Ryde Channel’s Post

It’s the survival of the fittest journey that most China manufacturers are trekking through, despite being the leading global #automotive market at the moment. Other than intense price competition locally, the rising #tariffs overseas will also limit the scale of outreach and growth. I am always amazed at how an average car in China can be so advanced- entertainment, interior and space design, lighting-at a fraction of the cost of what I pay in Singapore. Other than technology excellence in AI, car designs, #EV and #charginginfrastructure and #autonomy, China has a lot to offer to the world. Perhaps more focus can be placed on strategic collaborations across countries and regions, overseas branding and go to market programs. Understanding key #marketinsights and networks will enable the progress. AskMobility@spglobal.com #spglobalmobility

😎🚗⚡Geely Plans to Introduce Zeekr EV Brand in Korea by Early 2026 https://lnkd.in/edV7-T2Y #automotive #Korea #China #Geely #Renault #Zeekr Bloomberg News Geely plans to launch its first premium electric vehicle in South Korea by 2026, joining other Chinese carmakers in challenging Hyundai and Kia. Geely's luxury EV brand, Zeekr, will open showrooms in Seoul and Gyeonggi by the end of 2025, with deliveries starting in early 2026. The Zeekr 001, capable of traveling up to 620 kilometers (385 miles) on a single charge, is a potential first model. Despite South Korea's subsidy preferences disadvantaging Chinese manufacturers using LFP batteries, Geely is targeting the market amid European and US tariffs on Chinese EVs. Geely's partnerships in Korea include a 34% stake in Renault's Korean unit and collaborations with SK Group and Posco International. Geely might even produce EVs in South Korea for export, utilizing Renault's Busan plant.

From what little I know of the HK vehicle market, it is a small market where just being able to 'own' a vehicle is a status symbol. Not because cars themselves are expensive. Often, Hong Kongers considering buying a car can afford to buy (a few) in cash. The price tag doesn't matter a lot. The key reason is because Hong Kong is notoriously short on real estate space that makes parking spots sell for ridiculous amounts. To be specific, according to Buggle Lau, chief analyst at Midland Realty, the average price for a car park in 2021 was about HK$2.14 million (US$275, 200)! Given that the population of Hong Kong is about 7.4 million, the total addressable market (TAM) for non-industrial vehicles (no trucks, vans, buses, etc.) is maybe about 1.5 million vehicles. Similarly, with a population of 700,000 in Macau, the TAM is probably around 175k. If Xpeng manages to capture 2%, which is an ambitious number, this boosts their sales by a meager 33,500 units. Yet, given that the total units sold by Xpeng in 2022 was only 120k, that can represent a significant growth. But, the past performance of Xpeng also cast doubt on its ability to sell many cars, especially when Hong Kongers already have access to Tesla and BYD. I wonder if offering cars in Hong Kong and Macau will make any significant difference to Xpeng's performance for this very reason. #evtransition #marketgrowth #chineseev #automotiveindustry

BeyonCa, a Chinese premium EV start-up, will establish its global headquarters and build a factory in Hong Kong to tap into the Greater Bay Area's robust automotive supply chain and international talent pool. Founder and chairman Weiming Soh announced that BeyonCa will set up a production line and four major research and marketing centers at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks' advanced manufacturing site in Tseung Kwan O. Supported by Renault Group, the company aims to create a "Made in Hong Kong" brand, encompassing design, innovation, production, and marketing. “The approach is not about building what and where. It is about building a brand. Brand is a combination of culture, art, history, and technology,” Soh stated. BeyonCa, founded in 2021 by Soh, who previously spent 16 years at Volkswagen Group’s China operation, targets the luxury EV segment, competing with BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz AG. The team includes Dirk van Braeckel, a veteran automotive designer, as chief design officer. The start-up plans to launch its first production model by the end of 2025. In October 2022, BeyonCa unveiled its prototype, the GT Opus 1, featuring an AI-powered smart cockpit with real-time blood pressure monitoring and an online “cloud doctor” service that can intervene in emergencies. “Our focus is building good cars and good AI systems. We are not going for volume. We are going for positioning and branding,” Soh emphasized. The Hong Kong plant will assemble both left-hand and right-hand drive models, targeting key markets in China and Europe. BeyonCa has also signed an investment deal with Riyadh-based AI Faisaliah Group to explore EV development in the Middle East. Amid a price war initiated by BYD, BeyonCa focuses on premium positioning rather than competing on volume. #EV #Growth #Premium #Investment #Business #Decarbonisation #RenewableEnergy #HongKong #GBA I South China Morning Post SCMP I HKSTP - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation I Brand Hong Kong

Three big car design trends that sit within the context of the Chinese market price war - car design has never been on such a fast changing playing field.

