Author: James Yang Jianwen

On October 19th, the mass production of the ZEEKR 001 model was launched at the Jinkr ZEEKR smart factory in Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo.

On October 23rd, the first batch of ZEEKR 001 will be delivered.

Many people may have overlooked one thing: the Jinkr brand has been established for just six months, and the product development speed is really fast.

The theme of this article was originally to visit the factory. However, at the subsequent user/media co-creation communication meeting, we learned more stories behind the delivery of ZEEKR:

• The progress of Jinkr’s various work

• The pain of Jinkr’s chip shortage

• Jinkr’s ideas on self-research and cooperation with suppliers

• Jinkr’s future layout

Next, enjoy.

Delivery Season Begins!

On the opening side, from August 28th when the Chengdu station opened to the present, Jinkr has completed 6 stations in 7 core regions across the country, and the final battle will be held in Nanjing on October 22nd.

Jinkr Center

Last month, the first Jinkr Center in China was officially completed in Hangzhou. Next, the second Jinkr Center will be located in Shanghai (PS: it is a landmark building), and is currently being promoted intensively.

Zhao Yuhui, Vice President of Jinkr Smart Technology, revealed that he had just participated in the review meeting of 90% of the design of the third Jinkr Center last week, and the fourth one had also been signed.

Jinkr Space

In September, Jinkr opened two Jinkr Spaces in Hangzhou and Tianjin. Last weekend, two stores in Guangzhou and Shenzhen also opened.

So far, there is one completed and soon-to-open (the fifth); 16 in the construction stage; 15 in the design stage/completed; and 16 in the signing stage/signed.

About After-sales

This is also a place that users are very concerned about.

Different from other brands that arrange service networks according to the city’s heat map, Jinkr retail will adopt co-creation and flexible services.

In terms of after-sales, Jinkr will also co-create with users. “If users hope to set up a location in a certain place, we will build our network there through big data analysis and user co-creation. Service points should be as close as possible to our users.”Regarding scale, Zhao Yuhui stated that the first batch of more than 300 selected Lynk & Co service providers have already joined the ZEEKR after-sales service system, and more will join in the future.

Clearly, with the foundation from Lynk & Co, ZEEKR is building its after-sales service system faster.

About Recharging

Regarding recharging, ZEEKR has planned three methods: home charging with a supercharge pile, on-the-road charging with a supercharge pile, and emergency electrode delivery.

For home charging, the first batch of user charging pile surveys began last month, and many users have already posted pictures of their home charging pile on the ZEEKR app.

As for supercharging, on September 28th, ZEEKR Energy’s first supercharging station was completed, and with the delivery of the first batch of vehicles, the two ultra-fast charging and supercharging stations in Hangzhou will officially start operations.

On September 30th, the electrode delivery service also went online in 10 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Changsha, Xi’an, and Ningbo, and it is expected to open in a total of 30 cities this year.

As of October 18th, the number of third-party cooperating charging piles has exceeded 250,000.

An Conghui stated that the recharging system will still strictly follow our plan to quickly promote the more than 200 charging piles this year.

About Delivery

ZEEKR will have a “local + remote” delivery mode, with three forms of delivery in these two modes.

ZEEKR Experience: Inviting users to the ZEEKR self-operated sales center for a full-process experience with ZEEKR partner services.

ZEEKR Door-to-Door Delivery: Suitable for users in remote areas, ZEEKR will deliver the car to the user directly.

ZEEKR Party: Hosting a car delivery party.

Zhao Yuhui revealed that ZEEKR’s orders are widely distributed, from 320 cities, which is more than the total number of prefecture-level cities and autonomous prefectures in China, which are only a little over 340. This shows the great influence of the ZEEKR 001 and ZEEKR brands.

The first delivery center was completed and accepted in Shanghai on October 15th, and with the launch of the first batch of products, the first deliveries will officially begin.

By the end of this year, ZEEKR will establish its own delivery centers in major cities in seven regions and start operations in coordination with the product delivery schedule.

R&D: Nearly 100 Car System Versions Iterated in 188 Days

ZEEKR 001’s product leader, Xu Yun, is well known. At the 4.15 launch event, this female product leader shared the technical aspects of ZEEKR 001.If following traditional car manufacturing methods, when it comes to mass production time, the R&D work is almost coming to an end and the work focus starts to shift towards factories and supply chain partners.

However, that’s not the case at Xpeng. Product R&D optimization is still ongoing.

In these 188 days, Xpeng has brought more than 60 upgrades, involving automatic door scenes, seat comfort, interior ambient lighting, design details, and sound system functions, among others.

Xu Yun said frankly that during these 188 days, the team continued to sprint with the mentality of “home/research institute/factory”.

For example, in the car entertainment system field, nearly 100 versions were released, roughly averaging a release speed of one version every two days.

