Lynk & Co Brand, Working Hard to Put a New Energy Label on Themselves

At the Shanghai Auto Show, Lynk & Co 08 appeared at the booth as the main model under the theme of “Dawn of Electrification” – in addition, Lynk & Co’s The Next Day concept car, which was released last year, also appeared.

According to the official positioning, Lynk & Co 08 is a “brand new mid-size SUV with new energy.” From the latest product features announced by the official at the auto show, Lynk & Co 08 also emphasizes its position in new energy in many ways:

• First to use the CMA Evo architecture, becoming the first strategic model of this architecture.
• The first to adopt the EM-P super-range extended electric vehicle scheme, using the new DHT Evo electric drive; the active electric drive is 160 kW, and the independent rear motor is 156 kW, with a total power of over 400 kW.
• The extender has a power generation capacity of 80 kW, and can provide more than 200 kWh at full oil and electricity, supporting 3.3KW external discharge.
• The battery is integrated with the body to improve the overall vehicle collision safety performance, supports IP68 waterproof, and has 7×24 hours battery health cloud detection.
• It adopts a 39.6-degree three-element lithium battery, with a maximum pure electric range of 245 kilometers and a comprehensive range of 1400 kilometers.
• Supports up to 85 kW DC fast charging, and completes 30% to 80% fast energy replenishment in 28 minutes.

Overall, it can be seen that Lynk & Co 08 emphasized its connection with “electricity” in many dimensions, including architecture, power, battery, endurance, charging, power generation, and discharge.

In addition, Lynk & Co 08 also made great efforts in the intelligent and related in-vehicle system.

Among them, Lynk & Co 08’s in-vehicle hardware uses the Antares 1000 Pro cockpit computing platform from Yika Tong. Its highlight is the integration of two “Dragon Eagle One” chips based on the 7nm process technology.On the software side, Lynk & Co 08 is the first to be equipped with the Flyme Auto car system, which is a result of cooperation between Ecarx and Meizu in the mobile phone industry. Due to Meizu’s mobile phone background, Flyme Auto has attracted attention, and its communication and coordination experience with Meizu smartphones on the car system level has also become a highlight of this car system. As for the price of Lynk & Co 08, it has not been announced yet.

In any case, we can clearly feel that with the release of this product, Lynk & Co is working very hard to tell the outside world that it has been actively transitioning to new energy. For Lynk & Co, the transition to new energy is more like a passive choice. After all, since its establishment in 2016, Lynk & Co has established its high-end brand positioning and image in the fuel car field in more than six years of time. From the market performance point of view, Lynk & Co has already obtained over 800,000 users, as well as larger app users and social media fans.

However, facing the wave of new energy vehicle development, Lynk & Co also has to change – Lin Jie, the general manager of Lynk & Co Automobile Sales Co., Ltd., has clearly stated in 2022 that from 2023, Lynk & Co will stop the development of pure fuel car models and fully invest in the research and development of new energy products. Obviously, Lynk & Co 08 is an example of Lynk & Co’s active change.

But the problem is that this example is not yet strong enough. Although Lynk & Co 08 emphasizes “incoming calls” very much, what the outside world is more concerned about is Lynk & Co’s pure electric vehicle strategy. After all, from the attributes of new energy vehicles, pure electric vehicle models are obviously closer to the concept of “new energy”, while hybrid models are one level away. Therefore, for the issue of Lynk & Co’s transition to new energy, Lynk & Co 08 has already shown the sincerity to the outside world, but including 42Garage, the outside world is looking forward to seeing Lynk & Co come up with an answer related to “pure electric”. Fortunately, during the Shanghai Auto Show, we had the opportunity to have in-depth discussions with Lin Jie, the general manager of Lynk & Co Automotive Sales Co., Ltd., and Chen Xiaofei, the deputy general manager of Lynk & Co Automotive Sales Co., Ltd., on many issues related to Lynk & Co’s brand’s transition to new energy, including Lynk & Co 08, Lynk & Co’s pure electric strategy and other hot topics.Here are the key points we discussed:

Q: Does Lynk & Co have plans to launch pure electric vehicle models next year?

A: Pure electric products will definitely be available, and Lynk & Co will not be absent. Lynk & Co will release a series of pure electric vehicles next year, including larger and smaller models.

