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HiPhi Z GT: High-Tech Performance Luxury Electric Vehicle at Million-Dollar Price

The electric vehicle market is booming, but in the high-end luxury market, we often only see “concept” models that are slow to hit the market. However, since its inception, Chinese company Human Horizons (HiPhi) has been a hot topic with its ability to price its electric vehicles at over 700,000 RMB.

On March 31, 2022, HiPhi held its spring launch event. Usually, in the industry, high-end models are introduced first, followed by lower-end models. However, at this event, HiPhi decided to continue to push the envelope by launching a million-dollar price high-tech performance “new concept” GT-HiPhi Z GT.

At the launch event, HiPhi also repeatedly emphasized the phrase “Love Creating.” Facing such a bold and potentially immature company, the editor’s department must thoroughly summarize this launch event.

Why does HiPhi keep emphasizing “Love Creating”?

What was that saying? “Adults don’t talk about love, they only talk about money.”

I think that the reason HiPhi used such an immature word is related to the background of its founder, chairman, and CEO, Mr. Ding Lei, who is an engineer. He graduated in solid-state physics from Fudan University and previously served as vice president of SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd., general manager of Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd., party secretary, and general manager of Shanghai Zhangjiang (Group) Co., Ltd.

Based on my experience dealing with engineers, it’s not abnormal for HiPhi to use the phrase “Love Creating.”

Because childlike wonder can often ignite pure passion and original drive, leading to more imaginative and sophisticated products. Therefore, more than ever, I want to know what they will create next.

This year, HiPhi will carry out a series of activities and launch new products. There is plenty of substance!

At this launch event, HiPhi unveiled a GT model based on HiPhi Z and the HiPhi OS 2.0 vehicle system, which will soon be upgraded via OTA.

GT (Grand Tourer, where “Grand” means luxury, and “Tourer” means traveler) is a kind of cross-border style. Its first level of interpretation involves high performance, luxuriousness, spaciousness, and comfort.# HiPhi Z GT: The Crossover Car with Strong Basic Quality

HiPhi Z GT is based on HiPhi Z, and it has a strong basic quality. HiPhi Z is a large and all-electric coupe, adopting a 2+2 seat layout with the rear seats giving passengers a feel of being in an aircraft business class cabin. Therefore, its space and comfort are not too bad. As for the power performance, HiPhi X can accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and the GT version is bound to be even higher.

In the era of electrification, GT is also endowed with a stronger technological level, and this is the second meaning of GT. Let’s do a test. When we put the Audi RS e-tron GT and Audi RS together, can we feel the former has a stronger sense of technology?

Regarding the second definition, the design team of HiPhi is definitely a sophisticated player with high imagination. HiPhi Z GT was inspired by Endless Racing, Tron Legacy, and Ready Player One’s DMC Time Machine. It has a strong digital style.

Furthermore, they pursue excellence, and their recently upgraded HiPhi OS 2.0 in-car system will be fully displayed. The release conference claimed that HiPhi OS 2.0 will have as many as 325 new/optimized features.

Among these features, I am looking forward to the “30-second continuous conversation” function they added. This means that the voice interaction system can be activated once and not need to be activated again within 30 seconds, even if you are talking with other passengers. It won’t affect the commands you give. Isn’t it like WeChat group chat? The messages in group chats are displayed in chronological order, so they are always disconnected from each other. The in-car system can recognize the conversations with humans like the human brain, but it can also avoid many misunderstandings.

HiPhi Is Building a Revolutionary ProductFounder Ding Lei said that the DNA of innovation is embedded in the blood of GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group), therefore, after the brand was established, they firmly began to embrace the pure electric, high intelligence, and high quality direction of car manufacturing. GAC’s ideals and goals are to pursue the ultimate in innovation and create epoch-making products with forward-looking technology during the creation process.

With such high ambitions, it was natural for them to continue to upgrade to the high-end market, and thus the release of the HiPhi X, HiPhi Z, and HiPhi Z GT followed.

