Introduction

The world of automotive manufacturing is never devoid of new players and their intriguing stories.

Amidst the pivotal transition from June to July, this week's automotive landscape has been abuzz with a flurry of news, both momentous and subtle.

First and foremost, amidst the cutthroat competition within the industry, a formidable new player has emerged. Unlike Goldfish Automobile, which boasts a meager registered capital of 10 million yuan yet ambitious plans to sell 200,000 vehicles by 2028, the Starry Sky Plan is more grounded and well-capitalized, backed by a legitimate business entity.

Starry Sky Plan (Shanghai) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. boasts a registered capital of 1 billion yuan. The company's ultimate beneficiary is Yu Hao, the founder of a prominent hardware company in East China, holding an indirect shareholding ratio of 80%. According to Qichacha, the Starry Sky Plan is a part of the Sky Soaring Technology Group, which also includes Dreametech (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. Both entities share the same founder and CEO, Yu Hao, suggesting a unified front.

In the "Control Plan Adjustment for Blocks G01, G03, and G04 of Unit 04FX-0002" announced by Shanghai's Lingang New Area in March, the Starry Sky Plan acquired a factory land totaling 414,400 square meters, situated conveniently near Tesla's energy storage facility and CATL's construction site.

Perhaps anticipating the challenges of competing directly with industry giants, the Starry Sky Plan initially aims to conquer the international market. According to insiders, the company's inaugural model will prioritize overseas sales before turning its focus domestically. This unconventional strategy sets them apart; no domestic automaker has adopted such an approach before.

Another newcomer to the automotive fray is JD.com, the e-commerce giant always eager to diversify its portfolio. After making inroads into the food delivery industry, JD.com's logistics arm has also achieved a significant breakthrough. JD Logistics has unveiled its self-developed unmanned light truck, the JD Logistics VAN, marking the company's official entry into the autonomous driving vehicle sector.

JD.com's ambitions in autonomous driving have been long-standing. In May, it registered the "Joyrobotaxi" trademark, encompassing nine major categories including transportation tools and scientific instruments, revealing its broad aspirations in the autonomous mobility sector.

The JD Logistics VAN targets the replacement market for traditional 4.2-meter trucks, boasting a spacious 24-cubic-meter cargo capacity, a 400-kilometer full-load range, and L4-level autonomous driving capabilities on public roads. JD.com has initiated trial operations in 30 cities, including Beijing and Guangzhou, with plans to deploy over 1,000 vehicles by 2026.

Amidst these new entrants, Xiaomi Automobile, albeit a relative newcomer without a "novice protection period," has also been active this week.

Last Thursday, data from the YU7 launch event revealed that over 200,000 orders were placed within three minutes, shocking even Lei Jun and putting pressure on competitors. Competitors responded by promising to refund YU7 deposits, educating users on order management, and even resorting to devious tactics, such as studying specialized interception scripts.

In retaliation, Lei Jun addressed the issue during a live stream on Wednesday. He not only scrutinized his competitors' interception scripts but also pointed out inaccuracies and perceived slander. Ultimately, he extended an olive branch, stating that each product has its merits and that true confidence lies in highlighting one's strengths. It was a masterful maneuver.

However, during the same live stream, Lei Jun stumbled while promoting the Xiaomi YU7's magnetic car tissue box. Despite emphasizing its automotive-grade quality, high-cost materials, and intricate manufacturing process, consumers were skeptical of the 169-yuan price tag. Moreover, the discrepancy between the box's automotive-grade marketing and its consumer-grade infotainment system chip left a sour taste.

Nevertheless, a comparison with industry standards reveals that Lei Jun might have been unfairly criticized. Multiple tissue boxes from other brands exceed the 100-yuan mark. For instance, AITO 11's rear dock tissue box costs 100 yuan; Deep Blue Automotive's car-mounted three-dimensional tissue box is priced at 119 yuan; NIO ET9's second-row magnetic tissue box and Haptex tissue box are priced at 308 yuan and 199 yuan, respectively; the most expensive being AITO's 339-yuan tissue box.

Conversely, there are also cheaper options available. For example, Leap Motor T03's exclusive headrest/tissue bag costs only 38 yuan; GAC AION's car-mounted tissue box is priced at 58 yuan; Li Auto's car-mounted leather tissue box is 59 yuan; Xiaopeng Motors' magnetic tissue box is 75 yuan; and Zeekr's car-mounted tissue box is 99 yuan.

Overall, it's challenging to find tissue boxes priced below 30 yuan on official channels. While Xiaomi YU7's car-mounted magnetic tissue box is pricey, it falls within the industry's normal price range.

There has also been discontent over the targeted subsidy policies in Henan and Hunan provinces. The Henan Automobile Association and Changsha Commerce Bureau launched new energy promotion campaigns, but these preferential policies, meant to stimulate automotive consumption, have sparked controversy due to their specific model targeting. As netizens witnessed models priced above 200,000 yuan receiving subsidies, questions arose about the subsidies' source and whether they undermined fair market competition.

In contrast, Nezha Automobile, a frequent source of heated discussions and automotive industry topics, remains unyielding. Despite being filed for bankruptcy by an advertising company in June and officially entering bankruptcy proceedings, Nezha Automobile lives up to its name, demonstrating remarkable resilience.

On Monday, undeterred, Nezha Automobile actively sought a "lifesaver." The WeChat official account of Hezhong New Energy's management issued a "Pre-Recruitment Announcement for Prospective Investors of Hezhong New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd.," detailing the company's overview, core assets, and investor registration process. This unpretentious yet dignified approach somewhat resembles someone trying to maintain composure amidst chaos. Some may see it as desperate, while others might view it as a strategic move.

However, for this "bottomless pit" that has consumed billions of yuan yet remains unprofitable, as netizens have commented, only someone like Wang Duoyu, willing to take substantial risks, dares to invest.

This week in the automotive industry has seen new faces shine brightly with their "starry sky" dreams and ingenious tactics, while e-commerce giants have expanded their horizons in autonomous driving and marketing. The debate over subsidy policies rages on, and Nezha Automobile, the "phoenix that refuses to die," still harbors a strong will to survive.

This vibrant week once again underscores that the automotive manufacturing landscape is never devoid of new players and their intriguing stories. As new entrants join the fray with dreams and veterans fight fiercely, only the ultimate judge, the market, will determine who truly emerges victorious.

Stay tuned for next week's "Car Talk of the Week," where we gather the latest automotive news and review the week's significant events.

Editor-in-Charge: Cui Liwen Editor: He Zengrong