Organizers say that 117 new models are making their debut at Auto China 2024, which runs through
THE CONNECTED CAR
One of the biggest mob scenes was for the opening day presentation by
Why is a phone company making a car? Analysts say connectivity. Consumer technology companies want to connect the lives of their customers across all their devices — phones, laptops, televisions and now cars.
“It starts with the concept of the third place,” said
The approach works well in
Chinese telecom giant Huawei has ventured into the car business too. Apple explored the idea but dropped it earlier this year.
THE CAR AS LIVING SPACE
Some Chinese makers are taking the idea of a third space to new heights.
Zeekr unveiled the Mix, an electric vehicle with an interior that can transform into a small room while parked. The front seats swivel to face the back ones, with a table in between that a company executive told the crowd could be used to play card games or enjoy a Chinese hot-pot meal.
“I wouldn’t even call it a car or an MPV or a van,” he said. “It’s more a lifestyle capsule. It’s an iPod on wheels.”
It will be the fifth model for Zeekr, a 2 1/2-year-old premium EV brand of
The Mix will go on sale in
THE HYBRID APPROACH
An EV boom in
So says
Its EXEED Yaoguang C-DM, a hybrid SUV launched last month, was one of four vehicles it highlighted — two hybrids and two EVs.
The Yaoguang SUV sells for 159,800 to
Hybrids, which have lagged EVs in
THE LUXURY TANK
Chinese EV maker BYD, known for its low-cost battery technology and cars, is also going after the high-end market in
Its Yangwang brand introduced the latest version of the U8, a monster of an off-road SUV that was launched last September and is designed for survival in rugged conditions. It comes with a satellite phone in case a driver gets stuck beyond cell phone range.
The U8 is built on a platform that enables it to turn on the spot, like a tank. It's priced at
A SIMPLER APPROACH
Volvo, the Swedish brand now under
“The current EV market is marked by a prevalent trend of excess and addition,” said
He introduced the EX30 electric SUV as a user-friendly vehicle with a sophisticated sound system and a tablet screen that are both easy to use.
“By subtracting for ease of use and adding for safety, Volvo aims to give users the clearest interface, the most user-friendly operation, and the most reassuring intelligent experience,” he said of the in-car screen.
The company announced that the EX30 would sell in
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