Xu Yun revealed that they usually receive the new version around 11 pm, test it that night, organize suggestions for the development team the next day, and receive the new version the following night at 11 pm for testing again, and so on.

“Although the workload is heavy, as a product person, I feel happier if the delivered product has fewer regrets,” Xu Yun said.

ZAD Debut: ACC Function Delayed Until December Release

At this co-creation communication meeting, Xpeng also showcased its real video testing of ZAD (Xpeng’s smart driving assistant) in urban environments, including unprotected left turns at intersections, cross intersections, and automatic deviation by large vehicles, which performed quite well.

This also indicates that Xpeng’s ZAD has the ability to cope with complex road conditions to some extent. Xu Yun said that some higher-level functions are already being validated and tested.

However, the release schedule for the entire ZAD is as follows:

1. When delivered, it will be equipped with 360-degree high-definition panoramic imaging, driving recorder, PAF front parking assist, PAR rear parking assist, and other functions;

2. Adopting a phased OTA upgrade method, it is planned to start OTA at the end of December 2021 and release it in phases in 2022, continuously optimizing the safety experience of ZAD’s intelligent driving assistance functions.3. By the end of December 2021, the core functions including ACCQA with queuing function adaptive cruise control, AEB forward collision mitigation, and LKA lane keeping assistance will be released through OT from the basic package of ZAD intelligent driving assistance system.

3. The ZAD intelligent driving assistance system basic package will add three new functions: straight-line parking, FCTA frontal crossroad vehicle warning, and RCTA rear lateral vehicle warning, all of which will be standard across the range and released in stages through OTA.

4. For users who choose the enhanced and complete packages of the ZAD intelligent driving assistance system, relevant software service fees will not be charged temporarily. Users can pay when they OTA the core functions of the selected package.

The most noticeable change is that the release of ACC function that originally came with the car has been postponed to December.

Time is the biggest enemy

As for why, Xu Yun lamented, “Time has really become our biggest enemy.”

The global pandemic has caused great disruption to the development of ZAD’s development packages including the development of the whole vehicle. The disruption here is not only the supply of chips, but also everything is getting slower, the efficiency of sample delivery and communication, the frequency of testing, and even the face-to-face communication of engineers have become very difficult due to the isolation policy.

Moreover, do you remember the seven chips that Zeekr Kai launched? Not only Mobileye, but also the latest chips from TI (Texas Instruments). But in July of this year, there was a chip adjustment, and the entire circuit board had to be redesigned.

One thing leads to another, the hardware layer changes, and the ADCU (Assistance and Autonomous Driving Control Unit) needs to be adjusted accordingly, and the entire validation work needs to be redone.

“This is a very complex systematic problem. If you want to use the latest chips, you have to bear such risks.”

Xu Yun said that there were heated debates within Zeekr Kai. Some colleagues thought that since there were functions, they could be delivered to users. But the more mainstream voice internally is that the safest and highest standard products should be presented to users, especially when a series of intelligent driving accidents have occurred recently, which has sounded the alarm for Zeekr Kai and strengthened this idea.

“In the end, it was not surprising when it came to the decision-making level. We still insist on the highest safety standards and principles.”

Translated English Markdown Text:

However, obviously, most people are not willing to listen to what you have to say, and questioning will still exist. Regarding this, An Conghui said: “As long as we insist on the right path and do the right thing, we are not afraid of some individual voices that do not understand.”

After experiencing such a storm, when asked if there would be any adjustments in the strategy for new technology applications and supply chains, An Conghui almost hesitated, and immediately said: “No”.

Zeekr continues to adhere to the concept of technology-driven, and will not compromise.

In-house Research and Development or Collaboration?

This actually extends to another topic: in-house research and development capabilities.

Regarding everyone’s doubts about whether Zeekr has complete in-house research and development capabilities, I have seen too many changes in An Conghui’s expressions. Summed up, it should be a kind of…… helplessness.

Yes, it is helplessness.

It is not the helplessness of no technical reserves, but the helplessness of having many skills on my shoulders, but I cannot say, and everyone cannot understand my helplessness.

“Zeekr’s 500 million US dollars in Pre-A round of financing has not been used yet.”

An Conghui said such a sentence.

In August of this year, Zeekr launched a Pre-A round of 500 million US dollars in financing, led by Intel Capital, and participated by Ningde Times, Bilibili, Hongshang Group, and Boyu Investment.

Nothing has been spent yet, which actually shows that Zeekr is not short of money.

Financing is actually to bind high-quality ecological partners. For example, Mobileye’s sensing technology under Intel, Ningde Times’ batteries, and Bilibili’s user ecosystem.

Provide support for Zeekr’s future development in intelligent innovative technology, new energy ecological technology, young user insights, raw material vertical integration and new consumption areas.

