On the evening of the 24th, Xiaopeng Automotive Technology Day was held. Xiaopeng Automobile showcases its muscles and showcases the latest developments in multiple fields such as intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit, electric drive system, electronics and electronics, intelligent manufacturing, flying cars, robots, etc. The automotive category will gradually evolve from software defined cars to the era of AI defined cars, "said He Xiaopeng, CEO of Xiaopeng Automobile.
In the final ONE MORE THING segment of the press conference, Xiaopeng Motors' first MPV Xiaopeng X9 was unveiled. Xiaopeng Motors stated that "the Xiaopeng X9 will be the only MPV in the world with standard rear wheel steering, which is comparable to the configuration level of millions of luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz S, Land Rover Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, etc
At the same time, more and more new car making brands are entering the new energy MPV market. Ideal Automobile CEO Li Xiang recently released the official image of the pure electric MPV model MEGA. Lantu has also released the 2024 new Lantu Dreamer, which is positioned as a medium to large new energy MPV. Wei Pai released its first MPV Alpine Challenge Elfa. The first medium to large pure electric MPV under Hechuang Automobile, Hechuang V09, has also been officially launched.
The demand for mid to high end new energy MPVs is expected to expand, and domestic brands are accelerating their layout. "Debang Securities pointed out in the research report that, in addition, with the rise of new energy vehicles, new energy MPVs have become a segmented market that major automotive companies cannot ignore.
Can the Xiaopeng X9 stand out in the MPV field due to the trend of "internal competition"?
MPV is fiercely competitive
The Xiaopeng X9, which is unveiled this time, is the flagship model under the Xiaopeng Fuyao architecture and is a pure electric intelligent seven seater model. As the flagship model under the Xiaopeng Fuyao architecture, the Xiaopeng X9 will undertake the core technology of the Fuyao architecture, equipped with technologies such as full range 800V, front and rear integrated aluminum die-casting, and XNGP.
The Xiaopeng X9 is also the first car model to be equipped with the fifth generation Xiaopeng intelligent cockpit system - XOS Tianji. With Xiaopeng's deep intelligent driving ability, it will bring the next generation of intelligent cockpit application scenarios and service experience.
From a styling perspective, the overall appearance of the Xiaopeng X9 has a strong sense of futuristic, innovative, and technological appeal. Xiaopeng Automobile calls it the "Tomorrow Star Ship". The Xiaopeng X9 sculpture design and ultra-low wind resistance design break the traditional "square box shape" of MPVs.
He Xiaopeng stated that the Xiaopeng X9 will debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November and bring a leading experience that is different from the existing seven seater models. Previously, He Xiaopeng posted on his personal Weibo account that the company would use the Xiaopeng X9 model to open up the "young" MPV market.
In the context of accelerating the layout of MPV by domestic brands this year, the MPV market has achieved rapid growth. According to the data disclosed by the China Passenger Car Association, from January to September 2023, the retail sales of MPV in the domestic market increased by 18% year-on-year; Among them, B-level and above models increased by 40%, while A-level models decreased by 10% and A0 models decreased by 27%, reflecting the trend of vehicle enlargement and model upgrades and updates.
The Passenger Transport Association pointed out that the electrification of new energy has improved the driving experience of MPV products and expanded the range of MPV travel scenarios. Therefore, it promotes the rapid rise of high-end MPV new energy independence.
In the fourth quarter of this year, MPV new products were released intensively. Lantu has released the 2024 new Lantu Dreamer, which is positioned as a medium to large new energy MPV. The first medium to large pure electric MPV under Hechuang Automobile, Hechuang V09, has also been officially launched. In addition, the official image of the ideal pure electric MPV model MEGA has also been released. After the release of the Ideal MEGA image, it sparked a heated discussion among netizens due to its resemblance to high-speed rail in appearance. Some bloggers have re created MEGA exterior images into Fuxing and Harmony versions, which have been reposted on Li Xiang's social media platform. Previously, Ideal Automobile had expressed confidence that this model would become the top selling passenger car for over 500000 yuan.
