Han media: "Ugly cars" are a thing of the past, Chinese electric vehicles have changed!
On August 21, the South Korean media "Gyeongin Daily" published an article stating that the design of Chinese cars, once evaluated as "clones" and "cost-effective", is continuously improving. The exquisite appearance and luxurious interior are attracting consumers' attention. With the continuous addition of world-class designers, the competitiveness of Chinese car design is also constantly increasing. Chinese car design is gradually getting rid of the label of "ugly cars" and moving towards a real design breakthrough.
It is reported that BYD, China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, will launch the mid-size electric sedan "Seal" in South Korea this second half of the year. This is the second model launched by BYD in South Korea after the ATTO 3, which was launched in April. The listed price is 46.9 million won, and the actual price after subsidies is expected to be around 40 million won.
Aside from performance and price, the design of the Seal has also attracted market attention. BYD said that the design of the Seal was inspired by "freely racing in the sea," emphasizing the streamlined body contour and natural curves. The low front, wide body, and smooth roof lines reflect the unique texture of a sports sedan. It is similar to the Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 6, but also demonstrates some differentiated attempts. The interior features a large screen and leather materials, creating a luxurious car atmosphere.
The core of this design innovation is Wolfgang Egle, a designer from former Audi. Wolfgang Egle joined BYD in 2017, dedicated to shaping the brand's design style. His "Ocean Series" includes elements such as Seal, Dolphin, and Shark, and has become BYD's flagship series.
Strengthening design is not a unique trend for BYD alone. Electric vehicle company XPeng Motors hired Juanma Lopez, who previously served as the head of design for Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Genesis Europe, as Vice President last June. The new P7, scheduled for release this second half of the year, has been highly anticipated as a "Tesla competitor" due to its aerodynamic design.
Geely Auto also introduced Stephen Sim, the former design director of Bentley, in 2021, accelerating its high-end electric vehicle brand strategy. Geely owns European brands such as Volvo and Polestar, so it is actively reflecting European design concepts. The exterior design of the electric vehicle brand Zeekr is also gradually being adjusted to meet the European market.
In 2023, Changan Auto also joined the competition, appointing Klaus Bischoff, who designed the Golf and Tiguan for the Volkswagen Group, as Global Design Vice President.
Foreign media have also closely watched changes in Chinese cars. In May, CNN introduced the Shanghai Auto Show, saying: "China, once considered a crude and copycat automaker, has rapidly developed into a leading enterprise in the global electric vehicle industry." The American magazine Wired introduced BYD's new car, the "Chenchi Z9," and praised it: "It has shown significant progress not only in technology but also in design."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841030785128452/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.