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Volkswagen officially unveils ID.5 in Europe
Volkswagen has officially unveiled the new model of the ID series – ID.5 in Europe. Two versions of the newly released ID.5 have been announced – the regular version and the ID.5 GTX, which has dual electric motors.
The regular version of ID.5 has a maximum output power of 174 horsepower with a 77 kWh battery pack and only a single motor in the rear. ID.5 GTX version is a high-power and more sporty version, similar to the GTI version of Volkswagen’s gasoline-powered cars. According to recent news, ID.5 GTX version will be equipped with dual electric motors at the front and rear.
Quick Comment:
In terms of exterior design and size, it is obvious that it is quite similar to the appearance of ID.4, but it adopts a coupe-like design. Compared with ID.4, ID.5 has some subtle differences in terms of parameters. The height of ID.5 is 12 mm lower than ID.4. Moreover, the lines of the bumper, door panel, and roof are different from those of ID.4.
The emergence of the MEB platform enables Volkswagen to produce more models through platform-based production in a relatively short period of time. In contrast, the delivery volume of the ID series in October in China has reached 12,739, although it is the combined sales volume of five models. The ID series has achieved consecutive sales of over ten thousand, and the momentum has gradually begun to rise.
Elon Musk may sell 10% of Tesla’s shares
On November 7, US time, Tesla CEO Elon Musk launched a 24-hour vote on Twitter to determine whether he would sell 10% (totaling about 24 billion US dollars) of Tesla’s shares to pay for Elon’s unpaid tax liabilities.# Elon suggests selling 10% of Tesla’s stock to cover tax, while Model 3/Y price in the US is raised again
Elon Musk suggested selling 10% of Tesla’s stocks to cover taxes, saying that “many people avoid taxes by unrealized gains”. He also posted a Twitter poll to ask whether the public supported his decision. Later, Elon commented that “whatever the result, I will abide by the vote”.
Currently, the trend shows that there are many people who prefer Elon to sell shares to pay taxes.
Commentary:
Since 2020, Tesla’s stock has skyrocketed. Today, Tesla’s market value has exceeded $1 trillion, and the stock price closed at $1,222.09 on Friday. However, selling such a large amount of shares at once could have a significant negative impact on Tesla’s future stock price.
Tesla Model 3/Y gets another price increase in the US
Since October 23, the price of Model Y all-wheel-drive long-range version and Model 3 standard range has increased by $2,000. Today, November 5, Tesla once again raised the price of Model 3/Y on its official website in the US, with both Model 3/Y being increased by $1,000.
After the 60 kWh battery replacement, the standard range suffix was removed from Model 3, directly called Model 3. Correspondingly, the EPA increased the cruising range by 8 km compared to before, and the acceleration time of 0-60 miles increased by 0.5 seconds. The starting price after the increase is $44,990 (approximately RMB 288,000) for Model 3, and $57,990 (approximately RMB 371,000) for Model Y.
Commentary:
It is worth mentioning that in addition to the price increase, the free paint options were also adjusted, with pearl white and silver metallic paint becoming free, while black is available at a cost of $1,500 in the US. It is uncertain whether the Shanghai factory will update the 60 kWh Model 3 and sync the free paint options with the US market.
Gyon Hyy Z makes its debut, 95% of the vehicle can be mass-produced
On November 6, GAC Technology (GAC) unveiled its second model, the HiPhi Z, after the HiPhi X. The car is equipped with a LIDAR system to achieve advanced driving assistance and is also equipped with the latest AI assistant, HiPhi Bot.
From the exterior, the dimensions of the HiPhi Z are similar to that of the HiPhi X but the HiPhi Z is a sleeker GT model with gull-wing doors, making it more stylish. There is also a digital light strip on the side of the car that runs through the front and back doors, showing the vehicle’s status while also allowing for interaction with pedestrians.
The HiPhi Z’s cabin interaction chip uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155, which integrates the on-board AI assistant, HiPhi Bot. It has the ability to have continuous conversations and interact with both the driver and front-seat passenger, who can make various commands. The center console features a rotating screen design that can not only rotate horizontally 90 degrees but also tilt the screen towards the person making the interaction.
As for advanced driving assistance, the HiPhi Z will use two 8-megapixel cameras to construct a front-view binocular perception system, and the chip used is the Nvidia Orin X, currently the most powerful in the market.
As a car model targeting the future market, HiPhi Z needs intelligent configurations to impress consumers who are knowledgeable about the industry. From its name, Ding Lei seems to be betting on intelligence. HiPhi Z is not only a younger flagship car for the brand, but also a car that truly relates to “intelligence,” which is the personal obsession of Ding Lei. The intelligent hardware used in the HiPhi Z are all very mainstream and advanced products on the current market. So, hardware is definitely not a problem, and the experience will depend on GAC’s software development capabilities.
On October 31, Geely unveiled its power technology brand “Thunder Power” including hybrid systems, at the “Intelligent Geely 2025 – Geely Longwan Technology and Global Power Technology Brand Launch” event in Hangzhou Bay Research Institute. Furthermore, Geely has made detailed plans for its development path before 2025 through the “One Network Three Systems” and “Nine Longwan Actions”.
Geely’s matrix of Raytheon power includes efficient engines, Raytheon Smart Engine Hi·X, E-Drive, and efficient transmissions, corresponding respectively to fuel engines, hybrid engines + transmission systems, electric motors, and fuel transmissions.
Meanwhile, Geely’s subsidiary Xingxian Technology has independently developed a vehicle-grade 7nm intelligent cockpit chip SE1000, which has been successfully mass-produced after passing the vehicle-grade certification. This will become China’s first 7nm vehicle-grade SoC chip.
Quick Comment:
We thought it was just the release of a hybrid power system, but Geely has marked its goals and development path for the next five years. This release conference had a high density of information, which conveyed Geely’s determination to transform the entire group.
Although we know the process of pure electric vehicles will continue to accelerate, JPMorgan’s October 8th forecast predicts that by 2025, the sales of new energy vehicles in the Chinese market will reach 10 million, accounting for 35% of total car sales. There are opportunities for pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and even other non-fuel power source models, but there are no opportunities for internal combustion engine vehicles. Therefore, Geely’s choice to focus on hybrid vehicles, advance rapidly into pure electric vehicles, and promote multiple lines is a choice that leaves the most cards in its own hands.
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.