Reference News, August 6 report: The French newspaper Le Figaro website published an article titled "Technology, Price, 'Understanding Trends'... Why Are Chinese Cars So Attractive?" on August 3. The author is Sylvain Rieser. The following is a translated excerpt:
When it comes to Chinese cars, Jim Farley is the most powerful supporter. This Ford Motor Company CEO admitted that he has been driving the Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle recently and doesn't want to switch it now. He called the experience "excellent."
As one of the leading companies in the mobile phone industry, this young car manufacturer has become a phenomenon in China, causing shockwaves among Western automakers. It is reported that Ferrari has purchased a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric vehicle for research. Consumers have praised its cost-effectiveness. In the Chinese market, the price of the Xiaomi SU7 is only one-third of the Porsche Taycan.
The excellent quality of the 16.1-inch display and the outstanding performance of the smart entertainment system are added values of the car. When the turn signal is activated, a window temporarily pops up on the screen, allowing the driver to check if there are people in the blind spot. When the vehicle is parked and the transmission is in the "Park" position (for example, during charging), passengers inside can watch videos on TV and social media platforms.
These features are popular with Chinese buyers. They are younger than European consumers and are enthusiastic about new technology. In this already globalized market, these configurations are gaining dominance in the European market. When consumers face choices, besides pure electric drive technology, these features will become another advantage for Chinese brands known for mastering connected technology.
A representative of a large French dealer explained: "Chinese automakers have successfully established themselves as leaders in the electric vehicle field, thereby gaining cognitive advantages, which both reassure consumers and give dealers confidence."
Another major advantage of Chinese automakers is their rapid response capability. Chinese automakers can adjust vehicle designs at record speed according to market changes, while continuously drawing on insights from industry trends and technical accumulation.
Joseph Kabán, Vice President of the Global Design Center at SAIC Group's Innovation Research and Development General Institute, told us about his first days when he started working in China. This Slovak designer said: "In an existing project, I thought the front design of one of the projects needed adjustment. When I came back the next morning, the modification had already been completed. The designers had worked all night. This is impossible to achieve in Europe." This rapid execution capability is also attributed to the vertical integration production model.
Finally, Chinese automakers have fully utilized the market space vacated by certain Western brands in recent years. Consumers may not be aware, but while traditional car brands are reducing product diversity, increasing prices, and pushing for dealership system transformation (turning dealers into agents), these emerging automakers have quietly entered the European market. (Translated by Liu Zhuo)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7535271144396653071/
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