PART 1 Weekly Index
PART 2 Weekly News
① Model Y Performance Edition EPA Range Released
Recently, the US Environmental Protection Agency released the EPA range of the Model Y Performance Edition: 315 miles (507 km). As a comparison, let’s take a look at the range of traditional large-scale pure electric SUV models.
- The Mercedes EQC has an EPA range of 328 km and a battery capacity of 79.2 kWh;
- The Jaguar I-PACE has an EPA range of 407 km with a battery capacity of 81 kWh;
- The Audi e-tron has a WLTP range of 436 km with a battery capacity of 86.5 kWh. (There is currently no EPA data, and the WLTP data is for reference only. Generally speaking, the EPA value will be lower than the WLTP value.)
(Image source: electrek)
Quick Comment: Referring to the range of traditional large-scale models, I believe everyone has a concept. In comparison, the EPA range of the Model 3 Performance Edition (19-inch wheels) is 489 km. This means that even if the Model Y is equipped with 19-inch wheels, the range is 18 km longer than the Model 3 Performance Edition (19-inch wheels). It has to be said that Tesla’s improvement in driving efficiency is really exaggerated. Look up the True Delicious Law.
② Wuling, GAC, and BYD Shift Production to Masks
On February 6th, SAIC-GM-Wuling joined its suppliers in producing masks, with a daily output of up to 1.7 million masks.
(Image source: official Wuling Motors)On February 8th, BYD also announced that they will start designing and manufacturing equipment for producing protective equipment, aiding in the production of masks and disinfectants. The masks and disinfectants are expected to be mass produced and shipped around February 17th (mask production capacity is expected to reach 5 million per day by the end of this month, and disinfectant production capacity is expected to reach 50,000 bottles per day), until the epidemic is alleviated and eliminated.
(Image source: BYD official website)
On the same day, GAC Group is also researching the creation of a mask production line. We have received word that the masks will only be used internally and will not be sold externally.
Commentary: SAIC-GM-Wuling, BYD, and GAC Group have all started planning mask production lines during these emergency times, allowing me to feel everyone’s determination to fight against the virus. I hope the mask production lines will be put into use as soon as possible, relieving the shortage of medical supplies. However, the most important hope is for the epidemic to end soon, as this cross-boundary action is not what everyone originally hoped for.
③ Li Xiang Auto to Equip WeChat in its Vehicles
On February 8th, employees of Li Xiang Auto released a video on the Li Xiang APP about the OTA version of Li Xiang ONE. The product manager of the intelligent system introduced the use of WeChat in Li Xiang ONE.
The car owner can easily interact with the vehicle-mounted WeChat through the control buttons on the steering wheel or voice control. From the video, it can be seen that the vehicle-mounted WeChat can support sending messages and making voice calls.
(Image source: Li Xiang APP video screenshot)
Commentary: Using a phone while driving is very dangerous, so having WeChat in Li Xiang ONE allows the car owner to avoid using their phone while driving to a certain extent. However, is the interface for interacting with WeChat in the car too small? Additionally, from the video, it can be seen that the time display will change to a digital display in the OTA version, which is much more intuitive than the previous pointer display. So, here is the question: after the OTA version of Li Xiang ONE is released, to what extent do you think the vehicle-mounted WeChat will be useful?
④ NIO Announces Completion of $100 Million Convertible Bond Financing### Translation
The investment for this time comes from two Asian investment funds, with amounts of 70 million USD and about 30 million USD respectively. In addition, NIO also stated in the announcement that it is currently carrying out several other financing projects, and the results of the current stage are uncertain. NIO will disclose the progress of the financing projects according to relevant legal requirements.
(Picture Source: NIO Official Website)
Quick Comment: From the information shown in the announcement, NIO still needs financing at the moment. In the current situation, financing is undoubtedly important for NIO, but market confidence also comes from NIO’s own blood-making ability. The arrival of 2020, whether NIO can maintain the stable sales growth of last year is also a problem that NIO needs to pay attention to.
⑤ Latest Tesla steering wheel patent exposed
Recently, the latest Tesla steering wheel patent image was exposed, and it can be seen from the figure that the interior design of future Tesla vehicles will cancel the gearshift design and achieve full touch operation without physical buttons.
The patent file shows several key information:
- The original gearshift was cancelled, and the gearshift is achieved through the touch screen below the steering wheel.
- Equipped with a touch screen and tactile feedback, different gesture operations correspond to different functions.
- The steering wheel has RFID detection and NFC activation functions.
- In addition, Tesla is considering controlling more functions through manual writing or other complex gesture operations videos or multi-media in the new steering wheel design when driving autonomously.
Quick Comment: Whether to cancel the gearshift or not and whether it is full touch operation are not important. What is most important is that it should be easy to use, which is the most basic. However, how the gearshift operation will be put on the steering wheel will arouse my curiosity, and I hope to see the latest physical steering wheel as soon as possible.
⑥ Total number of small car indicators in Beijing in 2020 announced
…On February 7th, the total number of Beijing’s small car indicators in 2020 was announced, with a total of 100,000 indicators. Among them, there are 38,200 ordinary small car indicators (personal) and 54,200 new energy small car indicators (personal), and the rest are unit indicators and operating indicators.
Commentary: After we published “Everyone has a pessimistic expectation for the car market this year. Inquiring, will you delay your car purchase plan due to the epidemic?” on Weibo, many netizens said that they should have a private car during the epidemic because public transportation is relatively risky under the current situation.
However, some netizens said that they will postpone their car purchase plans, worrying about the impact on work and income. Even if they have money in hand, they still need to wait and see. So, for friends who will receive new energy indicators this month, what are your plans?
On February 10th, Volvo officially announced that Volvo Car Group and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. are planning to integrate their businesses. The officials stated that the joint venture aims to promote deeper cooperation between the two sides and more effectively coordinate their efforts in technology development, cost control, and finance.
(Image source: Volvo official)
The new group after the integration will continue to maintain the positioning of its brands such as Volvo Cars, Geely Automobiles, Lynk & Co., and Polestar.
Officials also stated that the next step of the reorganized new business group will be to consider listing on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Commentary: In this news, my focus is on cost control and finance. Geely’s sales have been remarkable in recent years, but they have also begun to focus on cost control in the cold winter. This is Geely’s “step back”. In addition, Geely has the “next step”, which is to go public to raise more funds. These one step back and one step forward is the essence of Geely.
Written and edited by: Bai Long
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.