PART 1 Weekly Index
PART 2 Weekly News
① Tesla Model Y to be Delivered in the US This Month
Since last week, American customers have been receiving emails about the delivery of the Model Y. So far, all “5-seater models”, including Performance, 4-wheel drive long-range version and rear-wheel drive long-range version are about to be delivered.
According to reports from external sources, the delivery date started from March 15th. The official also sent emails to the owners who previously ordered the 7-seater version of Model Y: they can change it to a 5-seater version for an earlier delivery. The official response states that the 7-seater version of the Model Y may not be put into production until next year.
Quick Comment: From the current official website, the long-range rear-wheel drive Model Y has been discontinued, and Tesla’s official response is that “customers who previously ordered this version will continue to be produced, but no new orders for this model will be accepted.” It seems that those customers who previously ordered the long-range rear-wheel drive Model Y have now bought a limited edition.
The Model Y was delivered from its release in March 2019 to March this year, with only one year of preparation. This speed is really amazing.
Looking at the Chinese market, the domestically produced Model 3 standard range version is now also being delivered. However, the progress of the domestic Model Y still depends on the construction progress of “Shanghai Super Factory Phase II”.
Currently, Phase II construction has been listed as a major construction project in Shanghai, and construction can begin after all the formalities are complete. If everything goes smoothly, the domestic Model Y can meet everyone before the beginning of 2021.
② NIO China Headquarters to be Located in HefeiOn the 25th of last week, the People’s Government of Hefei announced that NIO has signed a cooperation framework agreement with the city of Hefei, and according to the agreement, NIO China headquarters project will settle in Hefei.
The project includes the establishment of NIO China headquarters in Hefei, the establishment of research and development, sales, and production bases, and the creation of a headquarters operating system centered around Hefei. The project plans to finance more than 10 billion yuan.
The signing ceremony was held at the NIO factory in Hefei, and the JAC NIO EC6 mass production project was also launched simultaneously.
Comments: First of all, let’s clarify that NIO’s “China headquarters” mentioned in this agreement will settle in Hefei, while its “global headquarters” will remain in Shanghai. These two points are not contradictory. 42HOW also confirmed this with NIO’s founder and CEO, Li Hongqin.
It’s no secret that NIO needs money. From the financing that failed to materialize in 2019 with Zhejiang Huzhou, to the recent news of Geely possibly investing, to the two financing deals at the beginning of the year totaling US$200 million. Any one of these can show NIO’s desire to survive.
The cooperation with the city of Hefei was first announced by the government, and NIO later confirmed it. At this stage, the two parties have signed a framework agreement. If NIO can really integrate the resources of the Anhui automobile industry, and promote the local industry’s development, then NIO may really survive this time.
③ LI ONE announced the lifetime quality assurance purchase plan
On the 28th, the LI official announced the launch of the “first owner lifetime quality assurance” purchase plan. Before the vehicle is delivered, users can purchase it through the LI App. It is priced at 4,999 yuan, with a limited-time discount of 2,999 yuan. After purchase, the first owner can enjoy unlimited time and mileage quality assurance services for the entire vehicle and three electric systems.
In addition, LI also launched a “Bank of China 5-year” financial policy with an annualized rate of 4.4%.Quick Comment: It needs to be mentioned that this lifetime warranty is only responsible for the first owner. In other words, it becomes invalid when the vehicle is sold. Actually, some brands like NIO have already given away lifetime warranties when purchasing a car, while Tesla has a corresponding paid extended warranty policy.
It can be seen that many car owners still have concerns about the new forces in automobile manufacturing. Previously, many people purchased the ideal lifetime warranty number from idle fish. Now that it’s officially on sale for a limited time at 2999 yuan, are you satisfied with the price?
④ Polestar Released a New Concept Car: Polestar Precept
On the 25th, Polestar released a new model, the “Polestar Precept,” through an online live broadcast. The car is positioned as a pure electric 4-door GT coupe, and this is also the first model to adopt a completely new design language since the independent establishment of the brand.
The biggest change in the front of the car is the cancellation of the traditional air intake grille design. The LED headlights have been transformed into a split design, which has certain differentiation from the “Thor’s Hammer.”
The biggest highlight on the side of the car is the use of cameras to replace the rearview mirrors. The release stated that it can both reduce air resistance and enhance technology sense. The design at the rear of the car still uses the through-type taillights, and the roof glass has a large extension.
Quick Comment: Polestar Precept is the third car of this brand. I don’t know if the reason is related to production capacity, but it’s rare to see the first two cars, Polestar 1 and Polestar 2, on the road. The newly-released car still retains elements of Volvo, while also abandoning some.
The entire interior of the vehicle is made of advanced environmentally-friendly materials, which is a point that Polestar consistently promotes and hopes to differentiate from other car companies.
However, it is currently unclear when this car will be mass-produced. In fact, it’s not just about the Polestar Precept, I hope that the Polestar brand can enter the homes of ordinary people as soon as possible and be judged by the public.
⑤ Last Week, General Motors’ Hamtramck Plant in Detroit Officially Stopped ProductionLast week, the last fuel car at General Motors’ Hamtramck plant in Detroit was shut down, marking the official end of its production. Afterward, General Motors will invest $2.2 billion to transform the factory into one exclusively producing electric cars, with a construction period of 12-18 months.
General Motors started the Hamtramck factory in Detroit in 1985, where four million cars were produced over 35 years. With the shutdown of the last fuel car last weekend, the conveyor belt at the factory is to stop. The era of fossil fuel at the Hamtramck plant has ended.
Commentary: Transforming towards zero-emission vehicles is not only the US automotive industry, but also a development trend for the global automotive industry. According to data by the German Association of the Automotive Industry, the German auto industry is expected to cut 830,000 jobs, almost one-tenth of total employment, in the next decade.
About 800 workers were affected by the shutdown of the Hamtramck plant at General Motors, and they may choose to work at General Motors factories in Ohio or Michigan or stay wherever they are. After the Hamtramck plant conversion is complete, they can return.
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.