Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Sets Four Chinese Track Records; BYD Brings Advanced Driver Assistance to Sub-RMB 100,000 Models

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02Weekly Highlights

Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Takes on Domestic Circuits, Breaks Porsche Lap Record

From February 11 to February 14, the mass-produced Xiaomi SU7 Ultra consecutively set four-lap records for four-door production cars on four domestic tracks, breaking the lap record of 2 minutes 11.28 seconds set by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT at the Shanghai International Circuit. The following is the lap time information for the SU7 Ultra:

Chengdu Tianfu Circuit: 1 minute 26 seconds 741;

Zhuzhou International Circuit: 1 minute 41 seconds 806;

Zhuhai International Circuit: 1 minute 37 seconds 758;

Shanghai International Circuit: 2 minutes 09 seconds 944, making it the fastest production car at the circuit.

On February 14, Porsche posted on Weibo congratulating the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra for becoming the fastest production car at the Shanghai International Circuit. Xiaomi founder Lei Jun replied: "Porsche is a major global manufacturer with vision!"

Lei Jun subsequently posted on Weibo stating, "This does not mean we have surpassed Porsche. In my heart, Porsche remains the best car in the world and our benchmark for learning."

Editor's Comment:

Among the results from the four track events, the SU7 Ultra's performances at Zhuhai and Shanghai were particularly noteworthy. Due to the Stop & Go characteristics of the Zhuhai circuit, which suit the SU7 Ultra's massive 1,548 horsepower output, its lap time nearly approached that of a GT3 race car. At Shanghai, the SU7 Ultra was nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. However, onboard footage indicates there is still room for improvement in the SU7 Ultra's lap times, while the Taycan Turbo GT completed its run on a semi-wet track. Both vehicles retain the potential to further reduce their lap times. The production version of the SU7 Ultra will continue to compete at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, Porsche's home turf. Do you think the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra can break the record for the fastest four-door electric vehicle set by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT there?

BYD Brings Advanced Autonomous Driving to the Under RMB 100,000 Segment

On February 10, BYD unveiled three versions of its God's Eye autonomous driving system.

Tianshenzhiyan C, equipped with a triple-camera setup and standard highway HNOA (Highway Navigation Assist), supports MNOA (Memory Navigation Assist) in urban areas. BYD plans to roll out the MNOA feature via OTA by the end of 2025. Tianshenzhiyan C is primarily featured on BYD brand models priced around RMB 100,000.

Tianshenzhiyan B, on the other hand, is equipped with one or two LiDAR units. It adds urban navigation assist and Easy Three Parking (exclusive to DENZA). This intelligent driving system is mainly deployed on BYD and DENZA brand models;

Tianshenzhiyan A is equipped with three LiDAR units and is exclusive to the Yangwang brand. For parking, it supports Easy Four Parking.

Commentary:

The BYD Haiouziyouban at RMB 78,800 is currently the lowest-priced model featuring the BYD Tianshenzhiyan C intelligent driving system. With BYD bringing high-end autonomous driving capabilities into the sub-RMB 100,000 price segment, what do you think its annual sales volume will reach this year?

Zeekr Technology Group Officially Established

On February 14, Zeekr Intelligent Technology Holdings Limited (ZK.US) and Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (0175.HK) separately announced that Zeekr has completed the acquisition and capital injection of Lynk & Co. Following the transaction, Zeekr holds a 51% equity stake in Lynk & Co, while Geely Automobile retains 49%. Lynk & Co becomes a non-wholly owned subsidiary of Zeekr.

Subsequently, Conghui An, CEO of Zeekr Technology Group, also released a letter addressed to Zeekr’s global colleagues. The key points are summarized as follows:

Regarding product planning:

In 2025, Lynk & Co will launch two new models, aiming for an annual sales target of 390,000 units; Zeekr will introduce three new models, targeting an annual sales volume of 320,000 units.

During the second quarter of this year, the Lynk & Co 900 will be officially launched as the world’s first mass-produced vehicle equipped with the NVIDIA Thor chip, alongside its self-developed Haohanzhijia system.

Regarding the deployment of autonomous driving features:

Zeekr’s self-developed Haohanzhijia is set to begin a large-scale public beta test involving parking-to-parking functionality with tens of thousands of users, with a full rollout scheduled for April.

Haohanzhijia’s Level 3 autonomous driving capability is nearing official implementation. A new flagship Zeekr model featuring this technology will debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, with mass production deliveries expected by the end of the year.

Regarding sales targets,

In 2025, Zeekr Technology Group aims to achieve a growth rate of 40%, reach an annual sales target of 710,000 units, and become the BBA of the new energy era;

"Within the next two years, we aim to become a globally leading high-end luxury new energy vehicle group with annual sales of one million units, reshaping the landscape of the high-end luxury market in China and worldwide."

Quick Review:

The completion of this equity transfer came just three months after Zeekr and Lynk & Co announced their strategic integration on November 14, 2024—a remarkably fast pace. Furthermore, with the official announcement that the Lynk & Co 900 will be the first to feature the NVIDIA Thor chip, the merged brands may see even greater resource integration. Stay tuned to see if they will unveil more exciting new models in the future.

BMW Launches All-New Long-Wheelbase BMW X3, Starting at RMB 349,900

On February 14, BMW released the all-new long-wheelbase BMW X3. Its pricing is as follows,

xDrive30L M Sport Package, RMB 449,900;

xDrive30L Leading M Sport Package at RMB 399,900;

xDrive25L Luxury Package at RMB 349,900.

The xDrive25L Luxury Package will begin deliveries in May 2025.

Quick Take:

The all-new long-wheelbase BMW X3 has made significant upgrades in space, performance, and smart features. The wheelbase is extended to 2,975 mm, matching the standard-wheelbase BMW X5. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine’s maximum power has been increased to 190 kW, with peak torque up by 14% and fuel consumption down by 5%. It is equipped with the latest iDrive 9.0 system across the lineup. Standard L2 driver assistance is included on all models, with higher trims offering L2+ features such as automatic lane-change assist with driver confirmation. The starting price of the new long-wheelbase X3 is RMB 349,900, which is RMB 49,700 lower than the previous model. Given its current value proposition, which do you think is a better buy: the Mercedes-Benz GLC Long Wheelbase or this new BMW X3?

Tesla Opens Another New Factory: Shanghai Energy Storage Super Plant Officially Begins Production

On February 11, Tesla’s Shanghai Energy Storage Super Plant officially began production.

The commissioning ceremony was held in Shanghai Lingang, where the first ultra-large commercial electrochemical energy storage system, Megapack, successfully rolled off the production line at the Shanghai Energy Storage Super Factory. This marks a new phase for Tesla's business operations in China.

Quick Review:

The Tesla Shanghai Megapack Super Factory is Tesla's first energy storage super factory project outside the United States. Construction began on May 23 last year, and completion acceptance was finalized on December 26 of the same year, taking only nine months. The commissioning of the Tesla Shanghai Megapack Super Factory also marks a further deepening of its layout in the global energy storage sector. According to Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja in the latest earnings report, the Megapack energy storage systems produced at the Shanghai facility will supply the global market, with capacity expected to grow by at least 50% year-over-year in 2025. Do you think Tesla can further consolidate its leadership position in the global energy market with the help of this super factory?

Written by: Jiaming Edited by: Jiaming