At this press conference, the price of Xiaopeng X9 was not disclosed. Currently, the price range of high-end new energy MPV flagship models launched by domestic brands is concentrated between 300000 yuan and 600000 yuan. In the gradually involuting MPV market, the Xiaopeng X9 can be said to have numerous competitors. Among independent brands, Tengshi, Jikron, GAC Trumpchi, and others have achieved significant growth in mid to high-end MPVs; joint venture brands such as SAIC General Motors and GAC Toyota have maintained stable sales, gradually entering a high-quality and fully competitive market for MPVs.
Betting techniques
In addition to the debut of the Xiaopeng X9, Xiaopeng Automobile also announced the latest developments in multiple fields such as intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit, electric drive system, electronics and electronics, intelligent manufacturing, flying cars, robots, etc.
Xiaopeng Automobile's XNGP intelligent driving assistance system has welcomed the latest mass production and implementation plan. The urban navigation assistance driving function in areas without high-precision maps will be opened in 20 cities in the first phase, increasing to 50 cities within the year. The AI proxy driving function will start small-scale testing and be open to some users this year. By 2024, it will complete the coverage of high-end intelligent driving in cities in certain regions across the country. He Xiaopeng announced on the spot at the press conference that the first phase of "no map capability" city opening will officially open the public beta to users on the evening of the 24th, and will be fully open in the near future.
After Wu Xinzhou, the former vice president of autonomous driving, left, Li Liyun, the new head of autonomous driving at Xiaopeng Automobile, walked to the front of the platform for the first time. Nowadays, urban intelligent driving has entered the stage of urban racing. Li Liyun stated that the XNGP urban navigation assisted driving, which can be driven nationwide, will help Xiaopeng Automobile "enter the second half first".
It is introduced that XNGP urban intelligent driving, which adopts a light map solution, will not be limited by the scope of use and update time of high-precision maps. Li Liyun confidently stated that the battle without a map has ended, and the Xiaopeng XNGP system has the technical capability to support urban intelligent driving nationwide. After completing strict engineering testing and verification, it can be fully pushed in batches to open cities according to user coverage and travel needs.
In addition, Xiaopeng Automobile also officially announced the new intelligent cockpit system XOS Tianji, and officially announced the self-developed XGPT Lingxi large model to be connected to the voice system; It has made its debut in self-developed bipedal robots, integrated flying cars, and split flying cars. A series of latest technological achievements can be said to be full of goods, but whether they can help Xiaopeng Automobile get back on track has become a more critical issue.
Since the failure of Xiaopeng G9 to go public in September last year, Xiaopeng Motors has entered a period of adjustment. In the first half of 2023, Xiaopeng Automobile's total revenue was 9.1 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 38.9%; The sales revenue of automobiles was 7.94 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 43%; Net loss exceeding 5.1 billion yuan; The gross profit margin is -1.4%.
Currently, Xiaopeng is reducing costs through technological means. In terms of intelligent manufacturing, Xiaopeng Automobile is researching and exploring the integrated floor die-casting technology in CIB+, which can increase the vehicle's endurance by 5% while reducing the vehicle manufacturing cost by 10% -30%.
In the view of He Xiaopeng, the internal and external effects of changes in strategy and organization, products and markets have exceeded expectations, and have officially brought the company into a preliminary positive cycle. After several quarters of self transformation, Xiaopeng Automobile has entered a preliminary positive cycle of sales, brand, morale, and cash flow starting from the third quarter of this year, and will enter a larger and more comprehensive positive cycle next year and the following year, "he said during the second quarter financial report conference call
At present, Xiaopeng Automobile's sales have rebounded. In the third quarter of this year, Xiaopeng Automobile's delivery data has rebounded, with a cumulative delivery volume of 40008 vehicles in the third quarter, an increase of 72% month on month. The sales of Xiaopeng G6 reached 8132 units in September; The new G9, which was launched in September, is expected to exceed 15000 vehicles within 15 days of its launch.
From software defined cars to AI defined cars, Xiaopeng Motors demonstrated the strength of China's intelligent cars through this 1024 Technology Day. He Xiaopeng believes that by around 2030, there may only be a few car companies in the global market that can occupy 70% -80% of the market share, and Xiaopeng Motors will strive to become one of them. In the midst of fierce competition, can Xiaopeng Automobile, which stands tall with technology, stand at the forefront?