Q: What are the characteristics of the EM-P super range-extender electric system used in Lynk & Co 08?

A: The industry’s understanding of plug-in hybrids has changed. In the past, the pure electric range of plug-in hybrids was in the range of 40-50 kilometers, and consumers may have only purchased it for the chance to get a green license plate. However, plug-in hybrid technology has been upgraded several generations. The EM-P super range-extender electric system introduced by Lynk & Co this time is closer to the driving experience of electric vehicles and can be driven electrically in more driving modes.

Why was this system developed? Looking at the Lynk & Co 08, its pure electric range can reach up to 245 kilometers, which is sufficient for daily commuting. At the same time, with a 60-liter fuel tank and triple motors, Lynk & Co 08 can provide 200 degrees of electricity in range-extending mode. Calculated at a price of 1,000 yuan per degree of battery, this is equivalent to a battery pack worth 200,000 yuan. Therefore, the driving experience and quality of Lynk & Co 08 are basically the same as with pure electric vehicles, but without the need for a large battery pack, thus providing greater assurance for the range.

Why is it called the EM-P super range-extender electric system? Where is the “super”? It is known that the shortcomings of range-extending vehicles are that fuel consumption is very high at high speeds, and the series connection used would lead to performance degradation during acceleration. However, Lynk & Co’s system does not have such issues.

For urban users, about 70% of their driving scenarios are in the city. Traditional range-extenders can cover most daily scenarios, which is good enough for ordinary consumers. However, Lynk & Co hopes to provide users with the ability to meet all driving scenarios and conditions, without the need to make choices.

Overall, the application of the EM-P super range-extender electric system has raised Lynk & Co’s products to a new level of “electric feel”.

Q: What was Lynk & Co’s design concept for the pure electric range of the Lynk & Co 08?

A: Lynk & Co 08 will launch two versions, one with a pure electric range of 245 kilometers, and the other 120 kilometers. These two versions can cover most driving scenarios and users can choose the appropriate version based on their actual needs.

Normally, in second-tier cities, a pure electric range of 120 kilometers is sufficient. However, in first-tier cities, 240 kilometers may be required. Therefore, users should choose the version that best suits their daily commuting distance.I personally believe that bigger battery does not necessarily mean better, and there is a misconception. Larger battery inevitably means higher cost; installing extra large battery does not necessarily bring significant benefits.

Q: What is the difference between the EM-P system used in Lynk & Co 08 and the one used in Lynk & Co 09?

A: The EM-P ultra-long range hybrid system used in Lynk & Co 08 is the second generation EM-P and the motor type is different. A series of core components, such as motors and generators, adopted in this system are self-developed.

Compared with Geely’s hybrid system, there are also differences in the requirements of technical indicators for Lynk & Co’s EM-P ultra-long range hybrid system, as well as apparent differentiation in brand level and appearance.

On the other hand, each brand has its own defined material standards. For instance, Lynk & Co has its own car-making specifications, which are closer to Volvo’s requirements. Each brand under Geely will make technical differentiation based on its own segregation and positioning.

Q: How does Lynk & Co distinguish between Lynk & Co Pure Electric and Polestar Pure Electric internally?

A: All brands need to transition and evolve into new energy comprehensively.

Currently, pure electric is the most important line for new energy development. Hence, Lynk & Co cannot and will not be absent. Moreover, Lynk & Co is a joint venture brand of Geely and Volvo, which should sell not only in China, but also in global markets. Therefore, we are expanding our business according to the global plan.

In terms of pure electric vehicle, we will focus more on user experience without pursuing excessive technical indicators. However, we will definitely provide a Lynk & Co Pure Electric product that stands out from the crowd. In terms of styling, Lynk & Co’s pure electric vehicles will not follow the existing ones, but will have their own looks and attitudes.

Furthermore, Lynk & Co will also inherit the high-quality interior and craftsmanship it has always had. We have a set of “safety laws” internally at Lynk & Co, which not only refer to hard safety, but also to soft safety. For example, regarding air quality, our cabins have zero cotton, zero harmful solvents, and zero pitch. These have been written into the standard law of Lynk & Co’s manufacturing, and will be retained during any refitting or upgrading.

