Cheng Li: The G6 product, I think, should be a very important product of Xiaopeng. The overall competitiveness of this product is still very strong. When did design, its definition, begin?
Huang Honglin: It started about 3 years ago. At that time, one of our thoughts was what the next generation of smart electric vehicles should look like.
In fact, I think the origin of thinking about the entire G6 started at that time, what kind of technology it should have, what kind of shape it should have, and how long it should last, so basically from this point of view. Thinking, starting.
Cheng Li: Is there any iteration in these three years? For example, is there a big gap between the original version of G6 and the current version?
Huang Honglin: I think the gap is quite big, including the many new technologies we have developed in the past three years, and there are many such cutting-edge technologies.
Cheng Li: What are some key changes?
Huang Honglin: The core changes are actually reflected in the biggest feature of the G6 product. In fact, technically speaking, the first one is XNGP. Therefore, for the entire route of automatic assisted driving at that time, there were maps and no maps (maps) ), computing power, vision, and radar, made a lot of trade-offs, and then made a lot of discussions.
Another core capability of the G6 is the integrated front and rear aluminum die-casting, and the integrated CIB technology including the battery chassis. This is a consideration for the entire lower body.
In the last aspect, 800 volts is the core technology of the next generation of smart electric vehicles that we believe to be the most core technology of the next generation of smart electric vehicles, because 800 volts is a platform, and it represents not only faster charging, but also the power consumption and energy consumption of my entire car. The level and the entire electronic structure are actually 800 volts, and there will be a relatively large gap in this, which is also the infrastructure for the next generation of electrification in our opinion.
Cheng Li: We saw that the first car under the Fuyao architecture is the G6. What do you think is the core difference between this car based on the Fuyao architecture compared to the G9 or P7?
Huang Honglin: In fact, our Fuyao architecture is not something created out of thin air. For example, on my G9, I also have a core capability of 800 volts. So if the Fuyao architecture is what we call SEPA2.0, That may G9 is a SEPA1.5, it may be missing something.
We believe that the next generation of smart electric vehicles must be XNGP plus front and rear integrated aluminum die-casting plus CIB, and then add an 800-volt platform. So maybe for the G9 it has the XNGP, 800-volt platform, but it may be missing two.
Cheng Li: So the G6 with Fuyao architecture is a comprehensive product?
Huang Honglin: It’s a great achievement, that’s right.
Cheng Li: From an architectural perspective, is there a significant cost advantage?
Huang Honglin: The advantages of architecture are very significant, which has greatly improved my cost reduction, generalization, and modularity. In fact, for example, like the front and rear integrated aluminum die-casting, it not only provides better body rigidity and safety, but also has some very important features, such as highly integrated many components, including the CIB battery chassis integration.
A high degree of integration means a significant decrease in costs, so it is not simply about cutting down certain things to reduce costs, but rather about making them better, cheaper, and more efficient. So architecture is very helpful for systematic car manufacturing.
Cheng Li: Compared to other products in the same level, such as the Tesla Model Y, what are our core highlights or strengths?
Huang Honglin: I think our competitor is a very scary one, whether it’s Model Y or Model 3. Over the years, there may not be many people in the Chinese market who dare to challenge it directly, so our competitor is indeed very fierce. However, whether it’s from our P7 or our G6, I think Xiaopeng Automobile is a company willing to stand up and face this competitor directly.
So if compared to Model Y, I personally feel that it has intergenerational differences, which is the first to explain from an intelligent perspective that we are based on China’s road conditions and have a better understanding of China’s XNGP.
I have tried FSD in the United States and it is actually a great product. However, there may still be some gaps in its localization compared to our current capabilities. From the overall driving experience, I think Tesla is very excellent, with excellent handling performance. It is a great car, but its understanding of Chinese consumers may not be as deep as ours.
We have a more comfortable space based on China’s localization needs, while also taking into account a certain level of handling. In terms of cost and efficiency, we are also constantly chasing after it, so I think G6 is a product with the potential to challenge industry leaders, but it completely crushes Model Y, and I think the market needs to test it.
Cheng Li: G6 is located in a highly competitive segmented market. What do you think is the most difficult thing for you or the entire product technology team in the process of building G6?
Huang Honglin: I think the most difficult thing is balance. For example, if I want to exercise, how can I achieve comfort? I want to look good, how can I achieve space? I need wind resistance, how can I balance it with space? Including possibly balancing many things with costs.
Because you mentioned that the market is very competitive, the price is also very deadly for it. Therefore, I believe that throughout the entire G6 research and development process, one word that has always accompanied the entire research and development project team is balance.
In terms of styling, we have created a Coupe design that, in the eyes of many consumers, has a significant impact on my headroom. However, we hope to have such a sporty design without affecting my headroom. So what should we do? We have created a floating design on top that looks very sporty, but the headroom is very good, so there are many clever ideas involved.
Cheng Li: Looking at the entire market environment, in fact, each car company has made every effort this year, in terms of marketing and product launch.
For the G6 car, we are facing strong competitors, such as BYD and Tesla. So what is our competitiveness?
Huang Honglin: As our friend, BYD actually has a different user base. Perhaps Xiaopeng’s users may have a more extreme pursuit of intelligence and technology, and from this winning perspective, our winning strategy is also different from BYD.
For Tesla, the key to Xiaopeng’s success is that Xiaopeng is a company that is good at listening. For example, Elon Musk may not have been to China for 3 years and may only arrange a few days of travel when he arrives. However, Xiaopeng is in China, where he interacts with a large number of Chinese people and users every day, and many users even send messages directly to Xiaopeng.
Our company’s understanding of Chinese users is far inferior to Tesla’s. I think the aesthetics, driving habits, understanding of cars, and intelligence of Chinese people may be beyond the imagination of foreign R&D experts. Therefore, I think the pickiness and understanding of Chinese users may be something that we are better at than Tesla.
Cheng Li: As you mentioned earlier, you are good at listening. We have also noticed that Xiaopeng has made some adjustments and changes in the past six months. So, as the person in charge of product marketing, what are the core aspects of this change reflected in your opinion?
Huang Honglin: I think the core manifestation may be the emergence of a position like mine, because I was previously responsible for the sales department and have been dealing with sales and users on the front line for a long time. Why am I in this position now? Actually, Xiaopeng may think that I will understand users better and understand the front line a bit.
So I will look at this product from end to end in my role. We will design products that users need more, and then products that better meet their needs, rather than doing things with breakpoints in every place. Therefore, I think there will also be some adjustments in the organization, changes in process models, and qualitative improvements in management skills.
I think this is some of the changes and efforts made by Xiaopeng Automobile in the past six months.
Comments