Regarding Zeekr’s own technological capabilities, many teams that were incubated under Geely Holding Group and some businesses have already been transferred to Zeekr. For example, CEVT (Geely European R&D Center for Cars) is now owned by Zeekr, and Zeekr also holds 51% of Weirui’s shares (one of ZEEKR 001’s motor and battery suppliers), combined with the vast resources of energy and research institutes.

For example, now the director of Zeekr’s Intelligent Technology Autonomous Driving Center, Li Jian, who used to belong to the intelligent driving team under Great Wall Motors, has now joined Zeekr.

Regarding cooperation with Mobileye, An Conghui also does not hide it, but just feels helpless.

Hmm, it’s another helpless misunderstood.”Mobileye has a leading position in the field of intelligent driving, but as a whole vehicle manufacturer, we must have the ability to independently develop capabilities in all areas. If there are areas where Mobileye is strong, we must cooperate with them to jointly advance.

I actually understand Jidu Auto. In the past, before Tesla successfully self-developed chips, didn’t they also use Nvidia chips?

The truth is just that. I suggest that everyone should not look at China’s new forces and new strengths with colored glasses.

At present, Jidu Auto and Mobileye have close strategic cooperation. On the other hand, full-stack self-development is still being promoted. For example, in chip technology, Yikatong is developing chips.

An Conghui said that there are multiple routes within Geely Holding Group, at least three of which are under trial, and some aspects can be shared.

“We hope that the promotion of this method can provide users with a good experience of intelligent driving in the short term or even now. In the long run, our goal and what we are currently doing at Jidu Auto is how to lead the industry in this field.”

Currently, the Jidu Auto intelligent driving team has grown to around 200 people, not including personnel in other departments related to intelligent driving.

In addition, the Jidu Auto Shanghai Intelligent Driving Center will be established soon, and talent will be further expanded.

The Pain of the Chip Shortage

Although Jidu Auto will finally start deliveries, there are still many ups and downs underneath.

The biggest problem is still the shortage of chips.

In the Jidu Auto vehicle, there are seven intelligent driving core chips that are globally launched, which has brought great challenges to Jidu Auto’s delivery.

“Chip supply is guaranteed in October and early November, but some parts in late November and December are still being communicated and resolved.”

To ensure chip supply, Jidu Auto has been dynamically confirming the supply quantity in hourly units, striving for more supply rights.

During the afternoon interview, An Conghui occasionally picked up her phone, apparently confirming some information.

Moreover, just one day before the mass production and launching of the new car, on October 18, An Conghui was still in Shanghai, solving the next chip supply problem with suppliers.

The seriousness of the chip problem can be seen.

In addition to the chip shortage, the supply of some parts is also a problem, such as the suspension. To better alleviate the supply of the suspension, Jidu Auto and supplier Webasto have conducted multiple rounds of communication and opened a production line dedicated to the suspension production of Jidu Auto.

“We will try our best to obtain more sources of goods and achieve more deliveries.”

As for the production capacity ramp-up, An Conghui appears very confident. After all, Geely has accumulated 30 years of experience in car manufacturing, with over a hundred models having gone through the entire process from development to product launch, as well as more than ten factories put into operation. These experiences can all be reutilized in the GeometryAuto factory.

An Conghui stated that, given the complete guarantee of the supply of components and chips, it would only take three to five months to reach fully loaded production capacity.

“Our production capacity is not a problem, but we hope to secure more supplies of components and chips.”

About the Future

During this communication meeting, we heard a lot from GeometryAuto about their future plans that had not been mentioned before.

In an interview, An Conghui expressed his confidence about the target of producing 650,000 vehicles by 2025. GeometryAuto has made relevant plans in various subdivided markets.

In the future, GeometryAuto will maintain a pace of launching two new models per year. An Conghui revealed that the next year’s model would be “a high-end luxury MPV”.

During the factory tour, there was also a detail mentioned: the production line equipment for GeometryAuto’s second model has already been installed, which should be for this MPV.

GeometryAuto is now powered up to the fullest.

In the future, GeometryAuto will also launch its own used car business. “We must operate the used car business ourselves, and we have a dedicated team responsible for it.”

Apart from this, An Conghui also disclosed that GeometryAuto has laid out the “subscription service,” which is already “taking shape.”

Although GeometryAuto only briefly mentioned these businesses, it still inspires people’s imagination.

The Best Timing

Overall, compared to the new car launch, this user communication meeting allowed me to see too many stories behind GeometryAuto and the GeometryAuto team.

Although GeometryAuto was born with a silver spoon, they are still making an effort, even running a race against time with disheveled hair.

There is a saying: “Don’t be afraid of others being born rich; be afraid of rich people who work harder than you.”

Isn’t this referring to GeometryAuto?

The time when the exclusive interview ended was 3:48 pm, and at 3:50 pm, An Conghui had to leave to “work on the product.”

Before his departure, he left these words:

“We will definitely become the top-tier group, and now is precisely the best timing.”

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.