How did I get interested in New Energy Vehicles?
A year ago, I was working in the traditional gasoline vehicle industry, paying little attention to new energy vehicles. A year later, I became the owner of both Jikr 001 and Jikr 009 and shifted my career to the new energy vehicle field.
In just one year, I went from being a staunch gasoline car enthusiast to a new energy supporter. So, what kind of charm does Jikr have that made me choose it again? Today, I’d like to talk about this topic:
Initially, a friend of mine got me hooked. He worked in automotive training, and we both had experience working in traditional automotive companies, making it hard for us to accept new energy vehicles. He became interested in electric cars because his younger brother bought a Model 3, but was unable to afford the monthly payment after about three months. So, he sold the Model 3 to my friend, who told me that after driving it for a while, he realized that electric cars were really great to drive. Due to the need for more interior space, he even upgraded to a Model Y.
How did I get acquainted with Jikr?
On April 15, 2021, Jikr 001 was launched, and my friend was immediately drawn to it. After discussing it with his family, he decided to purchase a Jikr 001. He kept telling me how great electric cars were and let me try out his Model Y, which completely changed my understanding of new energy vehicles. Thus, I quickly placed an order for Jikr. However, it was already July, and the order queue and delivery progress for Jikr were quite evident to everyone.
My friend truly loved Jikr to the core. Wanting to get the car sooner, he bought an order that was placed during the April 15th launch event and transferred it to me. Consequently, I took delivery of the long-range, non-suspended version of the WE edition in February 2022.
Why did I choose Jikr and not consider other brands?
I decided on Jikr without hesitation because I genuinely wanted to try an electric vehicle, and I trusted my friend’s judgment. Before owning a Tesla, he drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and he believed that the overall quality of the Jikr 001 was comparable to that of the E-Class. This greatly reinforced my confidence in purchasing Jikr, making me believe it was a car worth choosing.
Nevertheless, I’m somewhat concerned because electric vehicles are new to me, and Jikr is a new brand. I worry about potential issues in future usage. However, knowing that Geely Group backs them reassures me regarding the technology aspect. Coupled with the mentioned lifetime quality assurance and other benefits, my concerns were mostly alleviated.
Additionally, although I previously drove a fuel car, power wasn’t my main consideration. The dual-motor YOU version seemed redundant to me, so I opted for the single-motor long-range WE version. Nevertheless, I believe the WE version has exceeded my expectations in multiple aspects.
Changes in Mindset after Switching to Electric Vehicle
Unlike many car owners who switch from fuel to electric, I didn’t extensively test new cars. Instead, I preferred following relevant news and updates online, but only occasionally, with greater focus in the second half of 2022.
After driving for around 3 – 4 months, my mindset began to change. My experience working with traditional fuel car brands significantly influenced my perception. As my experience with electric vehicles increased, I realized it’s just a matter of time before they replace fuel cars in terms of pricing, cost-effectiveness, and product capabilities. The main concerns people usually have when purchasing electric vehicles are:
- Actual range
- Charging convenience
- Resale value
After using the car myself, I find the range and convenience satisfactory. With a range of more than 700 kilometers, even reducing it by 20-30%, I can still travel 400-500 kilometers without anxiety. However, it’s hard to comment on the resale value at present.
Under such circumstances, I only focus on product capabilities. Previously, I drove a Honda Avancier and an Acura RDX. I believe, at a similar price point, the Jikr 001 effortlessly outperforms them in interior materials, smart features, and driving experience.## New Forces, Traditional Manufacturers, and Their New Brands: A Perspective
Gradually, I started exploring other new force brands, such as Tesla, Li Auto, NIO, XPeng, and several traditional automaker brands.
Tesla
In my opinion, Tesla is a company that has brought some aspects of industrialization to the automotive field, not strictly a traditional automaker. Primarily, it prioritizes cost minimization, and its pricing is not market-driven but based on its order backlog. When setting prices, regular automakers typically benchmark against competitors, such as Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 for BMW.
However, Tesla adjusts its prices according to its production capacity. Therefore, I personally feel that it doesn’t quite resemble a traditional automaker in that sense. In terms of handling and other aspects, it’s indeed commendable, but I’m not fond of extreme handling performance. Tesla still has a slightly “unfinished” feel, which people often mention. It has some features, but not many, and in the highly competitive Chinese market, such offerings may only sell for around RMB 100,000. It could be more successful abroad, but the competition in China is intense.
NIO
After purchasing a Jike, I’ve always felt that NIO’s advantages are Jike’s biggest weaknesses.
I remember when Jike was first released, it claimed to be a user-oriented enterprise. At that time, there was only one enterprise daring to call themselves user-oriented, and that was NIO. Their services have indeed earned a good reputation. However, Jike didn’t initially incorporate much user co-creation content.
