Are electric car buyers timid? Chinese commentary with EV makers

　In Europe, the United States, and China, there is a big trend from gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles and EVs , and while Chinese manufacturers are rising, there is a feeling that Japanese manufacturers are being left behind.

As EV cars are a type of smart home appliance, interface design is also　emphasized. ” was published in the Chinese “Tencent”.

　"Oh, what are the strengths of Japanese manufacturing?"

Low residual value rate that is incomparable to gasoline vehicles

　According to the "2022 China Automobile Residual Value Rate Research Report," which analyzes the residual value rate of used cars in China over the past year from manufacturers, types, models, etc., Lexus is the top three-year residual value rate for gasoline vehicles at 68.5% . At the top of the list, Japanese manufacturers occupy four seats among the top five manufacturers .

　This year, pure electric vehicles (EV cars) were also subject to research on the residual value rate, but while the statistics for gasoline vehicles have a three-year residual value rate, pure electric vehicles have a one-year residual value rate . According to this standard, under Tesla, Xiao Peng, Wei Lai, BYD, Roe Wei and Chinese companies line up.

　According to reports, EVs are affected by factors such as battery consumption and the life of electronic components, and the residual value rate after one year or more is still not high.

　Looking at the 3-year residual value rate, according to data released by a research company in 2019, the average EV is only 32.31%, which is quite a gap compared to gasoline vehicles made by Japanese manufacturers.

　Wang Xinxi pointed out that the low residual value rate and short usable life are among the core shortcomings that must be resolved in the long-term development of electric vehicles, especially in China. To do.

"Japanese cars last 40 years"

　Earlier this year, in response to the news of Apple's entry into the automobile market, Toyota President Akio said, "Apple needs to be prepared to invest resources over the long term. Anyone with the technology can make a car. However, , once production starts, we will have to continue to improve ourselves while facing and responding to various changes with users for 40 years. ” It implies that the years are short and it does not last 40 years like Toyota's cars . It is said that there is no doubt that the service life is the top .

　The engine technology of Japanese manufacturers' gasoline vehicles is world-leading, and Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, wherever they are, rely on Japanese parts . In addition, the three major parts of electronic control parts, electronic control models, and automatic transmissions are almost completely monopolized by Japanese manufacturers .

　The reliability of Toyota cars is well known within the industry, and Toyota cars that are 20 or 30 years old are not uncommon. Says.

　According to engineers in the Chinese automobile industry, even if China's engine technology is very advanced, it cannot be produced without Japanese parts . It is a fact that the superiority in the world is extremely powerful .

　In the age of gasoline-powered cars, as long as the engine is solid, there is no big problem with the car.

　Reliability and durability are the reasons why Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota have high residual value ratios, and this is said to be the core competitiveness of Japanese automakers that has continued to be the world's top sales volume.

Electric vehicles are also centered on "durable life" competition?

　There seems to be a lot of objection to this in China. In other words, in terms of mobile phones, Nokia's mobile phones at the time were strong enough to crack a walnut, but the fate of being eliminated by the iPhone could not be changed, and Japanese cars were certainly reliable. No, it is meaningless in front of the new technology of electric vehicles .

　However, according to Mr. Wang's analysis, automobiles are large and expensive products, and reliability and longevity are top priorities . The residual value rate is a very important part of the competitiveness of automobile products. It is said that this is because the used car culture has not yet been formed in Japan, as it is only at the stage of trying something new.

　At this stage, EV cars are competing in areas such as product smartness, design, operation experience, cruising range, battery consumption per 100km, and acceleration, but indicators such as residual value rate, durability, and service life Few manufacturers advertise .

Second-hand dealer "I don't need an EV car"

　It is said that this shows that indicators such as residual value rate and service life are weak points of current electric vehicles. One industry insider admits that used car dealers do not buy electric cars , and another industry insider who conducted a survey of the used car market said, "Used car dealers are Luxgen, a luxury brand "How to sell the Luxgen at double the price?" "Filling up with gasoline", "Why is the design of the Luxgen so particular about air resistance?" Why is there a sidewalk in China?” “For the owner of Luxgen to walk home,” which has become a joke subject, and is an “ahoze” in the Chinese automobile industry), but not electric vehicles I understand."

　It's already been seven years since the first wave of electric vehicles came out, and judging from the service life, many vehicles should be scrapped or flowed into the second-hand market in the next few years due to battery exhaustion. Due to the low residual value of cars and the consumption of batteries, it is expected that the second-hand market for electric cars in the early stages will not thrive.

　Based on the battery technology so far, the life is about 5 years, and it needs to be replaced, which is a not insignificant expense. Perhaps there are no buyers on the used market, and the purchase price may be extremely low, which may also shock consumers.

　Gasoline cars do not require major repairs even after seven years of use, but electric cars lose their value quickly because of their short battery life and rapid generational change in battery technology.

　Today, many EV manufacturers have a repair warranty period of 8 years or 120,000 km, while Tesla has 8 years and 160,000 km. In other words, the life of the battery and each part of an electric vehicle will come to an end in eight years, so whether it is time to replace the battery or buy a new vehicle at this time, it will be a big burden for consumers . Consumers may notice the superiority of gasoline vehicles, he said.

Overall review

　When the topic of batteries in electric vehicles comes up, "cruising range" is often the topic of discussion, but "battery life" is certainly a big, easy-to-understand issue. This is another reason why smartphones should be replaced every 2-3 years.

　Some people may buy a new car in a few years, but it is assumed that the car they are currently driving will be bought at a certain price. If you handle it, the hurdles for replacement are likely to rise.

　Furthermore, I think that the fact that the first-generation EVs will reach the end of their battery life is a source of anxiety for the EV market.

　In my personal sense, it is impossible to buy a car whose main parts will be damaged in 8 years for several million yen. In addition, I am driving a 20-year-old Nissan car while complaining that "fuel consumption is bad and gasoline is expensive", but it runs normally on the highway. Japanese gasoline car maker, I feel like it's still cool.