked in, which means there are only a little over 4,000 units."

"More than four thousand units... only?! These are cars with a minimum price of 328,800 yuan. Do you know how much money four thousand units is? That's 1.5 billion yuan in revenue! In just one day, it has set a new record for domestic cars, never before seen!!"

"hiss--!!"

"Brothers, have domestic cars really stood up this time?"

(End of this chapter)