On the morning of October 24th, Tesla brought a not-so-small surprise to everyone – a price drop across the board for Model 3/Y, with the highest discount reaching 37,000 yuan. The prices before and after the price drop are as follows:
- Model 3 RWD dropped from 279,900 to 265,900 yuan, a reduction of 14,000 yuan;
- Model 3 Performance dropped from 367,900 to 349,900 yuan, a reduction of 18,000 yuan;
- Model Y RWD dropped from 316,900 to 288,900 yuan, a reduction of 28,000 yuan;
- Model Y Long Range AWD dropped from 394,900 to 357,900 yuan, a reduction of 37,000 yuan;
- Model Y Performance dropped from 417,900 to 397,900 yuan, a reduction of 20,000 yuan.
After the price cut, the price range for Model 3 is now 265,900 – 349,900 yuan, and the price range for Model Y is now 288,900 – 397,900 yuan. Although it has not returned to the historic low of the two models, it undoubtedly caused a considerable impact on the pure electric vehicle market in the corresponding price range. So, what are the models that may be affected?
Competitive Analysis
Competitors of Model 3
There are indeed many competitors of Model 3, but from the perspective of price and release time, I have selected three competitors: NIO ET5, BYD Dolphin, and NIO ES6.
After NIO ET5 adopted the BaaS scheme, the lowest price is only 258,000 yuan, lower than the starting price of Model 3. As a popular model of NIO, it is undoubtedly a major competitor of Model 3.
The BYD Dolphin series adopts a different young style from the Dynasty series. The Dolphin is even jokingly called “BYD’s Model 3”. Its young and sporty style is also a competitor of Model 3.# Translation Result in English Markdown
As a model that elevates NETA brand, NETA S provides a coupe model and also releases extended-range and electric versions. Some people even refer to it as the “NETA P7”. Its product strength in the ¥200,000 price range is quite impressive.
So why not P7? Because P7 was already released two years ago and it will be getting a facelift early next year. Comparing P7 now seems a bit unfair.
Model Y Competitors
When Model Y was first launched, there were few rivals around its price range. However, with more and more manufacturers focusing on SUV models in the ¥300,000 price range, the competition in the SUV market is even fiercer than in the ¥200,000 sedan market.
Similarly, when selecting three competitors based on price and release date, I choose Xpeng G9, Avita 11 and Enovate R7.
Xpeng G9, as the most recent flagship SUV from Xpeng, was formally launched in September this year after being highly anticipated since its release last year. Its product competitiveness is ensured by selling points such as an 800 V charging platform, double-cavity air suspension and 5D music cockpit.
Avita 11 is a new player in the game, but it is backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL. Compared to the Wenshijie Series, it not only has Hongmeng cockpit but also Huawei’s full set of intelligent driving solutions, which are undoubtedly strong in the ¥300,000 segment.
Enovate R7, as the second SUV model from Enovate, is known for greatly improving its level of intelligent driving support with two LiDARs. Moreover, it is Enovate’s first model that supports battery exchange and provides a better energy replenishment experience.
Now, let’s take a look at what the appearance and interior design of these cars look like.
Appearance DisplayBelow are the English Markdown texts with HTML tags preserved:
Here are two comparison charts of Model 3, Model Y and their competitors’ exterior designs. Do you think Tesla looks better or their competitors look better? Feel free to leave your opinion in the comment section. You should be familiar with the appearance of the two Tesla cars already, so let’s take a closer look at the other six.
NIO ET5 still follows the design of NIO ET7, but the shorter rear end, upward curve of the rear and the diffuser at the tail make this car significantly more sporty. We also noticed that like Model 3, the appearance of ET5 has also won the hearts of many female car owners.
The appearance of Leap Motor’s S series obviously targets young car owners, with its X-shaped front, forward-leaning posture and rear diffuser, all showing that it is a true sports car.
