Author | Zhou Mianwu
Editor | Cold Zelin
On June 4, 2022, Li Xiang, the CEO of Ideal Auto, announced on Weibo that the official release date of Ideal L9 is June 21; all stores nationwide can test drive it in July; it will be delivered in August; the delivery volume in September is expected to exceed 10,000.
From Li Xiang’s words, we can see his extreme confidence in L9. For example, he believes that there are too many innovative technologies and product experiences that cannot be experienced through words, images, or videos. Therefore, he wants to make every effort to allow a certain number of car owners and media to experience Ideal L9 on the spot on June 21.
Previously, the common form of new energy vehicle companies’ press conferences was either simply playing videos or exhibiting cars without showing the interior.
Usually, only minor facelifts are allowed for media or car reviewers to experience in advance.
And it is expected that the delivery volume can exceed 10,000 in the following month, which is really fast for a car that may start at 450,000 yuan. By comparison, NIO ET7 went through 13 months from announcement to launch, and delivered 1,707 vehicles from the first batch on March 28 to May.
Currently, L9 has been in production for thousands of vehicles, and can be experienced and locked for pre-order by users.
Li Xiang also made two “outrageous” statements on Weibo. Firstly, the potential user group who has experienced L9 (mainly consisting of families with three generations living together) intends to order the car 100% and is very firm about it. Secondly, he believes that L9 will be the best home SUV under 5 million yuan.
For the first “outrageous” statement, it may need to be further refined and have some limiting conditions.
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It’s effortless to pay 450,000 yuan for the car itself.
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There is a parking space.
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Not afraid that the car length of L9 is too long at 5218mm.
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No biased opinions towards new car-making forces.
Actually, these conditions are not harsh, so it is understandable that Li Xiang did not specifically list them out.
Previously, many new energy vehicle companies claimed that their cars are not inferior to million-dollar luxury cars, but it is still rare to say that their car is not inferior to a 5 million yuan SUV.
Actually, after the car exceeds 1 million yuan, the advantages of its functions have been increasingly weakened. Most sports cars are actually very poor from a practical perspective.
Judging from the surprise level that Ideal ONE once brought to people, it is possible that L9 can make many functions become practical.
For example, the Switch was used as an important element in the previous promotional posters of L9.
Many people think that Switch is useless, but Xpeng Motors believes otherwise.
Many middle-aged and elderly people are fond of various motion-sensing games on Switch. If they can have a great gaming experience in the car or during parking, it can be considered a major innovation. It is not surprising to be able to play Switch in the car, but if it can be convenient for people of all ages, that would be truly remarkable.
We will be able to get a preliminary answer on June 21. Stay tuned.
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.