For example, NIO’s showroom sales follow-ups are very comfortable for the customer; they don’t hassle you to place an order. Instead, they occasionally invite you to visit the showroom for a test drive or check if you’re still considering their cars. They don’t cling too tightly to you, nor do they forget you for long periods. It’s reminiscent of purchasing luxury goods, maintaining a comfortable distance.
NIO truly excels in aspects where Jike can learn from them, especially in customer service. They also offer exclusive benefits and perks to car owners, such as their special programs and partnerships for owner privileges.
Li Auto
From my perspective, I used to overlook Li Auto as a brand. I thought that range extension technology was akin to merely adding a power bank—rather simplistic and “low-end.”In the past, it was viewed differently. However, based on their current performance, among the three companies, Weltmeister’s profitability, financial statements, and product planning are the best. Moreover, Li Xiang, the founder, has a product background, and his precise targeting and profiling of ideal users are attributed to his early experience at Autohome.
Additionally, through their nested structure, costs are reduced and profit-making capabilities are enhanced. I approve of their products, management, and the entire company.
However, if you ask me to buy one, I won’t. I believe they do not consider users’ feelings. They can cast you aside without hesitation.
XPeng
XPeng’s biggest issue is its internal structure. There are substantial barriers between departments. According to my former colleague, who now works as a store manager in XPeng’s delivery center, proposing a project can lead to competition from 4-5 departments. Redundant departments are eliminated or absorbed once a project is completed, and there are ongoing changes in the organizational structure, resulting in unclear responsibilities.
Some claim that the P7’s success is solely due to luck, as its strengths coincided with market demands. Unfortunately, the P5 and G9 models missed the mark.
Why did I consider purchasing the Geely Jiaji 009?
Having a child means I need an MPV. Initially, I planned to use my father’s old Q7, but after over a decade, it was time for a replacement. In May or June last year, I opted for a Toyota Sienna.
After purchasing it, I noticed a stark contrast between the Sienna and my current Geely Jiaji 001. The Sienna felt empty, like a shell that couldn’t satisfy me even as a top-of-the-line model. The space wasn’t imposing, and there were lots of plastic components on the seats. After 3-4 months, I decided to look for a better-quality MPV.
Initially, I saw the Weltmeister Lanmodo Dream Family at a car show, but it didn’t particularly attract me. I also took a look at the NIO ES8 and the Ideal L9 (though not an MPV), but neither enticed me to make a purchase.
Upon learning that JiKe was also planning to launch an MPV, I became interested in following it. I even watched the release event with a friend. Halfway through, I told my friend that the car seemed to be getting out of my budget due to its features and capabilities. However, when the final price was revealed, it turned out to be more affordable than expected, which excited me.
On November 3rd, the demo car arrived at the Shanghai Center, so I brought my wife to take a look. We were both satisfied with the vehicle. I placed the order on the 2nd, locked it on the 3rd, and trusted JiKe enough to purchase the car without test driving it. Suspension tuning is a mysterious art ─ setting it too stiff might be uncomfortable for some, while too soft might cause motion sickness. Finding the right balance is tricky and subjective, but a well-tuned suspension is noticeable. The only drawback I found was the lack of a HUD, likely due to the windshield angle.
Had JiKe not released the 009, I might have held off on getting a new MPV and continued driving my Sienna while waiting for the release of NIO’s new ES8. JiKe’s biggest issue is their claim to be a customer-oriented company, but their actual services don’t quite live up to that statement. They can’t match the heavily-funded efforts of NIO, who spent three to four years building their reputation.
Space
One of the essential aspects of an MPV is space, and the 009 excels in this regard. With its 5.2-meter length and 3.2-meter wheelbase, it offers a comfortable seating position in the first two rows, and the third row doesn’t feel like an afterthought for decoration, unlike many other MPVs on the market.One downside of the Cena is that it sacrifices the width of the second-row seats to allow for a passage, making it impossible to fully support half of your body if you want a comfortable seating position. The Jikr 009, on the other hand, opted to move the second-row seats forward, allowing third-row passengers to exit the vehicle with ease, without having to bend over, lower their heads, twist, or turn inside the cabin. This ensures both the comfort of the second-row seats and the convenience of third-row passengers getting in and out.
While the 009’s trunk space can’t compare to the Cena’s — because the Cena has a recessed space, whereas the Jikr 009 has batteries and an engine layout — the available space is still quite sufficient, accommodating numerous suitcases. This differs significantly from MPVs like the Odyssey, where fitting four people may only leave room for two small suitcases, resulting in limited space.
I find the 009’s trunk space to be sufficient for my needs, and the safety of the third-row headrests’ position and distance from the rear window is also not an issue. With many MPVs, after setting up the third-row seats, passengers’ heads are actually in the trunk and touching the glass, which feels quite unsafe. In the event of an accident, third-row passengers’ safety could be compromised.Translate the Chinese Markdown text below into English Markdown text, in a professional manner, retaining the HTML tags within the Markdown. Only output results that will be greatly affected.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.