Avita’s official promotion of its 11th model as an “Intelligent Roadster” can be seen from its nearly 5-meter length. However, the appearance of the roadster is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all cars produced by Avita.
Xpeng G9’s front design still follows the family design language, which is a personal preference. However, when equipped with air suspension, the low and sporty posture when the air suspension is at its lowest position is indeed quite impressive.
The appearance of Avatar 11 may cause some controversy. People who like it will think that the design of the headlight is very personal, while those who don’t will find it somewhat strange. The low-slung posture on the side is very consistent with its positioning as a sports SUV.
Feeyo R7 is different from the previous Feeyo models in terms of design. The running daytime lights through the whole body and the sleek side styling make it more attractive than the previous Feeyo models, and it holds its own against other competitors in terms of beauty.### Interior Display
The interior design of Model 3 and Model Y is well-known for its simple style. Now, let’s take a look at the interiors of some competitors.
The interior design of the ET5 is similar to that of the ET7/ES7. However, since it is not a product in the same price range, the part that originally used renewable rattan has been replaced with Clean+ polymer material. The overall interior design is noticeably younger than other NIO models.
The interior design of the Haibao also shifts away from the middle-aged style of other BYD models and adopts a more youthful design, just like its exterior. The combination of black and blue gives it a slightly mysterious tech style.
Among these sedans, only the NETA S has a front passenger screen. In addition to the three screens in the front row, it also features a large AR HUD. There are not many buttons visible in the entire front row, and the design style is simple and tech-forward.
Turning to the SUV side, it is obvious that except for the Model Y, the other three models are all equipped with three screens in the front row to fully consider the entertainment needs of the front passenger.
The interior design style of XPeng G9 is completely different from other XPeng models, and it has changed many of the criticized parts of the P7, such as thin steering wheel and awkward wireless charging position. Overall, the experience is satisfactory, but the only drawback is that there is only one wireless charging position and the right side can only be used to place a phone.
The Avita 11’s instrument screen and front passenger screen are embedded in the center console, with the central control screen suspended above it. The red interior design gives me a feeling that it is not young enough. If I had to choose, a white interior design would be more in line with my aesthetic. Oh, by the way, both phone slots support wireless charging.# Introduction
The Feeyo R7 integrates all three screens completely into the center console, with a response speed that is surprisingly quick, on par with some of the new players in the market. The grey interior is quite easy on the eyes, with a minimalist style that avoids any overabundance of buttons.
Now that we’ve finished discussing the exterior and interior, let’s take a closer look at the main configuration information for these cars.
Configuration Analysis
First, let’s take a look at the powertrain and suspension configurations for these eight cars.
As we can see, among the sedans, only the NIO ET5 comes with front and rear dual motors, delivering an acceleration of 4 seconds per hundred kilometers. Although it may seem slow from a purely numerical standpoint, this level of acceleration is actually quite “speedy” for the majority of users.
The Model 3 has long been the benchmark for pure electric sports sedans, with its steering, chassis, and suspension all designed to deliver powerful driving performance. The Performance version can achieve an acceleration rate of 3.3 seconds per hundred kilometers, making it a formidable opponent in its price range.
The Hebao comes in three different versions, with the dual-motor version achieving an acceleration of 3.8 seconds per hundred kilometers, making it even faster than the Han. Additionally, thanks to its combination of front double wishbone and rear five-link arms, as well as its shorter length, it should theoretically deliver better driving performance than the Han.
As a sporty sedan, the NETA S is on par with other sports sedans in terms of its motor power, maximum torque, acceleration rate, and suspension configuration, ensuring that its driving performance lives up to expectations.
Switching to SUVs, four of the cars’ most powerful versions all achieve an acceleration rate of 4 seconds or less per hundred kilometers, giving drivers the confidence to change lanes and overtake on the road.### The maximum number of models has changed to Model Y, where customers can choose different models according to their needs. Personally, I would recommend the Long Range Dual Motor version, which balances power and endurance while also being affordable. However, the suspension of Model Y is a bit sporty and may produce very hard feedback when passing through speed bumps.