When you pronounce the name Hongqi, it probably does not immediately ring a bell. Hongqi is the luxury brand of FAW, which was founded in 1958. Hongqi, which means "Red Flag" in Chinese, is a renowned car brand. It comes from China and is known for its luxury sedans and SUVs. It is often called the "Chinese Rolls-Royce". FAW is the largest manufacturer of vehicles in China. Besides its own brands, it has very successful partnerships with the Volkswagen Group, Toyota and Daihatsu, among others. The E-HS9 is the first Hongqi that is introduced to the European market. It is a premium SUV, 100% electric with generous dimensions. You can't miss it and its design immediately catches the eye. Luxury stays central. The E-HS9 is available in four versions: the Business, the Executive, the President and the President Long Range. You have a choice of 3 battery packs (84 kWh, 99 kWh and 120 kWh). Power outputs range between 320 kW (436 hp) and 405 kW (551 hp). The electric driving range varies between 396 km (84 kWh version), 465 km (99 kWh version) and the 515 km (120 kWh version)The electric driving range varies between 396 km (84kWh version), 465 km (99 kWh) and the 515 km (120 kWh) according to the WLTP, to be precise. It is equipped with numerous advanced safety and driving assistance systems. And furthermore you have a six (President)- or seven-seater (Business and Executive) at your disposal. We wish to thank Hedin Automotive Belgium Luxembourg (distributor of Hongqi in Belgium) and in particular Camille Hermie for making this test drive possible. And for the test week, we were already immediately allowed to meet the President Long version, the cream of the crop. Let's see what this giant has to offer! #hongqi #hedinautomotive #DrivOlution #changetoelectric

BYD's Yangwang U7, a luxury electric sedan, has arrived at Chinese showrooms ahead of its official launch. Priced at around $137,500, it aims to challenge Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan in the high-end EV market. The U7 boasts impressive specs, including over 1,300 horsepower and a 497-mile range. It features BYD's advanced e4 architecture and DiSus-Z suspension system. This move signifies BYD's expansion into the luxury segment. However, new import tariffs on Chinese EVs in markets like the EU may pose challenges for BYD's global ambitions. https://lnkd.in/gApYF6Mb #BYD #YangwangU7 #LuxuryEV #ElectricVehicles #TeslaModelS #PorscheTaycan #ChineseEVs #EVInnovation #e4Architecture #DiSusZ #EVRange #EVPerformance #AutoIndustry #GreenMobility #EVCompetition #SustainableTransport #EVMarket #China #EU #GlobalEVTrade

Good to know deeply details about HONGQI , Hongqi models initially were reserved only for government party elite. In 1995, the second generation Hongqi model was introduced, based on the Audi 100. https://lnkd.in/dNweTbrj

NOREV - ever heart of? 🤔 No, it's not the French miniature car model maker I am speaking about. 🚘 It's a real car driving in the lane beside me (I was standing and quickly took a photo). 🚘 Well, usually I am behind all new developments of new car brands, and this one really caught me. No idea, who this car model / brand belongs to. 🤔 Then I thought by myself, that once I have access to the www I will find it out. Now I realized, that basically ALL hits I get are related to the French company NOREV, which offers miniature model cars in various scales and brands, as well as toys, tracks, playmats, garages and decoration products. 🤔 Finally, I thought, that maybe I read this incorrectly (and the design elements in front and behind the word are part of the name) - and yes, I did misread. 🤔 The car brand is called ENOREVE ME5! It is an SUV from carmaker Enovate with its assembly plant in Changsha building the ENOREVE ME5 with SOP already in 2021!! 🤔 So my take away - its very difficult to keep track on all those new brands and their models - did not even realized it is listed before - fast time to market and sometimes only strong in their own province. Well, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, is quite far from Changsha, Hunan Province. 😊 https://lnkd.in/eKy7aSAi

Three is not a crowd. Not if you are Premium Automobiles Pte Ltd, who is launching Chinese electric vehicle brand, Deepal in 2025, adding to XPENG and ZEEKR International that it already represents. Singapore is chock-full of Chinese EV brands. Deepal joins 1) BYD, 2) CHERY, 3) Dongfeng Singapore, 4) GAC, 5) Great Wall Motor (GWM), 6) MG, 7) Maxus, 8) Neta and 9) Seres... with more on the way. Especially in a market like Singapore where the number of car registrations is restricted, it is hard to imagine seeing more entries without brands dropping out. As the experts in The Straits Times report pointed out - the dealers have to figure out how to stay in the game and even the market leaders will have to cede some ground. But what about those who are not the major players, whether it is Japanese/Korean/European. Which ones will remain?