“Auto China” in Beijing: flood of electric cars in the Far East
from Leander Diedrich 
on May 14, 2024, 20:41 am | Write a comment
The largest car trade fair in the world, “Auto China” in Beijing, is over. For ten days, interested parties from all over the world queued up to take a close look at the latest developments on the automobile market. We present the most interesting new releases from Auto China in a compact format.
Auto China was characterized by a large number of Chinese brands that are still completely unknown in this country - at least until now. Brands such as BYD and Nio have already ventured into the European market, and other brands have announced that they will follow.
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Xiaomi SU7: A moving smartphone
Even before the auto show in Beijing, Xiaomi's first electric car made headlines. Actually only known in this country for smartphones, Xiaomi has long been selling all sorts of gadgets in China: everything from vacuum cleaners to air conditioning systems to e-scooters - and now also e-cars.
The SU7 looks like a Porsche Taycan, which is not an unfair comparison when you look at the performance data. The top model comes with a 101 kWh 800V battery, which delivers a peak output of 495 kW (673 hp). This allows Xiaomi to sprint to 2,78 km/h in just 100 seconds and top out at 265 km/h. In the less sporty Pro version, the 94,3 kWh battery is said to enable an incredible range of 830 kilometers - given the resulting consumption of just 11,4 kWh. pro 100 km is certainly a very optimistic value. The price of the SU7 starts at the equivalent of €27.600 in China, which is even lower than the price of a Tesla Model 3 there. According to media reports, the number of pre-orders is expected to reach a six-figure value.
Nissan and Honda show electric car concepts
Japan is also preparing for the future of electromobility. Nissan is presenting four concept vehicles for the Chinese market together with its Chinese joint venture partner Dongfeng. A sedan and an SUV with purely electric drive, as well as two plug-in hybrids. The first series model in this portfolio is scheduled to be presented in China this year. Honda is also showing itself in Beijing with a clear electric car strategy for the coming years. The “Ye series” electric cars are intended to be affordable and sporty at the same time and are based on a newly developed EV platform. Honda also wants to bring the presented models onto the market this year.
Smart Concept #5: Off-road mid-range SUV
Image: Smart
The now purely electric brand Smart is presenting a real eye-catcher in Beijing with the Concept #5. Smart speaks of an “adventurous character” and a “nature-inspired design,” which is immediately clear when looking at the off-road tires and the large light bar on the roof. In order not to get stranded beyond paved roads and charging stations, a high-voltage battery with more than 100 kWh is installed, which should enable a range of 550 km. The production version of Concept #5 is expected in the second half of 2024.
Luxury 4 seater van from Zeekr
You won't find any small cars in Beijing these days; large vans are setting the tone. Including the Zeekr 009, a gigantic van with luxurious appointments. This includes real granite from the Himalayas as well as hand-polished metal on the radiator grille and rims. The Zeekr's 800V architecture enables a range of up to 702 km and a recharge from 10 to 80% in just eleven and a half minutes. You quickly notice that much more is being done for digitalization in China than in German vehicles: two Snapdragon 8295 ensure high computing power of 60 TOPS, which is required for, among other things, a 5G connection and the 44-inch display. The price of the Zeekr 009 four-seater starts at the equivalent of €100.000 - not a bad price for a Chinese Rolls-Royce. (Source: @InsideChinaAuto)
Image: ZEEKR
Germany represented with VW ID.Code and electric G-Class
In keeping with the current sales figures of their electric cars in China, German automobile manufacturers in Beijing are rather reserved. In 2023, no German manufacturer was among the top 10 brands with the highest sales in China; the only non-Chinese manufacturer was Tesla, a long way behind BYD. German car companies are currently unable to keep up with the strong drive for innovation among Chinese companies, for example in battery technology or digitalization. The Mercedes brand still makes a good impression with the new electric G-Class, an SUV monster with 590 hp. However, a battery with 116 kWh and four motors, which can even make the EQG turn in circles like a tank, comes at a price: Mercedes is budgeting just under €200.000 for the electric G-Class, which will be launched in the fall.
Image: Mercedes-Benz
In all likelihood, Volkswagen's ID.Code will be significantly cheaper. The ID.Code is still a concept vehicle with a new generation of technology and design language specifically for the Chinese market. VW promises to usher in a “new era of mobility in China” with this vehicle. Volkswagen wants to bring a total of 2030 different ID models onto the market by 16.