For the four-wheel-drive model of Xpeng G9, dual-chamber air suspension is equipped as standard. However, there seems to be some issues with the air suspension tuning currently, which may cause some head nodding problems upon braking. Apart from this, the driving experience of this car is still quite good.
Avita 11 is the car in which I like the driving sensation the most among these models. Whether it is steering, suspension, or acceleration and deceleration, it makes me feel like I am not driving an SUV, but a short-wheelbase sedan. However, there are also some drawbacks, as the braking force is intense when stepping lightly on the brake in low-speed conditions. The official stated that they will solve this problem at delivery.
I have not driven the Flyer R7, so I cannot give my own test-driving experience. Although it uses a MacPherson front suspension, based on feedback from our colleagues, the overall driving experience is sporty with comfort. After all, it is a brand under SAIC, and the tuning ability of mechanical properties still has some guarantee.
For the vehicle’s intelligent cockpit, the screen is undoubtedly the largest entrance for human-computer interaction. From the parameter table, it can be seen that Tesla has the least number of screens, and all information is integrated in the central control screen. However, Tesla’s strength lies in its ability to display all primary information on a small screen without seeming crowded. However, personally, I am still not accustomed to the design of having no instrument panel.
The screen configuration of NIO ET5 completely matches that of ET7/ES7, featuring an AMOLED material adopted in the central control screen. Although AMOLED is widely used on smartphones, it’s still a novelty on car machines. The biggest feature of AMOLED is that black pixels do not emit light, and black is displayed purer, coupled with nearly infinite contrast, making it look better than ordinary LCD.
Unfortunately, NIO’s square-shaped screen is not suitable for content consumption and wastes this screen to some extent.
The biggest feature of HiPhi is its traditional rotatable floating pad in-car central control screen, which can change between horizontal and vertical screen display according to different APPs. It can be switched to horizontal screen mode while watching videos and to vertical screen mode while navigating to obtain more map information. Please note that the HUD function is only available in the second-top and top configurations.
Among these cars, NIO ES6 has the richest screen configuration, with three screens in the front row and AR HUD. However, it’s a pity that the central control screen is in vertical design, which is more suitable for obtaining information while navigating, but not friendly for video playback (except for Dou Yin).
Unlike sedans, SUV models have entertainment screens installed on the co-pilot’s seat, but only the FF R7 has the HUD function.
From the parameter perspective, the central control and co-pilot’s screens of Xpeng G9 are completely identical, with many functions that can be used by dragging two fingers to switch between the two screens, even the vehicle settings. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the co-pilot’s screen uses a privacy-like design, which means that it’s difficult to see the display content of the co-pilot’s screen from the main driver’s perspective. During driving, when the co-pilot is watching videos on the screen, the main driver won’t be disturbed.
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Avita 11 has a nearly symmetrical center console due to the identical size of the instrument screen and the co-pilot screen. The central control unit adopts the Hongmeng system, which is a major selling point, as compared to other cars, it has more advantages in system fluency and functionality. The disadvantage is that the co-pilot screen and the instrument panel are both embedded designs. Under normal sitting posture, the co-pilot is actually far away from the screen, plus the small size, it is a bit hard to see and operate.
The FEYFAN R7 screen adopts two materials, AMOLED and MiniLED, which are currently the two most mainstream screen materials except for LCD, so it can be said that FEYFAN puts in the most effort in the screen. The first time the car is equipped with the RISING OS system, coupled with the Qualcomm 8155 chip, it changed the traditional impression of the car console not being smooth from SAIC, and its fluency even rivals that of the new forces.
From the seat configuration, it can be seen that, as standard, the ET5 only has front seat heating. However, after choosing the Comfort Suite, it suddenly becomes the most luxurious configuration among these cars, with front seats equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage, as well as thigh support, and the rear seats also have heating.