However, let’s be honest, there are also companies with similar slogans. Where does GAC’s confidence in upward development come from?

I think this is related to their market response, positioning, temperament, and technical characteristics over the years.

The guide price of HiPhi X ranges from RMB 570,000 to RMB 800,000. Their aspiration is not just to make high-end cars, but luxury cars recognized by the market.

This field is not without competitors. You will face a group of old-school luxury brands such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, and the Red Flag E-HS9, which was launched earlier than it, is also a force that should not be underestimated. The market recognized the value of HiPhi X. According to the information released, HiPhi X has won the monthly sales champion in the first two months of this year.

Of course, GAC’s outstanding performance may be related to the digestion of previous orders, but we must give credit where it is due. In addition, looking at the longer timeline, HiPhi X officially began delivery in May of last year and broke through 5,000 cars in just 10 months, setting the fastest delivery speed for a Chinese luxury pure electric brand with sales exceeding 500,000.

Frankly speaking, I was surprised by the delivery speed because GAC’s killer feature is to let users truly feel the charm of “one thousand people, one thousand rides”. But this also shows that they must have enough flexibility (to meet users’ special needs) in modularization (the basic characteristics of car manufacturing), which undoubtedly puts the comprehensive ability of the automaker to the test.

GAC’s factory can respond to customized needs. I think this is related to the introduction of world-class advanced manufacturing equipment in GAC’s intelligent factory, and the construction of information management systems based on 5G, cloud computing, and other technologies.

GAC has achieved industry-standard part customization. Its entire business chain cloud-based digital production and operation management system MOM supports highly personalized flexible production. It starts with parts, generates digital cars for ordered users throughout the entire life cycle, seamlessly connects with the factory, and achieves visual interaction and digital tracking of the production process.

Regarding custom production, it is not a new idea. For example, domestic automakers like Audi have been trying it out for a long time, and OTD Audi’s personalized customization project has a good reputation in the industry. Interestingly, GAC’s level of customization is higher, allowing for generation of customized “firmware” based on user preferences, making the car more fresh.

For example, when users use HiPhi Play to customize the entire car mode, they can achieve a “fireworks show.” By starting this mode, the HiPhi X can simulate the effect of fireworks by controlling the car’s lights, doors, and sound system. Another example is the custom scene that can be achieved by combining the opening of the rear door with the wings.

It’s worth mentioning that these unique modes can be shared with other users through scene cards. In the past, when we talked about the car communication circle, we basically planted software functions such as “WeChat, QQ Music” into cars, but controlling and sharing different car components is something new.

GAC revealed that since its official delivery on May 8, 2021, they have created more than 2000 scene cards together with users. Through over 500 suggestions contributed by users, they have iterated 244 features. The co-created scene cards cover various scenarios such as self-driving tours, camping, daily commutes, parent-child travel, and festival celebrations.

At this spring launch event, GAC once again emphasized their brand attribute of “liking to create.” Based on HiPhi Play, they will further upgrade the co-creation experience and expand the usage scenarios. In April of this year, GAC will launch the HiPhi Play Creation Season event, inviting users to create scene cards around different themes together. In June, the HiPhi Play platform will be launched, aiming to co-create more useful and interesting product experiences for SOA enthusiasts across the web.

It is clear that GAC hopes to continue strengthening communication with users and car enthusiasts. This is a great idea – engineers create the stage, and users and car enthusiasts participate in car creation. It is beneficial for both the brand itself and the promotion of car culture.

Summary# HiPhi, a new luxury intelligent pure electric brand co-created with user community and other relevant parties, has a distinctive brand tone. It aims to establish a closer “relationship” between people and the world and create a unique and harmonious world.

We translate this statement into engineering language as intelligent pure electric, high-performance, high-tech, customized, and user deeply involved. The product technology and development pace of HiPhi have confirmed that they are indeed building cars based on these principles. I hope that HiPhi can continue to achieve great results in the high-end luxury pure electric field and contribute a powerful force to change the future of human mobility.

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.