Author: Li Yuanyuan
In 2021, it was a year of explosive growth for the global new energy vehicle market, but not everyone was happy.
The unforgettable events in the global new energy vehicle industry have also left deep impressions on their protagonists.
Some of them have prospered and become stars that the capital market is chasing after in the wave of intelligent electrification; some are extremely popular, with differentiated products praised by users; and some have failed in their entrepreneurial endeavors and are unable to salvage their companies from decline. They have been attacked by multiple parties, and even forced to leave their founding enterprises.
For these global new energy vehicle industry luminaries, “EV Observer” launched a vote for readers to select the top 10 “successful” and top 10 “unsuccessful” people of 2021. Let’s review the major events and behind-the-scenes stories of the new energy vehicle industry in the past year.
In this issue, we will take stock of the top 10 “unsuccessful” people. The characters are listed in descending order of votes, as shown in the figure below.
- Xu Jiayin, Chairman of Evergrande Group: We want to sell, sell, sell!
From the signing ceremony with hundreds of companies in 2019, calling for “buy, buy, buy,” to the majestic appearance in Yakeshi at the beginning of 2021, Xu Jiayin, the big boss of Hengchi Automobile, has always been a diamond in the new energy vehicle industry. However, after the Yakeshi winter test, Xu Jiayin and Hengchi lost their luster —— Hengchi frequently suspended production and began “selling, selling, selling”; Xu Jiayin was pointed at and verbally abused by female creditors. With the year coming to an end, Hengda and Hengchi are struggling to revive themselves. Can Xu Jiayin continue to be as imposing as before?
- Liu Qing, President of Didi Chuxing: Hey, we went public, hey, we’re going to be delisted
A Peking University and Harvard high-achieving student, independent female talent, business elite, cancer survivor…Liu Qing is the most important representative of Didi beyond Cheng Wei. However, the series of blows suffered by Didi, including going public in the United States, being taken off the shelves in China for network security reasons, and being delisted from the United States in a matter of months, as well as the collapse of the image of her father, Liu Chuanzhi, a patriotic entrepreneur, also put Liu Qing at the center of public opinion whirlpool. Faced with national network security, even powerful people like Liu Qing and Didi had to bow their heads.### 3 Yao Zhenhua, Chairman of Baoneng Group — Can I turn the situation around in 3 months? Do you believe it?
In 2021, not only did Xu Jiayin receive criticism in both the real estate and automobile industries, but Yao Zhenhua also received such criticism after being scolded by Dong Mingzhu and Wang Shi. After several high-level executives left, it was revealed that Baoneng Automobile had owed its employees several months’ salary. Soon after, Baoneng Group was hit by another scandal when its debt reached 200 billion yuan over the past five years. Yao Zhenhua had to make a personal promise to turn the situation around in 3 months. This real estate magnate who was once extremely successful is having a hard time in 2021.
4 Diess, CEO of Volkswagen Group — I have been stripped of power
After Herbert Diess became Chairman of the Volkswagen Board of Directors in 2019, he initiated a series of self-revolutionary measures including electrification, intelligence, and downsizing. However, his radical reforms exacerbated the conflict with the trade union, and even nearly forced him to resign as Volkswagen CEO. Although he eventually stayed on as CEO, starting from January 1, 2022, Diess will be in charge of the group’s software department. In the eyes of the public, his power has been greatly diminished. Although this 63-year-old veteran hopes to lead Volkswagen towards survival through reform, he may already be powerless to turn things around.
5 Tao Lin, Global Vice President of Tesla — We have no way to compromise
“To strengthen consumer education” and “We have no way to compromise, which is a process that every new product must go through in its development”… In response to the “roofing rights” event at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, Tesla executives frequently came out with such statements, including Tao Lin, who then became well-known among netizens. Some Tesla owners blamed Tao Lin for parking lots refusing to let Teslas enter, and believed that she should “be fired” in order to ease the public’s resistance to Tesla. Ultimately, Tao Lin was not fired, but the attitude she demonstrated on behalf of Tesla remains unforgettable.
6 An Conghui, CEO of Jidu Auto — I’m Congcong, and I apologize to everyone
# Translation
In March 2021, Zeekr Auto was founded and An Conghui, the former CEO of Geely Auto Group, was appointed as Zeekr’s CEO, which shows Geely’s importance to this brand. An Conghui put down his executive status and called himself “Cong Cong” to get closer to users. However, Zeekr’s performance did not satisfy its users. Firstly, delayed delivery and increased prices caused complaints from prospective owners. An Conghui publicly apologized as “Cong Cong”. Soon after, Zeekr apologized again for some mooncakes given to owners which went bad. So far, Zeekr’s sales have been lackluster. These incidents have damaged the reputation of Zeekr, a brand focusing on high-end intelligent cars, and raised doubts about the ability of automotive veteran An Conghui.
7 Dai Lei, Executive Vice President of Evergrande Auto and former CEO of Byton – I have switched jobs
From Infiniti to BMW Brilliance Auto and then to the early days of Byton, Dai Lei had a smooth and successful career in the automotive industry. His fluent Chinese and gentle manner narrowed the distance between him and local governments and media in China. Unfortunately, Dai Lei did not lead Byton to achieve its planned production, and the company could not avoid being closed down or downsized. Dai’s most recent public appearance was at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, in his new role as Executive Vice President of Evergrande Auto. This former new car company boss is now under someone else’s roof.
8 Shen Hui, Chairman of WM Motor – We have regressed
In 2021, most new car companies’ products are selling well, and the capital market is booming, with heads of new forces being very prestigious. However, WM Motor, and Shen Hui, are an exception. In April 2021, WM Motor’s long-expected Science and Technology Innovation Board IPO did not happen. WM Motor’s basic sales market had not only fallen far behind NIO’s, and their sales of multiple models also lagged behind those of new companies such as NETA Automobile and Leapmotor. In December, a series of fires occurred, once again putting WM Motor in the spotlight of controversy. In looking back to 2018, it is hard to imagine that scene when Shen Hui proudly shouted out “we are the first new car company to deliver on-time production” – today’s WM Motor and Shen Hui inevitably makes people sigh.
9 Jia Yueting, Founder of Faraday Future – I haven’t come back yet, it seems like I’ve never left either.
Countless “next week”s have passed, and Jia Yueting has not yet returned to China. However, he is still active on various social media platforms, and in China, he updates the latest progress of FF through Weibo, reminding Chinese netizens that FF91 is still running on the road to mass production. The latest news is that FF, which has been on the market for less than six months, has been sued by a US law firm in a class action. Jia Yueting, who has been in the industry for many years, is no stranger to various lawsuits, and should not be afraid to respond. However, after LeEco’s car project failed, FF, which he founded on his own, is no longer owned by him. This crazy man who is suffocating for his dream is still a bit lonely.
10 Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation – I hit myself in the face
Among traditional fuel car giants who have questioned the trend of electrification, Toyota has always been the most determined in its attitude, and its leader, Akio Toyoda, has repeatedly publicly criticized the electric car industry. However, on December 14, 2021, Akio Toyoda, in contrast to his previous opposition to electric cars, announced a $35 billion investment in electric vehicle research by 2030 and the launch of 30 electric vehicles. Such a big move makes one wonder whether Akio Toyoda is truly determined to embrace the electric wave, or is it a feint that he may change his mind at any time?
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.