The difference in capabilities is as stark as heaven and earth!
The year 2025 will mark the advent of ultra-high-performance, low-cost BEVs (battery electric vehicles) with advanced ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and autonomous driving capabilities, priced between 2.5 and 4 million yen, with over 20 models launching. These BEVs, offering double the performance of Japanese-made BEVs at half the cost, will also undercut Japanese ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles. Tesla is set to release a $30,000 compact SUV with autonomous driving capabilities.
In the emerging new economy led by automakers like Tesla and BYD, BEVs with double the performance of ICE vehicles but at lower prices have become the norm. Additionally, autonomous driving Level 4 is expected to be achieved by these new economy manufacturers as early as 2025. In this context, the decline of Japan's traditional automakers, which continue to cling to outdated strategies like "multi-pathways," seems inevitable. Below is an example of one such high-performance, low-cost vehicle:
A new era has arrived where a full-size sedan or SUV equivalent to a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Audi A6L, exceeding 5 meters in length, can be purchased for roughly the price of a Japanese kei car. The Japanese automakers simply cannot compete with this reality. Here is one such model that will undoubtedly disrupt the market for Japanese cars:
Features and Latest Updates of Xpeng's Flagship EV, the "P7+"
Sales Performance and Market Reception
Recorded 31,528 confirmed orders within three hours of launch.
Over 30,000 units sold in November 2023, setting a new record.
Priced at 186,800 yuan (approximately 3.99 million yen), cheaper than competitors.
Performance
Battery capacity: 60.7 kWh.
Range: 615 km. Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 5.9 seconds.
Energy efficiency: 11.4 kWh/100 km, the best in the mid-size EV category in China.
Aerodynamics: Cd value of 0.206.
Charging: Charges to 80% in 20 minutes with 3C charging capability.
Charging Infrastructure
As of July 2024, China has 10.6 million EV charging stations, a 53% year-on-year increase, compared to Japan’s mere 23,686 locations.
Xpeng independently operates 1,300 charging stations in China as of mid-2024, with plans to expand to 10,000 stations by the end of 2026.
Features ultra-fast charging stations with a maximum output of 800 kW, delivering charging speeds 6–16 times faster than Japan's CHAdeMO standard.
Design and Cargo Capacity
Vehicle dimensions: Length 5,056 mm, width 1,937 mm.
Trunk capacity: 725 liters (surpassing the Audi A6L’s 430L and Mercedes E-Class’s 540L).
Maximum cargo capacity: 2,221 liters, exceeding Tesla Model Y.
Ultra-slim battery pack (109 mm thick) maximizes interior space.
Equipment
Infotainment: 15.6-inch central display, 8-inch rear touchscreen.
Seats: Nappa leather with heating, cooling, and massage functions.
Quietness: Outperforms luxury competitors like the Audi A6L and Mercedes E-Class.
Audio: 20 speakers with a 7.1.4 system.
Additional features: 256-color ambient lighting, panoramic glass roof, and V2L functionality (3.3 kW).
Autonomous Driving Technology
Hawk Eye system: Autonomous driving without LiDAR.
Computing power: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P (60 TOPS).
Comparison with Competitors
Price: About 1 million yen cheaper than Tesla Model 3 (4.96 million yen) and 2–2.5 million yen cheaper than Toyota bZ4X (6–6.5 million yen).
Energy efficiency: Comparable to Model 3 (11.3 kWh/100 km).
Standard features: More comprehensive than competitors, with nearly full options as standard.
Xpeng’s Future Plans
Plans to revamp its lineup by 2025, including new models like the mid-size SUV "G7" and range-extender EV "G01."
The traditional automakers of the world, particularly in Japan, are already losing badly to Chinese new economy manufacturers in next-generation technologies like batteries and now, even in ride quality and chassis performance. The gap has grown insurmountably large.
For reference, while the top-tier Mercedes-Maybach model costs 42 million yen and can delicately carry a three-tier champagne tower over rough roads,
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4WW0LIfFvIw
NIO's latest flagship model demonstrates astonishing technology by supporting a five-tier champagne tower without spilling—just nine months after previously achieving three tiers.
https://youtu.be/_xHFJjDLPCY
This groundbreaking technology is poised to trickle down from luxury to mass-market vehicles. Starting in 2025, leading Chinese BEV manufacturers, each capable of producing 200,000–300,000 units annually, will scale up their operations several times over. While demand within China has so far absorbed all production, these high-performance, low-cost BEVs will soon flood Southeast Asia and beyond, eating into Japanese automakers' markets. A harsh era lies ahead for Japanese manufacturers.
The difference in capabilities is as stark as heaven and earth!