Intense Competition in the Auto Market: Key Discussions This Week

The auto market's fierce competition is well-known, with ongoing 'price wars' and 'public opinion battles' keeping everyone busy. This week, discussions center on a few significant events. Firstly, Dongche Di released the results of its assisted driving tests on 36 vehicles, sparking heated debates across social media platforms. Secondly, CEO Jia Yueting's return to China and his collaboration with Great Wall Motors to bring the popular Wei brand Gaoshan to the U.S. market is generating buzz. Lastly, Mitsubishi has officially withdrawn from China. 1. **Assisted Driving Testing Causes a Stir**: Recently, Dongche Di published results from its real-world testing of assisted driving across 36 vehicles, which led to significant controversy. According to the official statement, the tests simulated accident scenarios on real highways and city roads, covering 15 subjects with nearly 40 models from over 20 domestic and international brands. During the testing, vehicles faced various challenges such as disappearing lead cars, nighttime trucks, and sudden obstacles. The results showed that in the scenario of encountering construction at night with trucks, only 47% of vehicles could safely navigate, and the passing rate for children crossing the street was only 58%. The announcement of these results triggered a fierce online debate, with some humorously claiming that 'car manufacturers are calm while non-manufacturers are in a frenzy.' The discussion highlighted the gap between the promised 'smart driving' capabilities and the reality of complex driving conditions. 2. **Jia Yueting Bridges Domestic and International Markets**: Faraday Future has officially launched its second brand, Faraday X (FX), with its first model, the FX Super One. This vehicle has faced accusations of copying Great Wall Motors' Wei brand Gaoshan model. Despite the controversy, reports suggest that Great Wall Motors is one of the Chinese partners in Jia's 'China-U.S. automotive bridge strategy.' The FX Super One's design is based on the Wei brand Gaoshan, which has already made a mark in the domestic market. The vehicle has achieved over 10,034 paid reservations, with more than 80% of orders from rental companies and ride-hailing platforms. This 'bulk order' strategy is seen as a financing tool aimed at attracting investment to support production. 3. **Mitsubishi Cuts Ties in China**: Mitsubishi Motors has officially severed its joint venture with Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi and closed its engine business in China. This marks the end of Mitsubishi's 40-year presence in the Chinese automotive market. Once a leading engine supplier, Mitsubishi's technology has become less relevant as domestic brands have developed their own competitive engines. The shift from 'necessary' Mitsubishi engines to 'one of the options' reflects the changing market dynamics. This situation serves as a mirror, showcasing the transformation of the Chinese automotive industry from students to competitors on the global stage.