Also, since Polestar already has an electric car, why does Lynk & Co need it? This is because Lynk & Co’s users want it. We have heard many calls from our users, hoping that Lynk & Co’s next vehicle will be an electric car. Of course, new energy is not only the demand of Lynk & Co’s users, but also that of the Lynk & Co brand itself and its sales.### Q: How to break through the bottleneck period of Lynk’s sales?

A: Lynk currently has more than 800,000 users. Last year, Lynk 01, Lynk 03, Lynk 05 and other models underwent upgrades, including a brand-new electronic and electrical architecture, cockpit system, etc. However, due to the impact of the epidemic, the outside world did not perceive these upgrades significantly, and it indeed affected Lynk’s performance last year.

A brand needs new products to drive sales. This year, Lynk 08 will lead the way and bring comprehensive upgrades to the product line. Lynk 08 will be launched in the third quarter, and the pricing cannot be revealed yet. However, it can be ensured that the pricing of Lynk 08 will be sincere and competitive.

Q: What is Lynk’s overseas strategy? Will LYNK Flyme Auto land overseas?

A: In 2023, Lynk will accelerate its steady expansion into the European, Asian, and global markets. Our Asia-Pacific strategy began to land last year. Lynk models are already being sold in areas such as Kuwait and Israel. Furthermore, Lynk models are priced much higher overseas than in China, as they compete with international products rather than sacrificing quality for quantity.

Lynk Flyme Auto is not in high demand among overseas users compared to Chinese users. Therefore, Lynk Flyme Auto will not be introduced to Europe in the short term. However, consumers in Southeast Asia have similar demands for cockpit systems as those in China. Thus, Lynk Flyme Auto will be planned for introduction to Southeast Asian markets.

Q: What are Lynk’s next steps? Does Lynk compete with Geely?

A: Indeed, we are considering how Lynk should move to a higher level. Currently, Lynk’s product line has become more complete and diversified. However, Lynk’s mission will not change. We will meet the needs of different customers and different segmented markets through various methods. Lynk is not a niche brand that only produces certain types of products.

Within the system, Lynk and Geely learn and compete with each other’s strengths. In our latest design language, there are four words: dare to be different.

First, the brand needs its own strategic determination. Secondly, we need to advance towards high-end products. Thirdly, we are proud of our technology. In terms of intelligentization, Lynk is gradually advancing to the first echelon. Try out the LYNK OS N of Lynk 09 – it’s really not worse than the HarmonyOS system.## Additionally, although Lynk & Co is a joint venture between Volvo and Geely, we do not simply copy the “Nordic minimalist” style. Instead, we incorporate more diverse elements and stick to our own style and tone.

Q: How will Lynk & Co enhance its market influence this year?

A: The most important aspect is to provide customers with a unique experience.

Through our research, we found that BYD’s three-electric technology is deeply rooted in the minds of consumers, and they often choose to buy BYD when buying new energy vehicles. Therefore, for Lynk & Co, whether our products can impress customers is mainly a matter of experience. We have done a lot of product experience work for the Lynk & Co 08 model. The static experience will be displayed around May or June, and there will be dynamic experiences available in July or August.

However, face-to-face experiences are not feasible at the moment, and the effect is indeed unsatisfactory. In fact, the COVID-19 epidemic has “delayed” the release of the Lynk & Co 09. Although the Lynk & Co 09 was launched in October 2021, the first batch of orders will not be delivered until August 2022, so the epidemic has had a significant impact on our production schedule and supply chain.

Later, when the Lynk & Co 09 EM-P Long Range version was released, the offline launch was changed to an online one. This actually had a negative impact on its promotion, so the experience work is now extremely important.

Q: What is the difference between CMA Evo architecture and CMA architecture?

A: CMA Evo is mainly electric-driven and different from the original PHEV. Therefore, it needs to support a four-wheel drive system with three electric motors, P1, P3 and P4. The motors also need to be larger, so the layout needs to support them. The power of the main P3 motor reaches 160 kW, so its pure electric value will be stronger.

