Daily Archive: June 19, 2023

BYD launches 2023 Song Plus at lower prices than pre-sale

All versions of the 2023 Song Plus are priced RMB 10,000 lower than the pre-sale.

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BYD today officially launched the 2023 Song Plus line of SUVs, after starting their pre-sale 10 days ago.

As it has done previously, BYD is calling these revamped models Champion Editions, including the plug-in hybrid Song Plus DM-i and the all-electric Song Plus EV.

The new Song Plus DM-i is available in four versions with starting prices of RMB 159,800 ($22,320), RMB 169,800, RMB 179,800 and RMB 189,800 respectively.

Compared to the June 8 pre-sale, all versions of the Song Plus DM-i are priced RMB 10,000 lower.

The previously available Song Plus DM-i was offered in seven versions with starting prices ranging from RMB 154,800 to RMB 218,800.

It is worth noting, however, that the Song Plus DM-i's two previously least expensive versions had a battery range of just 51 kilometers, which BYD has eliminated for the improved version of the model.

The entry-level version of the new Song Plus DM-i has a battery range of 110 kilometers and the final price is lower than the previous 110-kilometer range version at RMB 167,800.

The Song Plus EV Champion Edition also comes in four versions, starting at RMB 169,800, RMB 179,800, RMB 189,800 and RMB 209,800 respectively, all of which are RMB 10,000 less than the price at the time of pre-sale.

Three versions of the new Song Plus EV have a 520 km CLTC range and one version has a 605 km CLTC range.

The previously available 2022 Song Plus EV had only two versions, starting at RMB 186,800 and RMB 203,800 respectively. They both have an NEDC range of 505 km.

The length, width and height of the new BYD Song Plus are 4,775 mm, 1,890 mm and 1,670 mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm.

For comparison, the old Song Plus has a length, width and height of 4,705 mm, 1,890 mm and 1,680 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,765 mm.

BYD's product array includes the Dynasty series and the Ocean series, and the Song family models include both the Song Pro DM-i and Song Max DM-i in the Dynasty series and the Song Plus series in the Ocean series.

BYD sold 240,220 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in May, including 239,092 new energy passenger vehicles, and 1,128 new energy commercial vehicles.

Its Dynasty series passenger cars sold 125,515 units in May, and the Ocean series sold 102,572 units.

In May, the Dynasty Series Song sold 13,685 units and the Ocean Series Song Plus sold 24,329 units, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.

($1 = RMB 7.1609)

BYD officially names F brand Fang Cheng Bao, initial model to be launched this year

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Polestar partners with Geely’s Meizu to make in-car operating system that caters to Chinese consumers

Polestar will own 49 percent of the joint venture, with Xingji Meizu holding the remaining 51 percent.

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After acquiring smartphone maker Meizu last year, is integrating it with car brands under its umbrella.

Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker Polestar said today it has formed a joint venture with Xingji Meizu to build an operating system for Polestar cars sold in China.

Polestar will own 49 percent of the joint venture, with Xingji Meizu holding the remaining 51 percent, according to a statement.

The joint venture will build on Xingji Meizu's existing operating system, Flyme Auto, for Polestar's smart operating system, Polestar OS, for the Chinese market.

The system can be integrated with cell phones, augmented reality smart terminals and user service applications to create a borderless digital ecosystem, Polestar said.

China is one of the fastest-growing EV markets in the world, with distinct consumer trends, notably the deep integration of consumer electronics and cars, said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

Through this partnership, Polestar and Xingji Meizu will provide Chinese customers with an experience that exceeds expectations, he said.

Originally a brand acquired by Volvo Cars, Polestar became independent with joint funding from Geely and Volvo, focusing on premium EVs and based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In June 2022, Polestar went public on NASDAQ through a merger with a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company).

Currently, Polestar's models are all produced in Chinese factories.

Meizu was one of the first smartphone manufacturers in China, founded in 2003, and became one of the best-known phone makers in the smartphone era. However, the company's market share has declined severely over the past few years.

On July 4, 2022, Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology, a cell phone company founded by Eric Li, founder and chairman of carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, announced the completion of its acquisition of a majority stake in Meizu.

Xingji acquired a 79.09 percent controlling interest in Meizu and gained sole control of the company.

Last November, Meizu released the system, called Flyme Auto, saying it was a continuation of the Flyme mobile operating system for the smart cockpit.

In March, the Xingji Meizu Group was officially launched, and its executives announced at the time that the company would focus on mobile and in-car systems, XR technology and forward-looking technologies going forward.

With the new joint venture, Polestar is no longer an EV company, but a technology company with multiple smart terminals, including cars and phones, Xingji Meizu CEO Shen Ziyu said today.

Polestar 4 launched in China with starting price of $50,870

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NIO offers short-term car rental for Chinese owners on European trips

The service will begin a trial run on July 1, with available vehicles being the ET7 and EL7 and a minimum order length of seven days.

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NIO (NYSE: NIO) will start a trial of a service next month that will allow its car owners in China the flexibility to rent the company's cars while traveling in Europe.

NIO's destination travel service in Europe will begin a trial run on July 1, and those interested can make reservations at that time, according to an article posted today on the NIO App.

The service will be available in Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, covering 11 cities including Oslo, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Amsterdam.

NIO will offer two models, the ET7 and EL7, in the trial, but for now it is only available to NIO car owners.

The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker launched the ET7, ET5 and EL7 in Europe at the NIO Berlin 2022 event on October 7, 2022. The EL7 is known as the ES7 in China and is using that new name in Europe because of the lawsuit with Audi.

ET7 deliveries in Europe started in October 2022 and EL7 deliveries there started on January 31 of this year.

Owners wishing to use NIO's service must place an order 14 days in advance, with a minimum order length of seven days, at a price of 700 euros ($760) per week. Any use of the car beyond 7 days will be calculated at 100 euros per day.

The benefits provided by NIO for consumers of the service include battery swap service free of charge, free NIO House drinks, and 7*24 hours Chinese service.

NIO Houses are NIO's flagship showrooms, which function as a space to display and sell vehicles while providing a quality lifestyle for NIO owners. The company's showrooms also include the much smaller NIO Spaces.

NIO currently has six NIO Houses in Europe, located in Oslo and Kristiansand, Norway; Berlin, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, Germany; and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

NIO plans to start supporting the use of NIO Credits within its Chinese mobile app for NIO Houses overseas at the end of July, it said.

($1 = €0.9167)

NIO names its car rental service in China NIO Subscription

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