In addition, the NETA S is also very luxurious. The front seats are equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage, and the co-pilot also has a calf support. It is very friendly for rear passengers during long-distance travel.
The Haima has ventilation and heating for the front seats, while Tesla only has seat heating for all seats, which is still uncomfortable in hot summers.
“`When it comes to SUV, the average level of luxury of the seats is clearly higher than that of sedans. The most luxurious one is the 4-seat version of the Avita 11, which not only has ventilation, heating, and massage functions in both front and rear seats, but also has a boss button on the side of the copilot, and the backrest of the rear seat can be adjusted. However, it should be noted that only the backrest of the 5-seat version can be adjusted.
The 650 MAX and 650 commemorative edition of the XPeng G9 have almost the same configuration as the Avita 11 4-seat version, except that they do not have rear ventilation, and they also support the extension of the rear seat cushion. However, only the backrest can be adjusted and there is a copilot boss button in the other versions.
The front row configuration of the Byton R7 is fully equipped, and the copilot even has a heated footrest, but only the top configuration is standard, and other versions need to be purchased separately. The rear seat is relatively embarrassing, with no functions at all.
The sound system is one of the highlights of domestic new forces. Both the NIO ET5 and the Xpeng P7 have added more than 20 speakers, with a 7.1.4 channel sound system with a power of more than 1,000 W. The theoretical sound effect is better than that of the Model 3 and the Seal.
When it comes to SUVs, there is no doubt that the XPeng G9 has the most luxurious sound system, with 18 speakers, 2,250 W, 7.1.4 channels, Dolby panoramic sound, and headrest speakers, the actual listening experience is quite shocking.
Next is the Avita 11, which has not officially revealed the sound power, but the actual listening experience of human voice is still good. It also supports 7.1 channel and RNC active noise reduction, and the official has stated that they will continue to optimize the sound effect before delivery.
The last part is a hardware comparison of advanced driver assistance systems. Tesla is still using the 144 Tops HW3 chip scheme, and starting from October, Model 3 and Model Y sold in North America, Europe, the Middle East and other regions will no longer be equipped with 12 ultrasonic radars, relying solely on 8 Tesla Vision cameras to form a pure visual perception scheme.
Among the other several cars, Nio ET5 adopts 4 Nvidia Orin-X chips, and the total computing power reaches an astonishing 1,016 Tops. Other perception hardware is also rich, and the later auxiliary driving capability is promising.
Only the LiDAR version of NETA S uses the Huawei MDC 610 chip and LiDAR. Other versions use the twin TDA 4 scheme, but the rest of the hardware is completely consistent.
BYD Hippopotamus needs to work harder in terms of advanced driving. However, there was a patent exposure before that BYD applied for a LiDAR cover patent, and the picture used was exactly the Hippopotamus. Will there be a LiDAR version of the Hippopotamus in the future? It is worth looking forward to.
In terms of SUVs, the competition is even fiercer. Except for Tesla, the other three cars are equipped with at least two LiDARs, and other advanced driving hardware is almost comparable, which makes people very much looking forward to the actual performance of these cars in the future.
In conclusion
The price changes of Tesla have been like the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of car companies. Everyone knows it will come sooner or later, but once it really does come, everyone will feel somewhat unprepared.The car models listed above are only a small part of the competition. The price reduction of Tesla does not only affect the models mentioned above.
Fortunately, the market for pure electric vehicles is no longer as limited as it was two or three years ago, when there were almost no other products to choose from besides Tesla. With more and more new cars emerging in the market, consumers have more choices.
No car is perfect, and when it comes to choosing a car, everyone’s needs are different, and so are their choices. In addition to the above-mentioned competitors, there are many more options for you to choose from.
Perhaps the choice of which car to choose should not come from someone else’s opinion, but from within you, based on your own exact needs for a car.
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.