In terms of worry-free electricity, the Evo architecture is equipped with a 39.6 kWh large flat battery layout, so we have also enlarged the entire architecture. Additionally, in terms of intelligence, we have made some improvements to the entire electric and electronic architecture 2.0, making it more intelligent as a whole.

Q: How does the Lynk & Co brand view the development of new forces in the industry?

A: Regardless of whether it is an Internet company building cars or phone and technology companies entering the automotive field, from a competitive perspective, although it brings greater pressure, it is not a bad thing for the development of the automotive industry and for consumers. Their entry has prompted us to think in various ways. For example, in terms of communication, traditional automakers have relatively conservative communication, but these companies have brought new changes and inspirations.On the other hand, traditional car companies pay more attention to performance and safety, and invest heavily in these areas, but these are difficult for consumers to perceive. After entering the automotive industry, new forces and some cross-border enterprises are unable to compete with traditional car companies in certain fields, so they have chosen another path, which happens to be a weaker path for traditional car companies, namely intelligent cockpit and intelligent driving.

Although traditional car companies also attach importance to the intelligent cockpit and intelligent driving, compared with performance and safety, they are not at the same level. Take Lynk & Co as an example. Our intelligent cockpit team now has nearly a thousand people, while two years ago, this team did not even have 100 people. The number of personnel invested by a new forces company in an intelligent cockpit product is 500-600 people, so the effect can be imagined. But once we understand and experience it, we will change, it’s just a matter of how fast we can change and how we adjust our resources.

Looking at it the other way around, many CEOs of new forces companies entering the automotive industry have also realized that this industry is still worthy of awe. Carelessness can lead to big mistakes. In fact, we are also in a state of mutual learning. Therefore, many cross-industry talents have entered the automotive industry, bringing new vitality to the entire automotive industry.

In addition, the automotive industry has entered another stage. Originally, it was more about meeting people’s travel needs, but now I personally believe that cars have become more closely integrated into people’s lives. This closeness is brought about by electrification and intelligence. Because of the spatial attributes of cars, they are no longer just a means of transportation, but have become a better “third space” in your life.

There are many scenes that can only be realized through electrification. Many people say that they spend more time in the car with new energy vehicles than they do with fuel-powered vehicles. In fact, both new forces and traditional manufacturers need to grow and change to be accepted and recognized by more consumers in the future market competition.

Q: Are LYNK Flyme Auto and LYNK OS N internal competition?

LYNK OS N and LYNK Flyme Auto are actually two different systems with different development start times. When the LYNK OS N project started, the group had not yet completed the acquisition of Meizu. After LYNK OS N was launched, Meizu quickly completed its acquisition, so the project did not stop.

At the same time, LYNK Flyme Auto is also open source and may be used by more manufacturers. Therefore, our LYNK OS N team must continue to work in the entire process, and there are many interactions with the LYNK Flyme team, which is a competitive and collaborative relationship.From the perspective of future development, LYNK Flyme Auto is definitely the main line, because LYNK OS N is developed based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 and not on a chip with higher computing power. However, it has a great mission, because we still have so many old users’ cars to maintain. LYNK Flyme Auto is developed based on two Dragon Eagle 1 chips, and the cost is not low.

In addition, there are two differences between LYNK Flyme Auto and LYNK OS N. One is that LYNK Flyme Auto will have a particularly good user experience when used with Meizu smartphones; the other is that LYNK Flyme Auto’s chip is stronger and has better 3D effects. In other respects, these two systems do not have such big differences in technology.

Q: There is a statement called “LYNK was emptied by extreme capitalization”. What do you think of this statement?

A: This statement is non-existent. LYNK’s future development prospects will also be very good. LYNK already has 860,000 car owners, and LYNK will also make electric cars in the future. At this stage, LYNK still needs to do a good job of plug-in hybrids, because currently the market with the largest growth rate is plug-in hybrids.

Q: After transitioning towards new energy, will LYNK’s pure electric cars still pursue performance?

We will definitely launch a more widely applicable range of battery life, and we will not directly come up with a benchmark of 1200 kilometers of battery life. But we still have to have what is necessary.

We will also continue to work on automotive sports. LYNK’s performance sport gene is a rare brand asset and has formed a general understanding among people. In the future, we will consider hybrid racing, but we have no short-term plans for pure electric racing.

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.